Cake Decorating

One of my classes this semester is Art Appreciation. In place of our second test she assigned an art project. I asked if a cake would count and she said "of course!" So, I decided that this would be a great time to experiment as much as I want because I wasn't giving it away as a gift and she was grading on effort alone! So I experimented every step of the way! I tried a new cake recipe, that didn't work. So I used the boxed cake that I had as backup. (I have tried the recipe again since then and it worked...yum!) Then I did three layers on the bottom, two chocolate with a vanilla layer in the middle. I also tried doing a raspberry filling. The top tier is the vanilla cake, two layers with the same raspberry in the middle. The top tier was a first for me. I made the fondant and it turned out great! It was super easy to make and work with, which was quite a surprise! What did I learn? A LOT!! Next time I will: make the original recipe for the cake (with the changes so it will work), different raspberry filling and more of it, use more buttercream under the fondant so it is more smooth, no matter how small the top tier seems it will need a support system underneath so it doesn't sink into the bottom tier, start earlier so I have time to do something cooler than polka dots, figure out a better way to do letters. I would love to do this for fun and make a little money on the side too. One of my friends in class is in the singles ward and will probably be getting married so we talked about me trying to do her wedding cake. I would totally do it for cost just for the experience. We will have to see. I would have more experiments before I really agree to that though! The best part, I got an A! So what if everybody else did too....

Rodney's First Beater!

This is goooood...

Mom, there's more in the middle! How do I get it?!

Ooooohh, that's how! I get it!

Winter Outfit and Halloween!

I just had to take this picture of Rodney in his warm winter outfit. We got this hat at Walmart. I had to find one that he couldn't pull off on his own. If it doesn't strap on then it lasts about 2 seconds before it is off of his head! So, this has a chin strap and really it was just too cute to pass up! The first time I put it on him he just screamed and pulled on it until I took it off. But the trick was to put the gloves on first and he was so busy trying to figure out what they were that he didn't even care about the hat! Such a goober! But really, doesn't that look warm?! I wish I could fit into it!

Last night we went to a really fun Halloween party with Justin and Sarah at the Hull house. Mark and I weren't planning on it so we didn't have costumes. So after a while Justin found Mark and wig to put on. Mark left it on for a while (under the baseball cap of course! It was pretty goofy looking.) But then mark put it on Rodney's head to see what he would look like if he really had hair. I had to take a picture. Rodney closed his eyes but we only had a 2 second window before he grabbed it off his head. But, personally, I think it turned out even cuter that way! So here is your preview of coming attractions, Rodney WITH hair!

Fun Day in Denver!

We had a super-fun day in Denver on Tuesday. We started out by visiting with Heather and Brooke for a few hours. She was here sibling-sitting. It is getting to be more and more fun seeing the babes together because Rodney is getting old enough to be interested in other kids. It is so fun to see him grow! Then we met up with Grandma and Grandpa Friesen at the temple. They had some quality time with Rodney while Mark and I got to go to the temple. They are making it possible for us to make our new goal possible. Once a month to the temple! So far we are going strong, 2 months! haha

This is Rodney and I while we were at the BEST restaurant ever! Saigon Palace. And you bet, we got the Super Bowl!

After dinner we went across the street to the Army Surplus store. Rodney LOVES his Grandpa Friesen. Grandpa can get him laughing like nobody else can! I don't know what it is, but Grandpa's got it!

We had to get a few pictures of the cousins together. I just think this one is so funny. Brooke has the biggest smile and Rodney is just trying to figure out what the heck is going on!

Like his shirt? Can I just tell you how much I love the thrift stores lately!?