Cupcakes

So......I've decided to start making different cupcakes just for fun!  Since it was a cold, snowy, sleety and yucky day, I decided to try and make one of my first homemade batches of cupcakes :)  I always make the frosting myself, but haven't tried making the actual cupcakes myself.  Today I made chocolate cupcakes with a vanilla cream cheese frosting from scratch!  OMG............the frosting is to die for....seriously it's pretty amazing!!  The cupcakes themselves are pretty good.  The recipe called for good cocoa but I only had hersey's in the cupboard and I used skim milk instead of whole milk.   Leo loved the frosting...hehehe :)  I think I need a new frosting bag as mine seemed to be too small (I just bought the wiltons decorating kit from BBAB) cause the frosting kept coming out the top no matter what I did and I could only frosting three cupcakes at a time!   Any suggestions????
TJ approved and he typically doesn't care too much for sweets!!  Leo of course begged for a cupcake but can't have one because of the chocolate...still he begged!!  All in  all a pretty big hit in our household :)

Up next....Oreo cupcakes, pecan pie cupcakes, and Apple cupcakes with caramel cream cheese frosting :)

Apple Picking

We traveled to Hartland Orchard in Markham, VA a few weeks ago to go apple picking.  We try to go every year cause it's a fun family activity (which included Leo :)).  Hartland is one of the few local orchards that we have found which allows four legged family members.  Leo loves to run around in the fields and eat the apples.  This time we took a little picnic with us and made an afternoon out of it!!  We highly recommend the orchard...great apples, great prices and yummy cider :)

 

Thankful on Thursday

This is going to be quick since I'm exhausted and still have to watch Grey's Anatomy......

1) I'm thankful for Nomi and Sammy....what a great time we have when we get together :)  I so enjoyed our mini hike, talks, trying PHO for the first time, awesome cupcakes with a shot of milk and cotton candy....all of my favorite things with my favorite people!!  Love and miss you both!!
2) A healthy baby for a teacher at Springwoods...it's about time :)
3) Baby Z for getting Mommy's blood pressure down and remaining happy and healthy!  Cannot wait to meet you in April...the 5th sounds like a good day to me :)
4) Did I mention how fun last Friday night was....it was a blast.....got to spend time with Ashley, Christine, Shannon and Kelly....and we got to buy purses and such....I haven't laughed that hard in a LONG time...felt really good!  I can't wait until our goodies come in so we can get together again!
5) Fun fonts....nothing makes me happier than finding a new font to use at work :)
6) My hubby for putting up with me this week...I've been a little sad and grumpy....
7) The weekend....cannot wait to sleep in!!
8) Is it sad that I'm excited about the possibility of WET SNOW this weekend???

Have a super Friday!!

Wordless Wednesday

Just for Fun

So I decided to use the frosting decorating tips I purchased a few months ago this past weekend to try and make some "Timberwolf" cupcakes for the office staff at work.  While they don't look so hot, I was told they were super yummy (I might have sampled one or two myself!!)

 I decided that I didn't like the look of the wolf face not colored in!

 Up close shot of the Timberwolf cupcakes!

I also had my hair done this weekend...decided to get rid of the highlights!  The bonus is that my hair now looks good both straight and curly :)

 

 

Can you tell Leo is spoiled and maybe missing Daddy???  He seriously lays on TJ's pillows and stares at me...it's super cute and makes me smile!!  

Looking forward to sleeping in again tomorrow (two days in a row this week) due to morning meetings that start at the KLC at 9:00 a.m. (one extra hour of sleep for me!!)

REALLY

Really....are you freaking kidding me...again, I'll ask REALLY!  How is this the plan??  Speaking of the plan...I'm starting to think that there isn't a plan or that the plan just SUCKS.  This really post also goes out to a close friend who has been asking REALLY a lot lately....Here's to hoping that the next post titled REALLY has a positive spin on it!!!  Until then, I think I deserve to ask REALLY!!

Here's to hoping that REALLY is removed from my vocabulary soon :)

Work is still going great and I'm enjoying it more and more each day!!  (Sorry to all my Springwood friends who are struggling right now...I'm here if you need anything!!  Same goes out to Ashley....here's to hoping you actually get to teach this week instead of missing a meeting for a meeting!!)

So excited to see Shannon and Sarah for dinner tomorrow night...it's been way too long!!

Fabulous Friday

This week was very busy......and while it was a little stressful and felt like one thing after another, I made it :)

Somethings I was very thankful for this week......

1) Coffee.....it definitely keeps me going throughout the day!
2) No rain...it seems like it's been forever since I was able to do arrival and dismissal without being soaked or trying to carry an umbrella!  I did enjoy the chilly weather we had over the weekend because I love getting cozy in sweats and a sweatshirt!
3) Seeing Kelly and Joanne on Wednesday :)  It was so good to get to show them around my new school and then spend time catching up.
4) My wonderful hubby for being so strong and taking the first step towards possible work happiness.  I realized, yet again, how strong and totally in love we are with each other.  Together...we can make it through anything.  I love you honey!
5) Leo!  Every day when I come home after TJ, Leo greets me at my car and jumps up while I'm still in the drivers seat trying to cuddle and crying from happiness that I'm finally home!
6) Working for and with a wonderful group of people. 
7) I got an IPAD cover in my favorite color...aqua blue!
8) My mom and dad are getting settled in their new digs out in WA.  I cannot wait to visit again!!
9) Skype....It lets me see my mom every night..why wouldn't I be thankful!  I really miss seeing her!
10) Catching up with Ashley this weekend...way overdue!
11) Dinner with Shannon and Sarah this week....cannot wait to catch up!

Virginia Beach Century Ride

Congratulations go out to my AMAZING hubby on completing his first 100 mile bike ride...yes, I said 100 mile bike ride.  I am so proud of him!!  Especially considering he only bought his bike in June!!!  The best part of this ride was that all the money raised benefited the "We Promise" foundation.

Again..I think my hubby is a pretty amazing guy!!!

 Getting the bike ready at 6:30 a.m.

Jersey I made for T.J. - "Riding for Baby Y!"

 Waiting to take off!

 Riding to the start line

And the ride begins - 7:30 a.m.

 50 mile rest stop!!  (Yes...I brought him a Wendy's cheeseburger! Just in case you are wondering, Wendy's does serve lunch at 10:00 a.m.)

 

Getting ready to leave the 50 mile rest area! (Still smiling after 50 miles)

 Road signs for the bikers to follow!

 75 mile rest area!!!

Feeling the burn!!

 

FINISHED!!!  So proud!!

At last...a video of TJ biking into the finish line...100 miles later!!  Can't figure out how to change the orientation!!