Dark Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache Frosting

This is my new favorite recipe. It is so yummy.

Did I mention that it is dairy fee, soy free, egg free, gluten free, nut free and sugar free.

Happy to be 2

Elsie had her birthday last week. She kept saying all day “happy birthday Elsie, eat cake grandma and grandpa come.” She opened her gifts first thing in the morning and then we had her favorite breakfast, French toast.

She got a little play puppy that walks and barks, miss potato head doll, a shirt and socks and her favorite, a box of band-aids. She had used the whole box of band-aids by 7 in the morning.

The grandparents came by after dinner to sing and have some cake which Elsie didn’t eat because she said she was “too sick” she had just eaten a huge dinner including lots of jello.

I can’t believe she is already 2. She is a ball of energy and such a doll. We love you!

Tax Season Widow = projects

Well it has been 6 weeks and we haven’t seen much of Derek, this week not at all since he has been out of town. I am glad to report that we have made it though another busy season and we all glad it will be over today. Here are a few of the project I work these last 6 weeks.

This was one of my Mom’s favorite quotes that she told us as children. I made the sign for her birthday.

I made my girls trick or treat bag for Halloween this year.

Seisa is modeling a new apron I made. I am still trying to decide if I should add some pockets.

My Mom’s birthday cake. I made marshmallow fondant. I was so fun to use and it tasted great too. Sorry I couldn't get the picture to turn.

I covered some metal containers for my kids to use as drums.

For years my jewelry has been a mess so I dug through my fabric and made a holder. Now I can actually see what I own.

I also switch out all the summer clothing, reorganized our storage closet, mended a lot of cloths, read some good books and watch a few chick flicks.

In 6 months busy season will start again and I will need to think of some new project to do. For now I am just glad to have my husdand and best friend back.

School

Jensen started first grade (last month, I am a little behind). It has been a big adjustment for Jensen. He rides his bike to school with our neighbor which has been very convenient, he looks so cute on his bike riding off to school, when did he grow up? For the first day of school Derek took him. I can’t say he really likes school but he does like his teacher and of course recess, gong to the computer lab, playing with friends and PE. He looks forward to the weekend when he has no homework for 3 days and can just play. The other day he was comparing school to jail . . . hum . . I can't decide if I should laugh or cry.

Seisa started preschool and liked it. She didn’t want to come home. She likes all the crafts, writing her letters and snack.

Summer is . . .

Making mud baths

Eating ice cream

Playing in the water

Picnics in the park

And visiting new places

What a wonderful summer we have had!

My week

My week started off not to great, piles of laundry and very sick kids. Actually Elsie never got sick but she played along with the big kids. Really I think she just wanted to drink the juice.

By Thursday everyone was well so went out to and got some frozen yogurt to celebrate.

I love summer and I love healthy kids!

Vacation Time

Vacation Time. Since we are living in Utah (so don’t need to come here to visit family) this year for our family vacation we decided take a road trip. Our first stop we went to Cedar City, UT to watch the Utah Shakespearean green show. Our kids loved it! Jensen liked all the men’s short skits and Siesa and Elsie liked the dancing. We all enjoyed the fruit tarts and chocolates we got. We then spent the night with my Aunt and Uncle.

Our second stop we went to Flagstaff, AZ to visit my Brother and his fam.

We celebrated the fourth of July with a hometown parade, hamburgers and homemade ice-cream for dinner.

We visited 3 nation parks. Walnut Canyon, Wupatki, free standing Indian ruins and Sunset Crater, a volcanic rock field.

Elsie wanted to talk down all 240 steps at Walnut Canyon. She was very determined and walked down at least half of them before I got tired of the pace and carried her.

Derek and I had a little afternoon date and went Lowell Observatory. We saw the telescope that was used to discover Pluto.

For stop number 3 we went camping at the Grand Canyon. Camping is always fun, cooking dutch oven, s’mores, and all the stars. Sad to report that the kids were not that impressed with the Grand Canyon. Jensen was so surprised that people come from all over the world just to see it.

At each national park (we went to four) Jensen earned his junior ranger badge. He had to learn about the park, pick up littler, and do different activities in a booklet to get it each one. He also had to make a promise that he would protect the parks, the environment and wildlife. He was very good at reminding all of us to stay on the path and respect the park. He was very proud when he earned his 4^th one.

Jensen has never liked getting his picture taken so I let him take a few shots.

Stop number 4 the emergency room. While camping Siesa got sick, really sick. She didn’t have a fun trip home. When I asked Siesa what her favorite part of the trip was she said “nothing” I asked again and reminded her of all the fun stuff we did before she got sick but she still said “nothing”. There is nothing like an emergency room visit to ruin a vacation.

Overall it was a GREAT vacation.