FIRETRUCK CAKE!!!

My nephew, James (Fernando), spent his second birthday requesting "MORE FIRE!!!" on his cake as we lit the candles and the entire next year falling in love with firetrucks, ambleeances, and popo cars. He proved his love and devotion for firetrucks by watching the "How to Make a Firetruck Birthday Cake" on "YouTuve" updwards of 263 times.  Not counting the 52 additional times we watched it together to make this cake.  The result, one pretty fancy edible firetruck and one very happy birthday boy.  it was the big THREE, so we wanted to make sure his cake was the coolest on the block. Instructions and ingredients are all found in the video. also worth noting: the highly-saturated red paint job required no less than three full bottles of red food coloring.

jamesy sneaking some frosting tastes before we cut the cake.

todd is the most excited.

the YouTuve masterpiece in all of its shining glory

i guess todd thinks the photographer is pretty hilarious.

we sing we laugh we dance we do not steal things

thanks so much for making my b-day excellent. you all are loverly and it was a real joy. it didn't feel at all like a quarter-life crisis. also, I appreciate the encouragement to get a picture with everyone. beyond just capturing pivotal moments & pretty lady friends on film, it opened up ample opportunities for lily and i to dance and for ashley and i to do whatever it is that we do (something weird). plus, you all got a b-day hug, and that is invaluable. allison, I am displaying my sweet little cupcake at work, and it's already received quite a few compliments.

Looking back on these pictures a few obersvations, i notice that lily and i are wearing opposite outfits lily: black dress/purple flower, laura: purple dress/black flower. we did not plan this. but we should have. planning twin outfits is where it's at.

Kathleen and Allison - is this the exact same picture from Kathleen's 21st birthday, only now we're 25?? creepy.