Saturday, March 22, 2008

Easter Activities

My sister Megan has been in town from California with her two sets of twins (Coleman and Chloe-5 years old, and Sadie and Dallas 13 months old). We decided to spend the day in Provo so our kids could play together and do some fun Easter activities.


We went to downtown Provo where the local business had games and goodies for the kids.


We took the kids to see the Easter bunny and they almost cooperated for a picture!


Ethan, Chloe, Coleman, and Emma coloring Easter eggs.


Emma trying to keep the dye off of her shirt!

Ethan showing off his blue egg.
After coloring eggs the kids went on an Easter egg hunt.

Emma eating jelly beans.

Ethan posing in front of Grandpa and Granny Morrell's BYU tree!

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Happy Birthday!

This post is dedicated to my friends and family who just had a birthday or who are having a birthday soon, especially my sister Mary who's birthday is today!

I wanted to share my favorite cake recipes that I have gotten many requests for and some highlights from our February birthday party. Enjoy!

Strawberry Custard Torte

1 package (18 ¼ oz) yellow cake mix
1/3 cup sugar
1 TBSP cornstarch
1/8 tsp salt
1 cup milk
2 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1 TBSP butter or margarine
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 carton (12 oz) frozen whipped topping, thawed
1 package (1 lb) frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed and drained
Sliced fresh strawberries and mint leaves, optional

Prepare and bake cake according to package directions, using 2 greased and floured 9 in round baking pans. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks to cool completely.

In sauce pan combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt; gradually stir in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat. Stir in the butter and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate until chilled.

Place half of the whipped topping in a bowl, add strawberries. Split each cake into two horizontal layers; place one layer on a serving plate. Spread with half of the strawberry mixture. Top with a second cake layer, spread with custard. Add third layer; spread with remaining strawberry mixture. Top with remaining cake and whipped topping. Refrigerate overnight. Garnish with strawberries and mint if desired. Yield: 12 servings.

I used a heart shaped cake pan, so I omitted the strawberry mixture layers.


Thanks to Aunt Natalie J. Ethan got a train cake!


Ethan showing off all his "transportation" presents and modeling the Bob the Builder robe Grandma Monson made.


Emma and Eliza with Grandma Monson and Great Grandma Jensen