New Pics

A couple weeks ago we had Matthew's 3 year pics and Jacob's 3 month pics taken, and we were able to squeeze in a family picture!  Please excuse the quality, I had to scan them in.  Here are the highlights:

Matthew at 3 years...

Jacob at 3 months...

The boys together...

The family pic...

Asian Dumpling Soup with Vegetables

I found a recipe on the Tasty Kitchen website that looked good and easy sometime last year, and have been making it with my adaptations ever since.  It truly is quick, easy, and oh so yummy!  What can be easier than opening up some cans of broth and dumping in a frozen bag of Chinese potstickers?  There are minimal veggies to chop as well, but believe me, it comes together so fast, and is a family favorite for sure.

Asian Dumpling Soup with Vegetables

1 (48 oz.) box of chicken broth (or 48 oz. worth of canned broth)
1 can of coconut milk
1/2 to 3/4 tsp. of curry powder (to your taste)
1 or 2 carrots, sliced on the diagonal
1 bag of frozen Chinese dumplings (such as pork, chicken, shrimp, veggie, etc...mine was a 20 oz. bag of pork and veggie dumplings)
1 or 2 mushrooms thinly sliced
1 or 2 green onions sliced on the diagonal
1/2 cup fresh spinach leaves

Pour the broth, coconut milk, and curry powder into a pot and bring to a gentle boil over medium high heat. Add the carrots. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add the dumplings and mushrooms and simmer for about 8 minutes. (Do not cook the dumplings at a rapid boil or they will break open.) Add the green onions and spinach leaves and continue to simmer for about two minutes longer, or until the dumplings are heated through and the vegetables are tender enough.
Enjoy!

Jacob at 3 Months

Posting a few days late, but here is Jacob at 3 months old.  He is a real joy, and smiling all the time now!

Another step in babyhood...we have broken out the Bumbo seat, and he sits really well in it!

A short video...

Matthew's Train 3rd Birthday Party

Matthew had a very fun "train" themed birthday party this past Thursday evening.  A special thank you to all the friends and family who helped out.  He had a great evening celebrating his birthday.

The awesome cake by my friend Kynda!  She does incredible work.  It is a two tiered vanilla cake; top layer has a raspberry cream filling, the bottom has a cookies and cream filling; butter cream frosting, and marshmallow fondant accents...

Close up of the train going around the bottom...

It was made to match the invitation...

Here is the birthday boy wearing the cute train shirt my friend Megan made.  Notice the "smoke" is a #3...

Here is the table scape.  I used the same fabric to cover the box "cake stand".  I was proud that I only spent about $11 on decorations (not including the cake)!  This included the fabric, table cloth cover, and confetti.  Everything else I already had such as the train/tracks, banners, etc...

Family pic (minus a sleeping Jacob)...

Matthew and some of his cousins...

The face says it all...too much blue fondant/icing! :)

Couple short videos of the party...

Happy 3rd Birthday Matthew!

Today Matthew turned 3!  Where has the time gone.  It just seems like yesterday we were bringing him home as a tiny little baby.  He is such a big boy now, and such a joy to have in our lives.  Happy 3rd Birthday Buddy!

Happy Valentines Day!

"Faux" Red Velvet Valentine Cupcakes

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I wanted to do something fun and creative, and knew it had to be sweet!  I got my inspiration from the mini "green" velvet cupcakes I made last year for St. Patrick's Day.  The only thing that changed in the recipe is the color for the batter, and the sprinkles!  I also made these normal sized cupcakes instead of mini.  I am calling them "faux" since they truly don't have a red velvet batter (chocolate cake mixed with red food coloring).  Don't be fooled by how "impressive" they might look.  They are ridiculously easy to make!  Also, if you don't have a fancy decorating tip like mine, anything will do.  It's all about the fun colors, sprinkles, and of course taste!  I have to give "props" to Jenny over at Picky Palate for the original recipe.  Speaking of, I "liked" a comment on Facebook about a week ago from Picky Palate, and won this cute cookie tin from Nestle, and coupons for free cookie dough!  My first ever win online from a blog, etc... Pictured inside are these scrumptious cookies:  a peanut butter, white chocolate, pretzel, sea salt combo that is out of this world.  Here is a link to the recipe, also from Picky Palate.

Now onto the cupcakes!  Gather up your ingredients...pictured here is all the fun stuff.

When you have your batter made, drop in a few good drops of food color gel or paste.  I used a Wilton brand one.  You could use food coloring, it just won't be as bright or vibrant. Mix it well into the batter til you get the color you like...

Matthew had a great time helping "lick" the beater attachment when I was done with it...

Here they are ready to decorate with my dual-chamber frosting tool by Kuhn Rikon.  Love it!  I made half the frosting a light pink, and the other half I left white.

Oh my these look to good to eat!  Almost...

Up close view of frosting/sprinkles...

*LOVE*

Here is the recipe:

"Faux" Red Velvet Valentine Cupcakes

1 Box yellow cake mix
4 eggs
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 small box instant vanilla pudding mix
1/2 cup plain yogurt or sour cream (I used plain yogurt)
5-8 drops Red gel or decorating paste, or more til desired color

Frosting
8 oz. softened cream cheese
1 stick softened butter
1 lb. powdered sugar
Pink food coloring or gel (optional, if you are going to go with the two colored frosting route)
Red sugar sprinkles, and Valentine sprinkles if you have them

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a stand or electric mixer, add cake mix, eggs, water, oil, pudding mix, and yogurt.  Beat on medium for 1 1/2 minutes.  Slowly beat in 5-8 drops of red gel/decorating paste, until you get the desired color of red.  Scoop batter in paper lined cupcake tins.  Bake for about 22 minutes or until cooked through.  Let cool completely.

2.  To prepare frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until creamy.  Slowly add powdered sugar until creamy and thick.  Divide frosting into two bowls and add a couple drops of pink food coloring/gel to one bowl.  Blend in well.

3.  Frost cupcakes and sprinkle with red sugar sprinkles, and Valentine sprinkles if desired.  *Note:  I would have loved to have used some pink pearl dust as well if I had some, but forgot to pick it up at the store!

Makes about 24 regular cupcakes.

Make them for your Valentine today and enjoy!