Happy Birthday Jacob!!!

I love this little boy more than words can express. He has been such a gift to our family. Even though he is in a world of girls he still finds the boy in any toy. He especially LOVES trucks, cars, trains, balls and climbing....and most of all running. We loves his HUGE smile and his sweet hugs. He can't wait for his sisters to get home from school, and he talks so sweetly to his baby sister. Now that he is in a big boy bed, I get to get some sweet cuddles with him at night.

This picture is of his expensive birthday cake that I never buy....now I know why I don't ever buy these....Jakey pulled the box down and bam...split in half and just not edible anymore...Bummer!!!

He loved everyone singing to him, but the candle part was a little scary. He knew to try and blow it out but was scared at the same time. After two blows he gave up and buried into my arms. Don't worry the candle managed to be blown out.

Happy Birthday My big 2 year old boy!!!!

BEWARE: Diet BUSTERS!!!

This is the real face Jillian did..I didn't have to tell her to do it!! That's how delish these are. Beware they are fat bombs...but if you're going to go off the wagon...what a way to go!
Here is the recipe

Double Chocolate Brownie Mini Chip Cookies

1/2 cup softened butter

1 Cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1 Cup sour cream

3/4 cup prepared brownie batter of choice

2 Cups flour

1 cup cocoa powder, I used Hershey's

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

12 oz. bag mini chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and well combined. Add egg, sour cream and brownie batter until well combined.

2. Place flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt into a large bowl. Slowly add to wet ingredients along with mini chips until just combined. Using a spoon, spoon dough onto a parchment or silpat lined baking sheet. Bake for 9-11 minutes or until cooked through. Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes then transfer to cooling rack.

* I used light sour cream and it was great. I also did small scoops of dough, it's very rich and 9 minutes worked great.

Good luck and don't forget a glass of milk!

a 2 by 4!!!

I am so lucky to have SO many talented, smart and creative friends. I made all three of these projects at my friends house...she has an incredible blog- the link is on the left it says Julies craft blog.

The blocks are one project that is one side for St. Patty's day and the other side is Valentines Day. I loved it because I don't have to many decorations for either holiday. I also got to do my first mod podge...I have always wanted to mod podge, mostly because I like to say mod podge but now I actually know how to do it!!

The birthday block isn't totally done, I need to get a clip for the end that I will glue on and then can attach a year to it like an 8 or 33..whichever age they are and the top I will put little wire things to put pictures of the child or gift cards or balloons what ever floats my boat that day.

Just remember if I can do it....you can too!!!!

Freeze Please!

How do you keep them just like this? I would love for this moment to always happen. Jacob was just sitting next to her swing playing cars, when he looked up and started talking to Giselle. She started cooing and smiling. I have a feeling they were great friends before they came to earth. I just pray they always stay friends and want to be there for each other!

Another great give-away!!!

See this super cute Birthday banner! My sister in law made one and I love it. Well her friend that helped her make it just started a blog and is doing a giveaway. Head on over and look at all the super cute stuff she can do and enter to win one of her patterns!!!
Good LUCK!!!!
www.etsy.com/shop/jennmathews
go here to enter: www.somebrightideas.blogspot.com

plows here are crazy bad!!

The big snowstorm of 2010 left more than just mounds of snow, it left dirt pushed ALL over the place. The plows are not used to tons of snow here. So when the storm hit, it wasn't unusual to see a construction truck or bobcat pushing snow around. The problem with that is, they don't know what they are doing. Snow would be piled on a road and then bam the lane would end...not very safe. The road behind our house where we park our cars was plowed numerous times, what we didn't know was when they did plow they also pulled up dirt, grass and even driveway chunks. Poor Brett he planted new grass in the fall at the end of our driveway and pretty much all of it is ruined. and this picture is of the back and side of our house they completely ruined that section of grass, I mean look at all that dirt. Sigh, sorry that's my little rant!

Giselle's Blessing!

Giselle's blessing was this weekend. My parents,brother and Sister and Melissa and Grandma Jackson all came from Michigan. All of Brett's siblings came as well. Since church is at 1pm and a lot people had a lot of driving or a plane to catch we decided to do a brunch before church. I found some really cute spring decorations from Target and Michael's craft store. Brunch is a tricky menu to plan, but I think in the end it worked out really well. I was so happy to actually take pictures this time. It was a beautiful day and a beautiful blessing!
Four generations. My sweet Grandmother and My mother with me and Sweet Baby Giselle.

My mom and Dad with Giselle!

I love this picture, my dad and Brett's dad with Giselle, so sweet how they go to goo with a tiny little girl!

Great Grandma Jackson and Giselle!

Brett's parents with Giselle!

Jacob loves his baby sister Giselle, lucky for him she loves him too. Here's to many more sweet moments!

Brett and I with Giselle right before church.

The drink station: Orange Juice, Milk and Banana Slush.

The Food: Cinnamon rolls, scones,orange jello, finger sandwiches,deviled eggs, spinach salad and fruit kabobs...the fruit kabobs were stuck inside a head of lettuce..super easy and so pretty!

The big table: 4 long tables together with votives and cute boxes filled with Easter grass and m&ms. I forgot to get a picture of the cupcakes...but I got the greatest cupcake carrier from Costco. It holds 36. SO great for school and soccer and anything else.

Washington D.C.

This is my mom in front of the Julia Child exhibit...this is her kitchen. It is a traveling exhibit so I am so glad we happen to be there while it was there.

Brett with his brother Erik and Sister Jennifer at the American History museum, I love Jakey's smile...so cheeserific.

Jillian LOVED being on Granpa's shoulders, especially since he made it like a ride...how's your shoulders today Dad?

Genevieve, Me and my Dad in front of the American Flag exhibit. The flag is HUGE!

Melissa, Kristi and my Mom on a bench inside the American History museum it was next a sign for Chicago...don't you love how they are all in green...very supportive of St. Patty's Day!

My wonderful big brother Jason who came down without his sweet wife,she had to work. Jason is on a bus that I think is from the 60's...he was just sitting next to 5 little kids..and still smiling!

Poor Jacob was freezing at the Washington Monument. It warmed up a lot later but at that point it was still very cold. Melissa had brought a bag of cheetos and Jacob took em and wouldn't give em back...luckily Melissa is super nice and didn't mind. I tried to get tickets to go inside the monument but they were sold out..they don't cost money but you should try to reserve the tickets 30 days in advance...now I know!

Jolie with her Grandma Sue...do they look related or what?

A group shot in front of the Monument..the tree in the background was fun too!