Taylor's baby shower

I'll bet you thought I had dropped off the face of the earth.  Sorry to disappoint you, but I haven't.   I've just been too busy doing nothing.  I'm not kidding.  I can waste more time doing nothing and feeling like I'm so busy doing something.   

I'm going to blame the Internet, Pinterest to be exact.  It's my latest obsession. I could be on that all day and night.

Besides, Pinterest, the other thing that takes a lot of my free time is our dog Cookie.  I have to take her on a walk every night.  I thought that the pounds would drop off once I started walking.  But no, I've actually gained 7 pounds.  What the heck?  I'm going to say it is muscle weight. 

But while I was not blogging, life did go on.  Today I decided to share my niece Taylor's baby shower.

The shower was held at Eric and Jeannette's house (parents of Taylor).  It was suppose to be a beautiful day.  Except that Mother Nature didn't get the memo.  The day was actually probably one of the coldest of the entire winter season.  But it was no longer winter, it was actually spring.  But here in SoCal we only have 2 seasons, winter and summer.  It usually fluctuates between the two and they don't always happen in the correct season and/or order. 

I love the color combo they chose.  And the theme was ladybugs. 

I love the labels on the water bottles. 

Here is Taylor patiently waiting for the food to be served.  OMG! (Oh my goodness for those of you that think I am taking the Lord's name in vain, which I am not).  The sandwiches were amazing.  All the bread came from Panera.  I had never eaten there before.  All I can say, it was the best bread I have ever had the privilege of tasting. 

Aren't these the cutest cupcakes?  Love the little ladybugs.  And I just now noticed that the only closeup photo I took has a finger smudge in the frosting.  Looks like someone tried to sample before the party.  My guess it was one of the boys. 

Danica put together these cute ladybug crackers.  I found a link to them on Pinterest (which for some reason I did not save).  They turned out so cute.  And they were pretty yummy as well.  Except for the olive part.  I hate olives.  But you need a head on the ladybug, so they were a necessary evil.   

Taylor had found a link on Pinterest for these dipped strawberries and asked her mom to make them for the shower.  Jeannette tried and said it was an epic fail.   Luckily Danica was able to figure it out and saved the day.   These would be great for the 4th of July as well.

Taylor, Carol (Taylor's Grandma and Jeannette's Mom) and Andrea (back turned to camera)

Jeannette also had these yummy salads from Panera as well.  I think I need to take a trip to Panera to get some more of their yummy food.  Panera could well be my next obsession. 

Aunt Jodi trying to feel baby Page kick. 

Since it was freezing outside, the gift opening took place inside.   Taylor got 2 diaper cakes.  I thought this one was cute.   Until.......

This one was brought in.  The other one was cute, but this one was WAY cute.  And it had baby Page's name on it. 

Andrea, Jodi and Mom (Grandma Dorothy).  Poor Andrea and Mom nearly froze to death that day. 

Taylor opening up her gifts.  Poor thing got so many gifts she was all tuckered out by the end. 

I didn't take a lot of photos during the gift opening process.  Jodi took tons of photos, and I was waiting for her to post them on Facebook so I could nab some.  But so far, she hasn't done so.   This quilt, personalized onesie, pink tutu and "PAGE" blocks were made from one of Taylor's friends Priscilla.  The "PAGE" blocks actually match the quilt that Taylor will be using in the crib that her Mother in Law made. 

This afghan was made by the mother in law of my neighbor Roxanne. 

Here is Taylor opening up my gift.  I placed everything in this basket.  Taylor is using the basket to hold stuffed animals.  The lamb actually opens up to be a blanket. 

I wish I had taken a photo of the front of this cute summer dress.  It has a ladybug on it.  It fit the theme of her shower perfectly.  I also gave Taylor a bunch of diapers as well as a diaper holder and some wipes that i didn't get a photo of. 

And I made this banner that spells "PAGE".  I forgot to take a photo of it at the party.  This was taken at Taylor and Michael's house in the nursery where it hangs on the wall.  I found all the vintage letter graphics from Rook No 17 blog.  Just used small clothespins from Walmart to hang each letter from some twine.  One of the easiest gifts to make. 

And of course later that same day the sun finally came out and it was warm.  But being with friends and family to celebrate the upcoming birth of Page warmed the hearts of everyone there. 

Tomorrow I will try and post about baby Page who was born on April 20, 2012.  She is definitely a cutie pie!  So stay tuned.  Yes, I am a proud Great Aunt. 

Kim

Easter, Langston style

Ok, I know that I am late in posting about Easter. But I've been so busy aka: lazy.

Better late than never. Besides, you have seen most, if not all of these photos on facebook. Darn that facebook. It has taken all the fun out of blogging. Well almost.

Anyhoo, here is how the Langston side of the family celebrated this Easter. Well all the Langston's except for Todd's family. They were missing in action. We missed you Todd, and your family. Maybe next year.

We decided to have Easter this year at Mom and Dad's house. That way they didn't have to drive the hour and a half to either Eric or my house. Plus, I didn't have to clean my house for company. Woo hoo!

I had great plans to make some Easter decorations but I tend to procrastinate, plus I'm lazy, so I didn't get them made prior to going down to Mom and Dad's. So when I arrived, I roped Danica (Eric's oldest daughter) into helping me make the decorations.

Danica is helping me wrap the plastic utensils in orange napkins to make them look like carrots.

I helped too.
And this is how they turned out. Aren't they just too dang cute? I saw this idea in blogland and I had to copy. I don't have an original bone in my body. I just copy, copy, copy. But ours turned out cuter than the ones I saw online. Sorry, but the truth hurts sometimes.

I also made this cute "Hoppy Easter" banner at the last minute. Jodi helped me but cutting out the green circles with her "Cricut" machine. Thanks Jodi!

For dinner we had ham, cheese potatoes, corn, rolls, jello salad & tossed salad.

I made the cheese potatoes. But then I always do. It's the dish I have to make each year. Come rain or shine. But they are sooooo good. I had this huge dish plus another 9x13 pan. This pan was gone in a flash & about 1/4 of the 2nd pan. The Langston's love their cheese potatoes.

I brought the green plates to coordinate with my carrot utensils. Plus I brought the bunny candles and the planter of wheat grass. Jeannette made the tossed salads. Jodi did everything else. Andrea and Jamey brought ice cream cake for dessert but it disappeared faster than anyone could take a photo of it.

After dinner we all went outside to visit. It was pretty chilly outside that day.

Here is Dad, Danica, Brandon, Jeannette and me.

Noah gave a thumbs up to the get together. Brandon, Taylor & Michael in the background & Simon on the right.


Brandon doesn't like getting his photo taken, so he stuck out his tongue. I think Eric's kids are the only ones in our family who like getting their photos taken. They don't seem to make funny faces or hide their face like mine and Andrea's kids.


Dad, Danica and Brandon.

I forgot that Jodi had an Easter egg hunt for the kids. Here is Nate and Cade with some of the eggs they found. Are we ever too old for an Easter egg hunt? I don't think so.

Mom

Dad playing a game on his phone. His favorite past time.

Taylor and her hubby Michael as well as my son Brandon in the back yard looking for Easter eggs.


Cade in the house before dinner. He has that "let's hurry up and eat" look on his face.

Eric, Andrea, Mom on the swing. Jesse (my stepson) to the right. Eric said that he wanted to get a swing like this for his deck. Jodi was telling him he could have their extra one. That is, until Mom found out. She was like "Why are you giving away my stuff Jodi?". We all know who's boss, so Eric will be buying his own swing if he wants one for his deck now.

Danica.
Simon and Nate (Andrea's boys)

Most of the kids went out front to play with this flying disk that Nate is holding.

They had lots of fun and burnt up some pent up energy.

This is Jase (Eric's oldest son). He stayed in the house. Looks like he is already growing back the beard he shaved off for his friends wedding. He told me he was going to grow back his beard & let his hair get long again. He likes the homeless bum look. The rest of us, not so much.


Taylor and Michael. Ahhhhh, aren't they such a cute couple? Why yes, they are.

Before everyone left, I made everyone pose for photos.

Here is Andrea's family. Simon, Noah, Andrea, Jamey (only pic Jodi or I got of him) and Nate. I had to take a few before I got this semi serious one. Andrea's family goofs off the most when taking photos.

And speaking of Andrea's family. Can you believe that her oldest son Zak comes home from his mission in a about 7 months? Time is whizzing by now.

Eric's family: Michael, Taylor, Cade, Jeannette, Eric, Jase and Danica. It's nice that Eric's family has started to grow with Taylor marrying Michael last summer. Just think, we could be calling Eric Grandpa in a few years.

And my family: Jesse, Mike, me and Brandon.

I didn't take a photo of Mom, Dad and Jodi. I should have, but by this time, my family was ready to go. We still had to stop by my step son Brandan's apartment to see him, his wife Crystal and our grandon Gunner.

I'll try & post photos tomorrow of our Easter visit with Gunner. Plus I still need to post about our weekend of taking care of Gunner. I love being a Grandma. The best part is you get to spoil them and send them home when you get tired of them.

So what did your family do for Easter?

Kim

Happy Birthday Andrea!

Today is Andrea's birthday!

So I want to take this opportunity to wish Andrea a very happy birthday.







Love you!!!

Kim

Happy 21st birthday to Elder Prescott

Elder Prescott is the birthday boy today. And who is Elder Prescott? I'm glad you asked.

Why he would be Andrea & Jamey's oldest son Zak who is on a mission in Michigan.

Today he turns 21.

Elder Prescott is the one on the right. I borrowed this photo from Zak's Facebook profile.


In this photo Elder Prescott is the blond one in the middle in the back.

Here is Elder Prescott in the cold snow. Much different than living in southern California.


Elder Prescott (left) and one of his companion's enjoying a meal out.

I lifted the rest of these photos from Andrea's Facebook page. Thank goodness for Facebook or I wouldn't have any photos of Elder Prescott while on his mission.

Zak only has 8 more months left till he comes home. Time is really flying now.

I just sent my first letter to Zak this week. I know, I'm a terrible Aunt.

If you haven't written to Zak aka: Elder Prescott, you better hurry up. If you need his address, just contact me or Andrea. But transfers come up in a few weeks. You know how they like to move the missionaries around.



Happy 21st Birthday Elder Prescott!!!

We love and miss you and can't wait until you are home again. Keep up the good work!

Love,

Aunt Kim