Big Red Van Cake

We are truly truly blessed.

Last Summer on a trip down to my parents house, alone with 8 children, our big blue van died completely. Things had gotten so hot under the hood, that it melted parts of the transmission and motor. It was going to cost way more to fix than the van was worth. So we gave it to the wreckers and called it a day. It was a bit sad, as we only had it for 18months and it cost us $10,500. I really don't feel like we got our money's worth, that's for sure.

So we had been dealing with only having Chris's truck that seats 5 and Peggy was nice enough to let us use her mini van whenever we needed. So if we wanted to take the whole family somewhere, we had to take 2 vehicles. There are a few trips down to my parents coming up and so we were starting to think of what we could do to get another vehicle that fit us all.

Our Bishop new we didn't have a family vehicle and he had talked to a brother in our ward, also in the bishopric. He had a 15 passenger van that they we no longer using. This family is so wonderful and they just gave us the van. What a blessing. And as if that wasn't miracle enough, another brother in our ward, did the mechanic report and the small amount of repairs for free. He even changed the oil for us. We just had to buy the parts that were needed. I already made an Easter cake for the guy that did the fixing, and a jello dessert. He and his sons have some major sweet teeth, so I knew they would love it. But I still wanted to do something for the family that gave us the van. How do you thank and repay someone for giving you a vehicle, and not just a vehicle, but one that fits us all and makes life a bit easier. Other than committing to being more award of the needs of people around me and helping where the Lord needs, there isn't much. But I do have a skill for cakes, so today I made a HUGE big red van cake as a giant yummy thank you. I hope they enjoy it.

It must be Spring!!!!!

Saturday April 12th, we were having such warm weather, the kids and I headed out to the backyard to get it all cleaned up for Spring. We started a fire and got all the extra wood burned. We also got flower beds ready and got rid of any garbage or toys that needed to be cleaned. We kept seeing ladybugs, they were everywhere, tons of them. Finally while we were playing on and around the tree, we noticed where they were all coming from. There we so many lady bugs all over the trunk of the tree. It was so neat to see clusters of lady bugs. I of coarse got my camera and took a few pictures.

Owen's 3rd birthday!!!

Oh my how time flies. My little guy is 3. He is all potty trained and big as can be!!!! He looked through my cake books and wanted the dragon cake and the dinosaur cake. I was only going to make the dragon cake, but decided that I would surprise him with both. And he loves the fondant icing, so he enjoyed eating their heads, which were 100% fondant. We just had a family party, which is a major party in itself since he has so many siblings!!!

Calliope is 1

I know everyone says it, but this year went by so fast. I can't believe how soon Calliope turned one. It has been a busy year thats forsure. She did start walking at 11 months, still crawling lots, but talking lots of steps too, but now she is walking more than crawling, she thinks she is so big!!!! We just had a family party for her birthday. I loved making her fairy cake and she enjoyed eating it I am sure. She is such a blessing to us and I am so glad she is part of our big happy family.

My first wedding cake

This is my first wedding cake. I was very happy with how it turned out. A family in our ward was getting maried and baptised the same day. Well the mom and dad were getting married. So they got married at 2pm, then at 4pm got baptised (mom, dad, son and daughter) then ward potluck to help them celebrate at 630pm. I volunteered to make the cake. Since there was not a lot of time to plan the wedding, I still wanted them to have a really nice cake, as everyone needs nice things for their wedding.

Valentine's Day

Chris and I do not celebrate Valentine's Day. We feel we dont' need a over commercialized day for us to show we love eachother. And I certainly don't need over prised flowers to know that Chris loves me. We all year round take time to show eachother that we are in love. Now having said that, it doesn't mean I don't make it special for the kids. I figure since it is a day of love, I can make things fun and exciting for my children (whom I love greatly) on this day.

The kids had alot of fun making valentines, decorating cookies, eating all the super yummy valentines treats and of coarse getting their valentines day gift.

Family skating at dog rump park!!! (seriously thats what it is called)

Saturday, January 26th we bundled up the kids, loaded them in the van (well some walked) and took the family to dog rump park for a nice family outing of skating. One thing I love about living up here in Stony Plain, is that they have out door ice rinks. We have two really close to us. One at the school and of coarse dog rump park. The pond freezes over in the winter and it is a nice place to get some skating in. I had boughten some bob skates ( the double bladed strap on their boots skates) for the younger kids and we were set. Everyone had so much fun. We put Calliope in the sled and Chris walked her around the ice. She was so bundled up and cute as can be enjoying the outdoors. She feel asleep just before it was time to go home. Such an angel. Oh yes, and we now have 10 kids as we are fostering some amazing foster kids right now. So 10 kids 10 and under. It is a lot of work getting us out the door, but oh so worth it.