WPG Weekend 2011

The view from the upstairs deck

WPG Weekend...We've all been sworn to secrecy and I cannot devulge what those letters stand for.  Let's just say, they are quite fitting for our goofy group of awesome women.  There are 6 of us and we have a comradary.  We all get along great, have a LOT of laughs together and I love every one of these women for different reasons.  They are strong, free spirited, talented each in their own way and kind.  My life wouldn't be the same if any one of them werent in it.  I am extrememly grateful to call these women my "Inner Circle".

      This year, our trip to New Hampshire was a little shorter than we would have liked, but we will try and make it up there this spring and hopefully we can make it an extra day or so.  We made it up just before "Peak" foliage and it was gorgous!    We had a fire on Saturday night, each of us planned and cooked a meal and we even got some sight seeing done! The weather was amazing and we didn't do much more than laugh talk and relax. Perfect.

A farm we came across on our site seeing tour

"Navigator" "Chef" and "Toots"

Our awesome fire!

"Navigator" "Timex" and "Toots"

Where we spent most of our time...on the upstairs deck talking and laughing

3 of us were "Tattooed" with this "brand"

Looking up into the sky and watching the leaves drift down.

WPG's group shot with Kady in front!

Carlie's 5th Birthday- Under the Sea Party!



The "Octopus" for the cake.  Made out of Rice Crispies treats.

 We had to postpone this birthday party due to rain and we came very close to having to do it again because of rain...But I decided to put it in the hands of fate and press on!  I couldn't dissapoint Carlie a second weekend in a row!-Besides, planning a party is A LOT of work and I was in limbo waiting for the right weather....Just DO IT! So I did and it worked our perfectly.  It was a hot muggy day and it rained that morning...but God was watching out for us and he held off the rain until about half an hour after the last child went home.  Thank you for that!!!

We had a great turn out!  A lot of kids from Carlie's class were there and some friends she doens't see

on a regular basis. 

She was so happy to have all her friends at her house to play.

      We had a piniata, water table with extra bubbles, ring toss and of course the bounce house was up and in full swing all day!  The kids bounced, ran, played and splashed themselves silly!   My Octopus cake was a big success and everyone wanted a piece of cake with "a leg"!!  We had crab dip and goldfish crackers and lots and lots of fun and laughs!   What a fantastic day it was!   We held the party from 2-4 and it was a perfect amount of time to have fun, eat and open presents before anyone got too tired and cranky.  By the time everyone left, we cleaned up the yard and it began to rain.   We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the front porch and enjoyed a rainy summer day.  The only thing that could have made it better would have been if the Grandmothers were here.  It makes my heart heavy that they are missing all of this.  They would have just been beside themselves with delight at watching Carlie in her "pink mermaid dress" having the time of her life.  But things don't always work out the way you wish them to.   All in all, we had a terrific time! 

Happy Birthday Carlie!!! 

Double layer white cake tinted "Ocean Blue" for that Under the Sea feel

Carlie seeing her cake under construction

Adding the pink fondant and marshmallow eyes

OK-So this is a lesson I had to learn through trial and error.  Rice crispies treats are HEAVY and this big fat octopus began to very slowly squash the top layer of this cake.  Next time, I will just use the rice crispies treat for the body and do the legs completely in fondant.  Live and learn.

Everyone is arriving!  Let the fun begin!!

Carlie helping me pass out the bags for the piniata candy.

This was the busiest of all places in our yard that day....The kids jumped and bounced and laughed and flopped around all afternoon!  I hope they were all good and tired when they went home that afternoon!

Happy Birthday to YOU!!!

All that was left of that poor octopus!...LOL!!

Happy kids!

A good hot day for a Hoodsie cup!!

Opening her many presents

Now THAT'S a happy girl!

Of course Boo had to get into the middle of it all to see what was going on!!  Cricket was smart enough to stay on the porch in the shade and away from all the kids!!!

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I am so glad I got this shot!   What a great group of kids!  They were terrific!!

These were the pictures we took for the Thank You cards...Oh what fun!!!

Family Birthday September 2011

Carlie and Aunt Leila relaxing in the afternoon

 We did something a little different this year.  We all met up at Grandpa's in C.T. to celebrate Carlie and Henri's birthday.  Aunt Leila, Cousin Lorena, Uncle Lou and Aunt Liz joined us for a birthday dinner and cake.  After dinner, we opened presents.  Carlie of course, made out like a bandit (as most only children do)! The gift that stole the show was the one from Grandpa.  A brand new pink and white big kid bike just for Carlie!  What a great day and what a fun time!

Superstar sunglasses from Aunti Liz and Uncle Louis

Carlie and Daddy opening presents

Her NEW BIKE!  The suprise on her face was priceless!!!!!

Boo enjoying the cool wind on the way home from Grandpa's

Carlie's actual birthday.  Chocolate mint cake with extra sprinkles and flowers.

MMMMMM...GOOD!!!  Happy Birthday to my beautiful seet angel girl.
 I can't believe your 5 already.
 My how time flies!!!!

Columbus Day 2011-Redecorating Weekend !



Henri and Carlie went to Maine to visit his aunt and uncle for the long weekend while I styaed home with Jennifer to re-decorate the living room.  This included pulling down the old wallpaper, sanding and repairing some peeled ceiling spots where we had a little moisture issue a couple years ago before we had the new roof put on.  I wanted my living room to be bright and cheerful, so I chose the color "Lemon Chiffon" for the living room with bright white trim.   Jenn patched the peeling paint on the ceiling and I handled the trim.  It was a LOT of work but totally fun and perfectly satisfying in the end.  It came out beautiful and I must say, we did a FRIGGIN AWESOME job!  I love my bright cheery new living room!!!

I am lucky to have my friend Jennifer who oddly enough, LOVES a challenge like this!

This house had wallpaper in the living room from day one.  Every time the room was re wallpapered, everyone signed the walls.  It was a history of the house and almost everyone has passed on that signed the walls.  Now that we decided to paint, I took as many pictures as I could of the signatures and writings in an effort to save a little of this history.

At this point, I was doubtful my living room would EVER look normal again.