Trip to Salt Lake

A few weeks ago we took a trip to Salt lake with a few friends. There were three adults and 5 little girls. Surprisingly they did awesome since we had an actual T.V. in it to watch movies.

At rest stop in Idaho. We had to let them out to run a bit.

We took a trip to Gateway Children's Museum. Boy did the girls enjoy it. Their favorite part was the Life Filght helicopter that was on on the roof. We spent quit awhile up there flying the helicopter.



One morning we woke up to snow. I knew it wouldn't last long so we bundled up in our impromptu snow clothes (fleece footed sleepers with sweat pants over the top and rain boots) The snow wasn't great to play in but they enjoyed themselves.

No trip to Utah would be complete without a trip to Temple Square. The girls loved getting to walk around and see everything.

Great Grandma Ellie and the girls.



We all met up for a trip to Hogle Zoo. Not as great as I remember it being but of course the girls LOVED it. Lexie has a stuffed cougar she loves so she really enjoyed seeing the cougars, but the Giraffes were a close second.

March of Dimes

Ellie and I participated in the March of Dimes last weekend. We raised $105. Thank you to those who sponsored us. We made it the whole 5 miles and really enjoyed ourselves. I think we will make it a family tradition to participate every year. I was so proud of Ellie as she walked (the 10 steps she actually walked) because she knew we were doing it to raise money to help babies. Next year we are going to have our own team so if you're interested in joining us just let me know!

I want this...

How cool would it be to have this in your back yard?

Our New House!

Come into to my new home! I'll take you on a photo tour. These are of course "before" shots. The painting in about 1/3 of the house, carpet upstairs and appliances will be done this weekend.

Back yard

Ellies room - It is going pink on the bottom half of the walls with white on top and a chair rail in between

Master Bed room- (The door goes into the main bathroom) The paint here is going on shade darker to a soft tan color.

Alexis's room- Painting it white and putting vinyl polka dots as a border at the top in hot pink, lime green and silver. I also got her hot pink curtains.

Down Stairs bathroom- Probably staying white for now.

Bonus room (down stairs)

Front room- The front door is right through the arch way.

Dining Room-

Kitchen-

Entry way hallway I guess you could call it (for lack of a better description) The two stair wells are right of the entry before you walk into the kitchen. The empty space where the tile is really dirty is where the Fridge will go.

Stairs

The front door-

March of Dimes

I am participating this year in the March of Dimes. I decided I needed to do something bigger than myself and make a difference. Since Ellie and Lexie were both born prematurely this is an event that means something to me. Please help me raise money to help support healthy babies.

Sister love

I looked over at the couch and found my girls hugging each other. It is so sweet to see them showing how much they care about each other. Then I heard the following conversation,
Ellie- "I yove you Gexie"
Lexie- "I wove you too"

Best Cupcakes I've Ever Had

Homemade Hostess Cupcakes

Cupcake:
1 devils food cake mix
1 package of instant chocolate pudding
1/2 c oil
1 1/4 c water
4 eggs

Filling:
3 Tblsp. water
1 tsp. unflavored gelatin
4 Tblsp. unsalted butter
1/2 tsp. real vanilla extract
pinch of salt
1 jar of marshmallow creme

Glaze:
1/2 c semisweet chocolate chips
3 Tblsp. unsalted butter

Mix cupcakes for 2 min. Fill lined cupcake tin 2/3 of the way full. Bake 20 mins. 325. (mine took longer) Allow to cool completely before filling or icing.

Glaze- Micorwave chocolate chips and butter intil melted and smooth. Cool to room temperature.

Filling- Combine water and gelatin in a medium bowl, let sit 5 mins. Microwave until mixture starts bubbling around the edges and the gelatin is dissolved, about 30 seconds. Stir in butter, vanilla & salt. Mix well. Cool 5 mins. Whip in marshmallow creme until smooth. Refrigerate 30 mins until set. Reserve 1/3 c of filling for the top of the cupcakes. Cut a cone (plug) out of the center of the cupcake. Trim the "plug" to 1/4 in disc. Fill with filling and replace "plug". Frost with glaze and pipe on curlicues with the remaining filling.

I didn't use the glaze I just frosted mine with butter cream icing. Warning- if you use butter cream don't use much, they don't need much icing. I also filled mine by using a large star tip and decorating bag. I just stuck the top into the center of the cupcake and filled it until the filling was coming out the top.