2011

It's seriously been another year. Another calendar full of birthdays and events. Dunzo. I was laughing at some pins on Pinterest last night that said things like, "I can't believe it's been a year since I didn't become a better person."

So since this is typically a time spent reflecting, let's reflect. For funsies.

January
Wow, looking at my blog it was a pretty dead month wasn't it? I did start the year off with a lot of reading. Which I really hadn't made much time for what with stressing about my first year of teaching. Of course, we also saw the return of the REAL Old Spice man. And there was much rejoicing. Not to mention the return of American Idol, which renewed my love for Steven Tyler.

February
Gotta love February at my private school. We have a week off. A whole week. YES. I went and had a fancy straightening procedure done on my hair. My Packers won the Super Bowl!!! Ready for a repeat performance coming up? Volkswagen put out the cutest commercial ever. And I posted adorable pictures of my furbaby. Plus Arthur had to spend some time in the shop right about the time hubby went and bought a new (to us) car.

March
I began recapping American Idol again. Not quite as faithful to it this year since I wasn't doing it from my laptop. I planned a lumberjack party for hubby's birthday. I unveiled my fancy pants gallery wall in my house. Which I still receive compliments on. I also started getting pumped for springtime.

April
I started crushing HARD on Brian Wilson. Which made my husband's beard all the more glorious to me. I got all riled up by our idiotic state and their "improvements" to education. ABC tore out my heart and stomped on it by cancelling BOTH of my soap operas. I was irate. Hubby and I celebrated three years of marriage by heading to the hills with some siblings and shooting targets. Started enjoying baseball season.

May
May is always such a crazy month. As evidenced by my whopping nine posts for the entire month. My baby turned seven. I embraced the fact that it was my last month of my first year of teaching. I visited my fist IKEA store! There was much excitement as we went to our very first Giants game with two of the nephews. Then there was devastation at that game as it's the infamous one where Posey was injured and out for the season. Hubby also went and got us a new furbaby.

June
June brought my first summer vacation!!! I began it with soaps, because what better way is there? I started the weekly manicures for funsies. There was much crushing on some certain baseball players. Thankfully hubby is an understanding man. I got the super news that my Leo would return to my soap. Happy sighs and goosebumps all around. I said another goodbye to my aunt that we lost last year. I dyed my hair PURPLE because I could. And I LOVED it. We finished the month with an Oakland game in which me met DAVE STEWART AND VIDA BLUE and my mom almost passed out from the excitement of it.

July
We celebrated the 3rd AND 4th of July because that's how we roll around here. We also headed out to a local ballgame. We celebrated again for the All-Star game and I had super cute nails. I started watching MLB network on a regular basis after discovering we already had it for who knows how long. I wrote a letter to Old Spice stating why Brian Wilson should be a spokesman. FACT: he's glorious. I went to the Harry Potter midnight premiere!!! Kind of. My theater had an epic fail and some people seriously lost their shiz. I discovered an insanely easy dessert that became popular around these parts. I can't count how many times I've made it since. We went to ANOTHER baseball game for which I made a sassy shirt. Then there was yet another game at which my cousin and I decided owling was necessary.

August
Sadly, I watched summer wind down. But I started the month with a manicure dedicated to Cody Ross because I got a freakin' winky face from him!!!! My bartender friend squealed with me over this. I had to get back into the classroom and then school started. I had a cute manicure and cuter students. Went to a game for my cousin's birthday and took the best family picture ever. Then I decided to show off my craftiness by posting my super cute headband I made for said game. The whole time I was wishing summer (and baseball) would never end.

September
September was a pretty mellow month. My cousin came and stayed with us Labor Day weekend. There was much fun and obnoxiousness had. Then of course I GOT MY FIRST TATTOO. A fitting Shakespeare quote. I got my kids back into the habit of being at school. Our Wednesday night program at church started up again. There were more manicures, and much cheering on of the Giants. Then there was one last game in San Francisco, which was fun even though they had already blown postseason.

October
The manicures started to get a Halloween theme to them. I started visiting my brother at work a lot, which turned into some awesomely random nights. My mom took our family dog to be put down and our hearts broke. Halloween started to make appearances in my house. I found out I'm a pretty good painter. I got my second tattoo, this one to match my grandpa's. Halloween finally got here and we had to say goodbye to my favorite month.

November
It was a slow month. Most of my posts were about my manicures. Oopsie. The days got shorter. We watched a lot of Walking Dead on Sunday nights. I went to a canned food drive and got to see one of my favorite local bands. Thanksgiving break hit and the hubby and I went to IKEA to buy our new couch! And I got closer and closer to my 30th birthday...

December
Even though my blog posts don't reflect it, December was the busiest I've been in a loooooong time. Well, I guess my blog posts do reflect it when you consider the absence of them. There was practice for our Christmas program at school. There was prep and cleaning for my party. I got my third tattoo in honor of my aunt. (Yes that's three tattoos in four months.) I finally turned 30 and had an amazing party with people I love. Christmas break hit and it was a rush to finish shopping, wrap presents and bake cookies. Everything was done with a little time to spare. Then it was off to Vegas for a couple days of vacation, including one of the final performances of The Lion King.

Thanks to everyone who was a part of my year. There are so many people I'm glad to have. And I hope next year brings more of the same love and good times.

It Was Quite a Year

2010 was kind of big. Let's look back at some of the things it brought...

I obsessed over the last season of Lost. And cried when it was all over.

Tad said funny things that amused me.

We moved!!!

I fell hard for Isaiah Mustafa.

I celebrated the return of Glee. And looked forward to it every week.

I got to see Chris Daughtry!!!

I also fulfilled my high school dream of going to see THE BACKSTREET BOYS!!!

We took a massive family trip to Florida. In the middle of summer.

I got a job!!!!!

My baby played flag football. And looked precious.

I went to an 80s party... that required me to buy legwarmers!

My adorable grandpa turned 80 and we celebrated with a western party.

Hubby and I found a new obsession.

We finally got a fur baby!

And I got the German measles???

Among things I didn't blog about, I had one grandpa come successfully through surgery and he's out here visiting us as you read. My family also lost my aunt less than two weeks before Christmas. I didn't post about it here, but I received a lot of love, prayers and support on Facebook and the like. We're all getting through and I thank God for such a strong family.

It was a crazy year, full of weirdness and awesomeness. And I only hope next year can be as great. Raise your glass with me at midnight tonight and we'll toast together.

A Year in Pictures... Part 2

The second half of the year was busier than the first, so this turned out a little longer...

I ended up with a whole family of ducklings when their mom died. They're now happily living at our aunt's.


I got strep throat from my nephew and had to get a shot in the rear. He had no sympathy and laughed when his mom told him.


We took a trip to Great America. Four adults, three kids.

We laughed at the similarities between my niece and Angelica.

And Tad waited all day to see Spongebob.


We took one last beach trip with Tad before he had to go to school.

And took pictures of our feet in the sand.


My baby started Kindergarten. And looked so grown up.

He was really excited, me... not so much.

He loves school now and is doing really great.


I went on my first hunting trip. Which was totally unsuccessful because does are not legal here.

I also found out I can rock the Real Tree camoflauge.


I went to see Dave Matthews Band with my mom. And LOVED him.


I made some super cute invites for one of the most random bachelorette parties ever.

We had fun though, I think it was just right for sissy.


Then sissy got married at the beginning of October. And this amazing picture (as well as many more) was taken by my dear friend Steven.

The wedding was... well... when it finally happened it was nice. We make one good-looking wedding party.

I was not without my moments of frustration though.

But this little man was as adorable as ever.


We went to Las Vegas right after the wedding. I was in need of a vacation. I actually won some money!

Hubby got to meet one of his heroes.

And I got to drive A BRAND NEW CAMARO!!!


Mom and I slaved over Halloween costumes. They were totally worth it.


Thanksgiving came and went. I was rocking the glasses for a couple weeks because I'm such a slacker at making appointments.


There was leaf-jumping, because that is what you do in the fall.


There was my birthday trip to Tahoe, complete with snowmen, snow fights, and sleigh rides.


And my little manlet had his first Christmas program and awards ceremony. I don't want to brag too much, but he's pretty darn smart.


We celebrated Christmas in three different places (four if you count our early Christmas with hubby's dad, five if you count Christmas Eve).


And we took Tad on his first trip to Bass Pro. Hubby was excited. And Tad had fun.

They especially enjoyed the "Shoot'n Arcade." Where I scored higher than hubby. And yes, we bought Tad that hat. It's mighty cute. It has a buck on the front of it.

We'll be celebrating at my mom's tonight. Surrounded by people we love. I can deal with that.

And with that... goodbye 2009. I'm ready for the new things 2010 will bring me.

A Year of Cupcakes

I could have extended this to baking, but that would have been even MORE pictures. It was a serious year for my oven. I enjoy my cupcake adventures and was even fortunate enough to have some people pay me to make them for parties.

And believe me, more than once I wondered if I should have gone to culinary school instead of getting my credential. But oh well!

So let's take a peek at some of the beauties my oven popped out this year...

January
The month (and the year) started out tame. I went for a doctored up cake mix and whipped cream filling. And they were mighty tasty.


February
Surprisingly no Valentine's Day cupcakes. But I saw the tie-dyed idea and HAD to do it. Tad enjoyed helping with these.


March
Hubby's birthday came. And of course I made cupcakes for the occasion. Some super tasty cappuccino buttercream topping chocolate cupcakes...

... and a true labor of love: these lemon ones. I had to make lemon curd for the first time ever. They were totally worth it.


April
My sister had one of those... "girl" parties. And I felt a festive cupcake was needed. So I replicated the shot called a "Blow Job" in cupcake form. They were amazing. Seriously.


I also got to make my first paid cupcakes. Some fun polka dots for a friend of my cousin's. Also my first adventure into fondant. I MADE my own because I was too scared of the gross store-bought ones.


And here was my second paid job. The most adorable and girly little first birthday cupcakes for my friend Heather. Her granddaughter is super cute and I was really pleased with how these came out.


May
This month brought another first birthday. This time for my niece. Only one picture this time because I didn't get good ones.


I also got to do a baby shower! They were super tasty lemon cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. The decorations are just melted chocolate.


These are probably my favorite. I love the girly ones, but Curious George??? How do you beat that? These made me beyond happy. And I was so thrilled that I may or may not have sent a picture message to several friends proclaiming my awesomeness...


June
It was a quiet month. Just some cute ones for my brother-in-law's work (also my former place of employment). My former coworkers were pretty impressed.


July
Mom asked for festive Fourth of July cupcakes. I was more than happy to do so (especially since several of her coworkers were looking forward to them).

I couldn't resist doing the tie-dyed effect. It makes me happy.


Our dear Heather (yup, same Heather from before) was having a party (for those wall vinyls that are super cool) and wanted cupcakes. Go ahead and call me her dealer at this point. She's my best customer.


August
Little brother-in-law's birthday came. We threw the party so there were THREE kinds of cupcakes. I'm a little crazy.


Then Claudia's birthday came next. I was dying to try out red velvet. It totally worked. Not to mention my fun Twilight toppers that Claudia squealed over.


I got a mini cupcake pan. So I looked for any excuse to use it. National Punctuation Day was good enough for me.


Sissy's bridal shower was at my mom's. I made coffee frosting and tried out a lemon white chocolate cupcake. YUM.


SeptemberSissy's other bridal shower was more... adult themed. So the blow job cupcakes were necessary. This time in miniature.


October
Okay, you can't see it, but those candy toppers spell out "Happy Birthday Taytem." More birthday cupcakes, for my other niece.


November
Mad Hatter cupcakes for mom's work. I LOVED these colors.

See how cute they are all stacked on their display? They were pretty tasty too.


One more birthday party.

This time for a little boy. Hubby works with his mom.

It was Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!! I loved them! Apparently they made hubby's coworker giddy, and she's not a giddy person.


December

While I meant to get fancy this month, there's just too much going on. I already make cookies! So we finished the month (and year) with some good ol' filled cupcakes.

Vanilla with chocolate mousse filling and a chocolate buttercream. Tad enjoyed it. He licked the beaters of course.

And there's my year in cupcakes! There will be more to come next year, and hopefully I'll still be brave enough to try new flavors some more.