This past week began, what we call in our family, "Birthday Alley". What that means is, starting with Jared's birthday and going until the end of April, we have lots of birthdays. We like to group them together and celebrate them at the same time for efficiency- so, Jared (16th), Ashley (20th), and Amy (25th) got to be honored this past weekend.
Our cute little Ashley, obsessed with all things princess, chose Cinderella as the theme of her party. We just do a family thing, so it's no big deal, but she got to choose plates and cups that were Cinderella, and Nana took her to get princess balloons on her birthday.
All the family was headed to my parent's house at 4pm on Saturday, but Lori came a little early to help me with Ashley's cake. I made the mistake of promising Ashley that I would do a Barbie Cinderella cake for her (a la Olivia's 4th birthday cake). Thinking back to the hours I spent on Olivia's, I wasn't excited, but I said ok.
It was quite the family affair! Austin helped to mix up the delicious butter frosting, which takes about 30 minutes b/c we mixed 1/4 c. of powdered sugar in at a time. You can believe I am exploiting his newfound skills in the kitchen!
Lori and Amy worked on the color of the frosting. We used Wilton's Cornflower blue which came out pretty perfect. Once we finally had the frosting done and the cake cut to the right shape, we had to get it taller for Barbie to fit. So Randy helped make little paper cup-risers to go under the bottom layer of the cake.
Then Adam helped to frost the cake to perfection. You wouldn't believe how many photos we took once it was done- everyone was waiting on dinner and Amy, Lori, and I were still snapping away. After all that work, you have to document it, right?! Needless to say, I didn't want to cut it when the time came!
So we all had a nice dinner. I love that the kids eat at the kitchen table and the adults go to the dining room so we can eat in peace. We talked and ate until cute little Ashley could not be put off any longer. "MOM! It's time to eat my cake?" She does not give up when she wants something. Finally all the kids were assembled and ready to sing Happy Birthday.
Ashley was a little nervous to blow out the candles (the one thing that is awkward on this cake- where on earth do you put them?!) but she finally leaned forward and went for it. The kids all had princess cake and ice cream, and the adults had cheesecake later for Jared and Amy's cake. We all relaxed on the couch first- here's Lori, Tess, Adam, and Amy.
Jared's main gift was our trip to Vegas a few weeks ago, so he only had a few to open. Money from Mom and Pop, the game Citadels from Jill and family, then a Banana Republic shirt and matching pocket square from Adam/Amy and Lori.
I should mention this is the shirt we looked at while in Vegas, when he got the great pants but the shirt was still full price so we passed on it. He was very happy to get it and wore it to church today along with his stylin' new shoes and belt from Aldo. Shook things up a bit in Utah County, I have to say! Lookin' fly, Jared (that's what Landon used to say when he was 2, so cute)
Amy had some great gifts. She got really lucky this year. (ha, I say that b/c I played personal shopper for everyone so that we could get her a group gift). It was so fun shopping for you, Amy! From Jill, Lori, me, and our families, she got an outfit from American Eagle.
It was a long gray sweater, magenta (?) top, and light scarf. It looks great together and she loved it. From Mom and Pop, she got a navy blue wrap top and white/blue seersucker skirt from Down East. It's really cute and I wished I could buy a chunky yellow necklace and matching sandals too, but she'll have to add those herself.
After they had opened their gifts we sang Happy Birthday again, over the cheesecake. The kids came running upstairs to see what all the commotion was, and actually wanted another slice of cake. As if we're going to waste cheesecake on those sweet things! 2 bites later and they'll be like, "Mom, I'm full." Yeah, right. Jared, Ashley, and Amy all blew out the candles together.
After all the presents and cake we gathered around the table and played Jared's new game. Good times! Happy Birthday guys!!! Next up, in March, we have Adam, Pop, and Bella.
Our cute little Ashley, obsessed with all things princess, chose Cinderella as the theme of her party. We just do a family thing, so it's no big deal, but she got to choose plates and cups that were Cinderella, and Nana took her to get princess balloons on her birthday.
All the family was headed to my parent's house at 4pm on Saturday, but Lori came a little early to help me with Ashley's cake. I made the mistake of promising Ashley that I would do a Barbie Cinderella cake for her (a la Olivia's 4th birthday cake). Thinking back to the hours I spent on Olivia's, I wasn't excited, but I said ok.
It was quite the family affair! Austin helped to mix up the delicious butter frosting, which takes about 30 minutes b/c we mixed 1/4 c. of powdered sugar in at a time. You can believe I am exploiting his newfound skills in the kitchen!
Lori and Amy worked on the color of the frosting. We used Wilton's Cornflower blue which came out pretty perfect. Once we finally had the frosting done and the cake cut to the right shape, we had to get it taller for Barbie to fit. So Randy helped make little paper cup-risers to go under the bottom layer of the cake.
Then Adam helped to frost the cake to perfection. You wouldn't believe how many photos we took once it was done- everyone was waiting on dinner and Amy, Lori, and I were still snapping away. After all that work, you have to document it, right?! Needless to say, I didn't want to cut it when the time came!
So we all had a nice dinner. I love that the kids eat at the kitchen table and the adults go to the dining room so we can eat in peace. We talked and ate until cute little Ashley could not be put off any longer. "MOM! It's time to eat my cake?" She does not give up when she wants something. Finally all the kids were assembled and ready to sing Happy Birthday.
Ashley was a little nervous to blow out the candles (the one thing that is awkward on this cake- where on earth do you put them?!) but she finally leaned forward and went for it. The kids all had princess cake and ice cream, and the adults had cheesecake later for Jared and Amy's cake. We all relaxed on the couch first- here's Lori, Tess, Adam, and Amy.
Jared's main gift was our trip to Vegas a few weeks ago, so he only had a few to open. Money from Mom and Pop, the game Citadels from Jill and family, then a Banana Republic shirt and matching pocket square from Adam/Amy and Lori.
I should mention this is the shirt we looked at while in Vegas, when he got the great pants but the shirt was still full price so we passed on it. He was very happy to get it and wore it to church today along with his stylin' new shoes and belt from Aldo. Shook things up a bit in Utah County, I have to say! Lookin' fly, Jared (that's what Landon used to say when he was 2, so cute)
Amy had some great gifts. She got really lucky this year. (ha, I say that b/c I played personal shopper for everyone so that we could get her a group gift). It was so fun shopping for you, Amy! From Jill, Lori, me, and our families, she got an outfit from American Eagle.
It was a long gray sweater, magenta (?) top, and light scarf. It looks great together and she loved it. From Mom and Pop, she got a navy blue wrap top and white/blue seersucker skirt from Down East. It's really cute and I wished I could buy a chunky yellow necklace and matching sandals too, but she'll have to add those herself.
After they had opened their gifts we sang Happy Birthday again, over the cheesecake. The kids came running upstairs to see what all the commotion was, and actually wanted another slice of cake. As if we're going to waste cheesecake on those sweet things! 2 bites later and they'll be like, "Mom, I'm full." Yeah, right. Jared, Ashley, and Amy all blew out the candles together.
After all the presents and cake we gathered around the table and played Jared's new game. Good times! Happy Birthday guys!!! Next up, in March, we have Adam, Pop, and Bella.
14 comments:
How fun! Isn't family the best!
Such a WONDERFUL family get together. That princess cake turned out great! Lots of culinary talents in the family. Just sounds like the perfect family party. Makes me miss living so close to my family! Happy Birthday to everyone!
seriuosly I am ennamorated with that cake...what pan do you use to bake a ball? almost...soooooo cute, I think it is even cute that Adam helped with the cake, awesome brother, although I've seen cakes amy and adam do, and they are brilliant...what talent. SOOO cute, cinderella was my favorite one! they call me cindy sometimes at home, because I don't want to sit down...I am always doing something in the kitchen.... and is that flash gordon in jared's shirt...I used to LOVE THAT MOVIE, i THINK i SAW IT 3 TIMES when i was like 10....
Sounds like a great family event! That cake turned out so cute!!!
I love how everyone in the family pitched in to help with the Cinderella cake!
Wow, that is quite the cake! I love how everyone chipped in to help, and I love how Barbie is waving in the picture as Ashley is getting ready to blow out her candles.
As usual it looks like you had a blast with your family. I love how you play games and that the men play too. My brothers refuse to play games -- annoying
Happy Birthday to all!
i just love your family. I wish I had my family close. Its so special that you get to celebrate everything together.
I can't believe all the work you guys did for Ashley's cake. It turned out beautiful!
It's great that you all like to hang out together. Happy Birthday to all.
That was a great way to celebrate birthday alley. Thanks for the great gifts and for putting it all together.
It's sweet how Ashley's cake ended up being such a group effort. I did my part by making sure the frosting was tasty enough.
You did such a great job shopping for the gifts, but especially the clothes for Amy. Thanks!
What a fun birthday family gathering! The cake looks amazing!!!!
I've been thinking about making one of those for Tiffany's birthday party in July, but I don't know if I can pull it of...we'll see.
Your Vegas trip looks so much fun! We're going next month....I can't wait!
How cute that so many family members helped to make the cake! Any girl would be thrilled about a princess cake.
Birthday alley is kind of brutal for you guys. How nice of you to do the shopping!
a little girl's dream cake - it is wonderful and I love it how the candles light up her face...cute, cute, cute!
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