Dylan's Birthday Fun

 Dylan had a cake and some gifts on his actual birthday May 9 but we didn't really go out and have birthday fun. We wanted to wait till the weather was much better so we planned something for the day before he left to go to Montana for a month. It was perfect, the weather was beautiful and we got to spend an entire evening just having fun.

We headed out to play mini golf, one of Dylan's favorite things to do, and we all stunk it up. I think Sadee actually beat us all with Noelle in a close second. I kind of felt bad for all the people behind us because we had 5 of us golfing and each person took a long time, I think we had 3 parties waiting for us. Oh well :) I made Dyaln's favorite cake, Red Velvet, and it was amazing!

After mini golf I took him to see a movie. We saw Kung Fu Panda 2. It was soo good! We loved the first but the second was just as good if not better than the first. 

After the movie we came home and gave him his gift. He had said that there were 3 things that he wanted for his birthday. Money and a new hat. What an easy kid huh?! Well see he got his hat and was totally stoked about it, and was ecstatic to have some mula to buy all the little things that he wanted and the watch he wanted at  Big 5.

Dylan was pleasantly surprised to see a knife at the bottom of his bag. Kendall picked out this really cool knife by Bear Grills from Man vs Wild. Dylan loved it and will be able to use it at all his scout events and both his scout camps this summer. 

It was a great birthday for Dylan and we are so glad we waited to have it before the day he left  so we could  party it up and spend all night with him.

Happy 12th birthday Dylan!

2 D*E*L*I*C*I*O*U*S Recipes

I can't remember where I got these recipes but oh my goodness you have got to try them!

Double Peanut Butter Cookies

Ingredients: * 1/4 c. Dry-roasted peanuts, finely chopped, *1/4 c. Sugar, * 1 tsp. Brown Sugar, *1/2 tsp. Ground cinnamon, *1/2 c. of your favorite Peanut Butter, *1/2 c. Powder sugar, *1 Roll (16.5 oz) of your favorite store bought pre-made Peanut Butter cookie dough, *Crisco or non-stick spray 

Directions: (1) Heat oven to 375 degrees (2) In a bowl, mix chopped nuts, both sugars, and cinnamon, then set aside (3) In another bowl, stir Peanut Butter and Powder Sugar and blend completely 4) Roll mixture into 24 balls, 1 inch each. (5) Cut roll of store bought cookie dough into 12 slices (6) Cut each slice in half (crosswise) to make 24 pieces, flatten slightly  (7) Shape one cookie dough piece around 1 Peanut Butter ball, covering completely, repeat with remaining dough and balls (8) Roll each covered ball in Peanut Mixture, gently pat mixture completely into balls (9) On ungreased Large cookie sheet, place balls 2 inches apart, press into remaining Peanut Mixture (10) Flatten each ball into 1/2 inch thicknesses with bottom of a glass (11) Sprinkle any remaining  Peanut Mixture evenly on top of cookies, gently press into dough (12) Bake until edges are golden brown. Cool 1 Minute and remove to a cooling rack or plate.

Southern Red Velvet Cake

Ingredients: * 2 1/2 cups Flour * 1 1/2 cups Sugar * 1 tsp. Baking Soda * 1 tsp. Salt *1 tsp. Cocoa Powder * 1 1/2 cups Vegetable Oil * 1 cup Butter Milk, room temperature * 2 large Eggs, room temperature * 2 Tbsp. Red Food Coloring * 1 tsp. White Distilled Vinegar * 1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Directions: (1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees (2) Spray cake pan with non-stick spray or grease with crisco (3) In a medium mixing bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder.  (4) In a large bowl gently beat together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, food coloring, vinegar, and vanilla with a handheld electric mixer. (5) Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet and mix until smooth and thoroughly combined. (6) Bake in oven for about 25 to 30 minutes (7) Test the with a toothpick for doneness. Remove from oven and cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients: * 1 pound cream cheese, softened * 2 sticks butter, softened * 1 teaspoon vanilla extract * 4 cups sifted confectioners' sugar *  Chopped pecans and fresh raspberries or strawberries, for garnish (optional) 

Directions: (1) In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, butter and vanilla together until smooth. (2) Add the sugar and on low speed, beat until incorporated. (3) Increase the speed to high and mix until very light and fluffy. (4) Garnish with chopped pecans, fresh raspberry or strawberry, or sprinkles (optional)

I am making the RV cake for Dylan's birthday party this weekend, he LOVES Red Velvet cake :):) Enjoy everyone!