Corner Canyon hike 7-16-11

Karissa's 2nd Birthday (part 2)

After Daddy left for work Tyson thought that Karissa would like "pancake balls" for breakfast, so I made a batch.  Karissa ate one or two and then wanted cereal.  Not too exciting but both kids got what they wanted which meant both kids were happy!!!

Karissa with her birthday cereal.

After breakfast we went out on a bike ride to the "big" park.  This is something we do almost everyday anyway, but the kids love it and we all have a great time.  Karissa's favorite thing at the park is the swing.  It is pretty much all she wants to do.  Tyson has learned to swing himself this summer so I don't have to worry about keeping both kids happy on the swings at the same time, which is helpful.  They played until they were done then we headed home.

Once home, it was lunch time and then nap time for Karissa.  Then it was time to start the cupcakes.  I chose to do little ice cream cone cupcakes which actually turned out pretty cute.  Tyson helped me set up the cones while I filled them, then once baked and cooled it was time to frost.  This part was a bit tricky since they ended up top heavy.  I put the frosting on and Tyson's job was to put on the sprinkles.  Once done I was attempting to move them from the table to the counter and....disaster!   Four of them tumbled to the ground landing frosted end up.  Tyson started crying because he thought they were ruined.  Thankfully I was able to just pick up the cone leaving the frosting behind and re frost them.  TAH DAH! Good as new.  I had to stuff foil around the inside of the cupcake tins so that the cones would have a stable place to sit.  It worked great and no more disasters, thank goodness!

Aside from the ice cream cone cupcakes I made a special Elmo cupcake for Karissa.  I didn't really want to make a bunch of Elmo cupcakes for everyone, too much time and WAY too much red food coloring! (No, I did not let Karissa eat much of the red frosting)!  The Elmo could have turned out better, but I just used what I had on hand, and it wasn't too bad.  Karissa loved it and that is all that matters!

For our usual tradition we invited the extended family to join us for Karissa's party.  Everyone ate lots of ice cream and cake and just enjoyed being together.  Karissa was pretty tired by the time the party ended but I think she had a wonderful day!  HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Karissa!!!  We sure do love you and are so grateful you are part of our family!!!

Blowing out her candles.

She didn't want to touch it so this is how she started eating it.

Oh, how I love our family!!!

O course she had to have one of each type of cupcake.

My baby girl is just growing up too fast!!!!

Doll house from Grandpa Bailey for when she's a little older.  At one point she was actually trying to put her little head through the door.

Fun outfit from Melissa.

Books from Great Grandma & Grandpa Jones.  Both Karissa and Tyson LOVE books!

Book from Mom and Dad.

Play food set from Grandma and Grandpa Bailey

Tyson thought this was pretty cool too.  Aunt Julie was even playing too!

Who can resist taste testing!

Great Grandpa Jones having a great time playing with the kids.

Karissa's 2nd Birthday!!! (part 1)

I love birthdays, especially when they are Ben's or one of the kids!  I love to decorate and make the fun cakes and just make them feel that they are extra special throughout the day.  This day was Karissa's 2nd birthday and what a great day it was!!! The night before, Tyson and I decorated with streamers and balloons.  Ben had the idea to keep the decorations more at her eye level so, that is what I did.  I kept them all lower so that when she got up in the morning and walked out of the bedroom she would have them right there to enjoy.  She was so excited to see the balloons on the wall and even told us which ones were hers and which were Tyson's.  (I thought it was cute that she wanted to share with her brother).

Before Ben left for work that morning we let her open one present from Mom and Dad and her present from Tyson.

Karissa's Rapunzel doll.

 A few weeks ago Karissa got some money from Uncle Mike but she had no where to keep it.  So, Tyson decided that he wanted to get Karissa a piggy bank for her birthday.  We went on a hunt for the perfect bank that wasn't outrageously overpriced, and we finally found one.  Tyson picked it out all by himself and wrapped it, with a little help from mom.  He was so excited to give it to her and she was so excited when she opened the gift!  Throughout the morning all Karissa wanted to do was put her coins in, have me remove the plug from the bottom and then dump the coins out.  Both she and Tyson were taking turns putting the coins in.  Everything was going great until Karissa hit Tyson in the eye with the thing.  Of course I had to take it away for a while and at that point we had tears from both of them, but getting hit in the eye with a ceramic piggy bank...OUCH, not okay!

Karissa with her new piggy bank.

Karissa giving Tyson a hug to say 'thank you' for the piggy bank.