baby boy shower - chevron cupcakes

what could be cuter for a baby boy shower than chevron stripes and polkadot ties...

(ties were made from ribbon and craft wire)

feathering/chevron... close enough for me.

this was the invitation/inspiration and the chocolate "stash" makes for a perfect cupcake topper. 

I had to make all these things the night before, so I didn't get pictures of the cupcakes the day of the party, but you get the idea!

the cupcakes are one of my favorites...

CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES WITH CHOCOLATE CHIP CHEESECAKE FILLING

RECIPE:

1 box chocolate fudge cake mix (make according to package directions)

1 8oz cream cheese

1 egg

1/3 c. sugar

3/4 c. mini chocolate chips

make cake mix according to package.  in a seperate bowl mix cream cheese, sugar and egg until well blended, fold in chocolate chips.  fill chocolate batter 1/2 full.  drop filling by teaspoon full into each cupcake.

bake 350 for 20 min.

frost with CREAM CHEESE FROSTING

RECIPE:

1 8oz. cream cheese

1 stick softened butter

1 lb. powdered sugar

3 Tbsp heavy cream

1 tsp vanilla

pinch of salt

whip it good...whip it real good... :)

game day treats

some are football fans, some are treat fans...

some cheer for BYU...

so, we made BYU colored treats... and put them in a Utah colored bowl.. hehe

whatever it takes to make football watching enjoyable for all!!! :)

Arise and Shine!
Young Women in Excellence

Young Women in Excellence is an event in which young women are recognized for the good things they are doing. It is a celebration of Personal Progress. Each young woman shares a value experience or value project she has completed during the year that exhibits excellence. Her presentation may include talents and skills she has developed through her Personal Progress goals. Parents are invited to attend.
Give serious thought to the values you might focus on for this event. You may work with a family member, another young woman, or others. It may include shared thoughts or feelings about special events, demonstration of obtained personal goals, or something personal gained from lessons learned in or out of church class.



The project I will be sharing is:                How it helped me to arise and shine:
It's your time to
S H I N E


**(this is the text for the cards we are going to pass out on Sunday to the girls in Young Womens.  It's almost time for our YW in Excellence and hopefully this will get the wheels turning and the girls thinking about all the good and fun and great things over the past year.  You can't really see, but the text had a darling big yellow and white sunburst behind it...)  well anyway, I kindof adapted this idea from something I saw on pinterest, but made it more personal.

look out world... here comes Andy

All ready for his first day of preschool.

he had to have a football shirt, there's a little bit of talk about football around our house lately...

what a cute little man!

feeling grateful!

...so for the past year we have been working on finishing our basement... BIG PROJECT!

We've done as much of it on our own as we could and then called in the professionals where we needed them.  We're not quite done, but sooo close.  I can hardly wait.  I have been packed and ready to move down for several months now...   A few last touches and we will be done, but this particular fireplace wall has got to be my favorite part.  I am so happy and amazed at how nice it turned out to be.

I was at family dollar in town today and found this $5 decoration.  Pretty much summs it up for me!  WE Are Blessed!  I am blessed!!!  I've been feeling that way a lot lately, I don't know if it's because my kids are gone, the house is quiet and I have a lot of time to think about my life and my happiness... or what?  But I do realize that I have a lot to be thankful for... I'll spare you all the list... it's a long one!