Saturday, September 06, 2014

Seafood Galore


Mussel men


Enjoying the fruit of his labors.
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I really think this post could use a better title; because while there is a common theme of seafood, this next series of pics are just plain amusing.


Bibs for the big people.


Evidently bib tying is akin to spoon feeding a baby... almost impossible to do with a normal expression.

 


3 cutie pies.



Everybody


Sweet


Silly


Goofy


Thursday, September 04, 2014

Slave Labor

Muwhahaha
Trusting, unsuspecting...


They had no idea what we had planned for them.


Back breaking labor


The "Enforcer"...
keeps everyone in line and working hard.

Peggy's Cove and DeeDee's


Such a foggy day!


Delicious!



Talk about a SCARY pirate.
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A Game of Hide and Seek:


. Counting 


. Hiding or seeking?


. Hiding... not Patrick... the other two.


. Found


. Peeking... waiting to be found


Enjoying a moment of peace and quiet.


Running and climbing


Windblown


♥ Oldest and youngest ♥

They Have Arrived!

So be ready to see a lot of kids and group shots.



Breakfast by Granddad for the 5 younger boys.


I *think* they are playing Settlers of Catan...


Who knows?


A favorite of these 2 clans - SOCCER!

Not So Clean


But happy :)


He was either digging in the sand pile or gardening with Granddad.
He is our first boy to NOT mind getting dirty (although he does hate getting messy at the dinner table). He will  even pick up bugs and earthworms! 5 boys later, I love seeing how they are each very unique human beings.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Creeper Key Lime Cake Pops

You'll never believe it, but I didn't take one picture.
They were square, they were green, and I painted on the faces using a toothpick and melted semi-sweet chocolate.

RECIPE

Ingredients

.  1 box key lime cake mix plus ingredients for cake mix. (I couldn't find it and used a lemon cake mix)
.  1/2 cup Duncan Hines Frosting Creation - Frosting Starter (store bought icing is stickier and works better than homemade icing)
.  Duncan Hines Frosting Creations - Key Lime Flavour (use as many packets as it takes to get a thumbs up for your child... I think I used 4 or 5 plus 2 more for the white chocolate)
.  2 packages (16 oz.) white chocolate chips

Instructions

1.  Prepare and bake cake mix as directed, cool.
2.  Crumble cake into a large bowl. Add frosting and Key Lime packets and mix thoroughly. Don't be afraid to use your hands.
3.  Form cake into small squares and place into the freezer.
4.  Melt chocolate, adding 1 packet of key lime flavour per 16 oz of chocolate. Thin chocolate using vegetable shortening.
5.  Dip the stick into the chocolate before placing the square on it (leave the other squares in the freezer). 
6.  Dip the square into the chocolate, twirling it to remove excess chocolate. Use Styrofoam to store the cake pops upright while the chocolate sets.

These were surprisingly good, and everyone wanted more than one!


Not my picture, but it gives you an idea of what mine looked like (although my painted on faces were not quite this nice).

Just Because...


It's pretty!


I had fondant left over from the Minecraft cake, and we had friends coming!
Excuse the wrinkles, I was just too tired to do it properly; and the way it looks does not affect the taste! Dairy-free, gluten free chocolate cake

Seven - the Boy and his Plane


Oh, I do love the many faces of Luke.


We often feel compelled as parents to buy our kids more, to buy bigger, because that is better. Right?
No, it is usually the simplest things that bring joy and outlast the fancier gadgets.

Party Time!


Decorated in Minecraft colors.


So excited!


Blowing out the candles.


This picture attests to his current reading skills ;)


He was pretty impressed!


Legos from Nana and Granddad.


He really does have the best expressions!


Remote control airplane.

Happy 7th Birthday, Luke.
You truly light up our world, and WE LOVE YOU!!!


The Unveiling of the Minecraft Cake


He knew I was working on something, but the boys suggested other cake themes to keep him in the dark.
He was truly flabbergasted!!!


Checking out all of the details.


Cow with horns, Creeper, Rice Krispies Trees with the trunks "painted" with semi-sweet chocolate, "Lava", Stones made from crushed Oreos,


Grass and Water using butter-cream icing, TNT, Pig, brown sugar Sand


So far, I have made each of the boys one VERY SPECIAL cake... this one is all for you, Luke!!!