Yeah, we're here

Hello everybody,

So I keep hearing "what's up with your blog?" - the answer would be ... nothing. And the reason why ... my digital camera died. And I haven't gotten to CVS to take the pics off of the camera Megan gave me (she got a new one - lucky her!!!). So until I recover from my lameness, there will be very few postings, which is a shame because my kids are really cute and I'm funny. Somehow, I know you'll survive.

P.S. I have also been asked this a bunch: Yes, I think Sarah Palin is a nutbag (and I have defended my view to my very Republican FIL and Dad.). Yes, should be a top-ticket election and instead it's turned into the Vagina Monologues Meets 90210. Me, and all my estrogen, and all my womanly parts are thoroughly offended by the implications of her presense. As an independent, I would have considered both options. Now - oh hell no.

THE BEST BIRTHDAY CAKE EVER - an Ode to Megan

So, I have to take a minute and brag about my future sister-in-law. She is just an amazing person, a great friend, and a superb aunt to my kids. EVERYONE needs a Megan; she's that person who is so sweet and fun to be around - she really could have been my sister. She is always there when I need her. I think the world of her, and I know my mom would have loved her. There is nothing I wouldn't do for her - she's fit right into our family since the day I met her 2 years ago. I knew she was a good baker, but when she offered to make Allie's cakes (one chocolate, another for the haters), I never expected this! Just look at that thing! Allie LOVED her Piggy cake. She loves all things pigs, and I think this cake is just about the cutest thing I ever saw. It looks so professional, everybody thought it was store-bought. But then ... oh yes, it gets better ... we tasted it.
(the marks on the ears are from Allie's fingers) I HATE anything vanilla and cake icing. HATE IT. And let me tell you I could have eaten her whole vanilla cake myself! This was the best cake I ever had, and everyone there agreed. EVER. The icing was perfect - not too sweet but it was creamy. It had the taste of sugar icing (but not as sweet) and the consistency of buttercream (which is wasn't at all). OMG. I was so mad when I got home from choir tonight and found out Ron ate the last big chunk of it. It was delicious!

Thus concludes my Ode to Megan. I loved her to pieces before she made the cake, but now I'm going to make damn sure she stays around forever! I can't wait for the next occasion for her to make another one. Maybe I'll ask her to do cupcakes next time so I can freeze them ...

... and no, I'm not going to pimp her out (but I'm thinking maybe she should go to culinary school for baking or whatever it is. Maybe she should go work for Duff!) She's mine. Go get your own Megan, 'cause everyone needs a Megan.

Allie's Birthday Party

We had a small get-together with immediate family this weekend to celebrate Allie's birthday. It was just really, really hot and humid, but we stuck it out and had a great time. Above are Allie and Madalyn in their pool from Aunt Megan and Uncle Denny. Below is most of the family ...
... and here is most of the rest. The only missing people are Nonna and Aunt Stephanie, who were upstairs with Lorenzo. I never get the best pics at these things - too busy handling the kids. And Lord knows single parenthood makes socialization tough. I'm going to take a TON of pics at Lorenzo's party next month!
Allie and her BELOVED, MOST COOL CAKE EVER!!!
Sarah and Allie eating THE MOST AWESOMELY DELICIOUS CAKE ICING EVER!

Yay - happy (very belated, but at least it's not December) birthday Allie!

Bootyfwies!

In an effort to dispell the fury over what we cannot control in our house, we went on a butterfly adventure at a local sanctuary. Allie thought it was very cool to look at the pretty butterflies until she realized they moved. And were well acclaimated with humans. And liked humans. And tried to perch on them. After that, it was like The Birds. Allie freaked out, and would only go near them via a magnifying glass. Even Ron, ever the beast of a man with the heart of a teddy bear, donned butterflies to show Allie there was nothing to fear. She didn't buy it.

Biohazard 23

So, many of you know that we have been stuck in the biohazard twilight zone. This house - while mostly just fine, has been a nightmare on the lower level in the addition. We took the roof off and found weird green, white and black stuff. Lovely. Ron and his Dad replaced the roof. We thought we were in great shape. Uhh ... no. This is what we found when we took the ceiling down to check out the faulty wiring (in the pic below)



There are at least 20 sheets of panelling that have that funky-assed mold all over it. There is even a pollen-like mold mist on the decking above. WTF??? Like, for real? We knew it was musty but never, EVER thought we would encounter something like this. Needless to say, we are circling the wagons, calling in favors, and going after the bastards full throttle. In the meantime, I would suggest buying stock in Clorox. I'm gonna be one busy but thoroughly sterilized momma.

Allie and her beloved swing

Allie LOOOOOOOOOOOOVES the swing. Just loves it. So now we are falling into a ritual of going to the park at least three times a week so she can get her fix. I look at these pictures, and I really can't believe how big she's getting already!

Fun in the Backyard

Allie has finally figured out "cheese", thank you SuperSnap. She will stop whatever she's doing and ham it up.
Allie, Christian, and Uncle Choo playing on the slide from Aunt Steph.
We don't see Accu and his family nearly as much as we'd like to, and after the party it was a great time for us to just sit, relax, and enjoy each other.