Living Planet Aquarium

I was so excited to take Liam to the aquarium. "Fish" is one of the few words that he says clearly and regularly, though it usually means he wants to eat goldfish.

Unfortunately, Liam did not have a good time. He is working on one of his molars and is grumpy and clingy. He also doesn't like to be told what to do, so "look at this fish, look at that turtle" didn't go over so well. We ended up spending more time in the play room than looking at the animals.

Out of everything that we did see, I think the penguins were his favorite. We had watched a few minutes of "Happy Feet" the day before, so they were familiar to him.

Can I tell a funny story about Lacey? We were looking at the jellyfish and she asked "I wonder how they change colors at the same time?" She didn't realize that they were changing colors because of the lights that were illuminating them in their tank.

We found Nemo.

I was pleasantly surprised at how well my pictures turned out. Some of the tanks were too smudged or scratched to get good pictures, but I was happy with a lot of my pictures. I love my little 50. 

Chcolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting

Peanut butter and chocolate are a prefect combination. Almost as good as chocolate and mint. I made these cupcakes for my birthday and shared with my neighbors and the class of 4 year old that I teach Sunday school. 

Chocolate Cupcakes (source) 

2 1/2 cups flour 

2/3 cup cocoa powder 

1 1/4 tsp baking soda 

1 tsp salt 

1/4 tsp baking powder 

1 2/3 cups white sugar 

2/3 cup butter, softened 

1 1/4 cups water 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

2 eggs 

Preheat oven to 350. 

Combine dry ingredients. Beat in wet ingredients until smooth. 

Line or spray muffin cups and fill 2/3 full. 

Bake cupcakes for about 20 minutes. (I made both regular and mini sized cupcakes. Mini cupcakes bake for about 13 minutes.) 

Peanut Butter Frosting (adapted from this source) 

1/3 cup solid vegetable shortening 

1/3 cup smooth peanut butter

1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

2 cups confectioners sugar 

2-3 TBSP milk 

Cream shortening, peanut butter and vanilla. Gradually add sugar. Add milk to desired consistency.

 

Tulip Festival (take 2)

After making the mistake of leaving my 50mm f/1.4 lens at home, I made plans to return to the tulip festival. I know that Lacey wanted to go again when the light was better, so Lacey, Liam and I went back on Tuesday afternoon.

The gardens are so big that we didn't have enough time to see everything the first time. There was a lake with a population of huge koi fish. They congregated in the area where kids were feeding them.

There was also an exhibit of statues of Christ.

We stopped on the grass for a picnic and to talk to Dada. 

Lacey said I should send this picture to Apple & Eve and see if they will buy the rights from me. 

I was so happy to have my fixed lens with me. The pictures are so much more clear and I can get a really shallow depth of field. I always forget how much I love this lens. 

Tulip Festival

We had a great time at the tulip festival. The flowers were so beautiful and the weather was warm, but not intolerable like Florida this time of the year. 

My Parents

My picture of Dan taking a picture of Lacey taking a picture, or as Dan called it "Inception" 

Liam loves to smell the flowers. It is kind of adorable. 

Holy Cuteness, Batman!

This is probably my favorite photo of the trip, but I'm not sure if I like the original or the crop better. What do you think? 

The only disappointment was that I left my 50mm f/1.4 lens at home to make room for diapers and wipes in my camera bag. I am thinking about going back with that lens. I think I'd  get better photos. 

Utah!

Liam and I are in Utah! It is so beautiful here.

My fabulous and talented sister graduated from BYU with a degree in photography, so we are here visiting her for 2 weeks. My parents also flew in for a few days for the graduation.

Lacey and her husband, Dan

We have done a lot of fun things. Dan (not my husband, but my brother-in-law) and I went to the top of a building the other night and took pictures of the Y on the side of the mountain.

Dan and I had a good time. Who knew a giant and a midget could be friends?

The highlight of our trip, so far, has been the tulip festival. Tulips don't really grow in Florida, so if was quite a treat. There are so many pictures, that it will need its own post. More to come!

Easter

Liam had a great Easter. It was so much fun. He looked really cute, even if he wouldn't wear the matching hat. He looked like a tiny golfer with the hat. 

We had been practicing Easter egg hunting around the house for a couple weeks. The eggs at home were empty. At Nana's, Liam quickly figured out that there was good stuff in the eggs and it was all over. 

Liam loved jelly beans and M&Ms. He had too many (plus the cupcake at the nursery at church in the morning) so I didn't want him to have any dessert. He went around to all the family members just begging. It was so sad and so cute.