Thursday, April 29, 2010

Oops!



I guess it's been a while since I've taken any pictures of my growing belly. And it's GROWN!

Here are a few funny pictures Rob and I took while we were at the temple for Morgan's wedding. Who said the newly weds were the only ones who should have a photo shoot at the temple? Rob started busting a move and posing so we snapped a few pictures of our own. It was rather fun if I do say so myself.





While the pictures don't really accurately portray my size (these pictures make me look HUGE!) you at least get the gist of my growth. I hope you enjoy.
32 Weeks 2 days.

Friday, April 9, 2010

Chocolate Cake



Aside from my Mugs gettin' hitched, our trip to Utah was focused on a giant chocolate cake for at least a full day and a half.

Morgan wanted me to make her wedding cake despite the fact that I would only be getting into town one day before the wedding. But she's my little sis. I couldn't say no. Luckily I had lots of help on the forefront.

My mom purchased all the necessary ingredients and was ready with all of her energy and spunk to dive right in.

We set up shop at my grandma's house. She has two ovens and lots of counter space for us to make a mess and crank out a wedding cake. Thank heavens for grandmas! :)

All day Thursday was spent mixing, baking, cooling, cutting, washing strawberries, drying strawberries, melting chocolate, dipping strawberries in the melted chocolate, melting more chocolate, dipping more strawberries, baking some more..... I think you get the idea. It was a long day.

However, by 5:30 that night we had all three layers of cake baked, cooled, cut, smeared with chocolate ganache, stacked and dirty frosted and ready for the final layer of chocolate ganache glaze, which would go on the next day. We also had all the strawberries washed and dried and the majority of them covered in chocolate. I'd say that's quite the accomplishment for a day's worth of work.

I wouldn't have been able to do it without all of my helpers. Whether you helped by washing dishes, dipping strawberries, flipping giant cakes, feeding me lunch or just keeping me company throughout the process, your help was appreciated.

Friday the final touches were completed. The cake was given a final coat of glossy chocolate ganache, the support dowels were cut, the sweetened whipped cream was creamed and all the yummy-ness was transported to the reception center where the entire thing finally came together.

I think it turned out marvelous. Yes, of course it had its flaws, but I've warned you before that I'm not a professional so flaws are to be expected right? You better have agreed with me. I won't accept you not accepting my flaws. Or at least I'm going to pretend like I won't accept your unacceptance. Really, I just don't want to hear about it if you don't like my shortcomings. Especially if you don't accept my shortcomings that aren't pertaining to the cake. I'm going to shut up now.

The cake looked GREAT! And it tasted Fantastic too! That's it! The End!



P.S. please don't ask me to make a cake of that magnitude in one day at almost 8 months pregnant. My feet won't like you. They'll cry. Which will make me cry. Then we'll wipe our tears away and say "Yes, of course we'll make your cake." Then we might cry again. It probably wouldn't be that pretty.

Welcome to the Fam



On April 2nd, 2010 we welcomed a new member to our family. My little sister, who I guess isn't so little anymore dadgumit married a fantastic guy.


Chase Birks, welcome to the Leake family!



We're proud to have you. You make our Morgan smile. You make her laugh and you let her be her quirky self. Who could ask for anything better?



Congratulations Mugs! We love ya more than anything.