The DDA Trouble Free Zone Part 4

[tmfranlk]

)h, and I was going to pretend I didn't know this, but I don't keep secrets well, so I'll tell you all that Kevin was secretly communicating with Kate and Marti behind my back about sending me on the DDA trip as a surprise. He admitted this to me in Epcot a few days ago...followed by, "but now that we're moving, we obviously can't afford this." It was such a sweet gesture, though. So, I'm definitely not going, but I couldn't drink with you all anyway!

Okay, I really need to get back to making birthday favor bags. Talk to you soon!

Amy

Awww! How sweet. I'm sorry that it won't work out, but congrats on the new house.

 

[tmfranlk]

Kevin's new screen name was so secretive too -

KMH1indisguise

 

[KristineN]

Vegas sounds like a lot of fun -- we try to go once every year or two. My DH surprised me with a trip there for our 10th Anniversary -- and tickets to Elton. It was one of our best trips ever! I think you said in earlier posts that the two of you also like to go. Pick a hotel you either haven't been to but have wanted to stay in or go back to your favorite hotel to help make your anniversary trip more special.

I think that's what I am going to do....I know he would really like it...

 

[KristineN]

My anniversary is April 13th...we are celebrating 15 years!! How many for you all?

Well, even though we look old & feeble in our pictures...we are actually newlyweds!! 1 year anniversary. 2nd marriage for both of us.

However, I was married 15 yrs to my first and he was married 13 yrs to his. And get this...we all get along. At a recent funeral, the 4 of us were sitting together for lunch..it was kinda surreal

 

[tmfranlk]

Kyle just left to take pictures for First Communion!!! He looked SO cute, he has never had a tie on before. He was definitely not liking the tie too much. I wish I knew how to post pictures, he looked So grown-up! I am glad I have a son to do this first because it took all of 10 minutes to get him ready, I'm sure 2 years from now I will be pulling my hair out w/ Carli making hers!!!

I can post one for you if you want to email it to me: tiacallas@gmail.com

 

[KristineN]

Does that work - I could use a mile too!!!

I can hope, can't I??

 

[tmfranlk]

I’m on my way to take the girls to gymnastics, but had to tell you all this.

So we have had to put a baby locks on the refrigerator this past week because Bethie had been opening it.

Well I forgot last night to lock it and woke up to a clunking noise. Bethie was getting the stool out of the bathroom and on her way BACK to the freezer to get the items on the upper shelf. She had been it the freezer already and eaten the peas and was trying to get the dippers (little ice cream drops).

This morning I forgot to “baby lock” it and after loading the washing machine, I found her in it again telling me she needed some cheese.

Now this afternoon, I have had to put the kitchen stepladder outside because she has learned how to lean it up and climb it.

Good grief, I need some calgone.

Oh goodness! The things our kids learn. I am NOT looking forward to the day Terra can open ours. Once she can we will never be able to keep cheese in the house again!

 

[KristineN]

I’m on my way to take the girls to gymnastics, but had to tell you all this.

So we have had to put a baby locks on the refrigerator this past week because Bethie had been opening it.

Well I forgot last night to lock it and woke up to a clunking noise. Bethie was getting the stool out of the bathroom and on her way BACK to the freezer to get the items on the upper shelf. She had been it the freezer already and eaten the peas and was trying to get the dippers (little ice cream drops).

This morning I forgot to “baby lock” it and after loading the washing machine, I found her in it again telling me she needed some cheese.

Now this afternoon, I have had to put the kitchen stepladder outside because she has learned how to lean it up and climb it.

Good grief, I need some calgone.

I remember those days ...every cabinet, doorknob, stairway, outlet etc. needing a lock, or a gate or a safety plug...it was like living in ft. knox. Somehow they always figured out how to open things...

One time while I was vacuuming, Christopher took a scissor and cut the cord a HUGE spark. By the grace of God he wasn't electrocuted. Fun, but challenging years

 

[monicatb]

.....

 

[Tammi67]

This has been a very chatty afternoon. I just got home from Nicholas' soccer practice. They have their first game on Saturday.

Spring is definitely here. My allergies have kicked in full swing. Scratchy throat, coughing, itchy eyes, sneezing, congestion. I'm miserable. I haven't been taking my regular allergy meds since the doc put me on an antibiotic and decongestant for this infection. But I came home and couldn't take it anymore. I popped 2 of those bad boys and am waiting for them to kick in. The biggest allergen for me is trees, and when the leaves start coming out I become miserable.

Kristine - The pictures of your family are lovely. The Vegas trip sounds great. I've never been but hear wonderful things of the place.

 

[monicatb]

Strawberry Daiguiri Cake

Cake:
1 package of Supermoist White Cake Mix
3/4 cup water
1 package (0.14 oz) of strawberry Kool-aid mix (powder)
1 tablespoon grated lime peel
3/4 teaspoon rum extract
1 10 oz carton of frozen sliced strawberries, thawed and undrained.
3 eggs

Lime Frosting:
1 tub vanilla frosting (I like the pourable kind best)
2 teaspoons grated lime peel

1. Heat oven to 350. Grease bottom of 13x9 inch pan or line cupcake pan with liners. (will make 24 cupcakes)
2. In large bowl beat all cake ingredients with electic mixer on low for 30 seconds, then beat on medium speed for an additional 2 minutes scraping the bowl occasionally.
3. For cake cook 30-35 minutes. For cupcakes cook 18-25 minutes. Both are done when toothpick comes out clean. Let cool for 15 minutes before icing
4. Mix remaining 2 tablespoons of lime peel into icing and stir. It helps to heat the icing for about 20 seconds in the microwave first, and makes it easier to poor or spoon onto the cake.
5. Top with fresh, sliced strawberries.

Note: I put strawberries on the pieces I serve so the left over ones don't go bad. I also keep left overs of this cake in the fridge, it keeps a lot better.

I made this cake for my DH's birthday last year and it is now the hit in our family. I hope you guys enjoy it!

This sounds terrific!! I only have two questions. Do you use the frozen strawberries that are already sweetened and they look like they're in a kind of syrup when thawed? Doesn't the recipe require any oil like most cake mixes do?
Thanks,
Monica

 

[Cinderumbrella]

I love your designs! They are always very clean and I LOVE The colors you use!

Thanks!

 

[Cinderumbrella]

Well, even though we look old & feeble in our pictures...we are actually newlyweds!! 1 year anniversary. 2nd marriage for both of us.

However, I was married 15 yrs to my first and he was married 13 yrs to his. And get this...we all get along. At a recent funeral, the 4 of us were sitting together for lunch..it was kinda surreal

DH and I went to Sandals Royal Bahamian in 2002 and had a ball!!!!! If you check Apple Vacations last minute deals you might find something.
There is also a resort down in Negril that we adore called Riu Tropical Bay- we went in 2001 - 2 weeks after it opened and it was amazing!!! They left us "towel animals" in the shape of a heart on the bed every day!

 

[marcij]

I think that's what I am going to do....I know he would really like it...

The Canyon Ranch spa in The Venetian is awfully nice.....

 

[weluvdisney]

Kevin's new screen name was so secretive too -

KMH1indisguise

I may have told this to Dave (DH) and Kevin may be getting some teasing at work tomorrow !!!!

 

[weluvdisney]

I can post one for you if you want to email it to me: tiacallas@gmail.com

Thanks SO much, I will probably take you up on this!!!!

Thanks Again!!! Julie

 

[marcij]

DH and I went to Sandals Royal Bahamian in 2002 and had a ball!!!!! If you check Apple Vacations last minute deals you might find something.
There is also a resort down in Negril that we adore called Riu Tropical Bay- we went in 2001 - 2 weeks after it opened and it was amazing!!! They left us "towel animals" in the shape of a heart on the bed every day!

Kristin -- I've been wanting to go there! When my DH turned 40, I surprised him with a trip (literally, I packed everything, conspired with his boss, picked him up at work and away we went to the airport!!!) and that was the first place I looked at. I eventually decided to go on a RCL cruise instead, just because Randy had never been on a cruise. Guess which ship ours docked beside in Nassau? The Disney Wonder. It was love at first sight, and two years later we went on our first DCL cruise.

I do still want to get to the Bahamian Sandals...

 

[bear74]

four parks design - I like the idea of B&W - I wanted something a little different than my diamond one

very unique. I lke it.

 

[Linzybrooke]

This sounds terrific!! I only have two questions. Do you use the frozen strawberries that are already sweetened and they look like they're in a kind of syrup when thawed? Doesn't the recipe require any oil like most cake mixes do?
Thanks,
Monica

Yes, I use the frozen strawberries with the syrup, but I like to use the light syrup. And, nope on the oil!

Its a great cake and I hope you enjoy it!!!

 

[monicatb]

Last night, we also spontaneously ate at 1900 Park Fare, this time for dinner, since we were at the GF inquiring about the gift shop hours to make sure we got our photopass CD before we left.

Do you recall the gift shop hours when you could get your photopass CD? Did it take you a lot of time to do this? Were you able to add borders, signatures or characters to the photos or can you do this from home? If you add borders, etc., do you have to go through all the pictures one by one to make the changes, and so it'll increase the time you spend getting the CD?
Thanks for any information you can give me on this topic.

Monica