My FIRST ChubbyHubby Cake...

For Adam's prize, he chose a coconut poke cake with a vanilla whipped coconut frosting. It really is a wonderful cake and I will be so proud to present it to him tomorrow. Thanks again for all of you who submitted names and helped me with the contest. I really appreciate it!!!!

Rice krispies...

I believe these are the best treat ever. I hate to admit it, but I can eat an entire pan myself. Why on earth did I make them the day I decided to start Dr. Willey's diet again??? They are of the devil I tell you...calling out to me...Jandy, you know you just want one more....It is just one more....Oh, you better eat them before they go stale...LIKE I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEM GOING STALE IN MY HOUSE!!!!!! I. love. rice krispies. Especially when they are made with strawberry marshmallows.

Troy's turn...Texas Roadhouse style

I cannot believe it has almost been a year since my fabulous vacation to San Fransisco with Peggy. It was a year ago that I was making plans, striving to loose weight, and getting very anxious for a vacation. This year, it is Troy who is preparing for a trip with Peggy. It has been a very long time since he has had a vacation...since we went to Las Vegas when he was selling insurance four years ago. He deserves this trip and although I will miss him like mad, I hope he has a blast. Usually I would get in the car and drive to mom and dad's, but this year Daeson has school. Sigh. Troy and Peggy will be attending the Texas Roadhouse convention in NEW YORK CITY!!!!! I am so excited for him...New York is at the top of my "Places to go" list. They are staying in a posh hotel and they will have a BLAST! We had a great time in San Fran, and I am so grateful I got to go with Peggy. I appreciate these little opportunities we have to do these things. He will have fun and enjoy his vacation...but right now, he is still working, counting down the days until he goes. BTW, it is 74 days.

I guess I should clarify: Troy's mom works for Benchmark Potato. They supply most of the potatoes for Texas Roadhouse. So every year, Peggy gets to go to the Texas Roadhouse conference as a vendor. She takes someone with her, and they travel once a year. They have been to Banff, Mexico, California, Hawaii, etc. So even though she doesn't work for Texas Roadhouse, she gets to go to their conference. It really is a neat thing!

Purple fondant cake with ribbon insertion

This is the cake I did last night. The lighting is not very great, but the drape is white and purple marble with light purple ribbon fondant roses. The fondant is white and the ribbons are a sheer purple. The cake is coconut with a coconut butter cream under the satin fondant. This cake is approximately $15.00 with store bought fondant. With homemade fondant, it would run about $6.00. It is a two layer 8 inch round and would feed about 20 people with smaller slices.

Thanks for the cute outfit, Grandma Cindy and Papa Ty~ I like it a lot. I am doing tricks for you. Love, Tevan

PS: Am I not the cutest thing you have ever seen?:)

Happy Day

We just sold our mini van! We are so happy. Well, Troy and I are. Daeson is a bit distraught. Oh well, when he gets older, he can buy a minivan :).

The BLUE cake

I am in the process of setting up my new blog, but I wanted to post this. This is a two layer 9x13 yellow cake with butter cream frosting. The roses and leaves are done in royal frosting. Everything, except the ribbon, is edible. The first and last picture shows the lattice heart. This is made of royal, too. This cake will run about $8.00 while I am in my introductory period. This can be done in any color and any flavor, and can be changed around. It does not have to have the bouquet of flowers on top. Because this is a two layer cake, the cuts will be about 1.5 inch squares. This will feed, depending on cut size, 6 across and 8 lengthwise, 48 people.

The top border is a reverse shell and the bottom is a puff zigzag. The cake is raked with lines.

Swim party

We went swimming at Adam and Kayla's last night and had a blast. Adalyn, Mieley and Daeson swam like fish. Uncle Kaden joined them a bit later for a hot tub soak. Kayla, Tev, Tora and I hung out watching...ready to play life guard if needed. We were joined later by Grandpa and Grandma Blue.

We had soup, salad, rolls and cake afterward. It was yummy and we all had a super fun time hangin' out. Mieley did some awesome flips and by the end of the night all the kids were trying new things. Tevan decided he wanted to swim, so I got him all ready. He was in the water maybe two minutes before he decided he DID NOT want to swim. Thanks, Kaden for trying. He usually loves to swim, but not last night.

For journaling purposes, Blue, the family dog passed away today. Richard and Peggy have had this dog since March of 2000. He unfortunately got ran over, and died the next day. We are sorry for the loss of Blue. He was loved by everyone, especially the kids. That is actually why Daeson calls them Grandma and Grandpa Blue.

To Troy

I just made this for Troy:




We all think Troy is a hero. He does so much for us everyday. We love you!

Congratulations!!!

This was a very difficult decision. However, my little family took a vote and we decided to choose Chubby Hubby Cakes. I really do appreciate all of you who submitted names! Remember, for the first 20 or so cakes, the only cost is the supplies. So, if you have a special occasion coming up, let me help you with the cake. I will start my new blog soon...stay posted! Congrats Adam!

And the winner is...

Although I had many great submissions for the name of my cake decorating blog/business, I have narrowed it down. And I will know at the end of the day. I hate when reality TV shows drag it out and I am sorry for doing so...here are the finalists.

Adam: Chubby Hubby Cakes
Megan: Grover frosted over
Mandi: Batter Up

I really liked my mom's Sweet Celebrations, but it is already taken. Thank you to everyone who submitted a name. They were all very fun and very creative!!! Candace, Nicole, Mom, Susie, Megan, Adam, Mandi, and Amber all did a great job. (I hope I didn't forget anyone!) They came up with more than I would have thought. Thank you all very much!!!! I really appreciate the support with this!

Three more days until I choose a winner!

There are only three more days until I choose a winner, so it is NOT too late to enter the contest. If you haven't heard, I am trying, slowly, to open a little cake business out of my home. If you submit a name and I choose it, you get a free cake/cheescake. If you live outside the delivery area...Malad, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and Rexburg, you will get a gift card/certificate. So, please rack your brains. I love the names that have been submitted, but if you think you can come up with something else...lets hear it!! Have fun and I will be choosing Wednesday!!!!

If you talk to my son...

If you are over for a visit and you try to have a conversation with my son, Tevan, and you happen to ask him about the following...HE DID NOT LEARN IT FROM US!!!

Princess and the Frog...comes out a very naughty swear word that starts with an F.

In his Elmo Chinese New Year book, there is a picture of a Rickshaw. This, too, comes out a very naughty word that starts with an F but he adds "er" to the end.

And if something gets stuck, you guessed it...VERY naughty word that, again, starts with an F.

Trips to Home Depot, visits from Home Teachers, and phone calls to various family members have ended in an explanation as to why my son is dropping the F bomb. I am so embarrassed, yet it gets me laughing every time with surprise! Yet no matter what we do to try to help him say these correctly is not getting through to him. I sorta purposely stayed home from Sac Mtg today so I wouldn't have any embarrassing moments there, too!

Tora, as promised!

This is my niece, Tora. Isn't she so cute!

We had such a great time yesterday. Thanks for playing!!! I didn't get any pics of the other girls because I was so wrapped up in her! I will take some of my other pretty nieces next time. I just loved watching her. She didn't fuss too bad...unless I walked out of the room! She let me feed her bananas, but hated the blended up mac and cheese! Sorry Kayla, I should have asked you instead of Mieley!!! :) Thanks for a fun afternoon!

Dave says

If any of you are familiar with Dave Ramsey, you know that he often says, "The only time you should see the inside of a restaurant, is if you work in it." As many of you know, Troy and I have decided to do the debt free challenge. So, instead of going out tonight...even though I REALLY wanted to, we stayed in. And dinner showed that my heart was not in it. Have I cheated on my family for feeling this way and producing a less than spectacular meal? Part of me says yes. The other part of me says I cook three meals a day, everyday and I would like a night off! I am tired tonight. I am wallowing in self pity. I am mad at the world and I am mad at myself. I should be proud that we did not spend the $30.00 on Happy's Chinese. I should be overjoyed that we are finally able to say no to our wants and only take care of our needs. I should be happy that I accomplished so much in a 12 hour period. I should be happy that sharing time is ready for tomorrow, that the 30 cupcakes and my talk for Great to be Eight are both done and ready for tomorrow. I should be excited that dinner, although terrible, is done and over and the boys are ready for bed. I should feel like wonder woman today, but I don't. I feel less than acceptable. I hate that these are the days that get me down. I really hate that the pressure of being a wife and mother takes it's toll. I feel sometimes that my kids look up to me and I feel like I have not been the best person for them. I am not a supermom and I feel like I cheat Troy and my children for not living up to the title. Tonight I just want to go to bed and pray that tomorrow is a better day.

On a happier note: I was privileged to watch my three beautiful nieces today while my sis in law did some much needed alone shopping time since Adam is snow machining. I had so much fun...Tora is getting so big and I just loved the way she played and "talked". Adalyn and Mieley had fun playing with the boys and I hope they come back soon! We get to see them often, but it was fun for the afternoon to have them by myself. I took some great pics of Tora posing as Bob the builder, but those will have to wait until another time. Good night, my fellow bloggers. I hope that tomorrow brings us a day of sunshine and happiness!!!

Cry baby

I was browsing Hulu.com last night and came across a movie that Johnny Depp made when he was younger. It was pg13, so I thought I would give it a try. It. was. HORRIBLE. It was pretty much the worst movie I have ever seen. I hated it. Troy asked me why I kept watching it, and I told him because I thought it would improve. It never did and I wasted an hour and a half of precious time on that. Sigh. Sorry to any of you who happen to like that movie, but it just wasn't for me! I do not recommend it. To anyone. Ever.

Mr. MOM

Today Troy did a great job! I woke up, did a batch of laundry and then had the worst headache/dizziness that I have ever had. So, he got home from work, took the kids to McD's and wandered around the Trackside Mall, came home, got them busy doing other things and let me sleep the entire day. It was so nice and I am feeling much better. He made dinner and is now baking muffins for Daeson's preschool treat bucket. I am so lucky to have a husband who can take care of things when I am feeling yucky! He is a great daddy and the boys just love him so much. Daeson told me that dad did a good job today. He's a tough critic, too. Troy and Daeson spent some of the day building Legos that Daeson got from Christmas. He loved that! Thank you Troy, you made my day so much better!
PS: He has the kids in the tub bathing and is getting them ready for bed. I have literally had to do nothing today. :)

Cowabunga DUDE, OLD DOGS

Tevan's new favorite thing to say...or at least my favorite thing to hear him say: COWABUNGA DUDE! It is so funny to hear him...it sounds more like mungamunga duuuuude! I love that he is talking more and more. He is finally putting things together in full sentences and I can almost understand what he is saying all the time. He is getting so big and I can hardly believe he is growing up so quickly!

Troy and I went to OLD DOGS this weekend with Jaimen and Kara. We all thought it was hilarious and we laughed hard. I love John Travolta and Robin Williams. They definitely have talent and versatility in their acting. It was a great show and I encourage anyone to see it. It didn't have any swearing (at least that any of us could pick out) and it didn't have any sexual innuendos. Just a great show!

Contest will end Jan 20

Hi! Just want to let you know that the contest for the name of my new cake business will be January 20. It is my grandparents anniversary, so I thought it would be a great day to give away a cake! If you haven't been following, please help me find a name for my new cake business!!! If I choose one of the names you submit, you will get a free cake or cheesecake made just for you. If you live outside Rexburg, Idaho Falls, Pocatello or Malad, you will be sent a gift card/ certificate. So, please submit some names!!!! Thank you to Mandi and Megan for some great ideas...I am quite fond of some of them!! :) However, there is still time...12 days! Let me know if you have any questions!!! I LOVE CAKE!

Dinner is done. Dishes are washing. Floor is swept and kids are in the tub. I love dishwashers.

Dishwashers

After being with out a dishwasher for six months, I am happy to report that today Troy bought me a new stainless steel Maytag dishwasher!!!!!! No more hand washing dishes, and just in time to bake all the yummy cakes! I am so happy, much happier than Troy is. We went to Blacker's and they had some really great deals. We were really surprised that they were so inexpensive. So, tonight when I would normally be hand washing a zillion dishes, I will be doing more exciting things...like scrap booking or blogging! Happy day! Thanks, Troy, for making my whole week, month and year!!! I love you!

Cake contest and free decorating

I am finishing my cake classes and I found out last night my "final" is a wedding cake. I can design it or replicate one that I have seen. I am super thrilled to do this. THRILLED. There is something fun about playing in FROSTING, and yes, ADAM, I LOVE CAKE! :)

This is the part I am excited about. I am starting a blog for my cakes. I will post all the cakes that I have made, or at least the ones I have pics of, and I will decorate cakes for people for the cost of the supplies. So, instead of paying 30 for a sheet cake, it will cost two cake mixes or supplies for homemade, and the cost of the frosting. I do all the decorating and time free until I develop a nice portfolio and feel like I can charge people for my time. I am so excited about this! I get to practice and people get to order cheap cakes. Well, inexpensive cakes!!! I don't do "cheap" :). So if you or anyone you know is in need of a cake, I would love to do it. I am a clean person and my kitchen is not messy. I do not have pets of any kind in my house...just two small boys. But I keep them clean, too.

However, I am in need of a catchy name for my blog. So, if you have any ideas for a snazzy name, and if I pick yours, you get a free cake or cheesecake. I will deliver to Rexburg, Pocatello or Idaho Falls...so if you live outside this region, you will get a gift certificate/gift card for $10.00 mailed to you. (Unless you are from Malad, I will make a special trip to see some friends from my highschool days!) I want this to be fun!! If you have an idea, please leave a comment with your input. Thanks and I look forward to the ideas!! I will be posting some of the cakes that I have done in a couple days, so watch for them!!!

Happy New Year!

So, this year I have decided not to make unreachable goals. You know the type...loose 20 pounds in 5 days, not to eat junk for three months, not to blog but only once a day!!! This past year I have done some major soul searching. I have contemplated my life and the lives of my family members. I have come to the conclusion that I am not the best person I can be. There are so many things I could do better and this year I am focusing on what I can to do be a better me. I know that sounds selfish...but I will, with that, be better to those around me. I will focus on being a true disciple of Christ. I want to be someone that is reliable, stable, compassionate, trustworthy, hard working, friendly, and confident that I will be able to handle what is handed to me. I know that I am probably asking for some trials by doing so, but I know that will make me obtain these goals more earnestly. I want to be a better mom, friend, wife, daughter, granddaughter, Primary councilor, camp director, visiting teacher, housekeeper and cook. I want this year to be my best year.

Troy and I have been focusing on getting out of debt and trying to be frugal. He does a great job at providing, but we have been really loose with our finances. Budget??? So, with the help of our fave talk radio host, Mr. Dave Ramsey, we will be working fervently on getting out of debt so that we will one day be able to call in and do a shout out. This, I know, will be a trial for our family. We are so used to buying what we want and not just what we need. I know we are counseled to be debt free and with the economy the way it is, there is no better time to start. We have decided to make the financial freedom commitment and with that, we should be completely debt free...including our house...by 2015. I know that we will be so much happier by doing this and I know that we will teach our children discipline and be an example for them.

I have big plans for 2010. I am really trying to stay focused and goal oriented. What ever your endeavors for 2010, good luck. I hope each of you can accomplish the things you would like to happen. Happy New Year!!!!

9 cent photos

This week, until Jan 2, you can upload photos to Walgreens and print them for 9 cents!!! You go to Walgreens.com and click photos, then you make an album, select the photos you want and type in the coupon code 9cents. This should give you the discount. You have to order 50 prints...so be sure to do that. It does not have to be all the same photo, just be sure you have selected 50. I love Walgreens photos and they always have them done in an hour! You just go to the store to pick them up. I have never had to use the reciept I print off line, but I always print it just in case. This is the cheapest I have ever seen them! Usually you can get pics for 10 cents, but I have never seen nine cents! Great way to get all your photos from Christmas printed! For 50 photos, it is only $4.50!!! Pretty great!!! Good luck with it! Their cite is really easy to use!

Christmas Day 2009

We all got spoiled Christmas!!! Thank you to everyone who made our Christmas wonderful. We really appreciate the thought put into our gifts! Christmas morning I had a hard time sleeping in, so I stayed awake waiting for one of the boys to make a peep. Daeson finally did and wanted to tell me a story, but I interupted him by telling him it was Christmas. I have never seen him jump out of bed so quickly!!! Troy woke Tev up and we had a great Christmas morning! I made caramel rolls, bacon, sliced oranges and hot cocoa for Daeson. The boys enjoyed playing with everything and we took our time opening gifts. Tevan was thrilled with the toys and pajamas, and Daes was so excited for everything. He even loved the clothes!!!! Troy and I just sat back and watched them be excited. It brought us much happiness! We even like the drums Danielle and Todd bought. I think they thought it would be torture, but I have even tried them out. They are way fun!!! We, after Troy's 4 hour nap, headed out to Grovers for a night of visiting. Daeson took his three robots from Jess and Carlie and played all night with them. Tevan was just excited to run around with his cousins!!! Merry Christmas everyone! We hope your was happy!