Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Birthdays, Holidays, Moving Day!


Busy happenings have been going on here!  My grandson "M" turned two years old and had a Mickey Mouse party at his other grandparent's house this past weekend. Didn't we all look cute wearing our Mickey and Minnie ears? His big brother "L" helped open the gifts, and we all ate delicious gluten-free Mickey Mouse cake baked and decorated by my daughter-in-law's friend.


The next birthday was my son-in-law's, on Sunday!  My daughter baked him a delicious cake. Doesn't it looked like their baby "J" also wanted to try a piece?


In between all this, we celebrated St. Patrick's Day a little late, as my husband was in New York City for a week during the holiday, and I didn't want him to miss our annual celebration. We had the traditional boiled corned beef and cabbage (with red potatoes and carrots), Irish soda bread, and this year I added a whipped sweet potato topped turkey Shepard's Pie. I promise to put the recipe up for that next year, before St. Patrick's Day, as it was really delicious!


Last, my two grandsons watch as the movers came to their home this week.  They moved a little closer to us, in a suburb of Denver. They will now have a bigger house and backyard and will be living closer to many of their friends, so it's a very positive move.


Can you believe it is almost Easter?  Happy Passover to all my Jewish friends and readers! The fun cake above was made by my great niece, Rachel, for a prior Easter dinner. You can find the recipe here on the Taste of Home website. Rachel always makes fun desserts that all my great nieces and nephews would enjoy.  I'll miss being with my extended Long Island family this holiday, but it will be wonderful being together with my children and grandchildren here at home in Colorado for the first time!

How are you celebrating the holiday this year? Let's hope for a beautiful sunny and mild day!

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29 comments:

Susie Q said...

So much fun and sweet times your way! LOVE the Mouse ears on everyone! Your St. Patrick's Day dinner looks fabulous...bet it tasted that way too! That sunflower cake is adorable! Talent and creativity runs in your family!
Love,
Sue

podso said...

I'm sure you say over and over how glad you are to be living near famliy. Such fun times. Your meal looks delicious.

Pamela Gordon said...

It's wonderful that you are so near your family and can enjoy all the celebrations together. I love the sunflower cake! What a cute idea. Blessings, Pamela

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Being with family is just the best! I am so happy for you Pat...the kids are adorable. That cake is so interesting too!

Anonymous said...

how wonderful you're now so close to your grandchildren...such memories to be made :D

Lorrie said...

Being with family is the best, although you miss your extended family and friends. Don't you wish you could be in two places at once sometimes?
Lots of good things happening out your way. Our Easter weather forecast is supposed to be mild and sunny. I hope yours is the same.

Barbara F. said...

Your grandbabies are so adorable, Pat, as I've told you before, three little blessings. Your St. Paddy's meal looks awesome and Happy and Blessed Easter in your new home! xo

Linda said...

You are a busy lady!!! Good times! Happy Days!

ellen b. said...

Looks like lots of good celebrating and food! That's great that your daughter's family is able to move a little closer to you...
This year we'll go to a Good Friday service and then the very early Easter service. We are going to have a casual lunch and Dear might barbecue lamb for that and I'll have my company bring dishes to go with....

camp and cottage living said...

Pat
How happy you must be to be there to celebrate these special days with your children and g'children!
You looked so cute as Minnie too!

Nellie said...

Quite a few festive occasions for you recently, Pat! What fun! Sending wishes for a blessed Easter!

Lynn said...

Looks like you've been very busy Pat! They're calling for temps in the 60's on Sunday-I likey:@)

Ann said...

I think I gained 10 pounds just reading this post....lol Love that cake with the peeps

Cindy said...

The cake and dinner look wonderful! I think I would like that Shepherd's Pie.
Look at that, you have snow, too. It seems like everybody does right now.
Hugs, Cindy

eileeninmd said...

Pat, you dinner and the cake looks delicious. Your family is beautiful, love the photos. So happy that your family is all close together now. Have a happy Easter!

Michelle said...

What a sweet idea for the birthday party. So nice that you are so close to your family/grandchildren now.

Vee said...

Colorado is agreeing with you! You're looking younger and younger all the time. What fun and good times. May the move go smoothly. Those grands are all just so precious.

Lacey R said...

Love that cake! Your meals look so tasty. I agree with others, NYC will always be in your soul but Colorado really suits you! :)

Pondside said...

Your happiness at being with your children and grandchildren - the whole family! - just jumps from this post. I'm so happy for you!

Betsy Banks Adams said...

All kinds of wonderful celebrations in your family... Happy Birthday to your son-in-law and to your grandson... Looks like great parties.

Your St. Patrick's dinner looked awesome...

Glad your kids are moving closer --and into a better situation for the family.
Hugs,
Betsy

Kris said...

Fun photos!!! Love the pic of baby with Daddy. Sure sounds like you are happy there!!
xo KRIS

diane b said...

It sounds like all busy celebrations and fun in Colorado. The St Patrick's Day meal looks delicious as do the cakes. happy Easter. We will be staying home and taking a rest from the hustle and bustle of the holiday roads and attractions. The roads are busy and dangerous and the holiday accommodation prices soar. So we prefer to wait until after Easter and then have a trip away. Quieter, safer and cheaper. The convenience of being retired.

La Petite Gallery said...

That is such a great photo with
the moving truck. Glad the little
ones will be closer to you. Sounds like you are really happy in the
Mountians. Be well and safe.
Have a wonderful weekend.
Happy Easter.
yvonne

Old Kitty said...

Oh wow! Such fabulous celebrations!! Awww happy happy birthday to your beautiful grandson and son-in-law!!

Yay for Mickey Mouse ears! LOL!! You all look adorable!

I am salivating at that sunflower cake! Oh my stars! How gorgeous is that cake! Thanks for sharing! Take care
x

pam said...

Your grandson, the birthday boy, is adorable. The look of concentration on his precious face as he works on his plate of cake is so cute. We've had our Colorado girl here this week. Nothing better than being with family!

Tracy said...

Oh, such happy days for you there, Pat! Wonderful that you're all living very near each other, especially with so many little ones in the family picture now. SWEET cake with the marshmallow chicks. We don't have those here, so I've not eaten on is years...LOL! The long Easter weekend begins today here... I'll be offline a few days. Wishing you & yours a blessed weekend. :o) ((HUGS))

From Beyond My Kitchen Window said...

Aren't you glad you didn't miss a thing. It's so nice to be close to the ones you love so dearly.

Judy said...

Oh...you have been busy! So many good reasons to celebrate. Love the cake made by your great niece, Rachel!

Margaret said...

Hello Pat :) Delightful party photos! The photo of Dad with his daughter on his birthday is wonderful!! I'd say his new daughter is dads best present ever! He is just beaming :)And baby "J"s expression priceless!
I'll be looking forward to that sweet potato topped turkey shepards pie recipe:)Thanks Pat! Saint Patricks day dinner looks delicious!
Margaret from B.C.