Just the highlights...

 
 
 
 
Bubbles, slides, godmothers and aunts and uncles...
More soon!

Food....

 
 
 
 
So, just as last year, I have to have pictures of the food for the birthday, because I stay up too late the night before the birthday party making these cupcakes, and I want to remember them for a long time :) So, Aunt Mule (Emily) designed a super-cute owl invitation which inspired me to have an "owl" party, and the cupcakes came from that. Then, Cam wanted to make "the perfect burger" and I will gladly say that he did! He made a burger with grass-fed chuck, sirloin and brisket and cooked them PERFECTLY. Even picky two year olds were quietly devouring their hamburgers.... :)
More on the party soon, but I had to show you the food first :)

And now she is two....

 
 
 
 

We couldn't be prouder, we have a kind, loving and happy "a-most" two year old!
Today, the rain threatened, but we prevailed :)
A park birthday party was saved and owl cupcakes were enjoyed by all!
Happy Birthday tomorrow, Zanna! You are so loved!

I love you!

 

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Snow Morning

 

 

 

 

On Friday, Austin had its first snow! Zanna was fascinated by it, and as soon as breakfast was over, we bundled up and headed out to the backyard. What fun it was to have a slow snowy morning!

Fancy- Nancy Inspired Her Outfit

 

 

 

The other day, Cam and I took Zanna to the library, one of our favorite Saturday afternoon adventures. When we told Zanna it was time to go, she came out wearing this outfit and said, "I wear to Library!" So, she did..... I think she was inspired by Fancy Nancy....

Love is....

 

 

A Man And His New Meat Grinder with Sausage Stuffer Attachment.

Cam received a meat grinder for Christmas from me and a Charcuterie (read sausage-making) book from Zanna. Since Christmas he's made a killer italian sausage and "da bomb" (that's what the book calls it!) breakfast sausage, which we ate with farm-fresh eggs from the 'ladies' in the backyard, and whole wheat biscuits I made from scratch. Delish! Cam has been asking for me to post these pictures of him and his new best friend, so here they are :)
For my 30th birthday, I've requested home-made bratwurst, so.... YUM! :)

The More We Get Together...

 

 

 

 

Zanna and Josephine are such sweet friends! They first met at Manny's while their moms ate their weight in cheesecake almost two years ago, and now they run around together, chasing puppies at the farmer's market, taking each other for ride on the school bus, and "cutting" fruits and veggies or treating each other to ice cream cones. Josephine is 5 weeks younger than Zanna and is laid-back, content and amiable. She is one of Zanna's all-time favorite playmates. Here's some pictures from their last two rondeaveux, one a surprise meet-up at the Downtown Farmer's market (The Sims came for Bola Pizza, the Allens for to-die for sausage,biscuits and gravy) and then a play-date at our house last week. Come over any time Josephine!

Daddy's Little Helper

 
 

Zanna loves to help Daddy cook dinner. She helps stir and mix, pour, and of course taste :) She pulls up a kitchen chair next to Daddy and gets to be in on the action. One of her favorite things to do is to make salad- and she's even more willing to eat it if she's helped to create it :) While she stands next to Daddy, he tells her about all of the great things they're cooking together.... a chef in the making!