Sprinkles

Because cupcakes just taste better with sprinkles. Or so Paisley says. {That was her favorite part}




I got my new frosting tip in the mail and have been dying to try it out. I made homemade “funfetti” cupcakes with my favorite cream cheese buttercream frosting. To die for. {But, sadly, I wouldn’t know….but my kids approved!} I couldn’t decide on which sprinkles I liked better—the big or little ones. Hum. It’s a toss-up!
I have come to the conclusion that I really don’t like cake mixes. I like the texture of a cake from scratch. It’s the same way with brownies. And, I’ll let you in on a little secret. Ready? They really aren’t that much harder to make than ones from a box. And they taste so.much.better! I tried to make chocolate cupcakes from a box mix the other day…and they completely flopped. Literally, flopped OVER the wrapper. They were so airy. Instead of having my OCD take over and throwing them in the trash, I scooped out the cupcakes into a bowl, added powdered sugar and peanut butter. Rolled them into balls, and dipped them in chocolate. {Which will be the LAST time I make cake balls. I HATE making them. Honestly. Really, I can’t stand making them. So, if I am ever tempted again, just remind me that I hate it! Thanks!} I’m not sure how they tasted. But, Ben gave them 2 thumbs up. I’m beginning to wonder if he is just being nice about how my baked goods are turning out, or if they really do taste good. I’m sure I’ll go on a baking spree in about 9 months and try all these recipes again. Then the truth will come out.
By the way, I have about 9 cupcakes left over. Want one?

already?

This little girl, who just a few months ago looked like this:



……is already rolling over….and her first tooth has poked through. Where has the time gone?

Taking the time

to watch the clouds fly by.



One of the many important things that I am relearning in this journey called parenthood.

love this girl!

We love Miss Parleigh so much! She is such a happy little baby! I just want to squeeze her every chance I get.

I really should be doing something else right now

but, I’m not. I should be at the gym. But….I’m not. My husband is fishing with the boys instead. I should be doing the dishes. But….I’m not. I’m procrastinating on that one since there is only a few. I should be putting the last minute touches on our Relief Society Activity for tomorrow. But….I’m not. I’m a little overwhelmed with that one, only because I’m not sure how it’s going to turn out. I pray it all comes together, and it comes across how it was originally intended to. {The sister who was planning this activity moved last week!}

So, I was released from my calling at church. If only we were given a break from callings….at least for a month! That would be nice! Nope! No such luck. My previous calling was the Relief Society Activities Coordinator. {After 2 years, I have finally figured out the name of my calling, only to be released! Go figure!} I am now the Relief Society 2nd Counselor, or, the Activities Counselor. Which means now I don’t “plan” the activities, I just oversee them. Hopefully it won’t be as “stressful” as before. We’ll see.

So, instead of worrying about Church right now, I will post pictures of our weekend! Saturday was my Mother-in-law’s birthday. Can I just say that I have the best Mother-in-law EVER! Hands down, the best! I hate the title –in-law. It makes it sound so formal. And she means so much more to me than –in-law!  I am so grateful for her and all she does for our little family.

We had everyone over for dinner after church on Sunday. We had a salad, rolls, and steak. Move over Ruth’s Chris….I think we had you beat! The steak was to die for! And, you need to try the rolls…they don’t disappoint. I couldn’t try them, but they smelled and looked really yummy.

I made the cupcakes. Ester arranged the flowers. And the kids played with the balloons. {We all did our part!}

Cookies and cream cupcakes. I can’t WAIT for 9 more months when I can try these bad boys out! They looked yummy. Not sure if they were or not….I just have to take my husbands word for it. Which is really hard for me to do. Then inside of them had chunks of oreos, and an oreo at the bottom. How can you go wrong?

We invited Bo Bo {Brother Ankney, a member from our ward that we ADORE!} He loves the kids, and instigated a balloon war. To.Much.Fun!

Parker wanted to hold Parleigh. We set her on his lap, and she tried to “nurse” on his arm. He started laughing, so she would laugh, and then he would laugh, and then she would “nurse” on his arm again, so he would laugh, then she would laugh…and on it went for a couple minutes. They were both loving it.

just add water!

We are so excited that summer is right around the corner. It was a gorgeous morning, so we headed to the Ocean Front to enjoy the playground there without having to deal with the tourists that flock here beginning in June all the way until September!

We can’t wait until Beth and Peggy get here so we can enjoy EVERY day at the beach!

 

Shout Out

 

I would like to give a shout out to my bestie, Robin! She is amazing, with a capitol A! I love her to pieces. And I am so happy that I can call her my friend!

Last February, Ben went to the gym by himself on night, and came home saying that Robin was there working out. I felt so guilty for not being there, that the next day I got my {bottom} to the gym and found myself a new workout buddy! Up until I got pregnant with Parleigh, Robin was there at the gym to workout with me. Once I got too huge and sore and exhausted, Robin kept going. Her hard work, dedication, persistence, and positive attitude paid off. Like I said, she is AMAZING, and I want you all to read her story. {And leave her a comment, too! Share the love!}

 

Robin, you ROCK! Now, you need to help me work off my prego body! Pronto!

a little bit of this and a little bit of that

Strawberries

Plus Sugar

Plus lots and lots of stirring

Plus canning jars

Equals what?

It’s not rocket science. Just half a year’s supply of strawberry jam!

 

And we threw in TWO strawberry pies for good measure!

{Mama didn’t raise no fool!}

 

What fun, exhausting, and rewarding day we had Saturday. Donna and I put up {I don’t know how many} quarts pints of jam, and a few quarts pints of strawberry syrup {after we had gone that morning to pick the most sweet, juicy strawberries. I am so thankful to her for teaching me how to can. I think I can now do it by myself and not feel intimidated!