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CHECK!
california here we come!
(don't worry….i have the bloggy all set to auto-post so you won't miss even miss me.)
and thanks for the suggestions about what to pack to entertain the kids.
i got them all stocked up.
so we are here. summer break.
the kids are already telling me "it's too hot to go outside."
we are two days in.
oh my.
we had a full week…in a good way.
full of friends, achievements and good old fashioned hard work.
lauren was promoted from 8th grade.
 they had to wear those shirts…lauren was so embarrassed.
we were proud of her for making it through.
jr. high is over.
she made it….it was bitter sweet to watch another milestone pass for her.
 four more years is all we get with her.
strange feeling.
wasn't she just born?
wasn't i just feeding her a bottle?
didn't she just learn to walk?
when did this woman appear in our home?
scott had a birthday party.
and he is offically at the stage where birthdays and parties are a bit of a let down.
he had some friends over to go swimming and eat pizza.
but really ALL they did was play basketball.
for hours.
they didn't even come in for rainbow cake!
obsessed.
 man….they are cute.
peter from chicago came to visit us.
he travels to kansas for his work and sometimes we get to spend some time with him.
the kids were so happy.
and he brought "specials" for everyone.
(peter…annie has used all her band-aids up already. :)
we took him out for some local yumminess.
  this is why we go to breadbasket for ice cream cones instead of dairy queen…
self serve and craig makes them giant!
 ahhh….small town.
 and there were campfires, gardening, photo sessions, cleaning, weeding, neighborhood parties,
bike rides, crafts, sleepovers, sprinklers and games too.
craig just walked out the door with all the kids for the whole day.
i am in charge of laundry and packing for california.
big job.
can you think of anything that is a MUST HAVE for traveling with your family?
or for surviving an airport with five children?
tell me so i don't forget anything.
thanks!
the suitcases await.
Kim Smith – So cute! I LOVE the hugging one! I bet their Mom loved that one! And the one of the litlte girl sliding down the slide is precious! Great captures! Katherine Huff – Your children are aultsboely gorgeous, Arianna’s hair is getting so long and Easton looks adorable with his missing teeth. Michael lost his but watch out girl you are going to have to do a lot of editing to help him out this summer. You definitely have to do the bubble pics with my kids I love them. Yeah your coming home soon! Can’t wait and wait until you see what Brandi and I have in store for you. hehe TOO STINKING CUTE!!!! What cute kids and just a beautiful faimly altogether. One of your BEST faimly shoots ever!! Love the Little Princess . congratulations to the graduate! hope you have a great trip! PS: i love the pictures. lauren is beautiful. scott is TOUGH and cool. your kids are having an awesome childhood. miss you! Dramamine. seriously, you never know when one of them will puke. and it makes them sleepy. 🙂 i found orange chewable ones in the airport gift shop but that’s the only place i’ve ever seen them. they were yummmy too. MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A FULL SUPPLY OF LITTLE BLUE PILLS. YOU WOULDN’T WANT TO RUN OUT. love the ice cream on the elbow! as many electronic gadgets as you can shove in there. And Lollipops. They got my kids through our airplane ride. The above all have good suggestions but don’t forget to check the guidelines of what you can take aboard the plane and sizes of liquids, etc. Would be a shame to have to throw out surprises because they don’t pass muster. Believe me, I have learned the hard and expensive way! For the airport… leashes! i always bought the kids a new magazine and gave it to them on the plane. actually i still do this and now that they are young adults the magazines are interesting to roger and i too and we get them for the ride home. hope you got all your stuff done. Any QUIET activity, a change of clothes in your carry-on for everyone, and good snacks are a must for our family. Annie isn’t super young, but I highly recommend an umbrella stroller anyway. You can gate check them and it saves you from listening to whining if you have a huge airport to get through or worse a close connection where you have to run for your next plane. Not to mention the fact that it isn’t easy to wander when you’re strapped into a stroller. DVD player, Ipods, and gum. Enjoy Lauren while she is still at home. The time will FLY!!! My oldest graduates this week and it seems like just the other day she was a freshman in high school. Now we will be packing her stuff and she will be going to college in the fall. I don’t know where the time has gone. Just finished up my first semester of college, meaning I graduated from high school last year, and if there is ONE THING I could tell anyone getting ready to begin high school is: Don’t take it all so seriously. It doesn’t matter if you’re the coolest, or the prettiest, or the smartest, or if you have the coolest, cutest or smartest boyfriend. All that matters is that you be yourself and stand up for yourself. Don’t let anyone put you down. High school doesn’t last forever. OH, and if she doesn’t believe any of that. Tell her she just has to make it to college, college is amazing. Sorry for the long comment, have a nice trip! Looks like fun! We are headed to Cali this summer, too, but driving cross country like the Griswolds. We’re a bit obsessed with that fictional family. So, I’m tempted to quote Vacation, but will hold back! Enjoy! DVD player. Enough said. :o) Go buy a few, small, new toys/books/markers…and snacks. One thing for each of them, hide them in your bag until you take off in the airplane. Wait for a bit and see if the settle in, then break out the goods. Take snacks too, those itty bags of peanuts aren’t worth a darn. In the end, let them take turns going to the bathroom, that is always a thriller and time killer. Enjoy your time! Pipecleaners! Kept my three busy crafting and then pretending with their little creations….have a great trip and love your blog! 🙂 Your words about Lauren were just perfect tonight…put a lot in perspective after what has been 5 very long days! I’m still trying to figure out what Lauren found so embarrassing about the shirts they wore at graduation. Is there something on it that my monitor isn’t picking up? I don’t see anything odd about any of the kids shirts. But, I also understand that it could very well be that the shirt is embarrassingly ugly and a teenager would never wear it unless forced to do so. 🙂 I think she looks beautiful! Is she still playing volleyball? I miss my daughter playing volleyball (she’s in college now and doesn’t play anymore). Snacks. When is your trip? I always like to pack things for laughs – a wig, funny glasses or something they all want. We’ve got six children and I’ve always thought as long as you have an enormous pair of sunglasses to hide behind and a favourite lipstick that makes you feel fab, you can cope with anything. Baby wipes are good too.:-) Hope you have a great time. HI THere, if you can, I would fit a set of daily essentials in your carry-on in case your bags get lost. I couldnt live without a fresh pair of undergarments and my face powder…just a suggestion I like the idea of benadryl too; works like a charm. Seriously, just wanted to tell you congrats on Lauren getting through middle school. The next four years will fly by. My middle one just graduated from high school this past weekend. Next year my baby will graduate from high school and my daughter will graduate from college. It goes so, so fast. I love how you will have this blog to look back on in the future. Have you taken the kids to see Night at the Museum 2? Even the 14 year old liked it. We are a well traveled family of 7 (hooray for five kids!) and my advice to you would be keep it simple. I am queen of “we might need this” and forever this has turned out bad for me. Something will lose a piece, a noisy handheld game is irritating…they never feel like doing the stuff we pile up beforehand. The simple stuff works best…a small notebook and pencil, deck of cards, a treat that won’t get melty. The older kids bring their stuff (ipods, etc). It never fails that they buy gotta-have-it-stuff during the trip. Less is more, eh? But you probably know all this junk already–I have been reading your blog for a few months–you’re so inspiring! And your photos are stunning. Mine have 7.5 days left of school and then they will be out for summer break. And my little over 7 hours of peace Monday – Friday will come to an end. ummm children’s benadryl? Valium for you for sure and lots of treats! I learned (very quickly) this weekend, to bring a change of clothes for everyone. You never know when you will need it. A towel and extra water. And change. And a cell phone charger. Hi, I’m new to your blog (well, been lurking for about 6mo or so now). My husband is an airline pilot so we do a lot of flying in the summer with the kids (I have 4). I agree with the posts so far. We do personalized treat bags (containing gum, starbursts, chewy stuff and lollypops) for each child with their name on it, portable dvd player, ipods for the older ones (ours are 17,15,10 and 8). When they were younger we enjoyed pre-boarding if any of the kids were under 5. Doesn’t hurt to ask. I’m not sure what airline you’re taking but I know my husbands has activity books for the kids and sometimes if you ask the FA, they’ll let the kids get up and help hand out pretzels and such (seat belt sign not illuminated of course). And the pilots like to see the kids. My husband has fun showing the wide eyed kids all of the stuff that is in the cockpit and it helps the kids with any anxiety if they meet the pilot I think. 🙂 Good luck and enjoy your trip. Lots of snacks (juice boxes and fruit snacks are a special travel snack in our house), mini-notepads with pencils taped to them, activity books, Magna Doodle, CASH… and for that moment when the entire plan is looking like they want to smother your loud but oh, so lovely children… the portable DVD player with headphones. Where are yall going in California? It is my favorite place. It is beautiful. My 3 year old wants an iPod – crazy – for plane trips, I have found that LOTS of FOOD is the ticket. Everybody’s favorites. The 3 yr old used her own money to buy a Disney Princess book at Barnes and Noble about 3 weeks ago – she’s still obsessed with it – so maybe something like that for your 4 yr old. Wow I’m in scotland and our kids aren’t off until end of June – thank god! Its a rare occasion here when “its too hot to got outside” and thats in the summer ha! p.s love your blog pack a surprise for for each kid that you give them on the plane….something fun and small for california. like sunglasses for the girls and maybe some sort of little water/beach toy for the boys. it takes their mind off the long flight and it’s a nice surprise. 🙂 don’t forget to pack lots of snacks! the weather is gorgeous in california right now. i’m taking a break from my gardening to write this. have a great time! eating the rainbow.  to ease my guilt of how honestly UNhappy i was that it was the last day of school…
i made a cake to help them celebrate.
i had seen versions of the rainbow cake and decided "today's the day!" to make my own.
it's not too difficult.
but it does take some time.
 i just used TWO white cake mixes.
following the instructions on the box.
then i divided it up into 6 bowls evenly which turned out to be 1.5 cups in each bowl.
i had all these Wilton Icing colors already…from all the other birthday cakes i have done in the past.
(find them at walmart, hobby lobby, micheals in the cake decorator isle but not the CAKE MIX isle)
also you could use the gel colors in the cake mix isle…i think it's the same thing.
the drop kind of food coloring will NOT work for these bright colors…your rainbow would be pastels. and if you only have five eggs…you can call your neighbor for one more.
even if you JUST went to the store to buy the cake mix ten minutes before.
 add a teaspoon of color into each bowl and stir.
it's so easy a four year old can do it.
i used 9" round cake pans.
make sure you grease them well with shortening or baking spray.
this is a crucial step in making fancy cakes that i think some skimp and then you are
 my cakes were done in 12 minutes.
flip them out on to cooling racks and let them sit till they are completely cool.
it is pure happiness to make.
 even the dishes are happy.
just keep baking & don't think about the kids will be home for three whole months in two more hours…
i made the cool whip frosting i have shared before to frost this.
when you make a layer cake you have to cut your cakes to make them flat….but you knew that.
i don't have a picture though.
you take a big knife (or even a tool that is made just for flattening cakes)
and you cut off the round part of the top of the cake that rises in the oven.
you can let your kids or husband eat that so they leave you alone while you frost the cake.
(you stay away from that turkey…you'll get worms!….name that movie)
then you layer it up…rainbow style.
spread frosting in between each layer.
then around the whole thing.
(do you know the trick about putting a skim layer of frosting first to seal in all the crumbs…
stick it in the refridgerator to harden…
then another coat after that of thick frosting? yes, you did? ok…sorry)
i didn't show the other kids so when we cut it they were so surprised.
 the lighting makes my purple layer look weird.
but it was purple…i promise.
 we had lots of other kids here playing and it was a hit.
i heard sean say "do you want some cake? my mom made it for the end of school!"
smile.
cake can solve the world's problems.
[…] been wanting to make a rainbow layer cake for the longest time, ever since I first laid eyes on Meg Duerksen’s beauty way back in 2009. I can’t imagine that anybody could look at these happy colours […] I love this rainbow cake! Awesome and perfect for the kids! I really like the ingredients used and how the color appears. We did a Raibow Cake just like this. You should check it out! 🙂 Question: I just bought the three primery colors expecting it to be enough, but now I’m not to sure anymore… Happy birthday!In lieu of cake I was thinikng of getting you something else. But your blog will probably filter out comments with links in them. So do a YouTube search of walrus and fellatio. (Although I’d be shocked if you haven’t already seen this one.) You know, maybe cake would have been a better idea Congratulations! Since Jesica doesn’t have a facebook page, and I know that you know her, plesae post a comment on her blog and give her a call. I can give you her number if you need it:) Congratulations!! This would be PERFECT for your little girl’s 1st Birthday coming up!! i think that one of the smath guys was going to put his seatbelt on and tha suns rays hit the meteal making the rainbow aperre on the car.did you know that the suns rays are white its just that the rainbow colors alltogether makes a white color But Mom I am reading! NOT But mom just five more meintus of this tv show! By the way I agree why do people have to socialize so much? Urgh tiresome. Look the week has been enough do we really have to do something else we are obligated to on our day off? I want to chill with my family. I completely share your extenimect! I love these stands. I actually saw something similar at an Anthropologie and have been admiring it every time I visit the store. I particularly like these — they look like they’ve made from plates and cups that have been found and pieced together. Actually, that’s not such a bad idea for a project… [url=”http://www.wholesalejerseysleague.com/nba-jerseys?zenid=5078963f2a1df93f92cc8e3f31f6777f”]football jerseys wholesale[/url] The colorful cake with rainbow color, that’s great! Teaching our children to make this kind of cake is really happiness. I am sure that our children will be pleasurable making this rainbow cake. Dear Meg – An aussie imitation!~ What else is this cake perfect for but a ZUMBA party for Miss 6!! It rocked! I made this cake a couple of years ago for my DD’s 3rd birthday. I agree with you that its not hard to make. But the directions I was given to make it were totally backwards which was such a pain in the rear!(For instance, they had us making the layers in the wrong order so we had to wait until all were done to be able to move on…grrrr)Anyways, it took us forever and I was really crazy about getting “vibrant, real colors” for each layer. My sister in law was teasing me about it but its true…Ive seen others do this cake and the colors are just blah. I didnt want that. cake is a nice dessert, but it’s easy to get fat, so try to eat less… I love Rainbow cake. this is great recipe. I tried it on Monday evening. I hope my daughter will enjoy this recipe. thank you so much. This looks amazing,, so beautiful and delicious,, Maybe one day I shall make some 🙂 woe…you just blew me away….those lucky lucky children! It doesn’t matter is the rainbow is on a poem, a cake , a draw in the wall, in our hair , in the sky or in any other place is always beautiful to see all those colors. My almost two year old is obsesses – OBSESSED – with the Muppet Movie, and Kermit’s Rainbow song. So this is the PERFECT cake for him – thank you!! I promise to send pics whn it’s done (if i can do a not-completely-embarassing job). Would this cake freeze well, or do I haev to make it the day before? (Can you tell I’ve never – ever – baked?) Someone showed me your blog and it inspired me to have a go at my own rainbow cake… this is so awesome! I’m going to try and make one this weekend!! 🙂 thanks! thanks so much for sharing! i just did a post on rainbow cakes and linked to you..hope that’s ok! heheh so I tried baking this cake. Fantastic cake! It sure looks yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe. I will try making one next week. Btw, I like your “whatever” … its one of my favorite verse.. thanks so much for this! i made it for my 18th birthday and it was a hit among my friends. This cake is fabulous I plan to have it for my 50th birthday party with some ruby slippers on the top. Thank you for being so kind and sharingthe recipe. Joolsx 5 months later and you have comments, I LOVE THIS. You’re some sort of genius or whatnot, what an idea. Amazing, just amazing! Thank you so much for sharing … and your photographs are awesome! this is so beautiful! this cake looks excellent and i could imagine it was a great time making and eating. This cake would bring a smile to anyone’s face I think. I really need to buy 4 more 9″ cake pans and make this for somebody… this is the most awesome cake ive seen! what a wonderful and fun thing to do for the kids. 🙂 I want to try this now. Loooooooved the cake, already made it myself! Congrats on such a great blog 🙂 yummy! I am definately gonna try and make this today! Thank you so much for such a wonderful idea! I really love this, I’ve got to make it one of these days! Just saw this linked and linked again from a friend’s blog. I made it today for my family- thanks for the inspiration!!! I am SO in love with this cake. I hope you don’t mind that I featured your pic on my blog. Thanks! Haven’t made this cake yet, and already I feel happier! Thanks for sharing! I love this! My daughter is having her 5th birthday soon and while looking for ideas I came across this! Now I don’t have to look any more! Thank you so much for the great idea. I am going to do this. When I have finished and post it, I will definetly link back to your site! Thanks so much! I can’t thank you enough for posting this cake. I saw it in May & have saved it for this Saturday (7/11). My little man is turning 2 & we’re having his party at Gymboree. The bright colors in this cake match the brightly colored Gymboree location. I also took the cake idea & made invitations with color strips. Because of this one post a party was planned. I AM making this for my daughter’s birthday! Thanks for the idea. I linked to it at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com I love this cake. I need to find a reason to make it. Oh My Goodness! I must have this cake!! What an awesome cake!!!! I just made this for my sons robot party and it was a hit! I am going to link to you blog on my post later tonight 🙂 I have a few major events coming up. 3 birthdays, an Anniversary and a Baby Shower. I’m making this cake for all of them! I made a rainbow cake several years ago for my daughter’e Wizard of Oz birthday party. The outside of the cake was vanilla frosting with chocolate swirled through it to signify how the movie started out black and white and the tornado came through. The inside of the cake was rainbow layers. The colors were achieved using KoolAid mixes of different flavors. It was pretty cool – even Grandpa liked it! Hmmm, I think a cake might be in order for the last day of school here, too! I made it…with the kids help…GREAT SUCCESS!!! 😉 This cake is AWESOME! My sister has the funniest story about making this! You TRULY inspire me!! This is my first comment ever but this cake is totally comment worthy. You inspired me to make this for my girls last day of school,which was today. I have NEVER made a cake before but thought this would be fun. MY GIRLS WERE IN HEAVEN and it looked good too! I feel so domesticated today and the thanks goes to you. Thanks for the step by step directions and hints and pics!!! I also used your icing and everyone LOVVVVVEEDD it! You are awesome!! Meg, LOVE your site and this cake. Going to try to talk Kate out of the “Barbie” cake for her birthday next month and make (or try to make) a rainbow cake!! Hope to talk to you soon. Have fun in California. was there rainbow poo too the next day? 🙂 Great cake!! Okay, you convinced me, I will make this cake for the neighborhood kids and have it waiting on a card tale on the last day of school (June 3). I will be a big hit, and I will give all the kudos to you. When you are mentioning with distain that you are “that kind of mom”, try to take a minute to remember that you are also “this kind of mom”. Wow that is something wonderful. Just as yummy to look at as eat. My 3 year olds eyes just bugged out when he saw the picture! I just might have to attempt this sometime this summer! So I’ve FINALLY done a new post and you’ll see why I’ve been MIA. I have been peeking in on your fabulous posts though.. they always add a smile to my day! I didn’t know that trick! Keep it coming 🙂 hey….remember me? from back when you use to get like 16 comments :)? Love the cake…it makes you SMILE! I talked to you at church today and we would love for you to take pics of our family. Just let me know works best…Thanks! I love this idea; I do not think I could execute it with the grace you have shown. Please send me a bit of your talent…this is a darlng blog. i have seen this cake all over the blogsphere and i so desperately want to make it! My son gets out of school/graduates kindergarten on the 5th so I think i’ll make it for him then, soo fun!!! great! my 4 year old just walked by as i was drooling over this cake……she has birthday on her mind..” thats the cake I WANT” great…can i send you a plane ticket in July…you might need a break by then! and there is no way i can pull that off! thanks for the inspiration! That cake is fantastic!!! I LOVE IT! that is THE cutest cake EVER!!!! i can’t wait to try it! Good Lord Meg! Mother of the Year award! Love it. Will do it on June 4th! This is great! I JUST made a rainbow/tie-dye cake for my mom’s birthday last night! Mine turned out fabulous, and I love how you layered yours! totally delightful! hope you don’t mind, but I’ve shared this post with my readers!! yummy!!! My friend sent me a link to your page. I’m so impressed with the cake! My sister wants me to make her one for her birthday! Christmas Story…one of my favorites! you are amazing! This cake put a smile on my face! Fund just to look at. Thanks for sharing. 😀 You just ROCK. I never knew what a bad Mom I was until I started following your blog. Thanks! LOL! I have never seen a cake like that before. How clever! And it looks yummy. You are such a sweet mom! That cake is AWESOME! My daughter’s birthday party is next weekend, and I am soooo making that cake for her! You are such an inspiration! JOY! What a cool idea! Such a nice mom! We’ll have to try this for our last day of school. Thanks for the inspiration! ok i am so not the cook/baker but that is the coolest, cutest cake ever! the colors are so bright. i love it!!!!! I have never in my life seen that, or seen such a fun cake. It totally kicks the confetti cake’s, um, bum. You are one rockin’ mom. I love that cake. I want to make it too. And I am soooooo happy school is out. I’m sorry it makes you sad because it makes me jump up and down with happiness 🙂 Although I know my kids will make me crazy in no time! color me impressed! Yum…I want a piece of your happy rainbow cake! Wow, that looks ssssooooo yummy and fun for summer! You have me wanting cake now! Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful cake. I am going to make one for my kids. They will love it! I was planning a little surprise for them for the last day of school and this will go perfect with it. I am going to decorate the house with banners and give them a basket with books, craft items, a couple of new movies and little toys to keep them busy during the summer. the name of the movie is A Christmas Story….you’ll shoot your eye out 🙂 love the cake..i am soo doing that soon…the girls will love it… I love it and I agree with you, Im not thrilled either… I think a cake is in order here too. Love your ideas and Annie’s outfits and so much more! I’ve been meaning to make one of these FOREVER, but haven’t found a good excuse to yet. I’m making a promise to myself here and now, the next baby shower cake I have to make (shouldn’t be too long, our Sunday School class has been having baby’s like rabbits for the past two years, and I think I’ve made at least half the cakes for the showers). thanks for the good vibes. there’s still a hint of hope that we might end up out there…TOGETHER! and that cake is fabulous!! Love the cake. You are a great mom. I’m jealous we still have another we and I teach so everyone is looking forward to the end of the year. Hope you have a great summer!!! You are going to win awards for that cake, girl!! Totally Awesome!! You’re such a good mommy to celebrate the last day…even when that’s not really what you were doing inside 🙂 I can’t get over how early you get out of school! Most kids here aren’t out until almost the end of June. But that gives me time to get ideas from the rest of you as to how to “celebrate” the day! Oh my goodness!!!!! that is SO stinkin’ ca-ute!!! I’m singing “somewhere over the rainbow” now…must go make cake! 🙂 I love the Rainbow Cake! I bake it all the time, and you’re right, it eases the worries of the day. I’ll be making Rainbow cupcakes this weekend! We’ll see how it goes. Oh, my daughter is sooo jealous! That cake is awesome and such a great way to celebrate the end of school. Yeah for summer! Ummm… It’s only from my all time favorite movie A Christmas Story 🙂 Aaahh…love it! You know why didn’t I think of that? I made it last month but I only used 2 pans and just layered the colors in there. It came out all hippie-looking and my husband made fun of me. (But later he told me it was cool!) I will have to try it this way next time. Aaahh…love it! You know why didn’t I think of that? I made it last month but I only used 2 pans and just layered the colors in there. It came out all hippie-looking and my husband made fun of me. (But later he told me it was cool!) I will have to try it this way next time. It makes it all worth it when you hear your child say something like that:) Glad that Sean liked it and wanted to share it. Meg, something is crazy with the RSS feed. Every time you update your blog I go to it from the feed and it locks my computer up. I have to actually turn the computer off. Has anyone else had this problem? It only does it with your blog. I don’t know what the deal is. I saw someone called you Supermom… I made rainbow/tie-dyed/playdough/whatever you call them cookies for the end of school last year to celebrate my son’s summer birthday and a mom – to my face – snidely called me an overachiever. I didn’t take it as a compliment at first but it makes me laugh now so seeing that Supermom comment made me laugh too. 🙂 My kids would love the rainbow cake. We go to year-round school so they’re only home for 3 weeks at a time instead of 3 months. Is that reason enough for a cake? 🙂 That is stinking brilliant! Love it. I love the whimsical ways that you live your life – thanks for being so generous and sharing your ideas with all of us. I think I will make that cake the night my daughter has her graduation ceremony – I will do blue and gold – her school colors. thanks for the idea. That is the coolest cake I’ve ever seen! I’m so making that for my son’s next birthday. Awesome! Awesome you are the nicest mom, I bet their tongues looked pretty scary! Such a cheerful cake, Meg! Do you have a cape and tights, SuperMom? That really is a cool cake… I think I might just have to try that one. And not getting worms is an added benefit. It’s a REALLY HAPPY CAKE! Never saw that done before, thanks so much for sharing! YOU ROCK, obviously! you are so cool… my girlies weren’t so lucky! The movie you are referring to is A Christmas Story…absolute classic. That is an awesome cake. You rock. Ok, I made a “similar” rainbow cake last night and you’ve put me to shame – it looks like I stacked caked on top of each other instead of one big cake. What’s the secret of connecting the cakes – having them be flat? Because I didn’t cut mine flat before I stacked. 🙁 eat cake first! 🙂 omg you are so awesome!!! that cake is GORGEOUS!! i wanna make one!!! holy cow. that is awesome. not only does cake solve the worlds problems, but it makes you look like the worlds most awesomest mom! yeah! whatever it takes right? it’s so totally awesome. you are the queen of cakes! i was going to do this next week (end of school for us…i know) with cupcakes. like someone has alreagy mentioned the cake looks a little ambitious for me, but one day! happy summertime=] love this!! I’ve done this for cupcakes but hadn’t tried my hand at a cake. I like that you made individual coloured cake layers as opposed to layering it all in one or 2 cake pans.Gives a cleaner look and more frosting in between each layer. THAT is the BEST cake ever!! So going to give it a try this summer!!! And I was thinking even the dirty dishes would make me happy, they’re so colorful… then I scrolled down and read the same thought. 🙂 Enjoy the weekend! Oh I wish you were my mom!! I’m gonna have to give that a try someday. you are a wonderful, really wONDERfully rEAL mom!!! it’ll be okay 🙂 Despite the fact that if I actually make this cake I need not eat it but simply apply it directly to my thighs, I think I might still try it!! Brilliant idea!!!! First of all… A Christmas Story. Anybody who doesn’t know this shouldn’t be allowed to celebrate Christmas. It’s a classic. Second… you are one of my all time FAVORITE blogs. I have a list of 60+ blogs that I like, but I check yours daily. Without fail. Third… that cake couldn’t be any more cheery! I love it. I want to make it. I want to eat it. The whole thing. By myself. Thanks for sharing! 🙂 This cake has been on my “need to make” list for awhile, too! I think the end of school may just be the *perfect* reason to make it. when i saw the cake on google reader, my jaw dropped! how cute! what a neato freato idea! i want to do that! Years from now, your children will still be saying, “Mom, remember that rainbow cake you made for us on the last day of school? That was awesome!” What a great memory. ohmygoodness… that is amazing… and so happy! i need to try that sometime!! thanks for sharing 🙂 you. know. i. am. going. to. make. this. I LOVE THIS! I am going to make one! I did not know about the skim layer of icing. Love to bake but never knew that. That would explain my crumby issues. LOL!! See how much I am learning from you? 🙂 this is so beautiful. i love it. i want to make one with just shades of orange and pink and yellow. thanks for sharing! your kids are lucky 🙂 this is the second cake I have seen today that I want to make…and this is my BUSIEST cake week ever…so.the rainbow may have to wait. What a GREAT idea! I love it!! You are such a thoughtful mommy. AWESOME! Love it. Knew that movie quote. You are fabulous. 🙂 that is an AWESOME cake. How did you get the layers to stay so straight? I might only do 3..lol..yours looks kinda ambitious..lol Hey! I found your site by accident and then noticed you were a photographer. I enjoy checking in from time to time to see what images you have taken. I am a sucker for good photos and hopefully will be purchasing a new camera soon so I can experiment with the whole blurred background thing – which I love! 🙂 I have found your honesty so refreshing! The rainbow cake looks fun – I’ll have to try it. Anyways…enjoying your blog from Andalusia, Alabama… It’s on my list for this week now . . . looks happy!! My kids actually have school through next week so I’ve got a LONG list of things to do before the change hits! I didn’t know about the “first layer of frosting and then sticking it in the fridger thing” so that tip was just for me! THanks! We quote from A Christmas Story all year long. A classic! Love the rainbow cake, but way more than I would attempt. I’ll take your word for it that it was easy-but-time-consuming. My kids are teenagers and I still have some dread of the summer break (our last day of school isn’t until June 12th, but then we don’t go back to school until after Labor Day). I don’t have to entertain my kids much anymore, BUT the summer means too little alone time for me.(And isn’t it all about me?..kidding!) mmmmmmm. just added this to my list of things to do. Ya… a Christmas story but I see that just about everyone knew that 😉 A classic for sure. love it! what a sweet mum you are – happy summer! This is beautiful Meg!! i LOVE it! And am defiantely going to try it out asap!! OMG… I am making this NOW… I am going to Dillons NOW… BYE… Oh wait, I can’t just GO… I have four kids to gather up and get in the car now, and the baby is napping, and I NEED a lot of things at Dillons and i don’t have a list ready or coupons, and now that the kiddos are home I have to buy one billion times more groceries… Plus two of the kids are still in PJs… So MAYBE I will make it tomorrow, MAYBE???…And when I do, I will definately give you the credit… MAYBE??? 😀 fun, fun, fun!!! i’ll have to do the same in a couple of weeks!!! Why does this not surprise me?! You are amazing and I want to be your child (preferably the youngest so I can stay home and play with you while the big kids go to school)!! That looks so good!!! Unfortunately, I wouldn’t be able to control myself and I’d eat the whole thing before the kids got home…wait, what a good idea! I’ll make one for ME…a stress-reducing, end-of-school, summer vacation, (sniff, sniff…will I make it?) rainbow of emotions CAKE! That cake is awesome! No kiddos for me to try it out on… If I get brave enough it would still be great for a “just because” reason! I Looove “A Christmas Story!” “Fra-gee-lay…must be Italian.” By the way, I think it’s perfectly okay to be sad that the school year is over… Your cake looks so pretty! I did a rainbow cake for Charlie’s 2nd Birthday ( http://loridanelle.blogspot.com/2009/04/bubble-birthday-party.html ). It was such a huge hit and Charlie loved helping me mix the colors the day before!! I was going to guess Christmas Story or Home For The Holidays. Two of my favorites. a christmas story…whaddo i win? the end of my freedom. the end of my quiet home.
the end of having the computer all to myself.
the end of doing my own thing.
the end of taking a shower without kids walking in…then screaming & covering their eyes.
for three months!
how did this sneak up on me so fast?
here are some pics that were on my camera this week…with very little rhyme or reason.
  my niece maya.
can you guess how old she is?
  this doesn't look very safe does it?
  i used my happy pass.
i needed them.
   what a good grandma.
she played candyland, UNO, memory, guess who and go nuts…over and over.
annie loved it.
   flowers from the garden.
the peonies are super fabulousand they are my favorites
because they are so darn easy i just get to enjoy them with practically no work at all.
 this drawer was funny to me today.
i was going for the seeds and thought…what an odd combination of things in here.
but maybe everyone keeps their 08' pool passes with their toothbrushes & 4 year old formula holders.
i said there was no rhyme or reason.
you were warned.
so back to THE END….
it's also the start of some good things.
tomorrow is the time for sleeping in.
time for suntans and sprinklers.
time for boxes and boxes of ice pops.
time for painting in the driveway.
time for siblings being forced to play together…bonding…giggling…making forever memories.
i think i will survive.
i think i am ready.
maybe.
can i just have one more week to decide?
二20 I dont understand what to expsers. This weblog is actually wonderful. That is not really critically a actually significant statement, but its just about all I could develop following scanning this. You know a great deal relating to this subject matter. A whole lot so that a person produced me personally want to learn a little more about it. Your website is my stepping stone, my buddy. Interesting oversees on this subject. I love the photos, especially the kid with the dog. Thanks for sharing them. I love your beautiful photos….. I am so with you Megan! Ours finished Thursday, how on earth can they already be bored on Friday afternoon?!?! I told Frank the time has come for the oldest two kids to get their own computers, they have plenty of money in their savings and are more than willing to pay for them, Best Buy here we come! it’s heeeeeere! I know how you feel, my daughter has 4 more weeks of school and I’m really sad for her. Kinda! And I feel bad she only gets 8 weeks off. But I also know I will have too many days of I’m bored and bitchiness coming my way suddenly I’m sad for me not her! That dog- I just want to squeeze Waffle. Ahh yes, summer vacation. I remember it all well. I have a friend that has three children-finding it difficult to get things done during the summer. She has created ‘time-out-slow-down-hour’… All kiddos to a quiet place {their rooms} for some playing with soft toys, reading, pondering summer adventures. One hour, using a timer. Gives all a well deserved ‘time-out’. Then, let the summer games begin again. it will go by so fast. eric still has 2 weeks. we are late this year. i loved playing the “guess who” game with my kids. awww….. i soooo miss my pups! we had 2 wheatens when we lived in az. they both had to be adopted out to families in cooler climates. after 4 years they both developed such horrible allergies. our oldest practically chewed her leg off at 4am one morning while i was up feeding the babe. tear. sniff. sniff. and the summer cut… i could go on… give a squeeze from me. i miss them! I too am nearing the “end” and could cry typing this post…last one graduates this week from High School and oldest graduates Masters at the end of Summer. My ever “busy” house will soon be quiet…what will the hubby and I do?? (teehee) I love reading your blog, always makes me smile, and we so want a “Waffle” at our house! Enjoy your summer! love the bubble gum! i have a sign in my house that says EIGHT more days until my freedom!!!!! Well nine if I count the 1/2 paid day for packing up my room. It usually takes 1 LONG day to get it all done. I wish peonies grew this far south! Lucky- I have one more month. I love summer with the kids. Until about August- lol. then I am READY for Fall. Note to self: plant peonies at the new house- they sound like fun! Your pictures are so much fun! Hi Meg. It has been a while. I check your blog but I don’t get a chance to comment every time. All of your pictures made me happy:) You will have a great summer and make it through. I guess I shouldn’t talk since I only have one kid! Enjoy sleeping late tomorrow and steal a few minutes each day for yourself. 1. I can’t believe your kids are out already! Kids out here have another couple of weeks. Enjoy your beautiful family. Happy SUMMER! no rhyme or reason….that sums up summer, doesn’t it? I LOVE Guess Who and would play with Annie all day (my kids are 19 and 15 and won’t play with me anymore). Amen! Good luck and God bless. 🙂 But hey, it’s summer and summer is AWESOME!!!! Our end is near as well. I’m ready! Today, anyway. Ask me again two weeks after school is out…. I am sure that the summer also holds LOTS and LOTS of photos for you too :o) We all know that Mama Duerksen will be there, camera in hand, for all of those summer memories. Can’t wait to see them! Not quite the same, but I remember after I had my second baby, my Mom stayed with us for about a month to help out. When it was time for her to leave, I remember just being so scared of the idea of being left with 2 little girls under the age of 18 months!!! SCARED. I had no idea how I was going to do it. YOu will survive!! It will be awesome… especially not getting everyone dressed and fed and out the door to school. As a teacher… I am SO READY for “the end” :o)… the kids have all mentally checked out weeks ago already, and we can’t get much out of them anymore… it is SO time for the end. :o) Hooray!!! :o) AMEN Sista! I’m right there with ya! and I’m super excited- I think?! 🙂 The end to getting up early and rushing out the door Oh, my. I know that feeling! Love your photos, they are gorgeous! Even your junk drawer is cute!! I love all the color in your life that comes across in the photos you capture. Very cheery. Wishing you a very happy summer! welcome to summer. it sounds glorious. and your photos were fabulous, as usual! I have to say that I’m a bit jealous here. Another month of school up here. I’m really looking forward to not having to set the alarm clock. wow, you guys end school so early. we still have a month. thank goodness. time for VACATION! lots of togetherness. 😉 OH by the way. How can I get me one of those “Happy Passes”? I have 2 weeks to go and then it is the “end” for me too. I do enjoy the sleeping in part and the “no homework”…….but by mid July I am so ready for the school bell to ring!! Love your pictures. Have a wonderful summer. AAHHHH, NOPE. TIMES UP. gorgeous! love your photos. can i borrow some nail polish? my toes have been neglected of pretty color. Still have two weeks to go here. Feeling the same emotions…how did it go by so fast? will the kids survive the summer without killing each other? you know, the usual. You’re so funny. I want your nail polishes, what brand/where’d you get them? Maybe color names too! AND, I’m pretty sure I saw a bouquet of flowers that looked just like those at Jess’s house last night – were those from your garden too? I have NEVER been into flowers, but this makes me just a little bit interested! They are beautiful! wow you guys end early! i’ve got four more weeks left of my sanity and then i’ll be singing the crazy blues! here’s to a fun summer! what kind of trampoline do you have…we were thinking of getting one for the girls but got the big raised eyebrows from all the grand-parents…funny thing is is we’ll probably get one anyway! xo ha. Pink glittery nail varnish, peonies and gum ball machines. Your blog makes me smile. Your photography is wonderful, and real, and you have the courage to write about who exactly you are. i love the name sydney. it was always on my list for girl names.
i "met" sydney's mom shannon through a link.
i linked her…and she came over to see who was linking her.
i stayed at her scrapbook retreat home.
and loved it.
if you can get here with your girlfriends….you should.
i am going to do go back too.
she asked me to take pictures of her youngest daughter.
it was special girls day.
sydney was as smiley as could be and loved having her OWN pictures.
are you ready…because she is the cutest little blondie you've ever seen….
    so happy.
the entire time.
  oh it gets even better….
i couldn't stop clicking away with miss sydney.
   she brought her dance costume.
it was A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.
  her mom wanted some in her costume that would be very different
from the typical "dance picture"
i'd say we accomplished that.
 shannon…i hope these are all you were expecting and more.
there are many many more to see.
i can't wait to get back to maple memories!
thanks.
– I discovered your blog a few motnhs ago.. and when I grow up lol I wanna be just like you!!! you have captured everything I love about people.. my poor family is really tired of my saying no.. she did it like this and thats what I want!!!As for this little darling look out world!! shes coming to take over! I can feel the spunk clean thru the internet!Thank you for posting your amazing talent.. so the rest of us have something to inspire to be!Mindi aka HoleyCow Designs Absolutely gorgeous. I think I have to move to Kansas. Wow! Those are some really gorgeous photos! The little girl is beautiful and your photography is amazing! I am now addicted to your blog! One of my blogger friends (www.ruespeanutbutterandjellylife.blogspot.com)asked everyone for their favorite blogs and then she compiled a list of those blogs and that is how I found yours. I started browsing through on Monday and couldn’t stop reading through until I ended up at your very first post!! (sorry laundry mountain-but you’ll still be there tomorrow)Your photography is inspiring and I am now looking forward to getting my Canon more than ever. Your home is absolutely A-MA-ZING- and you have MY dream kitchen, down to the smallest detail. The activities you do with your kids have given me tons of ideas for mine. Most of all I appreciate and respect how “real” you are. I love that you let people know that is isn’t always easy raising kids, how you show pictures of your laundry pile and messy house. Thank You for that! I am inspired beyond inspired and your blog is now a favorite daily destination. Keep up the great work! Everyday I start my day out on the computer like this….. balance my checking account….. (get depressed!) check out my friends blog (out girl out) then check your blog. Then check my mail. I just have to say everytime I look at your pictures I just want to pack up my family and all of our belongings and move to your town. It always cheers me up and looks so cute! I have lived in st. louis my whole life and love it however I have always dreamed of living in a small town! Thanks for letting me live my dream through your pictures! have a great day! Christy Lewis she is adorable and boy does she know how to “work it”. great job meg!!! oh, that last one is my favorite! just precious!!! What you are able to capture is amazing! Great photos! OH MYYYYY! You did good! I wish you could photograph my munchkin. 🙂 Oh. My. Gosh. HOW ADORABLE!!!! My best friend Shannon Phillips is a photographer here in Tulsa… I’ve been watching your style evolve and you remind me so much of her style– which is INCREDIBLE! Way to go. 🙂 She is the cutest thing! Such great pics! Simply STUNNING! My uterus is aching for a girl. I am far too outnumbered here. LOL great pictures!!! wish we lived closer so your could snap some of maddie LOVE the picture with the pink door-plus the unusual dance pic. Perfection!!! I absolutely LOVE your photography . . . especially when it’s in places you don’t typically think of. Have you been on the http://www.momtog.com site?? I took my password off my blog finally if you need another blog to check out http://www.nicsdays.blogspot.com Meg, You did a beautiful job of capturing Sydney’s personality! She is one of the happiest kids I’ve ever been around. I love the picture of Sydney and Shannon. Thank you for sharing. that’s it. I am meeting you at LAX for some quick pics of my Annie in a tutu on the runway your pictures make me want to dance. Hey Meg. so cute!!! you do such a great job! scrap book retreat house?!??! oh my how awesome would a weekend there be?!?!? The pigtails! What I would do for pigtails again! these are INSANE!! i love the first one, with her mum… the bubble one, the jump one, the ribbons on her cute dress… and the depth in that black&white one against the tree is incredible! you have skillz, lady. and she’s gorgeous! What a cutie!! Once again, absolutely gorgeous pics. You amaze me. I so wish I lived close to you. I would love for you to capture my girls. my, you are a busy lady 🙂 that little sydney is too much! do you think she has a career as a model too?? sooo cute!!! great shots in the dance outfit! love it! I love your blog, Meg! I have you linked on mine under “people I don’t know but wish I did.” 🙂 These picstures are adorable – wanna come down to Nashville and do a shoot?? Meg, I don’t even know where to begin!! You captured Sydney’s personality so PERFECTLY!! She is my sweet, fun loving, beautiful girl…and you captured it ALL!! Now, I need to get pics taken of my older two or they will begin to wonder why ONLY Sydney’s pictures are plastered all over the house!! 😉 THANK YOU!!! YOU ARE AMAZING!!! Meg, How adorable! I tried to pick a favorite but I couldn’t b/c they are all soooo cute! Megan you do an awesome job!! she is so very pretty~ WOW! Those photos are beautiful! And Sydney is adorable! Love your blog! Megan, these pics are amazing! Looks like you’re getting some good action in your photog biz. That’s awesome! Where do you find the awesome locations? I’m toying {very much toying} with starting a little something myself … eventually. Too scared right now. These are beautiful. Wow you take amazing pictures! She is so cute and i love her name too. not that your others have been lacking, but I think these are your best yet! LOVE the dance costume ones, especially the one of just her legs and waist. Very artsy, good framing. oh.wow.! she is gorgeous and so are the photos! the one of her jumping is absolutely perfect! wow…pictures are great! love the costume shots! i think your pictures are getting better every time! thanks for sharing them! -jess OMGoodness these are soooo cute! I LOVE LOVE LOVE the one in the doorway with her dance costume!!! These are FANTASTIC! Sydneys’ an absolute DOLL. I may have to have me a girl!
she burst into my bedroom this morning dressed in yellow from head to toe.
she shouts "MOM! wake up! it's yo' big day! yo' gonna plant yo' gaw-den!"
later while i was trying to do some exercise
(with a dog in my face and little annie laying on top of me….)
she grabs her leg and winces.
she says so seriously "i hurt my uncle."
we walked to the kids' school with waffle.
he feels free to use every yard as his toilet.
annie very honestly asks me, "why don't dogs have to wipe?"
i was digging in the garden (because it was my big day)
and when i would find worms (she pronounces it like waums)
i would call to annie and she'd come get them from me.
i could hear her talking to them "worm….meet worm. worm…meet worm"
then shouted "MOM! they like each other! my worms are friends!"
and then she had four worms.
and she said "worm…meet worm, worm, worm."
four times in a row.
i wanted to just scoop her up and keep her four years old forever.
 instead….she started bawling on the trampoline at 8:10
i took her to bed and i fell asleep in their bed while talby read the bedtime book.
Four is so great 🙂 she’s a doll. IF ONLY 4… It’s an awesome age… oh my. no doubt about it. she’s adorable. Just this very morning I was in line at Starbucks with my middle boy when a nice man in front of us asked him how old he was. When he answered that he was four, the man said he also has a 4-year old and we had a great little conversation about how fun 4 is. 🙂 Good for you, for writing these things down! The pictures=keeping the four-year-old forever, at least in a small way. My oldest daughter and I are constantly telling my youngest (almost 2) to stop growing! She already doesn’t listen, though… The polaroid look is so fun…we have some like that blown up as 12x12s hanging in the living room. I love the 70ish feel you did to them…great processing! this is one of my favortie posts you’ve ever written! what special moments spent together in the garden. I can’t wait until my girls start spouting out crazy little kid logic. We’ve already started filling a large glass container with funny things Charlie says, but right now they’re more funny within the context, not funny on their own. . .I’m looking forward to funny on their own! Until then, we’re just celebrating complete sentences!! Isn’t four the best?!! I have and LOVE the book The memoirs of a four year old by Jamie Lee Curtis. 4 is precious. absolutely. i have one of those myself and i could just eat him up! Cole speaks that language. It’s a crack-up. I just love the way he pronounces his wauds, I mean words. Sweet little kiddos! something about little girls named Annie…. oh, how sweet! i also love 4 because of the innocence and use of language. i love how they misuse words, mispronounce words, make up their own words, and use big words. i have a 3 and 4 year old currently and i try to document all of these little pieces of joy before they are gone. annie is precious! just precious! isn’t 4 just the greatest age?! i love the things that they think of and how they view the world. just the other day, my 4 year old anya said to me, “mommy, can i extersize [exercise] with you? i need to work on my muscle.” (as if she only has one.) have a great week! Life is good. I love when we realize that in these moments. I read your blog everyday. I LOVE it! This post is so fun. How did you do that to the photos? I think it is so cool. I have a 5 year old and would love to add that to some of his photos. OMG so is so cute!! But they grow up to be eye rolling, back talking, always online never, never picking up her clothes 15 year olds!! Sorry to burst your bubble!! Ah! but she is so cute really! Too cute! My six-year-old still mixes up the letters when he says animal… he says it as aMiNal. I smile every time I hear it. LOVE the pictures. Your blog is always a bright spot in my day! You are one of my top ten blogs 🙂 What a shame they have to grow up! That is pure sweetness. love the shoes…i heart red shoes…and dandelions too! now how did you do that with the photos???? so cute! ok thats just TOO cute!!! oh meg, i am wishing that i would have written down all the cute things my little ones would say. they grow up so fast. i’m off to take a stroll down memory lane…thanks for sharing that sweetness. And that is why the world goes round…for all the Annies of the world…for their mommy’s and daddy’s….if only we could all keep a little of our “four year old” self forever the world would be a happier place. Thanks for sharing. Love to you and yours… Oh this is priceless! Fabulous four, never to be again so enjoy! She is something else! Very heaut-wauming! Precious four year old love! she is way too cute! and sweet! what purity and innocence is in our young children. thank you for sharing 🙂 so cute. love how little ones talk. it’s kind of sad when they master it and their cute little language is no more. love the way you did the photos. picnik? oh goodness, out of the mouths and bottoms of babes. Yes. The things she has been saying lately completely crack us up. I think big B would put her in his pocket if he could. His little “annie” is so big now. 🙁 My baby girl is 4 too. But only for another week and a half. I’ll miss 4. Gotta love planting a garden with ‘help’. I have 3 kids and two dogs, and once in a while the kids get a chicken out to help scratch around in the soil. How cute! “i hurt my uncle” best line ever.ever. how sweet!! and yes i know what you mean about wanting to bottle them up right where they are…i am seriously going through this myself with my oldest…i am not ready for her to be seven and a second grader…i didn’t think motherhood would be so full of happy heartbreaks! She’s such a doll! Love the pictures!! I have a five year old that can’t say his “r” sound either, and I think it’s so sweet to listen to him talk……we’ve already spent so much money on speech therapy just to get him to this point and now I’d like him to stay this way forever! with pics of my sunshine girl….    when you click on this it looks better.
all i can think of is the muppets….janice…yeah like fer sure man.
  none of these are "awesome" but it's fun playin' over at picnik making them all different.
I love all your pictures! You find such creative places for your backgrounds. Are they just places around town that you have come across? wow! beautiful photos! all pics are awesome when they are natural! You do a great job, My dad was a photographer for the Wichita Eagle and my step mom had a studio and I just want to tell you that after years of growing up around great photography you do a wonderful job!!! Hey! It’s me again. I’ve been following your blog for a while and I absolutely LOVE it! When I decided to have my own blog your’s was the first one I put as a blog that I follow. I know you’re super busy and don’t feel obligated at all but I was wondering if you maybe have a few extra minutes in the day maybe you could come by and check out my new blog? Maybe give me some pointers on how to get some traffic coming? I hope you have a wonderful week! Fab photos! Speaking of photography, I came across a website for Lisa Cohen photography that I’m sure would be right up your alley. Reminded me of your style. Hope you’re having a fun week. Meredith xo Hi! These are gorgeous! Your daughter is so pretty. Do you use photoshop? I have just started with blogging and tinkering with photoshop. How do you get your photos to upload so large? They look great like that! Ooooh, that warm sunny look is just yummy. Great job. are you kidding me? they are ALL awesome. I LOVE these….to me, they are each awesome…. I LOVE PicNik! Its the best! She ALWAYS has a sweetness about her – you can’t help but smile. It’s fun to play!! Love the pics. i love those meg. such a pretty little thing!! she is soo cute with her mouth full of new teeth! She’s beautiful and the light is gorgeous. And I love her shirt. Great pictures! And I LOVE picnik!! she is so adorable and all of the photos look great! picnik is my favorite….cross process is usually the first tool i go for…love it! hope you had an awesome weekend!! love those pearly whites. I disagree they are all awesome….and like the others she is a mini you. Beg to differ – they are all awesome! Beautiful colors and light and character:) She looks a lot like her mama! The photos are awesome! I can’t wait for school to be out for the summer, so I will have some time to try playing with my photos more! That first picture looks so much like you! Oh, I’m not the first person to say that. SHE LOOKS JUST LIKE YOU!!! TOTALLY!!! (with a little bit of Annie!) VERY ADORABLE!! 🙂 The Muppet reference is awesome! She really does look like her in that pose. She is such a cutie, and Annie is her little clone. |
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a thorn among roses - i am a little jealous…but i know i’ll get to see some super fab pics!!! have fun!
gina - Have fun!!!!
cassie o - auto-post?!
thank you jesus!!
i can survive your vacation!!
Victoria - Just wanted to tell you how happy it makes me to look at your blog! Haven’t been by in a couple of weeks and just sat down and went through all the posts.
Love, love, love your big upstairs room. Can’t wait to see the girl’s tent.
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Oh I just know you’ll have a ball. Take lots of pictures.
Lori Danelle - I love marking things off a list. I’ll even add stuff I’ve already done just so I can mark it off!!
Have fun on your vacation and good luck getting all your bags to your destination the same time you do!
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com
Jules - Have a great holiday Meg! Look forward to hearing all about it when you are back!
Liz - Hope you have a marvelous time! Cant wait to see your fabulous pictures!
Kat - Have a wonderful vacation! That is awesome to get all those things checked off! You are ready, girl! Have fun!!!
Rach - Well come on over then! We’ll be waiting for you in sunny Cali. Have a great trip!
Becky - dude…you are a rockstar (not to be confused with the afore mentioned dude.) have fun!!
Ashley - Have fun!!! I don’t have to tell you to take lots of pics!! Haha!
Heather - Have a wonderful time!! I will be praying for your family to have a fun and safe trip!!
Heather:)
kasey - have fun!!
Kelly - Have great time! Can’t wait to see all the pictures of your fun! Prayers for safe & sane travel!
Rachel - Where in Cali are you visiting? I am a huge fan of your blog and live in California…just wondering! Have a great trip!
CherryTreeLane - Welcome to my neck of the woods. Its a little gloomy here right now, but the sun will come out for you!
Happy traveling friend!
Staci - Still in the process of moving 🙁 or it it 🙂 ???? Been missing reading your blog! Have a great time in Cali!!!!!!
Trish - sounds like fun…
Trina McNeilly - California… oh wowee! That is one of my favorite places in the world. Have fun! I know you will. Thanks for the sweet comment. I know I never had a sling either. I was cracking up about the snugli… hahhahah.
safe travels!
xx Trina
Kathy - Safe travels and enjoy!
purejoy - hope you have an amazing time. and you’re all set to autopost??
yikes, woman! you ARE ubermom!!
amy (not corey) - Probably won’t see you out and about on this wet, rainy day, so… HAVE FUN!!! Can’t wait to hear about the trip, plane ride and everything when you get back! We need a neighborhood night soon! (Oh. wait. I guess you just had one didn’t you? Bummer for us. We were at Corey’s sister’s that night. Let’s just do a girl’s night, then!) Be safe!
Traci - have a wonderful trip!!
Melanie - Have a great time.
Sara Cameli - Have a great trip! Can’t wait to see/hear about all your adventures and misadventures and precious moments and all that good stuff…
Anna - Have fun Meg! Don’t get too tan 😉
~Anna Marie
sandy toe - You go girl!! Yahoo for scratching everything off the list!
sandy toe
pve - california won’t even know what hit em.
now go and rock CA and tell us all about it when you return.