Cabin and Cousins

My kids are so lucky to have both sides of their cousins close to home. This past week the kids went up to the cabin with their cousins on Ron's side of the family. We went up on Saturday, Ron and I left Sunday. The kids stayed there with their grandparents through Wed!
This is the first time I have let Mira stay there without us. I was a little nervous leaving her for a few days, Well this mama had nothing to worry about it.
Of course the kids had a blast - no structure, basically ate what they wanted,staying up until midnight, I'm sure they didn't brush their teeth everyday! Tyler came home with the same outfit he wore to the cabin!
Sometimes you just got to let go!

I took a few pictures of the cousins on Saturday:

Low Fat Pina Colada Cupcakes

TASTY!!!


I came across this recipe on Gina's Skinny blog which I just LOVEEEEEE!!! All i can really say about these cupcakes are YUMMY!!! If you can make them today please do!

Cupcakes:
18.25 oz box yellow cake mix (I used Betty Crocker Super Moist)
20 oz can crushed pineapple in juice (do not drain)

Mix together with a hand mixer, fill a cupcake liner 2/3 c full. Bake according to the box directions.

Pineapple Coconut Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz Philadelphia 1/3 less fat cream cheese
20 oz can crushed pineapple in pineapple juice, completely drained of any liquid
1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
1/4 cup sugar

Combine cream cheese, crushed pineapple, sugar and coconut flakes in a medium bowl and mix with a hand mixer until combined well. Spread on cooled cupcakes and refrigerate until ready to eat.
Piña Colada Cupcakes

Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 24 • Serving Size: 1 cupcake no frosting • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 3 pts
Calories: 93.5 • Fat: 0.8 g • Protein: 0.5 g • Carb: 20.9 g • Fiber: 0.2 g • Sugar: 12.2 g

Servings: 24 • Serving Size: 1 cupcake w/ frosting • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 4 pts
Calories: 153.5 • Fat: 4.1 g • Protein: 1.2 g • Carb: 27.2 g • Fiber: 1.3 g • Sugar: 16.5g


Source: Ginas Skinny Recipes

In June our dear friends the Newbys who live in Virginia came for a visit. We went there two years ago and spent a week with them.
Let me give you a little history on this friendship.
I met Mel and Marilee about 15 years ago working at a juvenile shelter. We were in our early 20's managing a group of court appointed teens. FUN TIMES!!!
These girls are my girls! We have been through a lot together in 15 years - crazy nights, laughing, tears and more tears, more laughing, weddings, babies, 30th bday in Cancun, moving across country.
No matter where we are in life I hold them both very dear to my heart!
Here we are 15 years later married ( I was newly married when I met the ladies) and six kids between the three of us! FUN TIMES!!!

The kiddos eating dinner:




Mira and Shay Shay:


Mel was the girls model - she looks so purdy!



Mar's house:












MOA:










After the MOA we went to Buca - Buca gets it own post. I will explain later.... hehehe

Guess who is 40??

Someone was born to be on the water:



Birthday dinner at Bonfire:





Well the BIG 40 has hit us. Ron that is! I am happy that he does not mind turning 40. He has not complained once about it or has a complex about turning 40. He did not go out and buy a sports car.. Or is that when you turn 50?
You do not even look like you are 40 hmmm... you don't look a day over 30! You work so hard and stay in good shape. Even though you were complaining of your hip hurting yesterday! You are in your prime!

Happy Birthday 40th birthday Ron! Thank you for being such a wonderful husband and father! You work so hard everyday to take care of our family and i appreciate that so much! We hope that you have a wonderful day and the best year ahead of you. We love you so much!

U2

Ron and Tyler were pretty lucky and got tickets to the U2 concert. As you know it was cancelled and the concert is tomorrow!!
Well, I got really lucky and was able to score another set of tickets from one of my best friend Becky's sister in law!! So my brother in law Brian Y will be joining me! So cool!
The fun in all of this - 14 years ago Ron, Brain and I went to the U2 concert. I was seven and half months pregnant with Tyler. This child must have been singing and dancing in there . Since he came out a U2 fan!! We have him on video watching the Elevation Tour in Boston and pretending he was Bono when he was three years old!
He has been busy studying the stage at the TCF Stadium - what it looks like, what their set is all about and practicing his tunes
I am so excited for him to be able to see them live!!! This is a very special moment for him!
I'm sure I will cry watching him have the time of his LIFE!

BBQ Sauce

I love to grill or i should say that Ron grills I just prepare. Love the taste of grilled meats, veggies.
So tasty in the summer!
I came up with this BBQ sauce when I was making a pulled pork last month when the Newby's were visiting us from Virgina. I'm sure its not really that unique of a sauce because it does have the typical ingredients of BBQ sauce.
I have added a key ingredient that just gives it a unique taste and a kick! Buffalo sauce!


2 cups Organic Ketchup
1/3 cup Molasses
2-3 TBSP Brown Sugar
2 TBSP White Vinegar
2-3 TBSP Buffalo Sauce
1 tsp Garlic powder
1 tsp Onion powder
Salt and Pepper

Throw everything in a saucepan, let boil. Cover and let simmer until thick. Enjoy!

Hello!

We have been so busy this summer! And we are staying here no family vacations this year!
Now that I am home full time - it is full time entertainment for my two kiddos. I am loving it but by the end of the week I'm ready for a Skinny Girl Margarita and some adult conversation! I have a ton of yummy foods that I have made and need to blog about it.
I will get back to blogging next week.

First here are some pics of what we have been busy doing:

A visit from Virginia: ( I will blog more on that visit from our dear friends)



Relaxing and playing nice on the rainy days:



Dinner with the ladies - teaching Bert how to text!





Drive in with cousins









Fourth of July at the Youngs: