Things to do

Before I leave on my trip around the world in thirty days:

• drink all the diet coke in my fridge
• make sure I pack one treat for each of the 17 hours of the trip
• pack, wonder why I feel too stressed to pack?
• send Deacon on a Father son outing to "mickeydonalds" tomorrow night, maybe that is when I will pack?
• learn military time so I am not constantly lost looking at my itenirary
• Ask Deacon 100 more times "where we going!" I love his cute little reply "on a hairplane!"
• Smooch Duke 100 times
• oh and just clean my house top to bottom and cross all my t's and dot my i's

Don't forget to check my blog while I away! I will keep you updated on my world travels. Thank you faithful readers (aka mom) (even though she sometimes forgets to comment, just like the rest of you 4,000 people I am positive read my blog inlcuding you Curt, you pretend to hate it but secretly you love how witty and darling I am.)

Aur revoir Simone!

Going Places

I am going places. Next week. Three places I have never been. Norway. Curtis served his mission there, it is probably his favorite place on earth. Did you know that Norway is where they filmed all the scenes on the Hogwarts train in the Harry Potter movies? I am going on that train ride, I hear it is breathtaking. Can not wait to see the place Curt has talked so much about. It feels magical to me.

London. With the fellow in the picture also my sister. I will not let a bird touch me. I can not wait to see the town and hopefully run into Jude Law or at least Madonna, she is British right?

Scotland. But not with either of these boys and probably not Glasgow but nevertheless Scotland. You know who is there? My sister. Her family. I have not seen them since Deacon was a week old. Almost three years. Too long. I can not wait. I will come back with a better picture than above photo. Miss you all, but only kind of because I will be in amazing places with people I love. Please wish Deacon and I luck on our 17 hour plane ride. Farewell! See you at the end of March, oh and if Spring is not here I wont be coming back.

Bon voyage!

Is it just me or does everything in my life revolve around cupcakes? I guess that is not such a bad thing! My mom had a little party for my brother Walker tonight since he leaves this week for China to study mandarin for five months. So excited for him! My cute niece Bailey helped me make some cupcakes for the occasion, we thought the Chinese flags were a nice touch. Seems like we are always seeing you off Walker- have a great time!

Valentines day, in your face edition

So if you follow this blog at all you know I love a good theme. Any chance to decorate and make a day special is so fun to me. Of course Valentines day is no exception, in fact it gets a little crazier than usual. Deacon with sleepy eyes seeing his new matchbox cars. I love that 5 dollars makes a little kid so happy. I made a little valentines breakfast and gathered anything lovey/pink/red I own and decorated my kitchen.

I think Deacon enjoyed the breakfast, especially the pink smoothie, but who wouldnt?

This is what it looks like after Valentines day exploded at my house.

Deacon was so cute all day. At church when the Bishop was wishing everyone a happy Valentines day he popped his head up and said "Oh Valentines!" These cupcakes are my red velvet nothing bundt cake recipe. It is my favorite version of that recipe yet. And arent they adorable?!

My favorite part of this morning was him seeing this little garland I made out of leftover Valentines from last year. He saw it gasped and one by one touched each Valentine and said "You put Nemo on it? You put incredibles on it? You put woody buzz on it?" It was so fun to see his excitment. One of my favorite things about being a mom is seeing Deacons excitment in new things. I love you Valentines, now Spring come quick!

Dear Denver,

I really hate your airport, Deacon loved it especially the train/bus part of it.

I really love that Kendyl has these adorable crystal doorknobs on EVERY door in her house, no fair.

I bet Deacon and Elliot will enjoy each other a bit more in a year or so.

Wait looks like they like each other already!

Dearest Denver, I ate waaaaay too much. Really a lot. I really loved making sugar cookies with Kendyl, it is her speciality and is a tradition for us, although I did more work than I had in past years.

Looks like someone else ate too much as well.

You are telling me this is the one and only picture we got of all of us? I look beautiful, Denver did me well. Come see us soon Wilshures!

I sure love you Valentines Day

How has Valentines day almost come and I have yet to write one single thing about the Holiday I love so much? Do you know what I love almost as much as holidays? Lists! Love lists! So here it is, a list of all things LOVE! Because after all, all you need is love right?

Sophia loves:

• My little house, the cozy comforting place it is, in the happy neighborhood it is in.
• My upcoming trip to see my sister in Scotland, it gives me butterflies thinking about it.
• That husband of mine.
• Deacon, a million times over I love that baby
• My almost weekly breakfast with my number one fan, my mom
• Being in young women's.
• My awesome ward and the friends I have made within it.
• Lots of friends who love me a lot even though I am not always that great.
• Duke and his tiny twin brother Ralphie that Michelle just got.
• The four seasons and how great it is when spring finally comes.
• My body and the ability to run jump or swim, although I would sooner die than swim.
• Girlfriends who really feel more like sisters.
• A good book
• But really a good movie.
• My dads weekly emails.
• Delicious food
• But really delicious baked goods
• My Grandparents, Deacons Grandparents, knowing that he will love them the way I love my own Grandparents.

I could write millions of specific lists on the topic of love, but I will spare you. Just know if you read this I probably love you, unless your a creep.

Nothing Bundt Birthday

Who has had a nothing bundt cake? Delicious right? Also expensive right?For Curt's' birthday I decided he (I) would really like one. Not wanting to pay thirty bucks for one I googled the recipe and VOILA! Easy. Yummy. Looked and tasted just like the real deal, I swear! But don't just take my word for it- make it!

Chocolate chocolate chip nothing bundt cake

1 box devils food cake mix

1 1/3 c oil

4 eggs

1 small box of choc. pudding

1/2 c warm water

1 c sour cream

1 c choc. chips (add last)

Throw this all together in your mixer (or mix by hand if you are a pioneer) until well blended then throw in your choc. chips

Grease your bundt pan really well with Pam and bake on 350 for 45- 50 minutes when toothpick comes out clean take it out and flip immediately on a cake stand or plate. Let cool completely (like three hours) and then frost the beauty. For the frosting I make a cream cheese frosting:

1 stick butter

8 oz cream cheese

4-5 c powdered sugar

a teaspoon or so vanilla

To pipe the frosting get a pastry bag with a wide tip or use a strong plastic baggie with the corner cut off. Fill the middle of the cake with the frosting and then pipe down each crease of the cake. I am aware that the cake sounds really hard, it is not. I am also aware this cake seems like you will instantly gain twelve pounds, you will not, eat one piece on get on with your day.

The best thing is the day I made this cake my aunt Kim and uncle Terry were over for just a minute and I offered them a slice. Terry quickly declined and then when he saw the frosting changed his mind and then loved the cake.

Hope you make it and your life is forever changed.