Happy 1st Birthday Cole!

A year's gone by,
How time has flown,
We can't believe
How Cole's grown!
He's such a joy
And so much fun,
Oh my! Cole's
Turning One!

We celebrated Cole Patterson's first birthday yesterday with a party. There were lots of friends and family at the Patterson house. Everyone enjoyed good food, cake, ice cream, and punch. Cole was a perfect little gentleman. We love you, kisses from Uncle Coby, Kiki, Brielle, and Alexandra.

Gathered Clutch

Alexandra wanted a clutch purse. I did not know how to make one but found a great tutorial at http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/04/gathered-clutch-tutorial.html. So I tried it and it turned out great. My first try putting in a zipper. Brielle wanted a larger to match Ally's. They are not perfect but the girls have had fun playing with them.

Es una fiesta de cumpleaños!!!!

What a precious bundle of joy you are
Cute from head to toe
You melt my heart with your sweetness
Everywhere you go
You're a very special gift
Descended from heaven above
The most perfect little angel
Sent for all of us to love.

Happy 1st Birthday

We had a good time at Jaylynn's birthday party. She was a pretty little princess. (The princess dress did not last long. It is hard to walk around in a hoop dress!) We had goat meat, rice, and tortillas to eat. The kids all loved the bouncy house. Cake and ice cream were delicious. Kisses from Aunt Kerry, Uncle Coby, and your cousins Brielle and Alexandra.

2011 5th grade Valentine Box

We love making Valentine boxes. This year Brielle had her friends Lauren and Jordan over to make Valentine boxes. We wandered around Jo-Ann Fabrics until inspiration hit. We found a package of little birds and that was it, we had an idea. Using scraps of material, scrapbook trinkets, shoe boxes, Popsicle sticks and a hot glue gun, they made Valentine bird houses. So Cute Girls!!!

Three for Tea

For our thrid snow day in a row we decided to have a tea party today. Alexandra made a white cake, with a little help. Brielle made Cinnamon tea cakes, and Vanilla Milk Tea completely by herself. We used a copper tea pot that belonged to my mother's grandmother Josephine Ann Barker. Alexandra set the table. We lit some candles, and had a delightful snow day tea party.

Cinnamon Tea CakesIngredients:
1 cup Butter or margarine
2 1/4 cups Flour
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1 1/2 cup Confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon Cinnamon
1 teaspoon Vanilla

Directions:

In large bowl, with electric mixer at medium speed, beat butter until light and fluffy. At low speed, blend in 1/2 cup sugar, flour, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, the salt and vanilla. Chill in refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease cookie sheet. Roll dough into 1-inch balls. Bake 9 to 10 minutes or until a golden brown. Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon. Roll hot tea cakes in this mixture. Cool.

This recipe from CDKitchen for Cinnamon Tea Cakes serves/makes 3.5 dozen

Vanilla Milk Tea

1 cup milk
2 tsp. vanilla extract
4 tsp. decaf black or green tea (or 4 tea bags)
1 quart boiling water
Pour the milk into a saucepan, add the vanilla, and bring to a simmer, stirring often. Remove the pan from the heat and let it stand until the milk is cool. Place the tea leaves in the teapot and add the boiling water. Cover with a towel and steep 5 minutes. Pour about 1/4 cup of the cooled milk into the teacups. Stir and strain the tea into the cups. Makes 4-5 servings.