Sunday, June 21, 2009

First Swim

Awww, the joys of summer! Last night we got together with the gang for Eli's first swim. I finally got to try out my margarita cupcake recipe! We all had so much fun! I don't know what I am going to do without these ladies!

Here is Karen, Darcy and Bruce...


Aunt Jess and Eli...


Daddy and "E" getting ready for the big swim...


not crying yet!


everyone just watching the E man...



Happy baby!


Here is an underwater shot- I was a little nervous trying out the camera, but it still works!


I think we have a little water baby on our hands! He was perfect in the water!


Eventually, I took Eli out of the pool and we watched the "big kids" play!


the girls...

As promised, here is the Margarita Cupcake recipe!
INGREDIENTS

Cupcakes:
1 box white cake mix
8 oz margarita mix (liquid)
2 oz tequila
1 oz Grand Marnier
3 egg whites
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp grated lime zest
Lime Buttercream Icing:
8 Tbsp butter, softened
8 oz cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp lime juice (approx 2 fresh limes)
1 Tbsp margarita mix
1 tsp lime zest
5 cups powdered (confectioners’)
sugarcane sugar & fresh limes (for garnish)
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350º and prepare muffin pans.
2. Combine margarita mix, tequila, and Grand Marnier in a large glass and stir well.
3. In large bowl, combine cake mix, egg whites, lime zest, vegetable oil, and margarita mixture from step one. Stir ingredients together, then beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for approximately 2-3 minutes.
4. Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pans. Fill each cup/liner about 2/3 full.
5. Bake at recommended temperature on cake mix box (usually 325º - 350º) for 20 - 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean.
Icing:
6. In a large bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, lime juice, margarita mix, and lime zest. Beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
7. Add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, and continue beating until smooth. If icing is too thin, add more powdered sugar, a couple tablespoons at a time.
8. Spread icing generously on each cooled cupcake* or use a pastry bag to frost. Sprinkle cane sugar around the edges of the cupcake for a “salt rimmed” look and garnish with lime wheels & wedges.
I saw this recipe a few weeks ago and I was trying to find an excuse to make it! A pool party seemed like the perfect excuse!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

This little light of mine...

I'm gonna let him shine.

Here are a few pictures to show off the light of our little world...


Eli and Papa...

E and Memamaw...


Here we are at the lake...we were bored one Sunday afternoon, so we packed up and headed to the lake!



Could he be any cuter?!?





So, we haven't decided on the room theme...still. Thanks for all of your comments and ideas! We will be making our final decision soon and plan to have an unveiling party! Won't that be fun!?!

Monday, June 08, 2009

We need your help!

Most of you know that we recently purchased our new home back in Texas. We are making a slow move back through the summer, and we really want to have the rooms planned out before we "officially" move.



Anyway, we are going back and forth on the decor for Eli's room. At the moment, he is still sleeping in our room in his co-sleeper. We LOVE his co-sleeper! It is so nice to have him right beside us in the middle of the night.


That being said, we want to make sure that his new room is just perfect for him!


We have three themes that we are choosing between:



Dr. Seuss- here is a general idea of what we would be going for...






Dinosaurs- inspired by this adorable set that we found...we would be taking the orange out though...no orange. GO SOONERS!










Robots- inspired by the awesome diaper cake from Stef and Kaci and the artwork below from Megan & Mendy Winborg.








Now do you see why we need your help! They are all adorable! :)


Just leave a comment to let us know what you would do and if you have any ideas!

The new obsession...

I really have to be in the right mood to go scout garage sales. Chris is the total opposite. He loves the thrill of the hunt. I, would much rather search the Internet in the comfort of my own home.

I have to say that I have become a little obsessive about checking craigslist...but I have found some really cool stuff! At the moment, I am scouting for a bouncer/saucer for Eli. I don't want to spend a lot of money on something that he may or may not like, so I figure that this beats searching garage sales any day.
Our first official purchase for the new house- a light fixture for the entryway...


I love this chair! I am going to strip and re-stain it...


I really love this chair! It is so comfy...and I will be staining it also...


Happy shopping!

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Drum roll, please...

here is THE Diaper Cake!


Some of you know that my cousin, Stef's diaper cakes are becoming a trademark in our family. Kaci (Stef's sister) helped too! We have all been waiting with much anticipation for baby P's diaper cake. We were so excited when we found out that it would be ready last week! It is so amazing that we didn't have the heart to take it a part! Of course, we had to have a little photo shoot...it can't stay the centerpiece of our dinning table forever...


















Oh, wait did I forget to mention that she sewed everything including this stuffed robot without a pattern? That is right, she rocks!




Eli loves his diaper cake!





"Thank you, aunt Stef and aunt Kaci!"



"Mom, look, this robot is as big as me!"





Thanks, Stef & Kaci...we can't wait to see the other cakes that you will be making in the future for us (wink).




Here is the E-man's new swimsuit! Some of you might know that we are making plans for our big 5 year anniversary trip to Hawaii this December. I saw this adorable suit and had to get it...I just couldn't wait.
Why on earth are you bringing your kid with you on your anniversary trip, you ask?
Oh, don't worry, we will have at least 4 babysitters coming along as well. Besides, he is just too cute to leave at home...