Happy Fourf!

Fourth of July was quiet, but fun at our house. It's my sister's birthday, but she lives in California. I grew up celebrating the fourth like nobody's business. We'd go to Sylvan Park in Redlands and barbecue and parades and parties and cake and games and it was a blast. So as I've gotten older, lived in Utah, and siblings have moved away, the Fourth has grown kinda boring. But it's still my favorite holiday. Last year was a downer, we hardly celebrated, I went running, watched the fireworks from a distance, and then jogged home.

 This year was better. Jessica was here, so we went to the parade and to the park where the cherry days celebration was going on. Then checked out the car show.

 After that we went to Thayne's house and watched our customary traditional Independence Day (yeah, the one with Will Smith) and I even made a cake for Sharla's birthday, even if she was in California. It didn't turn out very well.

Jess and I went to the fireworks alone, hung out and even witnessed a flash mob!

Then the fireworks started and they were absolutely beautiful! I love fourth of July so much!

Cake for Breakfast!?

I love the Bill Cosby sketch where he talks about giving his kids chocolate cake for breakfast!

Well one morning recently I woke up craving cake batter. And I thought of hmmm...Cake Batter Pancakes!? So I did some blogstalking, improved (in my opinion) on some cake batter pancake recipes and came up with a very happy breakfast!

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 cup yellow cake mix

1 1/2 tablespoon sugar

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt

2 eggs

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1-2 cups milk (Depending on how thick you like your Pancakes)

assorted sprinkles

Combine flour, cake mix, baking powder, sugar and salt in a bowl and mix. Add 1 cup of milk, egg and vanilla extract and stir until smooth. I always beat my egg whites separately to make the pancakes just a little more fluffy, but it's up to you. You want the batter to look like regular pancake batter; not too thin, not too thick. This will vary greatly on the brand of cake mix you use. Start with 1 cup of milk and add more if needed. I suggest a small taste test as well to see if the pancakes are flavored enough. I like to add a little extra vanilla than most people.

Preheat a skillet on medium heat (I just use our electrical skillet at about medium heat). Fold desired amount of sprinkles into batter. If you beat them too much, the color will come off. Pour batter in 1/4 cup measurements onto skillet and let cook until bubbles form on top, about 2-3 minutes. Flip and cook for 1 minute more. Serve with vanilla glaze.

GLAZE

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

assorted sprinkles

Mix milk, extract and powdered sugar until glaze forms. You may need to add a little more sugar or water/milk to reach desired consistency. Mix into glaze and drizzle on pancakes. I like to put a little in between each layer of pancake in the stack, but that's just how I roll.

This is the perfect breakfast for someone's breakfast in bed on their birthday!

 Before you know it, your plate will be clean and your tummy will be happy. 

The Dam Day

About a month ago I took my nieces to Pineview Reservoir, or the dam. I love spending time with my nieces, and even their mom, my sister-in-law, Linda came along! And Jessica, my oldest niece came with us! We had a great time picnicking and enjoying the sun, but most of all: Swimming!

Rebecca and Angela, Cute sisters!

I was being incredibly girly, which I'm usually not. My hair was perfect that day, so I was determined to not get it wet, which meant no splashing!

 I was trying to teach Junie Rae the basics of swimming, 

but I'm a horrible teacher, so she didn't learn anything.

Synchronized Swimming

 Ticklefights

She is just too cute

 Group Pic. Junie Rae, Me, Rebecca, Angela, and Jessica

I am so blessed to have so many nieces, and while this isn't even half of them, I love spending time with any of them that I can. I can't imagine ever having kids, because I can't imagine loving anyone more than I love my nieces and nephews.

 Enjoying both the water and the sun

 The water was a little chilly when you first get in

 Junie really liked playing in the dirt

I am always in awe that I live only a short drive from such beautiful nature. I always miss this part of Utah when I'm visiting elsewhere.