Making Cake Balls

Cameron and I were home alone today so we decided to bake. (Yes I know, amazing we didn't burn the house down.) Ever since she went with me to a retirement party at my school, she's been wanting to make cake balls because the ones Joni made for the party were SOOOOO YUMMY! Cameron did an excellent job mixing the batter and sprinkling the cake balls after they'd been dipped in almond bark. Here is a link to the allrecipes website if you'd like to make them yourself. http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cake-Balls/Detail.aspx?prop31=1 We used a strawberry cake mix and strawberry frosting. The ones covered in dark chocolate taste like a chocolate covered strawberry. It was a great mommy/daughter day!

Uncle Clay and Aunt Jo

I just had to post these pictures of the happy couple. Only a few weeks to go until they are hitched!

Swim Lessons

Today was the first day of swim lessons for Cameron. I was fully anticipating a morning of crying and refusal to participate. She surprised me by actually trying what the teacher wanted including sticking her face in the water. Tomorrow could be another story.

Harvest time

When Cameron and I were home in Mathis, she was able to check out the combine and were even able to make a few rounds with Kyle, my cousin. The new combines are so awesome because they now have a jumpseat for passengers. This is so much more comfortable than riding on a water jug like I used to do when I was a kid riding with my dad. It even has a computer system that tells you the moisture and the bushel weight of your maize.

Cozumel

Eric and I had a week away just the two of us. We spent most of our days just relaxing in a lounge chair looking out at the blue water and enjoying a good book and a beverage. The entertainment was good, the food was great, and the time together was fantastic. I we traveled to the other side of the island one day and had a cold beer at a great little bar called Coconuts. Free margaritas to anyone that bared their coconuts, but I wasn't brave or drunk enough to do it. Eric snorkled and found some cool sealife including a starfish. The sunsets were beautiful ways to end each day. On our last full day there I had the opportunity to parasail. It was such an amazing experience. It was so peaceful and I was actually able to see the divers below on the coral reefs 50 ft. below the water. Ahhh!!! I love summer.

Our Spa Day

Cameron and I spent the morning being pampered at the spa. We opted for just pedicures today. I was so proud of how patiently Cameron sat there while her toes were being polished. She chose polka-dots for herself and decided I needed a heart on my toes because I love her. It was such a great morning together!

Thou Shalt Clean Up After Yourself

One of Mommy's commandments: "Thou Shalt Clean Up After Yourself". I've got one of them trained. Now maybe she can help me teach Daddy to follow the commandment as well.

Daddy's Good Luck Charm

Cameron calls herself "Daddy's Good Luck Charm" because everytime she goes fishing with him he brings home a big catfish. I'm so glad they love doing this together. I still remember fishing with my Pop when I was this age.

Sleeping Beauty

I came home from my last day of school on Friday exhausted. I wasn't nearly as exhausted as Cameron, though. Eric picked her up from daycare early so they could spend the day together. While they were cleaning the house, he found her face down in the living room. Apparently she was so pooped out that she just laid down and went to sleep. Either that or she just collapsed face first and fell asleep. Regardless, we got a funny picture out of it.

Ft. Worth Water Gardens

Cameron and her Mimi and I took a trip down to the the Fort Worth Water Gardens this weekend. It was such an amazing adventure for you senses. The sound of the water was so loud at times that you could almost not even hear yourself think. The mist of the water hitting your skin helped to refresh us on a day that was starting to get hot. I forget how something as simple as sticking your feet in the water can be a wonderful memory.

Action

Nonstop action would be an accurate way to describe Cameron these days. She is a bundle of energy that only slows down at bedtime. Her latest thing is to jump off of her picnic table and do full turns, tuck, pike, and straddle jumps. She also became brave enough to try a skin the cat on the swinging bar on the swingset. And she'll cartwheel on any soft patch of grass she can find. Our backyard has become her own little gymnastics training ground. I would give anything for an ounce of that energy.

Everything is Coming up Roses and Daisies and Lilies

Cameron and I have been working in the flowerbeds in the afternoons when we get home from school. And with all the great rain we've been having up here things are really looking beautiful. Last night, Cameron wanted to pose for some pictures to show off all of her hard work. Check out the elephant ears on that kid!!!

Kenny Chesney Take Two

Eric and I went to the Kenny Chesney concert with our friends Jay and Jennifer. The first attempt at the concert was quite unsuccessful. The 1st concert was canceled about six songs into Kenny's show due to a horrific thunderstorm. Well being the great guy that he is, Kenny came back to Frisco for a free performance for all who weathered the storm. It was a blast. He played his songs and a few of other people as well. After 3 hours on stage he called it a night. And what a night is was!!!!

Hippity Hoppity Easter

This post is soooooo late but here are a few pictures of our little egg hunter.

Rollerskating Date

Cameron had a date with her boyfriend, Jobe. The two went to the rollerskating rink for a few trips around the big floor. The first few attempts were not too successful, but after a change of skates to ones with wheels that didn't turn quite as easily, Cameron and Jobe were skating fools. They had a great time together as always. It was fun to see the two of them trying to keep from falling. I think Jobe's mom and I got the biggest workout helping them. My arms will be sore tomorrow!

Cream Cheese Pound Cake

Here is a recipe we tried while we were home in Mathis. Clay and Cameron had the best time licking all of the utensils and bowl. You may have to bake it longer than the recipe says depending on your oven.

1 (8) oz block of cream cheese
3 sticks butter
3 cups of Swans Cake Flour (very important to use this!)
3 cups of sugar
1 teaspoon of vanilla
6 eggs
DO NOT preheat the oven.
1. Blend softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar together in one bowl.
2. Add in teaspoon of vanilla
3. Begin to fold in cake flour and two eggs at a time and blend until smooth
4. Once all is in and blended smoothly pour (or scoop) into a greased Bundt pan. (I prefer to use Crisco shortening and then pour some cake flower in the pan to dust over the shortening. Make sure all the shortening is covered in flour especially the center of the pan or the cake will not come out well.)
5. Once the batter is in the pan and you have licked all the utensils then put it in a cold oven and set to 225 degrees for 30 mins
6. At the end of the first 30 mins, bump the temp up to 350 and cook for another 30 mins. After the first 15 or so at 350, peek to see if the top is getting too brown. If so, put a piece of Reynolds wrap over the top and continue cooking.
7. Check every so often with 10 mins left. Once done to your liking, take out and let cool when not much is left on the cake tester. ( I like some on there for the gooey part of the top!)
8. Let cool for a 5 mins or so, then turn upside down and should come out easily if the pan was greased well.

Hope everyone will try this recipe. It was scrumptious!!!

Spring Break part 3

On the final leg of our trip around Texas, we made a trip to New Braunfels to spend some time with Uncle Clay and Aunt Jo. We visited Landa park and rode the train, played at the park, looked at the Comal River, and finally visited a Safari at Natural Bridge Caverns. It was a jam packed two days. We had a blast and can't wait to spend some more time with them soon.

Check out the cool picture of the mama deer thingy with her new baby. It was so new, its little legs were still quite wobbly.

Down on the Farm (Spring Break part 2)

While at Papa and Grandmama's, Cameron got to see all the new baby calves frolicing in the pasture. We took the gator out to get a closer view. (Thanks Uncle Glenn for letting us borrow it.) She and Papa also had a tea party. He is such a kid at heart that it didn't take much for him to get into the role.

A great grandmother's love

I just loved this picture of Cameron and Memaw. They have a very special bond that only happens between a great grandmother and her great grandchild. I think back to my own experience with my great grandmothers. Grandma Jostes used to drag a heavy school desk down from the attic just because we wanted to play with it. Grandma Sliva always made sure you never left her house with an empty stomach. I don't remember too much about my Granny O'Neil, but I do remember her baby grand piano and that she could play music by ear. Oh what great memories. I hope one day Cameron will look back on her time with her great grandmother, Memaw and Gigi, and smile because of the wonderful memories they made together.

Kids with Kids (Spring Break part 1)

Cameron and I went down to Mathis for a visit during our spring break. It is my mission to make sure my little city girl gets to experience country life like I did as a kid. While staying at Nana and Granddad's, one of our visits was to the Funke's house to see all of Pud and Elmer's new baby goats. It didn't take much persuasion for our kid to pick one of their kids. Cameron absolutely adored the little critters, and I think she would have taken one home with us if she could. I wouldn't mind then we wouldn't have to mow!