A Festive February

Our February was a bit of a whirlwind with what seemed like 101 things to do. Somehow we still found time to enjoy all that makes this month sweet... love, kindness, but especially CANDY!

The entire 1st grade dressed up in their "Sunday Best" on Valentine's Day and learned all about manners. It was my turn to be in charge of the class party and I so enjoyed seeing Jared escorting the girls in his class. He pulled out chairs and even filled up plates of goodies forthe little girls, before serving himself. So cute!

Best Family Night Treat of the Year: Valentine Sugar Cookies! Yum! Decorating your own is the way to go. Joshy chose no sprinkles or frosting, Jared took as much as he could get!

It wouldn't be valentine's day at our house without...CUPCAKES! I actually made these for a friend (but made sure to have enough for my boys too!)

These little beauties were for my Young Women (I did enjoy looking at them at home for a few days though before delivering them on Valentine's Day. They were also a nice decoration at the 1st grade party!)

The tags say "You are LOVED. see John 3:16". I hope each of my girl's never forget that!

My little Valentine! I love this one of Danny Boy.

Besides school parties, Y.W's, a Scout Blue and Gold banquet and being on the decorating committee for the Stake adult Valentine's Dance there was also Visiting Teaching. (Phew... I felt like I could hardly keep up with everything!) I was excited for a chance to put to use my new found skill of making cake in a mug in the microwave! Yum! I enjoyed that.

This year I have been trying to use up more of my craft supplies instead of buying more. (I did that with the flowers above). I found these frames for $1.00 a piece and decorated them all with things I already had, and I printed the pictures off of my computer. I *heart* these kiddos!

Okay, to manage the stress there was more than one night that ended in a yummy cup of chocolate cake! Check out the "Skor" cake there on the right with chocolate, caramel, cool whip and toffee chips. Y-U-M!

For the Blue and Gold banquet the scouts were invited to make cakes for centerpieces. Danny and I had a lot of fun mixing up a cake. Unfortunately that cake completely crumbled. So after pulling out all of my hair (and sending the kids to bed) I made a NEW cake and put the frosting on. Then after school I let Danny do more decorating.

It turned out great and he was really happy with it.

It was a very SWEET month with more than one batch of caupcakes (these ones for a baby shower) and more than one happy memory. I'm glad we survived it all, but I'm especially glad that it's almost over! (Who knew such a short month could be so LONG!!)

Candy Cane Cupcakes

With just a few days until Christmas I thought I'd better hurry up and get this on the blog. Candy Cane Cupcakes! Yum!

"A well balanced diet is a CUPCAKE in each Hand." Amen.

Candy Cane Cupcakes

Devil’s Food Cake Box Mix

1 Boxes of Candy Canes

1 Bag “Hershey’s” peppermint Kisses (use about half)

Peppermint Extract

1 Large Tub Cool-Whip

1 Recipe Chocolate Frosting

1 Recipe Pink Peppermint Icing

Holiday Sprinkles

Prepare Cake Mix as directed.

Add crushed Kisses.

Pour into baking tins. I like to use my ICE CREAM SCOOP. It works quite well!
Bake.
Prepare chocolate frosting and pipe into cupcakes. Be generous. ;) Optional: Use apple corer or serrated knife on top of cooled cupcake to create opening to fill.

Chocolate Frosting:

MIX:

1 lb. Powdered Sugar (1/2 bag)

1/4c. Cocoa powder. (If too bitter add more Powdered Sugar)

2/3 c. shortening

1 tsp. vanilla

¼ c. milk

Prepare Peppermint Icing and Frost on top of Filled Cupcake. Allow time for Icing to set before adding cool-whip.

Pink Peppermint Icing:

Soften Margarine. Add salt, corn syrup, and powder sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add peppermint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting. Add more powder sugar if too runny.

5 Tbls. Margarine

Dash of Salt

3 Tbls. Milk

1 Tbls. Light Corn Syrup

2 ½ to 3 c. Powdered Sugar

½ tsp. Peppermint Ext.

1-2 Drops Red Food Coloring

Pipe Cool-Whip onto top.
WARNING: Make sure your cool-whip is thawed first. Just WAIT. Do not try to microwave, or stir it, just WAIT.
I like to use this BIG tip for piping it. You can buy one at Michael's. (bring your coupon to get a better deal!)

Sprinkle with… sprinkles.

Add broken Candy Canes just before serving. (The colors bleed over time). I like to use my kitchen sheers to cut candy canes.

Enjoy, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Danny's Baptism Weekend

On Saturday, September 24th, 2011 Danny was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was a beautiful ceremony and an all around wonderful day. Ryan was able to baptize and confirm him and we were fortunate to have many family members there with us.

As Ryan said, Danny was "Willing, Ready, and Happy". He sure was!

My parents were able to come from Minnesota, and my Dad (Dah-Dee-Doh) gave a great talk on the Gift of the Holy Ghost.

Ryan's parents were also able to come from Washington. Ryan's Mom, (Nana) gave a great talk on baptism as well.

Jared and Joshy enjoyed Danny's baptism too. Jared sat on the ground in front of the font staring at the water as my sister Wendy played the prelude music. I'm sure he was thinking and longing for his turn, in less than 18months, to be baptized. When I asked Joshy about the baptism later in the afternoon he referred to "the big bathtub" I suppose that baptism by immersion would remind a 2 year old of taking a bath.

It was so nice to have so many family members present! Chris and Wendy came up from Salt Lake and were a great addition to the day.

Afterwards we enjoyed a luncheon at our home with neighbors and friends. A few days after I told Danny we would be having a luncheon, he asked me about the
"Lunch-Out"...

What would be a celebration in our family with out CUPCAKES! These ones are a lemon cake (though a little dry, I'll have to work on that), with a fresh raspberry filling, topped with a lemon frosting, lemon zest and a raspberry from our yard. Delicious!

As sweet as these cupcakes were, they couldn't compare to how I felt. As a parent I have spent 8 years, hoping, praying and preparing my Danny for this day. He was willing, ready and happy, and that made all the difference. This is just the beginning of all that is in store for my Danny boy.

Look Who's Eight!

On the 16th Danny had is 8th Birthday!

Since it was on a weekday... he went to school, but it was an extra short day! Yeah!

At home we had a family party to celebrate. And of course there were....

CUPCAKES! Chocolate cupcakes, with chocolate chips, with chocolate frosting as requested!

Happy Birthday Danny!

Not only was Danny's birthday on a Friday, with an early release. It was also on ICON's Lagoon day! Despite 45minutes of rain, Danny had a great first trip to Lagoon.

We all enjoyed the rides, and all the "Creamies" we could eat!

Even Josh got in on the fun. He loved our evening at the "Big Park".

We stayed until it closed at 11pm and then got home after midnight. I'd say we made the best of every moment of Danny's birthday!