A Little Recap

Miss me?

Well, I have sure missed my blog.  I am happy to have a moment to post about nothing special.

Christmas came and went.  It was much needed quiet, restful, family time.

I made out like a teenager with stood next to Trace Adkins.  I’m tall.  He’s taller.

I am now a bowler.

We went on a fabulous ski trip near Nagano, Japan.

The girlies are getting bigger…..and funnier.

My husband is still insane.

I am totally normal.

Dead Crabs and What Not

It’s a busy busy life at our house these days.  We have been babysitting a guinea pig, eating donuts, and cooking with wine.

And don’t forget the golfing, complete with new golf shoes and a new golf skirt for myself. 

Golfing is all about fashion.  Just ask my husband and his Gorton’s fisherman hat.

Abbey got her braces this week.

Allie is growing out her hair.

Amber made a dinosaur out of clay, tape, and tinfoil.

Actually, Amber had a rough week.  Moo Moo the hermit crab passed out of this world and she had a little funeral.

As for me, I had a girls night out with my culture club and took pictures of sake, beer, and the sink in the bathroom.  Don’t ask me why.

In just two days it is off to America I fly without the kiddos and the husband.  It’s been two years since I have stepped into a Target.  I am peeing my pants with excitement!

What have you been up to this week?

4th of July and Cooler Stuff

I am love, love, LOVIN’,  my camera phone.  Just having it with me all the time and being able to take pictures of whatever is soooo fun!  My girls tell me, “Mom, that’s so random.”  It doesn’t matter.  I totally fascinate myself.  For instance, I found a butt chair at a thrift shop.  Who could resist a picture like this?

Then I found some aliens outside of a gift shop.  I think they have been married for a long time.  Aren’t they sweet?

Seriously though, I am just having fun documenting our family during day to day life.  Abbey and Amber finished two weeks of dance camp.  I think my baby Amber looks so grown up in this picture it makes me want to hyperventilate.

All three girls finished their golf clinic with Kyoko…..the most fabulous coach!

We had great 4^th of July…..complete with patriotic crackle nails.

Amber and Allie each entered a contest that had them building boats out of cardboard and racing across the pool.  Amber and her friend Audrey, made it safely across!

Allie’s team…. didn't fare quiet as well!

Brian and I took Abbey to the golf course for some Goofy golf…

You could only use two clubs and had to tee off with only a putter.   I think we all know who was the goofiest.

We ended the day with a fun barbeque with friends and fireworks.  We love that we can celebrate America even though we are so far away!  Amber said it best and wrote it on her cardboard boat….. “God bless America the beautiful!”

Banana Cake With Vanilla Bean Frosting

It has been a big cake-fest at our house in the last couple of days.  I have had cake for breakfast for about 4 days straight now, and the scale is tipping slowly towards my anti-goal weight. 

My husband was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel the other day.  I wish everyone could experience a promotion ceremony in our United States military.  It is when one reaffirms their commitment and sacrifice to defending the freedoms we all take for granted every day.

And there is cake too.

Later that day, my smarty pants oldest daughter Abbey was inducted into the National Junior Honor Society.  We are so proud of her hard work and drive to do her best in everything she does.  (I think she gets it from her dad.)

So, we had more cake.

The cakes were good.  Chocolate, vanilla, frosting, GOOD.  But they were not even close to as good as the cake I made over the weekend.

I found this cake on Butter Yum.  I didn’t change a darn thing in the recipe except I doubled the frosting.  Yep, you heard me.  I DOUBLED it.  You should double it too.

Banana Cake with Vanilla Bean Frosting

Cake Ingredients:

·        2/3 cup sugar

·        ½ cup sour cream

·        1 egg

·        2 tablespoons butter, softened

·        2 mashed ripe bananas  (about ¾ cup)

·        1 tsp pure vanilla extract

·        1 cup flour

·        ¼ tsp salt

·        ½ tsp baking soda

Frosting Ingredients:

·        2 tablespoons butter, softened

·        ¼ cup heavy cream

·        ½ tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

·        1 ¼ cups confectioner’s sugar

Preheat the oven to 375 F.  (350 F for a glass pan.)  Mash your bananas.  (I did this in my mixer but the recipe is easily mixed together by hand.)  Cream bananas together with the sugar, sour cream, egg, 2 tablespoons softened butter, and vanilla.  Add flour, salt, and baking soda, and mix well.   Pour into a greased 8 x 8 pan.  Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick in the center comes out clean.  Cool completely before frosting.

To make the frosting, cream butter and confectioner’s sugar together until smooth.  Slowly add the heavy cream and stir until smooth.  Stir in vanilla.  Spread on cooled cake.

The original recipe actually calls this To Die For Banana Cake…..so watch out.  My husband and I had to have words over the last piece.  Even though he out-ranks me in the military, we all know who the General of this family is.  So guess who got the last piece?

ALOHA!!!

Big long lull in the blog posts eh?

Well, I have the best excuse ever!

We took a family vacation to Hawaii and let me tell you, it was fabulous!

Non-stop happiness for the kids.

Happy mommy and daddy.

Snorkling. Snorkling. And More Snorkling.

Beverages.

A real Hawaiian luau.

Grandpa and Grandma time.

Beach magic.

History.

More refreshments.

Poolside fun.

Sunsets.

Submarine rides.

Fish.

The best shave ice EVER!

My husband starring his own Nautica commercial.

And another drink…..or two.

Now it is back to reality……full of jet lag and laundry, but I am sleeping in my own bed,  blessed and thankful for my family and the wonderful time we got to spend together.

Wow.  I love my life.