Happy Valentine's Day

We did not do much this year for Valentine's. We decided to just stay home and spend a relaxing weekend at home together. However, I just couldn't not do something for my sweetie. So I decided to bake some Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing. They were delicious!

And Just in case you are interested here is the recipe.

Ingredients:

2 large eggs, room temperature
1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tablespoon red food coloring
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

For the cupcakes:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line 2 (12-cup) muffin pans with cupcake papers. In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.

In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined.

Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake tins about 2/3 filled. Bake in oven for about 20 to 22 minutes, turning the pans once, half way through. Test the cupcakes with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:

1 pound cream cheese, softened

2 sticks butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy.

*Frost the cupcakes with a butter knife or pipe it on with a big star tip.

And in 20 minutes folks you have delicious red velvet cupcakes!

Girls Day!

This past weekend we headed back to Waco for a couple of days. On Saturday I decided to take Kinley to Build-A-Bear and then for a quick stop at our favorite restraunt for lunch.... Bush's Chicken! As soon as we walked in B-A-B she immediately picked out her new baby she wanted. It is a puppy that looks like my dog Spencer (who she loves) I tried multiple times to convince her to choose something different. But she was not havin' it. Her little mind was made up so that was that. I let her pick out what accessories she wanted for her new little buddy and she chose a cute little red/white dress which was very appropriate for V-Day. 2 little red bows, and a little red heart necklace. We opted not to do shoes sence this is a puppy with 4 feet and not a bear with 2. She thought stuffing her new little friend was hilarious, and she didn't quite understand why his "bath" did not have any water. We then came to the part of naming her puppy and much to my surprise(or not) she chose Spencer. a.ka Pencer as her puppy's name.

After B-A-B we headed over to grab some good ole' chicken. Everyone know how much I love me some Bush's Chicken, and after our little date I know this little girl is 100% my niece. She LOVES it too. I ordered 1 real deal for us to share and I swear she ate 3/4 of it. And was a little upset when I told her it was time to leave.

We had such a good day together and I cant wait to spend more days like this with her in the future.


Stuffing her puppy

And here you have it folks
Spencer Oliver

or as Kinley says:

Pencer Obiler

When we got in the car she kept sayin "I luz you Pencer"

Kinley, Pencer and Auntie M

I think she loved her just alittle

Love this one

1st thing in the morning picture of auntie M (in her pj's pay no attention) Kinley, Pencer and Spencer

Baby Blues

I just love this little toot. Isn't she one of the prettiest little things you've ever seen?
You know she is.

Sweet Girl

Having you for a niece has been one of the greatest gifts life has given to me; for all you've been, for all you are, and for all you're yet to be.
I love you

Sisters

She is your mirror, shining back at you with a world of possibilities. She is your witness, who sees you at your worst and best, and loves you anyway. She is your partner in crime, your midnight companion, someone who knows when you are smiling, even in the dark. She is your teacher, your defense attorney, your personal press agent, even your shrink. Some days, she's the reason you wish you were an only child. ~Barbara Alpert

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. ~Marion C. Garretty

2 sneaky 2 year olds

STAY

OUT OF

PAPA'S

CANDY!

I am pretty sure this sweet little face was the instigator. =)
what do you think?

Helmets

Cause this is just the kind of Aunt I am.

Priceless Pictures

For Christmas, Nana bought the kids all matching Santa hats. So we attempted to get some cute pictures in front of the tree. Key word there would be attempted. I am pretty sure out of 4 people snapping pictures that only a couple turned out. I mean seriously how hard can it possibly be to put on your cute little hat, sit down right here,put your hands in your lap,say cheese, snap a couple of pictures and move along. Well..... alot harder than it seemed. I mean we had a few sad faces, no smiles, falling over babies, & some"i dont want too's". However I would not trade these pictures for anything in the world.

Check out these FAKE smiles!

FINALLY!!!!!!

Fun Times

On Saturday evening, after all of our Christmas festivities were over we decided to go bowling with my sister, brother n law and a few friends. We bowled for a couple of hours and I went home with a bruised ego and a few sore muscles. And Jeff went home knowing he won 2 games. =) We had a great time and cant wait to do it again............. some day!

Making sure I hit at least 1

Jeff

Im sure one of us were talkin smack

Jeff and Shelly

Gary

Shelly and Jeffrey

New Years Eve

This year we hosted the 3rd annual Herring/Motal NYE party at our house. We had a pretty laid back time, and just enjoyed some yummy food and good company. I feel like the older we get the more fun we have just staying at home and hanging out. Funny how times change from when you didn't think you could have a good time unless you were out partying it up somewhere. The only thing that I am disappointed about is that I dont have a picture of me and Jeff.. Well, I do have 1 but trust me you dont want to see it. Its beyond horrible. As for resolutions this year, we have both pretty much made the same one we make each and every year.... to lose weight! I just pray that we can stick with it. Leave me a comment and let me know that resolutions you have this year.

Scott & Lori

You cant have a party with out all of the supplies!

The Food

The houses around our neighborhood ALWAYS pop BIG fireworks... Although this night there were not as many as normal ( i think the weather had something to do with it) There were still a few houses that popped them. My camera setting was to slow, however I was to cold to figure it out and try again. So this is the best picture I have.