Goodbye Uncle Johnny

Last week we found out that my Uncle Johnny had passed away in his home due to a major heart attack. This was quite a shock since he's only 50 and has never been diagnosed with heart problems. If you scroll down you can see that my family lost my Uncle Patrick about 6 months ago as well. So needless to say it feels like too much to lose both my Uncles on my Mom's side within 6 months of each other. Yesterday was the Primary Program in our ward and the theme was My Eternal Family, I am the teacher for the 6 year olds so I was sitting with them. The spirit was so strong and my emotions became so intense during the program, I had to sit out most of sharing time to regain composure to teach the 3rd hour. The part that stood out to me was one of the songs' chorus said this "God gave us family to help us become what He wants us to be. This is how He shows His love--- for the family is of God." I can't imagine my life without my Uncles they have been such a blessing. Although neither of my Uncles were great at keeping in touch I always knew they loved me and supported me. My Uncle Johnny always made holidays and celebrations so fun. He was always making people laugh and loosen up. There was one time where he drove me from Coos Bay to Medford or maybe the other way around, anyways it was between my grandparents houses. The ride was so fun I think I was about 16 and he talked to me about a girl he liked, and how to tell if someone is a good driver, and various other things. My little Grace loved Uncle Johnny even though she didn't get to see him much she would always go to him and smile at him which if you know Grace is not very common. I will miss him greatly. I pray that my Uncles are at peace and that they are together. Good bye and I love you Uncle Johnny

Missing Friends

I have recently added Google Analytics to our blog to see who is visiting our site regularly and luckily so far there aren't any concerning trends. We had a weird day where someone from Brazil visited our blog 8 or 9 times and people from all over looking for Tres Leche Cake receipts, but aside from that everything looks like it is just friends. I was actually surprised to see how many people are visiting our blog and realized that we must have some friends from years ago that have found us. Our problem is this, we have no way to get back in touch these old friends.

So here is my plan; if you are an old friend that managed to track us down please send us an email.

The email address is burton_benj@hotmail.com

I realize that posting my email address on this site opens it up to massive spamming so I am using my spam email account. This is the account I use to take online IQ tests, sign up for free newsletters, etc. so it already receives about 30 spams a day. This also means it may take some time for me to get back in touch since I only check the account about once a week and there is a lot of junk to sift through, but hopefully it will give us a way to find some of our old friends.

Specifically I am looking for the Byrds, the Snows, and possibly the Campbells. I am pretty sure all three of you have found us but we don't know how to get back in touch with you, so shoot us an email if you are still checking in on our site. If there is anyone else that wants to get/give some more contact info please send an email as well.

I would post some cute pictures of Grace but Melanie already posted the best ones below. I was also thinking about posting some of the most interesting images from my medical school lectures, but I am afraid I will look like a crazy person since most of them involve internal organs. So I will leave it with just this.

More pictures from the pumpkin patch

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the pumpkin patch for family home evening this week and it was so fun. There were farm animals, slides, play structures, wheel barrels and of course pumpkins. Grace had so much fun, I want to take her back just to play. I have so many cute pictures that there will be another post with pictures.

We made it to Oregon!!

Ok so we've been in Oregon for a while now and we are loving it. We are so close to family and friends, it's been really fun catching up with everyone.

Ben started school this week and it looks like it's going to be a great year. The clinic he'll be working at is actually the clinic he would like to work for when he finishes residency. Grace is loving it here, she has an endless amount of people who want to play with her, whether it's a grandparent, aunt, or cousin. I've started work again in the Emergency room just a few hours a week and that has been good. I enjoy the challenge and Grace gets to stay with her Grandma or her Aunt so it's great. Here are a few pictures. The first is of Ben and Grace when we went to Sunriver with my family. Grace loved the bicycles.

Grace looking cool in her shades

Grace loves our backyard and being outside

Grace figured out the doggie door in about one minute

Banana Tres Leches Cake

Here is a very good cake recipe. I decided to post it because everytime I make it people ask for the recipe. So here it is give it a try and enjoy

Banana Tres Leches Cake

Cake
1 box white cake mix
1¼ cups water
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 eggs
1 cup ripe mashed bananas (about 2 bananas)
1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
½ cup coconut milk (not cream of coconut)
½ cup whipping cream

Heat oven to 350 degrees (325 for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom only of 13x9 inch pan
In large bowl beat cake mix, water, oil, eggs, and mashed bananas with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds; beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scrapping bowl occasionally. Pour into pan
Bake for 30 – 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about an hour
Poke top of cake every ½ inch with fork, wiping fork occasionally to reduce sticking. In large bowl, stir together condensed milk, coconut milk, and whipping cream. Carefully pour over top of cake. Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight until mixture is absorbed into cake.

Frosting

2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup powdered sugar
1 8 ounce block of cream cheese (room temperature)
½ teaspoon vanilla or ¼ teaspoon coconut extract

In medium bowl whip whipping cream and ½ cup of powdered sugar together until you get peaks about 2 minutes on medium speed
In a large bowl mix cream cheese and ½ cup powdered sugar together until light and fluffy about 5 minutes on medium speed
Fold whipped cream mixture into cream cheese mixture add vanilla or coconut extract (extract optional without extract you can taste the cream cheese more)
Cover cake generously with frosting (I usually have left over frosting and it is really good on fruit). You can also garnish the cake with banana slices and coconut if desired.

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Marseilles Dress SHABBY APPLE GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

This is such an adorable dress