Alex's 3rd Birthday

I can't believe he is 3 years old. I can't believe how old I am for that matter. We did the usual party at the casa for Alex. I love having everyone I love in my house and I will continue to do that for his/our birthday until he gets old enough to realize that there just might be more exciting places for a kiddo to have a birthday party. This year I did a sort of vintage carnival theme, although I didn't do much with it!  The invite looks like ride tickets, the cupcakes were in red and white striped holders with fondant popcorn on top.  I also had some snacks in vintage carnival treat bags.  We served hot dogs and nachos because that is what you find at a carnival AND those are incredibly easy things to serve a large number of people!

Below are some pictures from the day.  We have had a crazy windy APril this year and hot days as well.  The one day this tapered off was Alex's party. It was still and cool and we could not have asked for more perfect weather.  

Most of you know that Alex and I have the same birthday.  We did the party for him and for my birthday, we are renting a cabin in Broken Bow, OK with some friends for a long weekend, so I am looking forward to that coming up in less than a week! 

Baking - Tiffany Donuts

I like to pretend I am a decent baker. I love doing it so much that I have decided you are going to have to see posts about my baking too. Just because I said so. And because it brings me joy.  So deal.  It's  a bad habit for the waistline, but good for a creative outlet. Maybe I will just take all the treats to the office and make Dad fat instead. Yes, good plan indeed.....muah ah aha hahahaha

SO I purchased a mini donut pan. What else was I to do? Hunt down a recipe and go! These donuts are actually very light and fluffy. The recipe called for buttermilk (icky) and vanilla bean seeds.  Yes. Seeds. If you can tell me where to find those ( because I can tell you it is NOT at the local Kroger) then I will add them in next time. Otherwise, these donuts shall remain of the seedless variety.

Sad thing is, I might just be better at taking photos of baked treats that I am at taking pictures of Alex. At least baked goods sit very still. 

Gotta go. I need to pack up some donuts to take to work tomorrow to make Dad fat show Dad how much I care!

Colorado Trip March 2011

So the entire Famn Damily went to Leadville for vacation.  Alex, Laura, Ruby, Mom and Dad, and Allen, Alex and myself all stayed in one cabin.  We had the Hendricks Family in the connecting cabin.  

We had lots of fun! I don't think any of us slept that well while we were there, so this was a tiring trip, but entirely worth it.  

We did a lot so there are a lot of pictures here!

This is how we made sure Alex didn't wander far in the airport. He loved it, but I don't know which was more tiring: carrying him like this, or just chasing him around on foot.

Alex's first plane ride. We thought he would love it. He was less than amused although he did do very well and stayed quiet. 

The first thing Alex did when we got there was find the largest rice crispy treat in the world. 

I just managed to catch a picture of this as we were driving through Colorado Springs.  I can NOT imagine what would happen to the store owner if this sign was in Dallas.  It must be a great place: a salon AND you can get your Coors there.  Seems a little selective about its clientele. 

Most of these scenic shots were taken from the car. Not bad for a scenic car ride huh? Country Roads....take me home.....

Alex's first time out in the snow when we got there.  He was light enough that he didn't fall through.  The rest of us however, struggled. 

This is my first fall through the snow. It was up to my thighs and made for very difficult movement through the front yard!

Ruby was not keen on the snow at all when we first arrived. She did eventually warm up to it though. 

Alex figuring it all out 

Sweet Rubicon

We did have a snowball fight! I think it was my favorite thing because we were all together for it.  The next few pictures are of the snowball fight. 

Ruby stayed for a bit, but decided swing sets were waaaay better than a ball of snow in the face.  She's a wise girl that Ruby. 

Alex figured out what it was all about very quickly. He makes a great snowball but he needs work on his throw. 

Alex and KangaRuby.  Looks like Alex might have taken a snowball to the eye. 

Alex had quite a nice fortress/wall of snow for protection during the snowball fight. 

Poor Dad became the main target. He used the trash can lid to deflect but it was hard work.  notice the snowball flying at him from his right. 

Allen winding up........

Alex taking a hit 

The Macnab family after the insanity

We love Leadville!

Love this shot of Dad

We took a little trip to Frisco for the day. So nice to be walking down the street in the crisp cool air.  You could practically wear flip flops in 40 degree weather because the air is so dry up there. Plus you walk down a regular street but you look in the background and see something like .......

THIS!

See?  Our Frisco trip

We did spend one day tubing.  Once we created our own tubing hill which was...a little scary.  We also spent one morning at Copper Mountain tubing, which was so much fun.  I think I could have done it all day. 

Allen and I before snowmobiling

Awesome bearded hats compliments of ME! I think they are so funny! 

Laura and Alex ready to go!

This picture is deceiving.  He is smiling here, but the entire car trip to the airport (3 hours folks) he was misery. 

The entire family came home worn out and glad we went. Hope to do it again soon. 

Fossil Rim

In the fall Allen and I took Alex to Fossil Rim along with Alex, Laura, and Ruby. The weather was perfect and we had such a good time. Below are some photos and video from our little adventure. As you can see, the animals, especially the ostrich, are not shy. They know you have that bag of food.

The park tells you not to feed the animals by hand but the animals come right on into the window so you sometimes don't have a choice.

Rubicon in the sunshine!

We call these guys 'Alien Heads' because of their eyes

The zebras can be surprisingly aggressive. 

Alex looked like this for the entire trip almost!

Ruby spent most of her time crawling around the floorboard of my car, but I think she had a great time regardless of what she was doing!

Told you those animals weren't shy. One problem with the deer is they come right up to the window.......with their antlers.  Some deer have been yelled at enough that they don't approach, but most could not care less about your paint job!

Laura feeding the giraffe

I laugh every time I watch either one of these videos. The video of the ostrich doesn't do it justice. They are SO big and powerful and their look at you like they hate you. You just feel vulnerable when they come close. And who knew that giraffes have such a slobber problem?!?!?