Hey Sweet Peas,

I just can't wait to give you the play by play run down of the BIG bday party! I'm putting it together and you'll have it soonsoonsoon. Anyway, October is starting to give December a run for its money as my favorite month! I've finally rested from the weekend of October fun and now its on to planning for Halloween! Kanaa and I decided to use the 31st to not only let the boys trick or treat in their little costumes but to celebrate the survival of the first year of mimihood! Now, I've vowed that this would be a simple little get together with plenty of laughs and tons of fun but very little dinero...... until i saw this

I can't stand it!

May I propose a toast????

Cheers to cow's milk.... to not having to break out the calculator when someone asks his age.... to food that doesn't require a blender.... to front facing car seats.... clothes without teddy bears on them.... to sippy cups and straws.... and special Cheers to having the perfect excuse to eat cake! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRODY JOSEPH!!

I've been tagged! (officially a blogger now)

What are you wearing now? MK jeans and white tank, Brody in Jeans and a wh..... wait a minute we're dressed alike!!!
How often do you blog? Not often enough :/ soweee
Who was the last person you hugged? why, Brody Joseph, ofcourse
Who is the last person you kissed? hahaha.... Brody Joseph, again!
Who is the last person you texted? my LoLo
What did it say? listed the dates and cities for the Jay-Z BP3 concert! YEAH!
What's for dinner? for me hmmmm don't know, for BJ hmmmmm don't know
What was the last thing you bought? well apart from food, some stationary from Salutations in Ballantyne
What are you listening to right now? nothing
If you could have any super power, what would it be? tough question!
What is your favorite weather, and why? oh Autumn, you all knew that... and because it's perfect
What time do you usually get up? 7:15ish
What is your most challenging goal right now? LiLi's.... totally.... never backed down to a challenge though
Say something to the person who tagged you: You're such a super star!
What movies can you watch over and over? Devil wears Prada ... and we do!
What is your favorite tea flavor? Apple Chai (insane)


ok, cupcakes I'm not tagging anyone but feel free to cut and paste
smoochies!

Excitement.

So, guests who RSVP'd for Brody Joseph's party received this message this week:

Howdy,

As we 'round up all the details for Brody Joseph's first birthday hoe down, we reckon we'll get you involved with all the fun. Show up Saturday in your best interpretation of COUNTRY CHIC attire for the chance to win a rootin, tootin, down right good prize!

see yall there,

YEEEEE HAWWWW

Ok, so for all the guest who were slightly confused about this COUNTRY CHIC attire, here ya go!

hope this helps, cowboys and cowgirls!

cutest thing i've seen all day

2 1/4 c. sifted cake flour
2 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 2/3 c. sugar
1/3 c. oil
2 large eggs
1/2 c. canned pineapple, diced and patted dry
1 (13.5-ounce) can coconut milk
Splash of dark rum (optional)
2 tsp vanilla extract

Whipped vanilla frosting:
1/2 bag of shredded coconut
Maraschino cherries, drained and dried

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake pan with baking cups.Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl and set aside.Combine rum and coconut milk in small bowl, mix to combine and set aside. Place sugar and oil in mixer and mix until well blended. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture and coconut milk mixture alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Stir in vanilla and fold in pineapple.Spoon batter into prepared pans. Sharply tap the pans once on counter top to remove air bubbles. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes on wire racks, and remove from pans. Cool completely on wire racks.When cupcakes are completely cool, frost with whipped vanilla frosting and roll tops in shredded coconut.Top each with a cherry.Serve with cut straws for a fun presentation!

Baby Aiden Turns One!

So, Aiden took over the world yesterday and made it super cute! Brody's bff and god brother celebrated his very first Birthday in the jungle!!! YAY! Lions and monkeys and bears were everywhere..... the kids moon bounced and munched on cake and pizza..... check out some of the pics!

you all know how much I lovelove cupcakes! Aren't they just darling!

Aiden had no trouble taking care of his cake!



Brody Joseph's party hat made me smile

Aiden in one of the moon bounce thingies... tons of fun
Aiden gave great party favors! Check out mr.cool's sunglasses! Thanks Aye!

Ok Lovelies, have a wonderful autumn sunday filled with apple cider and the aroma of cinnamon

crystal

Dear Brody Lovers,

I miss you! Let's be friends again.... Like we use to.... when we'd chat a few times a week. When I would have NEVER skipped out on letting you know about Brody's first steps.... or his latest visit to the retirement home.... or how he spent his First first day of Autumn.... Let's rekindle our love! Soon, my wonderfuls, soon....

p.s. no one could ever take your place :)

xoxo
crystal

Bebes Who Lunch

My favorite duo dined this holiday weekend and they were as cute and funny as ever. I think they recognize each other and are starting to accept this arranged bro-mance! The best friends have grown sooo much and it's funny to watch them around the same stages in life at the same time. Kanaa and I both had to push our plates far away as they quickly grabbed for the food as soon as it arrived. LOL.... funny little men.... And these guys don't stand for happy meals.... Only the finest..... Ahhhhh I just love them..... obsessed times a million!

Oh, and how rude of me..... HAPPY LABOR DAY!!!

Brody Joseph fancies the Bookstore!

Like mother like son...

"Excuse me, ma'am, where'd you get those lashes"?

Happy dreary, rainy, sleep-in Monday!

Hope you all had a dreamy weekend! This weekend was really exciting for me as I had fantastic plans of dinner and theater (the Color Purple.... I know I'm like two years behind). With this HOT evening planned I wanted to be nothing less than a doll! So I set out to purchase faux lashes! While walking through Belk the pushy make-up gal at the Benefits counter insisted I come over and try their new cheek stain because Beyonce and Madonna were wearing it. Needless to say, I went right over.... While I was there, the pushy sales gal insisted I also try their "fake lash in a bottle" mascara. Sooooooooo glad I did!! It's totally my new favorite! One of my closest friends thought my lashes were fake. And the beau.......... well, he didn't notice at all. BUT, trust me, this is a must have.

Scene from the musical with Shug Avery in the juke joint

there would be no need for this post if we only had this guys lashes!

Back 2 School

So, I was told it's not cool to carry your lunch to school anymore....... YEAH RIGHT!!

HaPpY BiRtHdAy to Me!!!!!!!!

So, everyone knows Brody Joseph's Auntie, Yolanda, luvs luvs luvs Sephora! And she should..... great store! Anyway, today BroJo and I visited South Park and decided to stop by Sephora to check out the latest in cosmetics... When we approached the counter to make our purchase, the super cute sales rep asked, "Do you have a rewards card with us"? Hmmmmm, I thought to myself. I don't have one but I bet I know who does.... "Yes ma'am," I said, thinking I'd get some sort of discount. "OK, What is your name," said the super cute rep. "Yolanda..... Yolanda Broadie.... Y-O-L-A-N-D-A." Needless to say, she IS a member. However, members don't get discounts :(

"Yolanda, you have a birthday on Monday!"

"Yep"

"We have a gift for you!!!!"

"Umm Hmm" (fighting the laugh)

I'm now the proud owner of....not one.....but THREE lip glosses!! Turns out, identity theft does not get you a discount at Sephora, but it does get you a birthday gift!!!

Hi my lovelies!

So, I don't think I need to make an announcement, but...... I don't have an infant anymore!! Brody Joseph is such an independent MAN now! And he gets sweeter and sweeter every single day!! Can you even believe he's 10 months+ already!!? I can't! I'm knee deep in 1st birthday party plans and loving every single minute of it! As you read in the previous post, those coos and yaaas are starting to form audible sounds that actually make sense to me. The only thing is, Brody Joseph does things in his own timing. You should dare not ask him to, "Say Byeeee, Brody" He'll look at you as if you have two heads. Oh but when he feeeeellllss like it, he'll part those sweet lips and actually speak the words! I just love it! As his personality becomes more and more defined, I enjoy him more and more..... and so does the Trader Joe shoppers, Panera Bread eaters, church members, fellow strollers and anyone else in his path....

Hey Hey Hey!

I love you guys....... REALLY!! Mean it!!!!

So my schedule is super jammed packed lately and I haven't been able to update! :( But I miss you.... and I miss sharing..... and there's sooooo much to share.... and so much to hear about..... Anyway, I had to let you guys know (so that you can mark your calendar) Brody Joseph spoke his first word today!!!!!! Can't wait to give the details! But as I fight to keep my eyes open from an overworked hectic day..... I'll have to save the juicy details for later.

Smoochies