Priceless

As many of you know I was recently in Tennessee visiting with Mycal's immediate and extended family. It was great being able to visit with everybody - most of whom we hadn't seen since we made the move from Utah to Missouri over a year ago - some even longer.  Less important and enjoyable than being able to catch up and spend time together but still a huge bonus was the fact that other people where taking pictures - which means that pictures of me were taken. More specifically the following pictures of me where taken:

The kind of pictures I love to take of others but never have of me - candid shots of relationships and personal interactions.

And as tempting as it is for me to sit and over analyze every detail of how I look and whether or not I'm making a goofy face (because that's just the kind of person I am...)

I just can't get past how much I love them in order to do a really in depth critique. The sheer fact that I have them make them some of the best pictures I've ever seen. (Not to disregard the quality of the image - many thanks to either Jennifer or Kelton for taking such wonderful pictures. They are beautifully composed and focused.)

Each shot just makes me ridiculously happy. 

Many thanks again to Jennifer and Kelton for taking these pictures and preserving these valuable (and generally hard to capture) moments.

Baking Time

Those of you who know me pretty well know how much I love my baked goods. And since every now and then I get a little bee in my bonnet and decide to try making something myself only to have every store bought version ruined for life. (It's not my fault that stores just can't compare with most things I make on my own. It certainly doesn't make my life any easier.) I'm finding that in order to consume my little pieces of happiness I have to spend a little more time whipping them up in my humble kitchen. This is quite naturally an undertaking that thrills the girls to no end.

First because they love to help me in the kitchen. Just about anytime with any dish they love being able to do it with/for me. (I just need a more help friendly kitchen - more counter space and designated fold down step stools would be a good start...)

If there is a task to be completed they are always right there (and I do mean right there) to help. One of my favorite things to let them do is divvy up the batter into the cupcake tray. I have no idea why but for some reason this is the job I can let go of with the most ease and not be worried about the level of mess and mayhem that will ensue. (You should see me hover when it comes to cracking eggs...) Probably because they are pretty good at cleaning up all messes made when it comes to chocolate batter.

And really they are very focused and dedicated to doing the best job possible.

This made me laugh. Just before I was about to throw the cupcakes in the oven I looked down and noticed that maybe I should clean it up a little before that batter gets cooked on. Its fun to see which side I did compared to the side they took care of. It makes you wonder who really had more fun with this project.

Because when it really comes down to it - isn't this were all the fun in chocolate cupcakes comes from?

(Well after sprinkles that is...)

Emmuska's ability to lick a whisk clean is something I marvel at - how in the world does she get the inside so well? (Mind you it usually looks like more of it ends up on her face than in her tummy ;)

"All done filling the cupcake cups - we'll start cleaning up!"

Thanks girls - you make baking so much more fun. (Most times anyway) ;)