Recipe of the Month - Chocolate Cake Surprise

This is unbelieveable!  I will make this again!!!

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups chopped walnuts
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
• 1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 10x15 inch pan. Sprinkle walnuts and coconut evenly over bottom of pan.
2. In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and pudding mix. Make a well in the center and pour in water, oil, and eggs. Beat on low speed until blended. Scrape bowl, and beat 4 minutes on medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pan. Set aside.
3. In a saucepan, combine cream cheese and butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until melted and smooth. Stir in confectioners' sugar. Pour cream cheese mixture in rows (lengthwise) over the top of cake mix. Using the tip of a knife, swirl the batter to create a marbled effect.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.

Exercise - good for the body, good for the soul

So it's been about 2 years since I have been in the gym.  I worked out all the time when pregnant with Makayla and did a yoga class or two a week.  It was great.  But then after she came along there was less time to do that.  I did manage to go once and awhile when Phil was home but then he left and it was really useless, plus taking her to the gym with me I had to pay for them to watch her and I was never happy with the job they did.  So, I just kinda gave up on the whole work out thing.  But seeing as how Phil is around and Taylor is getting older and I really need to lose that last little bit of muffin top, I thought I'd start working out again.

I discovered a ladies only gym here in town (kind of like a Curves idea).  So I thought, "what the heck, let's just do it".  So I signed up, paid the member fee and in one month went twice.  So I cancelled.  The hours they were open was just not working for me and my schedule.  So I went online to see what I could find to do at home.  I came across the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred.  It's been amazing.  It starts off slow and you work your way up, level by level.  It's only 20 minutes and everyone has 20 minutes a day to do it!

I have noticed a change not only in how I feel but my attitude has changed as well.  I find that I'm not blah tired by the end of the day, just tired cause it's the end of the day!  I find that I am feeling more alive and just better about myself.  I've noticed my muffin top is shrinking.  I find that I'm not as short with my kids and am an all around nicer person.  It's amazing that just a little exercise can make one feel so great.

I'm thinking about trying this out next!

Exercise - good for the body but also good for the soul!!!

Family Update

Phil - he's been working!  In his spare time he likes to go out to the frozen lake and ice fish.  He seems to be one of the lucky ones, always catching something.  Whether he keeps it, gives it away or puts it back in the lake he usually gets at least one.  As of next week, he'll have been working in Grande Cache for a year!  He's been keeping busy at work and he is still enjoying it!  Phil celebrated a birthday two weeks ago as well as we welcomed our new niece Abigail (Phil's sister) just days before Phil's birthday!

Jenn - has been taking care of the kids, the house and whatever needs to be done.  Going to ladies Bible study once a week has been a great way to get out of the house and have some adult conversation and interaction.  I also managed to get a whack of photos developed when we went to Edmonton so now I can finish Makayla's first two years scrapbook and start on Taylor's!  I will have a birthday later this month.  Somehow they just aren't as much fun as they used to be!

Makayla - has been going to swimming lessons since September.  She is doing great.  Last week was a big step in that she actually blew real bubbles (not just pretend ones).  We are working at getting her head all the way in the water without me dunking her!  She loves going and the lessons here are really cheap, so we might as well take advantage of it!  She also loves going to church where she gets to play with all her little friends.  She is doing well and we are looking forward to getting her into Preschool in the fall!!

Taylor - is growing like a weed.  He still has just the two middle bottom teeth.  Next weekend he will be 9 months!  It's crazy how fast time goes by.  He is a busy little guy getting his hands on whatever he can.  He loves sitting on the floor playing with toys, especially if his big sister is there to play too!  He loves to roll and will roll all over - especially when trying to change him.  He has a goofy personality and is quite the character!  We are looking forward to him being a little more mobile as he is now well over 20 lbs and super heavy!  We are pretty sure he weighs more than Makayla!

As a family we are already beginning to plan for the summer.  We will be in Toronto from May 7-19 (if you live there and want to visit with us, let us know and we'll start making some plans) and then we will be in Vancouver/Terrace from August 18-Sept 3.  We will be in the Vancouver area from the 18-23/24 (not yet decided) and then in Terrace for the remainder of the time.  If you are in that area and would like to visit, let us know and we'll start making some plans!  It will be so great to see our families and friends and travelling with the kids should bring about some more great travel stories!

That's all for now!  Enjoy your weekend!