A picture, a story and a recipe (all unrelated)

(This picture has nothing to do with the post. It just makes me laugh.)

Josh came home from preschool the other day all excited about Valentine's Day. He wanted to make some Valentines and leave them on someone's pillow. We got out the construction paper, markers, scissors and some stickers. Josh cut out two construction paper hearts and snuck in to leave them on Neil's pillow. Then I helped Neil made a heart with stickers on it and he left it on Josh's pillow. So sweet.. and so much love. Later that afternoon, I came in to the room to find Josh and Neil with scissors cutting the Valentines into little tiny bits. All that was left was a pile of cut up paper. I love boys.

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I have had several requests for this lemon cake recipe. Its embarassing how simple it is and that it comes from a box. Try it though. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Christie's Embarassingly Easy Lemon Cake

1 box Betty Crocker lemon cake mix

1 small box lemon pudding (just the dry mix)

4 eggs

1/2 c. oil

1/2 c. water

1 c. lowfat plain yogurt

Mix together. Beat for 2 minutes. Pour into pan (any shape- 9x13, 2 rounds or cupcakes). Bake at 350. Use the time on the cake box depending on the shape of pan you use. Cupcakes are 22-25 minutes.

Top with cream cheese frosting or sprinkle with powdered sugar. Homemade cream cheese frosting is my fave:

1 stick butter

8 oz cream cheese

1 t. vanilla

~3 1/2 to 4 c. powdered sugar

a little milk to get it to the desired consistency

Make sure butter & cream cheese are at room temp. Mix together with a hand mixer until smooth. You could add a little lemon juice or zest to make it extra lemony, but I just use it as is. This makes more frosting than you need for the lemon cake, so eat it on graham crackers or make some sweet rolls to go with it :-).

Birthday Highlights

Kyle's birthday was celebrated with a quaint little family affair.


Potato heads lovingly created by his brothers were presented over breakfast:

Later, we dined at Hires Big H (a family favorite) and played at the children's museum at the Gateway. Here are the kids in action. Kyle does not yet walk unassisted, but loves to walk around pushing something for support.. such as a shopping cart filled with a fake flower and a plastic loaf of bread.

Josh spent most of the evening dressed as the mailman. It was awesome.

We ended the evening with panda cupcakes. Kyle has earned the nickname "poe"(from Kung Fu Panda) because of the kung fu moves he does with help from his dad. (Ask Russ if you would like to see his moves)

This picture cracks me up. He was having a grand time and then all of the sudden he was done.. tired.. ready for bed.

One

My favorite newborn picture of Kyle (taken by Valerie Bateman)

He's 1 year old today(and really, this year has gone way too fast). The boys are most excited about his birthday. I have big plans to update this blog with Christmas, Disneyland, Kyle's birthday and some favorite new recipes. We'll see how it goes.

Must be Santa

Hope everyone is enjoying the season!

Victoria

Seeing how its a blizzard outside, I think its the perfect time for me to reflect on my trip to the NW in September. We stayed with my dear friend Wendy and her family at Olympic National Park and then spent a few days in Victoria, BC. Have I mentioned that I love the Pacific NW? Highlights in somewhat random order.. I'm done with blogger tonight.

The Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic NP

Kyle loved the sandy beach. I loved his hitler mustache.

Sunset at Second Beach

Sunset at Hurricane Ridge with our fantastic hosts. I love these people.

For the twilight lovers.. we got a kick out of Forks

Kyle was an exceptional travel companion on airplanes, ferries, cars and backpacks.. although we sometimes had problems with this:

We're not food photographers but I will dream about this salmon sandwich for the rest of my days. If you're in Victoria, eat at Red Fish Blue Fish

Buchart Gardens. We could have spent all day strolling around taking pictures of flowers.. and we did just that.

Such a beautiful city..
Goodbye Victoria..

Zuppa Toscana

My brother Dave just posted a recipe for Olive Garden salad. By request, here is my copy cat version of zuppa toscana to go with. Soup, salad & breadsticks is the only thing I order if I ever go to the Olive Garden. More often though, we just make this soup at home with home made breadsticks. Soup is one of the benefits to cold winters.. & I think this may be Russ's favorite.

Zuppa Toscana

~5 c. chicken stock
1/2 lb. bulk Itallian sausage
2 medium potatoes (sliced thin)
2 c. chopped kale
1/4 t. crushed red pepper flakes
1/2 pint cream
salt & pepper to taste

Brown the sausage in a soup pot with a little olive oil. Add stock, potatoes, kale, red pepper, salt & pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat & simmer until the potatoes and kale are tender. Add the cream & let the soup simmer on low for 30+ minutes. Top with parmesan cheese & serve with breadsticks (and Dave's salad)

This is Halloween

I've enjoyed seeing everyone elses adorable and creative costumes. Halloween was a bit of a disappointment around here with sick kids.. so unfortunately our family of Star Wars characters never happened. Josh and Russ went out to the trunk or treat:

And these were taken this morning. The boys insisted that I model my costume as well. Its a shame that I only got to wear it around my basement. Its even a bigger shame that Kyle didn't get out in his furry get up. You may also notice Neil's bed head and watery eyes. We're still not at 100% around here.. Its no fun being sick!

Josh took the picture of Neil & me.. not bad, eh?

And of course we've had endless fun with Kyle's Chewy wig.. (not sure why he's wearing his dress shirt with pj pants though...hmm)