Babies!

This month my amazing Aunts threw a joint baby shower for my older sisters. They are both new moms! Alyssa had her daughter, Grace Lynn, on June 24th. Amanda is expecting her son, Alexander Anthony, in mid August. Alyssa wasn't going to find out the gender of her baby, so I planned this gender neutral cake months ago. Grace came 5 weeks early, but she's a healthy cutie! She only spent 9 days in the NICU at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital. I am happy as can be to be an aunt again! I have nieces and nephews through my step-siblings, but these are the firsts from my real sisters. I love how this cake turned out! It was by first cake that used crafting and construction. Hot glue guns, sanding, and painting was included. The mobile even moved and played music! Fun. Fun. FUN!

June FLEW by!!!

I can't believe that it's already July 1st!!! June went by way too quickly! We were sooooo busy. Here's a recap in a nutshell:

1st week- Joel's youngest sister graduated from high school- we went to the east side to watch her ceremony! I also made cupcakes for a wedding (See earlier blog for pictures)

2nd week- Joel's mom graduated with her Associates from Baker College- we went to the east side to support her!

3rd week- I had a barbie birthday cake for my old neighbor due and then we went to the east side to celebrate Father's Day with Joel's dad. 

4th week- Our family came up with the idea to have cupcakes instead of a cake for Jessica's graduation party, but we wanted an edible image of her. So we decided to make edible images that fit on the top of cupcakes. This turned out to be quite the project. In 13+ hours, we made a cupcake collage of 182 cupcakes for the party. It turned out great!

5th week- I had a baby shower cake due for my best friend from high school. The shower was construction themed. The cake turned out pretty well.

I thought that I would have tons of free time once school was out for summer. That has not been the case. I am just as busy! I can't believe how much work my new business has had. It's great! I'm not sure what I will do in the fall once I'm back in school. I'll be taking 3 classes and still working full time. It'll be a lot to handle. Lucky for me, I've always been good at time management and making time to get everything done. Joel has been such a great support to me! He's the best!

 Jessica Genaw- June 3rd, 2012

 The Graduate!

 Family!

 Kathy Genaw- June 8th, 2012 

 

Mom & Dad!

 Barbie Cake!

Cupcake Collage!

 Close up- See the little pictures? There were 120 different pictures!

Construction cake!

Cook Wedding Cupcakes

I did cupcakes for a wedding reception this weekend! The bride was a friend of Joel's mom. I did 4 different cupcakes: White filled with Strawberry, Yellow filled with Chocolate, Chocolate filled with Chocolate, and Chocolate filled with raspberry. The color(s) for the reception was blue in different shades. I'm very happy with how the cupcakes turned out!

 

Kara's Kakes and Kandies

Back in January, I filed for my "Doing Business As" license with the Kent County. I've decided to have my own buiness under the Cottage Food Law: Kara's Kakes and Kandies. I love cake decorating and making all kinds of treats! I have fun learning how to do new things and I'm learning quite a bit! This spring/summer has brought some work my way! I already had a bridal shower and shop party to make cupcakes for. Later this summer I have a birthday cake, a couple of graduation cakes, a wedding, baby showers, and a community event (Grand Rapids Inventors Network). I'm happy to see that it's taking off- but I don't want it to get too big yet. In the fall I will be back in school and will be taking 3 classes, with 3 classes in the winter to finish my associates degree. Someday I want to have my own bakery- just a little store front. But I am very content with having my little business out of my home for years to come!

May... Already?!?!?

I can't believe how quickly this year is flying by! It's already May!!!! This time last year I was the heaviest I had ever been in my life- married life does that to you. Joel and I decided to get healthy and lose weight together at the end of May. I lost about 24 lbs over the summer and am proud to say that I have kept it off! My next goal is to get toned muscles. To help me in that goal, I will start training for the Tour of the White Pine Trail - a bike tour that goes from Grand Rapids to Cadillac (92 miles) one day and back the next day. That's 184 total miles! I'm not sure if I can handle both days, but my goal is to make at least the 92 miles! I'm really excited and glad that I have until fall to get ready! I have a lot of work ahead of me- my longest ride so far has been about 25 or 26 miles. I think if I go at my own pace, I will be fine- but I have to build up that endurance! Wish me luck and you know that I'll be posting updates on my progress!

Another year done.... many more to go

Now, I chose a different path than most. I married my best friend at age 19 and at that point I started working full time. I graduated high school in 2008, then headed off to Ferris State University. I only attended for one year, got married, and transferred to GRCC. I have been taking classes at night and online ever since. Because I work full time, I only take 2-3 classes a semester. Last night I finished another year of school. My final grades were a 99% in Business Math and 96% in Supervision. Next year I will be taking 3 classes in the fall and 3 classes in the winter to finish my Business Administration associates degree. Then I will continue taking classes at GRCC for another year or so, before transferring to Ferris to get my bachelors degree. All I can say about being on my summer break is:   WOOOHOOOO!

St. Louis

Joel is in St. Louis! We found out that his trip was going to be shorter than we originally thought; he left this morning and comes home tomorrow night. He's getting spoiled down there! Here is a picture he took from the bed in his hotel room. What a view! The rental car is a 2011 or 2012 silver Mustang. They went to lunch at a place that served "the best ribs in St. Louis". He went to dinner at a restaurant on top of the Hilton hotel, that had all glass windows, and had a view of the city, including the Busch Stadium. Can't wait to have him home, of course, but I'm glad he's having a good time!