baby jacob is 1

today we had a birthday party for the cutest one year old i know. baby jacob turned one last week and so i helped jen put together a dr. suess first birthday. jen as usual, pulled out all the stops with making this epic cake, with a hand drawn cat in the hat on top. winner!

baby jacob was in a fabulous mood, which is always good when you are dealing with a one year old and a long day, here he is, looking darling with his cat in the hat hat in our little photo booth

♥

i just love him!

getting into the spirit of things

the macqueen family ♥

jacob and his car, laughing the afternoon away

cake time with mum and dad

happy birthday little one! what a joy it has been to get to know you and love you for the last year ♥

it may have been jacob's birthday but we got a gift too, these amazing cookies from petit cakes, worth every penny... they were awesome!

can't wait for the year ahead little man!

you don't have to

i saw this quote online this week and i was so impressed by it. a simple sentence, that really meant so much more. it's no secret that i find it hard to let go of things and lately i have been really trying to focus on what's important in my life and by so doing, stay out of the dramas in others. i have been choosing not to attend arguments that i have been invited to in the past, that have continued on and choosing to not begin new ones... and the harder i am trying, the easier it is becoming. 

sometimes, we all just need a little reminder.

the baby next door

a few weeks ago our neighbours had a baby... and this clucky little girl is forever nagging to go and "see the baby!" we went for a visit today and she was in her element, snuggling with him and chatting away. she is just the cutest and i am sure she is going to be the best mummy ever when her time comes around. ♥

sunday, the best day

i really, really love sundays. in my humble opinion, it's the best day of the week. not that i need an excuse to dress up my children, but it helps that i always get to one day a week... cause dresses and bowties and button up shirts make me so happy.

i am loving being in relief society again after so much time in primary when we were in dianella ward... and am getting so much out of the lessons. we have some awesome teachers here and are so lucky to be taught by them each sunday.

hooray for sunday. the best day ♥

a very big plane

school sores are still lingering... and these kids haven't been the happiest, so i was so thrilled to have a few hours off on sunday morning, when nannaleah and aunty dom took joseph and maddie out, so that one of us didn't have to stay home from church with them. thank goodness for morning and afternoon church in our chapel...

the worlds biggest plane came into perth sunday morning with some mining cargo... so they went to an oval near their house and watched as it got lower and lower and joseph squealed with delight, as he does when he sees anything large that moves.

what a big plane

thank goodness for family... and a few hours off. we love you pinkers! ♥

a baby sprinkle for jamie-lee

look at that belleh!

my friend jami-lee is having another (what i am 100% certain will be another stunningly beautiful) baby in a few weeks. so yesterday her clever mama threw her a baby "sprinkle" in honour of the little ones imminent arrival.

jamie-lee and her awesome mama deb ♥

deb is quite the pro at parties and threw one heck of a little bash, high tea style, complete with epic goodies (including this gorgeous chocolate sponge cake pictured above) and a multitude of other amazing things

i helped out a little bit by loaning someof my hire items, including the gorgeous vintage trio sets that mum and i have 

and snapping pictures as the day went on

seriously yum!

set up and ready to go!

some snaps jamie-lee shared at the end of the day

i am so excited to meet the new little miss v when she arrives and was thrilled to be a part of today. thank you to the hamon crew for inviting me! ♥

the very best carrot cake

i love a good carrot cake... and have made this one a few times these past few weeks. it is definitely my favourite and you should give it a try! you can find the original recipe here, but here it is, translated to australian measurements and the likes for your convenience.

easy frosted carrot cake

ingredients:

1 cup plain flour

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 tsp bi-carb soda

1 tsp ground allspice

1/4 tsp salt

1/2 cup vegetable oil

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups finely grated carrot

frosting:

2 tbsp softened butter

55g softened cream cheese

1 cup icing sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla essence

directions:

1. combine flour, sugar, bi-carb, allspice and salt. beat in the oil. add eggs and beat well, then mix in carrot

2. pour into a greased and lined, 20x20cm tin and bake at 155 deg cel for 40-45 min, until tester comes our clean. cool on wire rack

3. when cool, combine cream cheese and butter until smooth. gradually beat in icing sugar and vanilla. spread over cake. store in fridge.

yum yum yum yummmmmm ♥