Chocolate Soul Cake

Today was Brian's birthday and he asks for the same cake every year.

Chocolate Soul Cake

1 pkg Betty Crocker Choc Fudge Cake mix
1 sm box choc fudge instant pudding
4 eggs
2/3 c. oil
2/3 c. water
12 oz chocolate chips
1 pint sour cream

mix all ingredients and pour into bundt pan.
Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Frosting

3 c powdered sugar
3/4 c cocoa
1/2 c butter
2 1/4 tsp vanilla
3-4 T milk

mix powdered sugar and cocoa. Add butter, vanilla and milk and mix until creamy.

Notes:

In my opinion this cake is best the day after, or refridgerated. If you eat it warm it just tastes like gooey chocolate cake. When it has a chance to set up, the pudding sets up a bit and the chocolate chips harden again. So delicious. I just make it the night before.

Also, when I went to frost it this morning, I saw we were out of cocoa. great. Since it was Sunday I just make some sour cream frosting and frosted it with that. Yummy!

Nothing runs like a Deere.

I was making a donation to the local thrift store when Hudson spied this beauty. There was no dissuading him from having it. It was listed at $39, but because I made a donation I got it for 20% off. It took a miracle (and by miracle I mean a lot of screaming, throwing his head back and general melee) for him to leave it so we could pay for it. I also had to drive to Brian's fire station and borrow his truck to pick it up. It needs a new battery and a windshield. New they are like $300, so it's still a deal. The best part is, Hudson doesn't really realize it's supposed to move, so he just plays on it, as is.

PS. that's a spilled soda on Hudson's pants. Toddlers sometimes (always) spill in the back of the car with their drink from Burger King.

Jack is painstakingly pushing Hudson around on the skateboard. So sweet.

Anne came here for a conference at BYU. Because Madison (my cousin) watched the kids for me, I was able to go in and hear her presentation. She was lovely and her advisor kept telling me how great she is. Alas, I already knew that.

Lastly, a comment about braces for all of you who have yet to experience your children having them. 8-9 year-old boys DO NOT KEEP THEM CLEAN. It's so gross. I'm so happy they're gone for now.

Shiny Teeth

Tristan has had his braces on for a little over a year.

Here is a "before" picture:First day of braces:

The dreaded EXPANDER

A couple more pictures before he gets them off:

Ta DA!!!!

Somehow he could not seem to smile normally AND keep his eyes open. I have plenty of weird smiles with eyes open and good smiles with eyes closed.

He gets his retainer on Thursday and has to get braces again in 2 years to correct his over-bite. We have to wait for a few more permanent teeth to grow in first.