Cupcakes and kids!

First, we had a nice day/evening with the Blaskovich clan! David (2 1/2) and Talleri (8 months) and their lovely parents came by for a visit, some food, and fun! Carter and David hit it off, and had fun playing trains and cars, while Talleri and Cooper got acquainted! Olivia was in heaven because there were 2 babies, and Annabelle...well, she was Annabelle without enough sleep, so she was quite the pill!






It was a fun evening, one that doesn't happen nearly enough! We are hoping to take the big kids into Chicago soon (when it finally gets warm) to visit their new friends and maybe make a trip to the zoo!!!!

Secondly, I (according to Jason) have found the best cupcake recipe out there! And, since they were such a hit with Jason and our friend Blask, I thought I'd share the recipe since Valentine's Day is just around the corner! So here it is! It's SUPER easy and turned out to be a crowd pleaser!




Red Velvet Cupcakes!

ingredients

Cupcake batter
1 box (18.25-ounce size) white cake mix (not angel food or yellow cake)
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 1/2 cups water, room temperature
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil (canola, safflower or corn)
3 eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
1 Tablespoon red food coloring


Frosting
1/2 package (4 ounces) regular or reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter or margarine (1/2 stick), or vegetable shortening, softened
2 Tablespoons regular, low-fat or skim milk
2 cups powdered sugar
2 drops red food coloring
Red decorating sugar, sprinkles or small red cinnamon candies