Spring Break????

This year our Spring Break was one whole week! Yahoo....the endless things we had planned to do. One problem, Mom had to work! So we did our best to take the time we had to do some fun things! Luckily on Monday we went to the park for lunch and then Tyler got her 1st tennis lesson. The weather was so nice we even pulled out the shorts. This was a first since last fall. It's a good thing we spent our Monday enjoying the weather...because this is how things looked the rest of the week....

As I left for work at 7:30am, I couldn't help but take a few photos of the yard before I left. Who would believe this was April, we woke up to 12" of new snow! But since during this week was the dreaded tax day...it did seem appropriate...cold and merciless...that defines the tax man in my opinion!!!


Luckily as I left for work in this frozen tundra...the girls were asleep, under lots of blankets. They had spent the previous night having a sleepover on the family room floor watching movies late into the night. They won't be happy when they wake up....looks like a good day to stay under those blankets and watch even more movies!!!



Today is Sunday, back to school tomorrow, I'm seriously dreading the morning!!! Everyone will have a hard time getting up! But on the upside, our weather is back to a spring time normal temps. It was beautiful today, we sat outside and read and then took a walk! To bad this week couldn't be our Spring Break!

Only 6 more weeks of school!!! How can time go so fast???

Happy Easter!!!

It is now a week since Easter and I finally have time to sit and post some of our Easter photos. Unfortunately, I did not take the time to capture as many photos as I had hoped to. Once the real cooking began and the race to get the feast on the table...the camera was forgotten!

Our Easter Weekend started at 9am Saturday morning w/our annual Easter Egg hunt. Luckily the rain held off until after the hunt. As we drove away from the park the rain drops started. We then went home and colored our own eggs!

Then it was on to more important things...dessert! We had much debate over what would be the "Easter Dessert"...the girls wanted cupcakes, I of course wanted raspberry trifle and our favorite...chocolate dipped strawberries!!! Since there seemed to be no compromise on either side, I did what any smart woman would do...we made it all!!! We picked our favorite "Cupcake of the Month" as one of our THREE desserts, we choose this cupcake, because it is cute and very easy! One that any child can master! They were very yummy as well!





I don't know if you can tell from this picture...but while we were making all these yummy treats for Easter, Marcus sat watching golf on tv. He did sample a few cupcakes too!
Finally, Sunday arrives and the sun is shining, just like I can picture that first Easter Morn and the Resurrection of our Savior. What a glorious day!!!

We celebrated the day with a wonderful breakfast and then off to church. After church the girls enjoyed their Easter baskets and we got to work on our Easter feast we had been planning for a week! Ham, yummy potatoes, deviled eggs, jello, homemade rolls, veggies, and on and on and on. Oh, yeah, the trifle, Marcus and I had to eat it ourselves...well, he took care of 85% himself, but it was soooo good! This week I'll get back to my diet!


And as always, Sadie is ready and waiting for any handout!!! She received the ham bone as her Easter treat! That kept her busy for the rest of the night!
We hope your Easter was just as enjoyable as ours was. Our family is grateful for our Savior and for the great sacrifice He made to atone for our sins. We are grateful for the opportunity we have to someday return to live with Him. What a blessing it is to have the gospel as a part of our lives!!!! We love you all!

April Cupcake of the Month #4, Finally!!!!

I know...you are so sick of my cupcakes and I appreciate the fact that you love me enough to read just 1 more. After this, I promise no more until May!!! But the flower ones you can use for May Day as well!!!



This one is so pretty and also a huge hit with the kids. They never pass up anything that includes an icecream cone. One huge disclaimer...these are hard to transport, they tip over super easy. If you have any tips on this, please share!!!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
1 box of cake mix, any flavor
Flat-bottomed ice-cream cones
White frosting
Large gumdrop disks, such as Sunkist Gourmet Fruit Gems (one 14-ounce bag can decorate 5 cupcakes)

1. Prepare the cake batter according to the directions on the box. Fill the narrow bottom of each ice-cream cone with the batter. Set the cones on a baking sheet and transfer them to the oven, being careful not to tip them over.

2. Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Let them cool, then frost the tops.

3. To make each candy flower, cut 6 wedges from the edges of a gumdrop disk and cut a green gumdrop disk into slices for leaves. Press the wedges into the middle of the cut flowers for flower centers, then arrange the candies on top of the frosted cupcakes. One box of cake mix yields 34 cupcakes (or make fewer and use the remaining batter for a small cake).

Okay...we did it, together we survived the "Cupcake Marathon"!!!!! Thanks for sticking it out w/me, you are the best! Let me know you're favorite cupcake!!!!

April Cupcake of the Month #3

Are you getting bored w/the cupcake theme yet? Sorry, only 2 more I promise! I'm done the the animals and on to what else??? Flowers!

Flower Power Cupcake!
So Cute, how can you not love it?



Super easy and you can make them from now til the end of August!! Many months of yummy flower cupcakes! And....no coconut! The girls say, "YEAH!"

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
Cupcakes
Yellow frosting
Colored gumdrops
Large marshmallows

To make one, first frost a cupcake prepared from your favorite recipe with yellow frosting and place a colored gumdrop in the center. Next, set a large marshmallow on its side, press it flat with your palm, then cut it in thirds with kitchen shears. Repeat with a second marshmallow and arrange the petals around the gumdrop center.

So easy and soooo delicious! How can you resist??

April Cupcake of the Month #2

Okay...time for the next one! I'll stick w/the animal theme and move to the second best Easter animal, the chick! These look a little more tricky. I will also have to purchase the donut hole portion of the recipe the day I make them...those will never last at my house!

Sweet Tweet Cupcakes!


Not as cute as the bunny, but I'll eat it!!!

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
2 tablespoons of shredded coconut
Green food coloring
1 cupcake
Green frosting
2 plain doughnut holes
Toothpicks
Yellow frosting
1 orange gumdrop
Black decorators' gel
1. Place the coconut in a resealable plastic bag with a few drops of green food coloring. Shake the bag to color the coconut. Then transfer it to a bowl.

2. With a paring knife, remove a quarter-size portion of the center of the cupcake top. Frost the cupcake green, including the indentation. Dip the frosted cupcake into the coconut and add a dollop of yellow frosting to the indentation.

3. Trim a small slice off the doughnut holes so each has one flat surface.

4. Skewer a doughnut hole on a toothpick, frost it with yellow frosting, and place it in the cupcake indentation flat side up. Use the same technique to frost the second doughnut hole. Stack it on the first hole flat side down.

5. Cut a small beak from the gumdrop and push it onto the chick's head. Finally, add 2 black gel eyes and watch your guests chirp with pleasure!

Again w/the coconut....I may have to use green sprinkles for the grass on this one.

April Cupcake of the Month #1

Okay...too many cute Spring/Easter cupcakes to choose from...so I've picked my fav 4 and thought I'd post one a week during the month of April. But then I realized my great idea had one major flaw...Easter is April 12th and most people want to make these yummy treats for the Easter holiday. So, I'll still be posting all 4, but a bit closer together. Enjoy!

Cupcake #1 The Bunny Cupcake!


I couldn't decide to post this one 1st or save if for last...it may be my favorite of all. Isn't he soooo cute! Add a flower on the side of one ear and you can say, "Isn't SHE soooo cute!".

RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
Cupcakes, baked and cooled
White frosting
Shredded coconut
Pink decorators' sugar
Jelly bean nose
Chewable Sweet Tart eyes
Large marshmallow
Mini marshmallows

1. Frost a cupcake with white frosting and sprinkle on shredded coconut fur.

2. Cut a large marshmallow in half widthwise. Squeeze each half slightly to give it an oval shape, then decorate the sticky side of each one with pink decorators' sugar and set them in place for ears.

3. Add a jelly bean nose and either jelly bean or snipped Sweet Tart eyes, and mini marshmallows for cheeks. For a finishing touch, draw on decorators' gel pupils or whiskers if you like

My major issue w/this darling recipe....my kids don't love coconut! So sad!!!