More yarn!?

I guess I neglected to mention that 4 days before my little girl turned 2, a certain someone in our house turned 30. Aaaaand that would be me. Yikes! How did I get this old??? ;-)

I was super spoiled by family and friends (flowers, gifts, etc!), and at the end of it I came out with 2 wonderful yarn gifts! First up is this lovely green baby alpaca from my friend Shawn:

It's soooo soft... I might have to make something for my little man out of it??? Or maybe an adult. I don't think baby alpaca is washable??? :)

My 2nd addition to the yarn stash was three balls of the amazing Sublime yarn (merino) from my sweet hubby!

(Complete with PJ-clad toddler foot in the background - she is always "helping me"!)

I love the colors. I think they would look great all striped together in one project, don't you think? Anyway it has been a great october so far! Yay for birthday month!

Where I have I been?

Why I was off having the cutest little baby in the world, of course!

Welcome Norah Jo <3 10-12-10 8lbs, 2oz & 21"

We love her and she already has been wearing her knitwear!!!! :-) (hat in above photo made by her Auntie Mare!)

Happy 1st Birthday Holden!

Dear Holdie,

I can't believe it's been a whole year since you, my second nephew (by marriage), were born. Your birth was the first one I ever experienced, so you are very special to me!



I still CANNOT believe how much hair you had. It was crazy!!!!!

(a couple days old)


The whole family pretty much fell in love with your long dark locks and your huge blue eyes! Its no surprise you are our little owl boy.

(3 months)


7 haircuts in your first year.... that is NUTS! Even your mom can't beat that! :-)

(6 months)


I think we are glad your parents let your hair stay shaggy.... it was so adorable when you had all your little curls (even if strangers occasionally thought you were a girl!)

(9 months)


I am so blessed to be your aunt and I am loving the chance to watch you grow up from the beginning! Here's to another year of fun!


Love,
Auntie Lauren

Holden's Vest!

This last weekend I celebrated my nephew's FIRST birthday! (Technically its not until the 25th) This is what I made for him:


Owl Baby Vest[ravelry link] I changed the pattern to have an open shoulder that closed with a button, so it would fit over his head easily, and I added a couple inches of length to the entire thing!



My SIL loved it and I think Holden did too :-)



What a cutie!!!! Happy Birthday little owl boy!

30th

Happy Birthday Greg :)



The present you gave me for my last birthday will forever top anything I could get you! (He got me an engagement ring!)

CAKE!

Good thing my nephew was born last week, because next week is my Fiance's birthday!!!!!

I won't post his age online, although I will say it starts with a 3 and ends with a 0. Hahahaha!!! OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well to help celebrate with his family tomorrow, I baked him the bday cake of his choice:

Lemon Cake with Raspberry Mousse.



IT TURNED OUT GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I baked 2 additional "mini cakes" so we each could taste the cake before its debut tomorrow.



I was a bit put off at first, since it uses a store bought cake mix, but it was so easy and had several mix ins that personalized the cake and made it DEELISH! The tart lemon cake is offset by the lightly sweet whipped raspberry cream frosting - and then a layer of raspberry filling in the middle. Just the right amount of texture and flavor.

I was excited to whip actual whipping cream. I believe I achieved "soft peaks" with success, although I really didn't know what I was doing. :-)



I am adding this to my repertoire for SURE!

I had an exciting birthday....

I am engaged!!!!!!!!! :D

Birthday Boy

Over the weekend I got to go to a special birthday party..... someone turned 1!!!

(Don't worry, the cake was promptly destroyed after the pic was taken!)

I don't think this kid could be any more cute. He is adorable! AND he is the lucky recipient of that baby sweater I made! and it fit over his head, score!


The sleeves were a little long, but hopefully by time winter rolls around he will have grown some! His mom liked it though, so I am happy!!! :) (Oh, and I didn't make the hat, I can't claim that skillful knitting!)


Here is the progress on my branching out scarf... not too shabby, eh? I am really enjoying it so far. I like how the colors are coming out too. The only question is will I keep it for myself or use it as a gift? Oh well, no hurry on that. :)

Have a great week everyone!