I guess I have to give away all my secrets......

I've gotten several e-mails and a few blog comments about Gracie's cake, so here goes....... I am not a cake baker nor do I decorate cakes well. I always look for the easy way out.

A couple years ago I found this cake pan (it's by Wilton) and loved it- my mom got it for me for Christmas, Birthday or something like that. All you do is bake it in two seperate pieces and then with a little icing 'stick' them together. I iced the top with strawberry frosting and left the bottom au natural. I also put some of those large round 'sprinkles' on the top and got a larger-than-normal birthday candle. If I can do it- you can too.

This is what the cake pan looks like (you have to bake the stinkin' thing for almost an hour though-so it gets done in the middle. Here is a link to where to buy.

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All joking aside, for those who don't already know- we are expecting our fifth little one in August 2009. We couldn't be more excited (especially Raelyn!!) other than the fact we don't have any girl names (so let's hope it's a boy!) But of course, we'd love a girl too.......

She's One!!

Gracen Carole Long turned one on Tuesday. Monday night we had a little birthday party for her at our house with a pizza dinner. Aunt Megan even drove down from KY for just one day to get to see Gracie!!

Much to my dismay she didn't even eat a bite of her cake- although she did have fun demolishing it with a fork

And this picture is to show her rear of her knit longies- this was her special birthday outfit (notice the cupcake theme??)

Science Museum

Morgan takes some classes for homeschoolers at a local children's science museum and so we the little kids and I spend some time playing there. I thought I'd take a few pictures last week while we were waiting.

Camping with Girl Scouts

I help out at Morgan's Brownie Troop and we did a little one-nighter camping trip the first weekend in February. Gracie went too as the littlest camper.

Morgan collecting firewood for the lunchtime fire

Morgan and one of her little friends (everyone slept on the floor in the lodge/mess hall on mattresses in their sleeping bags)

And the littlest camper asleep in her bag

In stark contrast to the last post......

A local YWCA has an indoor 'waterpark' pool that is a wintertime favorite among my kiddos. It has fun fountains and things, plus a zero degree entry. Our friend, Alexis, organizes great playgroups every Friday (that we don't attend often enough) but we definitely had to go swimming today. My mom suprised us by showing up to help out (and take pictures!) and Morgan's dear friend Mary-Clark (who is also homeschooled) and her family came- which is fun for M since she's always the oldest at playgroup stuff.

I just love this picture. Both of them are doing mischievous things. Jack is trying to undo the rope and Raelyn trying to pour water on his head.

Gracie was a little unsure of the whole thing- but warmed up eventually- just like a big bathtub.

Raelyn was rockin' the kickboards

The bigger two under the 'mushroom' waterfall

Jack was such a daredevil -I'm a little afraid of what he's going to be like this summer!!

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.......

We woke up today to a light dusting of snow.....but that didn't stop the kids! We headed down the street to play with our friends- the Giffords and the Klass' and then when Gracie got too cold we came back home- where the older three played for even longer!!! The biggest two were outside for about two hours!

Jack man (and yes, he's wearing a pink and navy snowsuit) He would throw a 'snowball' at anyone who would come close enough - and then didn't mind getting them thrown back at him

The older three

Jack

and the only one I have of Gracie- because I was holding her the whole time

Raelyn LOVED the snow

Morgan and her friend Allie

Raelyn made several snow angels- and got covered in snow