My first cake..

From SCRATCH... and it was Delicious!!! I don't care what anyone says the combination was excellent even though it was pretty rich! And yes of course this post is for my father!!! He knew it was coming... (Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter Delight)

Now there is a point to this post! I have been told that I am incredibly weird for taking pictures on the holidays and other occasions. I am not weird and here it is to prove that I am not the only one.

• This women is the worst that I have seen she does go over the top since most of her Project 365 is what they are eating that day since they dont have children.
• Emilie takes pictures at every step usually while she is cooking something so that everyone can have the recipe and made a separate blog out of it!!
• Heather is where I got the idea of the recipe book I showed the other day.

These are just a few of the blogs that I follow most days. The first two blog everyday which I have tried to do over and over and just can NOT!! The last one blogs from 1-3 times which I almost do!! Well that is all for now!! Be back soon!

Karidan

What we have been doing??

First of all... I need to know if all of you guys on my email list are getting spam email. I have a source (meagen) haha that is getting emails trying to sell her sex tapes I think she said, they are coming I am pretty sure just how these emails are coming. Please go to the blog and answer the poll at the right to let me know.. if you guys are then I might be changing the blog over.

Ok.. On to the rest of the our lives. Jaemen's Dad and I have been WORKING.. Of course it is Xmas season and we have been working our little tails off. Other then that though we have taken out some time for a little fun...

We went to the Piston vs. LA clippers game on Nov 27th after Thanksgiving..

We have decorated our tree and rearranged our living room even though.. now we are thinking we should have done it a different way and Sherrow has been thinking he wants to lift the tree up with bulbs and all.. I wont let him.

Then, we had Jaemen's 2nd Birthday party... And he had a ton of fun. Here is the cake that I made him

And a couple of the presents that he recieved...

Other than that I have been working on a few things including some scrapbooking pages and a recipe book that is neater then my own writing and if something spills or spashes on it.. it wont bleed!

Problem is I need a picture for it all... Ahh hopefully the next cake I am going to make for JJ's last birthday hurrah will turn out. I have been wanting to make this cake for a while NOW!!

Until next time,

Karidan

Our little boy is...

TWO YEARS OLD TODAY!!

(he had just ate breakfast on thanksgiving.. forgive his mouth)

He is getting so big and so grown. Everyday he is getting so smart and I love it... But as any momma would be I am sad. I miss that little lovebug that would just cuddle with me all day if I wanted him too. Sure he cuddles now at night and I am sooo thankful for that but I miss the baby. On the other hand I think to many people have told him he is turning two and he internalized that which has told his mind he can act out in a "Terrible Two" way. Whew!! That boy has been something else lately. We are going to celebrate his birthday a little today just give him our present and then later in the week we are going to have small parties for him with Grandma's and Grandpa's. So pictures to come from that..

Happy Turkey Day!!!

I just wanted to wish everyone a happy thanksgiving... If you follow me on Facebook.com, you have seen I have been trying to keep up with things that I am thankful for.

Not in a specific order...

1. My family

2. My warm home.

3. My Job and hopefully the new one to come (more about later)

4. My child and how no matter how bad of a day I have had he makes me smile.

5. My camera to allow me to capture these moments in life.

6. My health.

Karidan

Picture Total...

So I have been wanting to do this for a while but of course I wanted it to get closer to the end of the year. This is a pie chart of every month and the amount of pictures I have taken each month. This figures do NOT include any phoot shoots that I have done with clients or with JJ. I usually put those into a separate folder by themselves. Pretty crazy and even though Project 365 tailed off in about August, I have been steadily taking pictures the rest of the time.

Some Stats:
Total pictures so far: 2,316
Largest month: July, Why? I am not totally sure.. Kristen was home so I did take some pictures of the kids... and Jaemen and I played a lot in the water this month but other then that it was like every other month just took A LOT of pictures.
Lowest month: August... And I guess I just took so much in July I thought it was time for a break.
Average: 210.54 pictures a month

I am sure that November and December are going to top all of those because of the holidays. November already has a great start but I also have not went through those pictures and deleted the bad ones.

Until next time,
Karidan

Scrapbooking update...

Of course with Sherrow gone, I have been getting a little scrapping done. I am hoping to get a little more done tonight or tomorrow night since I cleaned and organized my room a little again today...

Wow... Let me say that again.. WOW!!! I havent showed you guys a page in quite some time. My last post with a page was September!! So I guess I have a few to show you!! Well I guess I will go most present to oldest.

This layout has to be one of my favorites so far.. I really like this one!!! Hope you do too!!!

Next, I just finished a layout from last xmas. Of the twins and Jaemen all wearing their Santa hats. I am hoping to get a picture again this Christmas and the next few christmas'. I think that would be pretty neat!!

Then yes of course my little boy is turning two here soon and this picture was when he was about 20 months... and Almost Two... Then last but not least. I created these when I did get some decent pictures of the twins... I swear I thought I posted these but I can't find the post. So if I have posted these I am sorry for the repeat but I wanted everyone to see these. Hopefully I can get more pictures of them from their first year and now to document more of there lives, like I am doing for Jaemen.























Having Jaemen's first album done is sooo satisfying to me! I love it. It is the first album I have ever completed and I really don't think it ever going to be completely complete. As you can see I am still adding to it!! But I have what I set out to do done. I am now working on more of his second album and already have 5 layouts done in that one. I know that others might not understand the whole scrapbooking world and think that I am a little obsessive about it sometimes. But I love that there is more then just pictures to look at and a story behind it. From this point on I really want to focus on more then just Jaemen in my albums and create a separate family album. So if on the holidays I ask you to pose for a picture!! Warning you might end up on my blog on a layout!!

Well until next time...
Karidan

So when do you think it is going to happen??

When will be the first snow fall??? I know everyone has reprogrammed their stereos in their cars to 100.3. Unfortunetly our new car does not get the reception all that well with that channel so I will have to put together some cds for the down time. Well the weather is calling for 60s again so I propose for you wonderful men that put up the xmas lights every year in the freezing cold.. to get out there this weekend and start getting them up. At least this year you wont lose your fingers. Also if there is anyone out there that would love to help me and put mine up this year, contact me!! haha... No Sherrow knows what is on his list when he comes back from Dickson, Tenn.

Next on the list to update you with are pictures of the TWINS!! Not!! They are not in the picture taking mode at this point of there lives and didnt give me much to work with.. I had some great ideas like I always do. And they wanted no part of it. I think at one point Afton is like how to regular people get pictures. I told her they have REGULAR children. Haha.

And the only one I really liked... I have wanted to get this shot of myself, Sherrow, and JJ but at least I could capture this for my sister and brother....

I, of course, did get a few pictures of Jaemen. He is turning Two, YES TWO, in two short weeks. Wow, I think that this is going to be harder for me then one. He is growing sooo fast! He is learning new words everyday and of course hitting those terrible twos fast also.

Well, until next time....

Karidan

Halloween Activities...

Well, our Internet has been down for about a week now. So I have fell even more behind then I normally already are. With Sherrow only home for two weeks we have been trying to spend as much time with him and get all of our activities done.

So first off we have the pumpkin patch. We had to go on a Tuesday so unfortunately the hay ride wasn't running to pick pumpkins. But they did have a few nasty ones up at the front. Jaemen thought he was strong enough to pick them up. And I am a sucker for cute jeans on little boys.

Note: Why are we looking for a new pumpkin to carve, Dad?? That is becuase we had a little critter I believe one night that was a little hungry and took a rather large chuck out of his pumpkin and left blood from there gums all over it.. Very upset!!

He has sooo much fun at the ceder mill. They have a corn box instead of a sand box.. which for adults is disgusting and you can't even go in with your child because of all the dust in the air but the kids love it. They have a wood train for them to climb in and play in. And last but not least they have these huge drain pipes I think they are for slides and JJ loves coming down those.

Then there is trick or treating... We werent out very long because it was nippy and I am guessing the rest of the people in Michigan thought the same thing cause we didn't have half the amount of people that we did last year. Everyone again loved the costume and it was a hit!! AND I didnt see anyone else have it so I am very happy. Of course Jaemen wasn't really up for pictures he was way to interested in candy.. but here are the pictures I did get. p>

Well until next time,

Karidan

Jaemen's X-mas list...

Well first I just want everyone to know that Sherrow comes home MONDAY!! I am soo excited but he does leave again in 2.5 weeks for another 17 days. But that is pretty short compared to the last 48 days.

Next, I know. I know. You are all thinking like WHAT??? ALREADY?? But as you ALL know I am NOT Rich and I dont think Sherrow is either. So I have to plan a little for Christmas espectically with his birthday just a week short weeks before that. Sherrow and I have come to the conclusion we are pretty much going to do the same thing we did last year. One nice gift for his B-day and then probably 3 gifts for Christmas depending on how expensive/inexpensive the presents we decide on. We understand that he is ONLY two and has no idea still what is going on and doesnt need his parents going bankrupt for x-mas. I love Christmas and would love to give him 15-20 presents to open but seriously he got enough last year that we were overhelmed.

So here is what might show up under Jaemen's Christmas tree. Oh have I mentioned, I have NO idea where I am going to put the tree this year??? As you can see HERE that our tree was in the corner where you go into the kitchen.. Problem this year??? We have accquired a love seat that sits there!! Opps.. So it might be a little snug in our house this year we will have to see!!

Anyways....

1. Jaemen has become a coloring fool so with his new room (that I still havent been able to paint) this will match perfectly...

2. The little people Spin n Crash racer set... I think this is pretty cool and I guess I should keep the tradition going since last year he recieved... The little people.. airplane... dump truck... farm... and I am sure more that are not coming to mind. But these toys he plays with on a daily basis..

3. Lastly, He is really into "choo choo's" as he would say... so I am pretty sure this train that picks up it's own track will be nestled under the tree from Santa!!

I have also heard from a few birdies that he might expect something like this, or this... or maybe this to go with the others.

Until later,

Karidan

Braylon is now a JET!!!

Yes I just wanted to give everyone an update of the ONE AND ONLY BRAYLON EDWARDS...

He is no longer a Cleveland Brown. He has been traded to the New York Jets. And this looks like a WONDERFUL move. Last night he started and can I say only 3 WR (wide recievers) in NFL history have started on one team one week and then started on another team the NEXT week. He was only in NY for 2.5 days and was already on the field with a TOUCHDOWN. Should have been TWO but they said he was down on the one yard line.

So.. Of course this means that I am no longer a Brown fan and I am now a JET fan!! haha...

At a later date...

Karidan

Trick and Treats, Birthdays, and Baking Lessons..

This weekend was a busy one for us. Actually just Saturday.. We had Halloween at Metamora State park with the whole Hill Family. It is a great time for all of us to get together. If you remember last year we did this BUT we were at Holly State park. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get a whole group picture this year but I did try to get around and get pictures of most of the kids that were just wee babies last year and can't see in the picture last year. Everyone had a great time despite the FREEZING temps.

The Twins (Dave then Dylan)

The twins were Pirates like JJ was last year. But they had a good time before the Trick or Treating. I actually got pretty good pictures of these mover and groovers above looking at the camera. (since my dear sister wont give me any pictures to scrap I will get my own) There was a Bubble Fogger that all the kids just LOVED.. actually a lot of the adults also thought it was awesome also. You can see little Davey playing with the bubbles... Look at that excitement.

Then I have been holding off showing pictures of Jaemen in his costume until this point so the surprise wouldn't be spoiled. Jaemen is the UPS Man!! I LOVE this costume!! It is SOOO adorable!! He wasn't so good about pictures this time but below the collage of pictures this time is a picture I got of him in August when he went Trick or Treating before.
This little girl has the most GORGEOUS blue eyes ever and is just starting to walk. Don't mind her jacket but is was also the Michigan vs Michigan State game and unfortunately her Daddy went to State. I wish I could have gotten a better picture of those eyes though. She was a tiny little pumpkin last year and this year she was a bumble bee for Halloween. Which complimented the little guy below...

Who was celebrating his 1st birthday!! This is Cameron, my cousin missy's baby. He was Winnie the Pooh even though for some reason I didn't get a picture of either of them... weird. Anyways.. Happy Birthday Cameron. Just a year ago you were just this small.


Other then that, I was baking again for the first time in a LONG time and learned a good lesson. Taste test EVERYTHING before putting everything together or you will be doing this on more then one occasion.

YES that is my WHOLE cake in the garbage!!
It is a Peanut Butter fudge cake. Or at least half of it! The cakes were sooo good I almost couldnt wait to eat before putting the icing on. And that is where everything went WRONG. The recipe calls for Dark Chocolate... Whiped in boiling hot whiping cream. Not that hard right?? WRONG when you use 8 oz of UNSWEETENED Chocolate. It didnt look right before I but it on the cake but I just told my self you went exactly to the recipe and it will come out alright. So I frosted it. When I put it into the fridge to set up a little frosting got on my hand so I figured you are all done just lick it off! Glad I did before anyone tasted that cake it was the GROSSEST, NASTIEST cake ever and it took a cup of milk and candy corn to get the taste out of my mouth. So needless to say I will be rebaking this cake!! Two questions...
1. Should I just buy Hershey's Dark Chocolate candy bars for the dark chocolate?
and
2. Is heavy cream the same thing as Heavy WHIPPING cream??


Ps. For the family members... If you want the pictures you can go to the link at the right of the blog it says Jaemen's Pictures.. Click on Karidan's Gallery at the top and it should lead you to all of my web albums and you can print them right from there!! Let me know if there are any problems!! There are a lot more pictures then I show here!!

Love,
Karidan

Jaemen's Bedroom Renovation

For a while now I have been thinking of things to do to Jaemen's room. It is a little to babyish for him now and he needs a new bedset anyways for his new big boy bed!! Yes... Our little man has grown up and moved to a big boy bed. It has been wonderful. He goes to sleep all by himself and stays asleep in there until about 6am and then wakes up and wants to sleep with mommy and daddy. SO MUCH IMPROVEMENT!!!

So the two colors which I can not get a paint sample of online to show you the colors are Red Delicious and Rich Navy. I hope it is going to turn out. Not sure if the red should go on top or bottom... I have it on top though. Next, here is the bedspread I have picked out..

I think this one is cute and will grow with him... He is loving sports and anything to do with balls ever since I can imagine. So I think this will be good for him. I am going to add these on top unless I think it is to much.

I will lose my much beloved Jaemen letters that were above his crib... So I think I will either just redo them or I think but the saying, "You have to take the shot, to make the shot" above his bed to keep the theme going..

The last thing that I am thinking about is on his closet door just buying a little quart of chalk paint and doing the inside of the door panels. I am not sure about this. He has been showing major interest in coloring lately BUT... I also do not want him to think that coloring on the door/walls is ok. So I might just do it for now and not give him the chalk for a while yet until he can comprend.

I need to get navy blue curtains for his windows so that the sun doesnt come through that sliding glass window in the morning and I am thinking about getting iron on a big basketball to the one on the sliding glass window. Not sure how I am going to do that though yet since I dont know how to sew. My craftiness will figure it out though.

That is what I am up to right now and hopefully we can get some of that done before his Daddy gets back from Texas.

Until later...

Karidan

What I have been up too....

Ever since I graduated I have been really trying to have a little bit more of 'Me' time. Pretty hard with a nearly two year old but you gotta try. When I was in school I always wanted to read a book other then a chemistry book and that is exactly what I have gotten back too!!! And thanks to my father and Maryanne and the gift card for my B-day I have picked up some great novels. These are three books that I have really enjoyed (one I just finished a half hour ago).



"How to Score" by Robin Wells ****-

This book had a great plot and a great twist at the end. One thing you have to get over though is reading this book out in public with the cover saying how to score. At first I thought this book would be a little too "romantic" if you know what I mean, but it turned out to only have maybe one or two parts in it that were a little on the "romantic" side. ;)



This author has another novel, that I want to pick up soon, that I went looking for when browsing with my gift card. I could not find that book but it lead me to this next author....









"I'm in no mood for love" by Rachel Gibson ****/2-

I gave this book 3 and a half stars (see above :)). This book was a little more on the "romantic" side but not to bad again. The plot was good just thought some parts of the story could have been told better, even though author Gibson started the story right away to be exact on the eighth page. And tells all with the main characters fiancee being found with his gay lover in their walk in closet... Yes this is how the story starts so it does catch your attention right off the bat.

But... as I read some of the reviews of this book. Other readers that have read her previous work say that her others are WAY better. Luckily for me I started with this book!! hehe... I picked up the book listed at the top of this cover... Sex, Lies, and Online Dating which is getting GREAT reviews. Can't wait....









"Love me, Love me Knot" by Heidi Betts *****


WOW!!! I loved this book. (this is the one I finished a half hour ago) Although for those of you that don't want to read the really, and I mean really "romantic". This one is NOT for you. This book really surprised me a FEW times. I guess that is what I get for picking up a romantic novel and not knowing anything about the novel. With the title and the author knitting on the back cover I thought I would be good. NOPE haha...


But do not get me wrong!! I finished this book in three sittings.. It definitely didn't want me to put it down. Now that I have read more about the author I have found out this is the second book in her trilogy so that means I have to go pick up her first book, "Tangled up in love". But as for this book, I loved the plot it started out a little slow in the beginning and I didn't know if I would like it but trying to figure out what was going to happen after the main character decided to drug her ex-husband and impregnate herself, I couldn't put it down.


I think I will be on this romantic kick for a little bit... Sorry dad haha. But I am just enjoying reading something that I can get wrapped all in without having to think all that much about!! Or memorizing it! I have two more books on stand by also that I will probably start one of them tonight or tomorrow depending on how I feel so.. Stay tuned for the books below. ;)















P.S. I could stand writing such "book reports" for school and now I am doing that sort of thing for my entertainment!! haha

Love,

Karidan

Then... and Now

What I am about to show you below is kinda crazy..I am always trying to take pictures that look like pictures that I love just so I can compare and just so I have that shot again. So tonight when JJ went to take a bath I tried my hardest to get the first shot again. Did not work all that well BUT you get the point that I was getting at. I am not to sure if other kids grow like this but look at this.. He was 8 months old in the first picture (LOVED this picture and that little butt) but he isnt even up to the top of the cabinet and now he at 21 months a little over one year later. Is almost a whole HEAD above the cabinet(probably would be if his knees weren't bent). IT IS NUTS!?!? Now do you believe me that he is growing TOOO MUCH!!!