Guilty...

Madisyn got our attention the other day after Landon had made this mess on the floor. All I know is that we're really in for it once he hits the "terrible two's!" He's already a little trouble maker!

Another Cake Adventure

This past weekend I decided to mix things up a little and attempted to make chocolate butter cream frosting. That gave me a good excuse to try a few other things... this time it was marble cake with a chocolate pudding filling, chocolate butter cream frosting and fondant decorations (decorations only, versus covering the entire cake as well). Luckily we had a small get-together Saturday night, so we didn't end up eating all of the cake (it was actually gone by the end of the night) :)

Oh, and the chocolate butter cream frosting was delicious!

Happy Belated Anniversary, My Love




Thank you for being the best husband I could ever ask for! I am so blessed!

Rob planned a wonderful surprise night away for us this past weekend. We went to the Rockford football game (something that I desperately didn't want to miss), checked into the Marriott downtown, went out to dinner, went to bed early, and slept in :) Then we did a little shopping before heading home Saturday afternoon. Although I missed the kids dearly, it's so wonderful to spend quality time alone to reconnect!

Lesson learned

I've been trying to contain my excitement... but I just can't do it anymore :)

Rob's cousin and his fiance asked me to make their wedding cake! No less than two days before they asked me, I told Rob (half jokingly), that I wanted to start my own cake making business. I LOVE decorating cakes, but I know how much time it takes (and because I'm a perfectionist, it often takes at least twice as long as any normal person!).

So I have this plan to make small cakes as practice trying different techniques. This weekend was my first and I definitely learned something... buy brown fondant, don't try to make it! The base was supposed to be chocolate brown, turned out gross tanish, so I added orange and it turned out burnt orange. Oh well... lesson learned.

Here's the cake from this weekend:


Some of you have already seen the next two, but I'm thinking of making a tiered cake (likely three) for the wedding.
Madisyn and Landon's cake this past year:


Madisyn's second birthday cake:

Children's Museum

Rob's work sponsored a recent exhibit at the Children's museum, so I made a trip with the kids, and they loved it (of course)! (Rob sells emergency vehicle lights and sirens)




Our little stud...


Did anyone know that there are not only wide shoes for kids, but also EXTRA wide shoes? Well our 'little' boy has very chubby feet and needs very expensive shoes to accommodate them! Luckily we got away with Crocs all summer... Seeing that it's cooler out, we've invested in one wide pair (they didn't have them in extra-wide) and one extra-wide pair (which fit him the best). Hopefully his chubby little feet thin out as he gets older so that we don't have to spend $50/pair of shoes every couple of months!




Texting?! (with his extra-wide shoes)


(photograph by Tina Vink, link on picture as well as below)
We are a busy family of five! I enjoy time with my husband and kids, running, being outdoors, shopping for deals, and cuddling. My wonderful husband keeps busy playing with the kiddos, hunting, fishing, exercising and working on projects around the house. Madisyn is six, in 1st grade, loves being outdoors and isn't one bit afraid of bugs or worms! Landon is four, a spitting image of Daddy, and is the sweetest, naughtiest and funniest little boy, all in one! Tinley was born February 24, 2012 and has already blessed us beyond belief! Here's a glimpse into our crazy and wonderful lives... hope you enjoy!







Tiece of Cake

I've finally decided to make a blog (Tiece of cake) dedicated to cakes... as to not consume the family blog.

(photograph by Mindy Leigh Photography, link on picture as well as below)

Madisyn Grace

Madisyn Grace
"Baby" & "M" (photograph by Melissa @ M Design and Photography, link on picture as well as below)

Landon Adrian

Landon Adrian
"LD" & "Bubba" (photograph by Melissa @ M Design and Photography, link on picture as well as below)