Cake of the Month - Gourmet Cupcakes

I can't believe I almost forgot to post my cake of the month!

Last week I made Banana Cupcakes with Honey-cinnamon Frosting for some friends of mine who just had their first baby. (Yes, I took them dinner, not just the cupcakes!)

Mmmmm... yes, they were as good as they sound! (If I do say so myself.) I got the recipe out of Martha's Everyday Food May issue. You can find the recipe here.

Okay, so maybe they're not really gourmet. But they're the most gourmet cupcakes I have made in a while, since most of my cupcakes come from a box. Plus, I made the tops all spikey, which is totally gourmet, right?

Missing

MISSING

One black, silver, and green boy tennis shoe.

Answers to the name of "Spencer's other dang tennis shoe".

Last seen in my toddler's hand as he walked like a drunken sailor out of the living after I asked him to put the shoe in his brother's room. (I know, I know. What was I thinking? I kick myself whenever I think of it Spencer would, too, but it's hurts to kick with no shoes on.)

MISSING

Two boxes of bandaids.

Answers to the name of "Those #$#@!!! boxes of bandaids".

Last seen about two months ago as my toddler played with them in my bathroom. (Considering his propensity for putting stuff down the toilet or in the garbage, I really should have thought that through more carefully.)

If found, please let me know a.s.a.p, as I gouged my thumb while gardening the other day and need a new bandaid a couple times a day. (Plus one or two each time for my boys; because if mommy needs a bandaid then they obviously do too!)

MISSING

One mind.

Answers to the name of "Me, myself, and I".

Ran away for a bit after the birth of my first child, but came back.

Last seen shortly before the birth of my second child.

If found, please bring directly to me. DO NOT give to my toddler!

More Fun With Pictures

I love Photoshop.

(Spencer walked in while I was working on these and asked when I was going to put on the crazy hair. It took me a moment to realize that he thought I was making our Halloween picture. All in due time, Spence, all in due time.)

Family Pictures

So, you've probably noticed I've been a little slack in the blogging department lately. Primary kinda took over for 72 hours there, and then last night I started to feel a little... blech. Just worn out, mainly. (That's what happens when your 20 month old doesn't let you sleep. I'm not naming names, Josh, but you had better get those teeth in soon!)

Whatever. You know I wasn't feeling that great because I didn't even want to stay up and play with my new family pictures that I picked up yesterday before bunko. (Ordinarily I would have stayed up all night Photoshopping and ordering!) (Speaking of bunko, I got the high score and won these darling prep bowls. Woo-hoo for me!)

Anywho, I've finally had the time and inclination to go through the fantabuloso family pictures Kayli took of us. (Kayli - you're a rock star! Really. A six month pregnant, picture-takin' rock star.) I still have a bit more Photoshopping to do (you know, to enhance our super model-type looks), but here are some of my favorites.

As Kayli so aptly put it, our Ensign shot.

This photo captures a very rare and precious moment - Josh actually holding someone's hand.

Attractive, no? (But what a fun picture!)

We always look this cheerful when walking through fields.

A cute one of Lance and Spencer. (Look at those muscles!)

More muscles!

I love this one. I just wish you could see Josh's face.

My 'bee boy'.

Lance an I had a few shots taken, just to prove to our posterity that we were married. :)

I think I like this one better. (I'm kinda squinting in the one above.)

Sandwich hug!

Okay, so I have a big frame above my piano that always holds an 8x10 of our family picture. Which one of the following do you think I should put up there?

Picture A

Picture B

Picture C

Picture D

Picture E

New Calling

Well, I was sustained into my new calling today.

And the calling is... (drum roll)...

Primary President!

I really am excited. I know it will be a lot of work, but I think it will also be a lot of fun. At the very least it will be entertaining, because there's nothing more entertaining than a room full of kids. (Primary Proverbs galore!)

I have have the best presidency a girl could ask for: 1st counselor - Gigi R., 2nd counselor - Leila G., and Secretary - Sarah H. I am so excited to work with them!!

And now, back to work. Because of all the turnover in our ward, I am in the midst of replacing eight teachers. Plus getting up to speed on anything and everything Primary. And updating all the stuff I have because my secretary will be out of town for the next two weeks. And learning all the kids' names. And getting ready for our first presidency meeting on Tuesday. And...

Yeah.

Fireman Spencer

Okay, it's been a whole week, but I'm finally getting around to posting some of the pictures I took from Logan's birthday party last week. Gigi, Logan's awesome Mommy, set up a tour of Lafayette Fire Station #9. Spencer was way excited about it and it lived up to all of his expectations and more! (Well, not all. He didn't get to drive the fire truck. But he did get to sit on it, and that's a close second.)

Spencer was pretty impressed with the fireman's gear. And with how far the water could shoot out of the hose. (See him off to go 'help' the firemen practice?)

My cutie-pie fireman!

Spencer especially liked the fire pole.

Josh wasn't invited - by me. (It was during his nap time and I had no desire to deal with a cranky toddler!) But he did get a fire hat from the party, which he wore pretty much non-stop for the next two days.

We Must Be True Locals Now

We had family pictures taken tonight. (By the wonderfully oh-so-very-talented Kayli - I'm sure copies will be showing up on her blog as well as mine in the near future!)

In our family it's a tradition to go out to eat after family pictures. It's my way of bribing the men in my life to wear the clothes I choose and to go along with the 'torture' that is standing close to your family, smiling, and pretending you love them... a.k.a. family pictures. (I don't think it's bad - I think family pictures are fun. But apparently my idea of fun seriously differs from my immediate family.) ((Too bad for them.))

Lance chose where to eat tonight, and boy howdy, what a choice it was!

That's right, the South Street Smokehouse.

Don't let the illustrious exterior fool you.

This is no hoity-toity restaurant. This is a place for locals who are serious about their barbecue. There are no frivolous things like kid-sized cups or green vegetables or friendly customer service. No, this place is all about the BBQ. You stand in line and order from the BBQ Nazi, get your own soda, and then sit at a booth (which, by the way, comes with its own roll of paper towels) as you take in hearty lung fulls of the smoke from the kitchen that lazily descends into the dining area.

As we waited for our order, the boys enjoyed looking at all of the pig paraphernalia around the room. Josh was in hog heaven. They especially loved the big pig statue at the entrance.

The smokehouse carries five different kinds of sauces for you to choose from. (This is approximately five times the number of non-fried, non-butter soaked vegetable options listed on the menu.)

I had the beef brisket sandwich, Lance had the pulled pork, and the boys both had hot dogs. (Kids are weird like that.)

Verdict? Well, I think the sign they have outside says it all.

(p.s. Dad - I think we'll have to take you here when you come out in June. It's your kind of joint!)