Monday, June 29, 2009

Blessed Babies


On Sunday, June 28th, we
were in Columbia for the
blessing of Max and Ella Grace.














The weather had been
ridiculously hot last week,
in the high 90's. Saturday
night we had a cold front
pass through, and Sunday
was golden! Low humidity,
high in the low 80's, just perfect.


Good thing, too. There were
about 40 people throughout
the day, dropping in for food
and fellowship.


Lynn and Clyde brought a
tent/pavilion, so many stayed
outside, and the kids played
in the big backyard.

Ella's gown was a Hesemann
family heirloom. Her great-
grandpa Ritterbush was
christened in it, as were
several cousins.














Doesn't she look beautiful
in her special dress?!



Her great-uncle Dale, and
cousin Edward blessed the
babies.


Ella was content during
the actual blessing.



By the time we
got home, she
was hungry and
tired, and let
everyone know it!







Max, handsome in his
blessing whites, was
his usual sunny self.
During his blessing, he
looked up at each man
in the circle, smiling and
trying to make eye
contact.
While Ella was having
a meltdown, Max just
watched her, as if to say,
"Chill, baby girl. It's
all good."












.

Friday, June 26, 2009








My New Hobby


I have a fun new hobby--- Cake Decorating!



I made this one for Steve on his February birthday. It is chocolate cake covered with home made marshmallow fondant. The candies are cake balls made of cake mixed with melted store-bought frosting, formed by hand, then dipped in light cocoa candy melts, drizzled with thin icing, then placed in mini-cupcake cups.

Unfortunately, by this time we had been having practice cakes A LOT! He asked for a pie instead. I gave this cake away.



This one was for my daughter Laura's
baby shower. I think they were chocolate
and vanilla cakes, and were covered in fondant.



The wacky 'fence' was made of chocolate.











These three were for my Grammeo's 96th
birthday party in January.



This was chocolate, with chocolate buttercream
filling.







The pink package cake was vanilla with
chocolate buttercream filling.


The red bow cake
was vanilla with
raspberry buttercream filling.






And nary a crumb was left.








.

.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

.......











So this is why Ella eats every two hours--she wants to catch up to Max!

















Ella Grace-----or Ella Grande?

Her pose is classic. She's copying Michael Flatley in Lord of the Dance!







..

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

...


When my children were small, our picture-taking was done on film that had to be sent away in the mail to be developed! (gasp! the dark ages!)







Or, we had them professionally done at WalMart. (snort!)



So, these old pix of my babies are not always perfectly reflective of their actual beauty, but are good for comparisons with their own beautiful offspring.



I've spent lots of time with Ella Grace, and can see her Mommy in her (but mostly her Daddy).






Ian has his Daddy's bright-eyed smile, inquisitiveness, love of music, and empathy.



Ellie has her Mommy's...ummm....


...coloring. And snuggle-ability. And take-charge attitude.








.

Monday, June 01, 2009

PLAYHOUSE!



I found this wonderful playhouse
on craigslist for 1/4 the price of
a new one! WooHoo!

I always wanted a playhouse when I was little. Now my grandbabies have a fun place to play outside when they come to visit.




As you can see from both photos, Ellie insisted that the proper pose was with one foot up behind.

She wanted to take a picture of me with that pose inside the playhouse. I had to explain that I would fall over if I tried. She said, in her best encouraging voice, "Yes, Gran. You can DO it!"

I couldn't.