Halloween where we at...

A couple pics....It's been a slow week

Jared and Junior watching General Conference. Twinners!

The MIGHTY MANGO. We got these at Costco and they are the size of footballs. Thank you Costco. They taste like they are coated in powdered sugar. We have one left if you want to come over......

The house of Dinosaurs.

We have gone through several phases in our house. Princesses, fairies, animals, Dora, and Diego. However, none was more surprising to me than Dinosaurs. With three girls, I figured we would be a Dinosaur-free zone but one day about a year and a half ago- our house was changed forever. They watched "The Land Before Time" on VHS (yes we still own a VHS player). Since then, the Dinosaur has been revered above all other toys in our house. Here are some pictures of Macey's 4th Birthday party at the zoo and her dinosaur cake. The cake truly took a village to make- thanks Stephanie for your creative help and Jared and Dave for your midnight run to the grocery store. As you'll see from the photos, I am a little obsessed with the cake. It was my first time working with fondant. It was exciting.

The girls and the cake. Happy Birthday Macey!Here is the picture that started it all. I drew it with Macey's help when she was at the hospital for her arm surgery. I think we got close! (my fingers in the picture have been died with food coloring from the fondant- they aren't normally blue.)
The Tablescape. I think "tablescape" is one of the cheesiest words on the planet.
Macey using her good hand to open a present.
The girls at the zoo. Macey is the one in the hot pink cast.
A close-up of the dinosaur.


Our Creation.

This was prototype #1 of the dinosaur. We covered a giraffe figurine with several layers of fondant. We also forgot to use cake stands so the top cake layer wouldn't sink into the bottom layer. Hence the lopsidedness. Now I know- and so do you- USE CAKE STANDS!
I just had to throw in a picture of Macey in her snoopy sling. She was a total trooper!

The Fairy Party.

Above: Macey killin' it with colored sugar.

The dog we found on our fairy hunt at the park. We thought he needed a fairy headband.

The torture chamber. The fairy hunt at the park. Jared went up to hide little fairies all around the play area. He was looking forward to that big job all week!

Here are the cupcakes and the birthday girl while we were all doing ourless than complimentary rendition of, ""Happy Birthday to You!"

Kennedy's fairy will be very delighted when she moves into her new home.

Elizabeth and her masterpiece.

Aliyah and her masterpiece.

Getting the landscaping just right.....

Kennedy and Emmy- friends since nursery.

Rebecca loves Bella. Thanks for being such a good "mommy" Bella.
I thought this was just a really cute picture. The party was a hit. The cupcakes were not made by me but by Harmon's- they were beautiful. I can't believe I PURCHASED pre-made cupcakes. Sorry Kennedy, I won't ever do it again...until I do. Oh the guilt! :-) My mom was a huge help. Thanks marmie. Happy Birthday Party Day, Kennedy. (whose real Birthday isn't until the end of the month)

Dangit Tomato Soup

I call this tomato soup, "Dangit" because I had several messy mishaps while making it. I'm sure nobody is surprised! It is the recipe that they serve at a restaurant near our house. 5 stars! Oh, another reason I call it "Dangit" is because I was supposed to take a picture of it to put up here and we ate it all before I got the picture taken- Dangit! Next time I make it, I will make sure to post a picture.

Tomato Basil Soup- from the Thanksgiving Point "Trellis Cafe"

1 small chopped white onion
2-4 T. fresh basil or 1 tsp. dried basil (season to taste)
20 oz. can of diced tomatoes
1 c. milk
1/2 c. heavy cream
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. white pepper
1 tsp. chicken base

cook tomatoes and onions in saucepan with 1 tsp. olive oil for 6-8 minutes over medium-high heat. Add spices and puree
Add milk, cream & chicken base
add salt to taste
simmer until ideal consistency- we served with crusty bread and salad greens. Makes 4 servings.

Grandma's Brownies

My favorite brownies- they take a bit longer than the cheap boxed version but oh, they are worth it. And, they are frosted! What could be better? I am making them tonight- I will post a picture tomorrow.
*Preheat oven 350 degrees. Spray a jelly-roll pan with cooking spray or grease.
*In a med-large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup shortening, 4 T. Cocoa, 1 cup water
*Stir and mix until boiling- remove from heat.
*Add 2 cups sugar, 2 cups flour, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1 tsp. soda- mix well.

Pour into pan and bake for 10-15 minutes.

While they are baking, in medium saucepan, make the icing. Melt 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), 4 T. cocoa, 6 T. milk- Bring to boil then remove from heat. Add 1 box of powdered sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla. Pour over warm brownies. Enjoy.

-Sprinkle chopped walnuts or powdered sugar over the top (optional).

First Day of Kindergarten (Kennedy)

Well there weren't tears on the first day of kindergarten but there was some near tear moments (not from Kennedy, from me). I signed up for every possible thing I could in her class. The Christmas party, Halloween, the Thanskgiving Feast, Valentines, Spring Carnival. Then, I realized I could sign up to be the head room mother- sign me up! I'll do that too!! Yes, I am a NERD! But hey, I will be one involved nerd.

First Day of School (Macey)

Oh the drama, oh the excitement, oh the passion, OH THE AWESOME CUTENESS!