Chelsea's birthday cake

I made this cake for my sister for her birthday. Sadly, I need to take some cake decorating classes! I haven't actually tasted the cake, but Chelsea said it is delicious and everyone wants the recipe!

Rich Chocolate Cake

2 cups flour
1 cup cocoa
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/3 cups milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside. With a mixer at low speed, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 5 minutes). Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Then, add flour mixture alternately with milk. Beat until batter is smooth. Pour batter into prepared pan(s). Either one 9x13 or three 8 inch round pans. (I put wax paper in the bottom of my round pans, then grease and flour them). Bake 40-45 minutes for a 9x13 or about 30 minutes for 8 inch rounds. Cool on a wire rack.

Frosting:
Boil 1/2 cup butter with 1/4 cup cocoa. Remove from heat, add 6-8 cups powdered sugar and 1/3 cup milk. Beat until smooth.

Our Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas!

We hope that you are having a great season. Here is the quick update on our family:

Ian is getting bigger and bigger. He says something funny everyday. Just the other day, during naptime, I heard a big thud and then tons of laughing (from both Ian and Meggie). I went into Meggie’s room and found Ian in her crib with her. They were jumping and playing and having the best time. I asked Ian how he got into Meggie’s bed and he replied, “I fly Mommy, I fly!” He said it totally matter-of-factly, too. Like, “hello, isn’t it obvious that I would fly to get in her crib? Come on mom!” It was great.

Meggie thinks everything is hilarious. She loves to giggle, play peek-a-boo, blow kisses and put things in her mouth. She turns one on January 3. I can’t believe it! She loves to walk around the house with Kevin or I holding her little hands. She has been such a lovely little addition to our family.

Kevin is still working as the Deputy City Manager for Cottonwood Heights. He also is the maintenance guy for our latest get-rich quick scheme, Rapid Wash Laundromat. (If you are ever in Provo, Utah and have a bunch of laundry to do, you know where to come!) He has been serving as the Young Men’s President in our ward which keeps us all on our toes! And, of course, doting over his lovely wife is his most time-consuming adventure. At his work Christmas party, he stood up to introduce me to everyone and lovingly announced how “handy” I am. Hmmm . . . not sure if I should take that as a compliment. I was hoping for “Can’t believe someone this smart comes in this nice of a package.”, but I will settle for “handy” because it gave all of us a good laugh!

And, me, well I am busy with the three aforementioned characters. I am changing many diapers and fixing many meals and loving (almost) every minute of it. I keep the books for our rental units and the laundry and sell a little real estate on the side. My latest adventures are digital scrapbooking and blogging and trying to learn to be a great cook (not coming easily!).

We feel so blessed. This has been a wonderful year. We are so grateful for the life and atonement of our Savior and pray we can remember Him all year round.

Have a wonderful Holiday!
Love,
The Smith’s
Kevin, Amanda, Ian and Meggie

My nephew's art

Is this the greatest idea???? My sister in law (we call her "leather pants Wendy") framed all of her boys' art and put this collage together. It looks absolutely fabulous in her house. As soon as Ian has something beyond scribbles, we are going to do this in our house! Thanks for the idea Wendy!

I'm officially old.

I have sad, sad, news. I am officially old. Yes, I turned the big "3 -0". I have to admit, it was a little emotional. I can't believe that my 20's are over with. I am no longer the "young one" wherever I go. I did, however, have a great birthday! Kevin surprised me and took the day off. We went shopping, ran errands, and then Auntie Rogierre watched the kiddos while we went to "A Christmas Carol" at the Hale Centre Theatre. (We go every year to that play, always gets me in the Christmas mood!).