Monster Cupcakes

When my old roommate, Michelle, asked me to decorate cupcakes with her, I should have known it would be more than throwing frosting on cupcakes.

Much more. (Which also happens to equal more fun.)

Shell has always been very creative/crafty--especially when it comes to food. When she bakes for other people, she will rarely deliver the standard baked good.

For example, the cupcakes Michelle asked me to help decorate were so much more than cupcakes, they were monster cupcakes!

Check 'em out!

I'm pretty sure that eating one of these suckers (actually these cupcakes have two suckers for eyes) might cause instant diabetes. Or clog all of your arteries, all at once.

Here, see them up close:

Let's just say, we weren't shy with the frosting.

And yes, that is a mini donut on top of a cupcake, smothered in frosting, impaled by suckers which are  surrounded by either peach or apple rings, with Reese's Pieces for eyes and noses (and sometimes polka dots).

And now for the super close-up:

If you look closely, you can see me in the background chatting with Shannon, Michelle's cousin, who also decorated cupcakes with us. (Shannon actually created this cute monster cake. Props to her for doing such a good job!)

If you decide to make these adorable cupcakes, be warned! They are very top-heavy. (As well as being potentially sugar coma inducing.)

But so fun to make!

An Update on Bones

Remember that job Tyler was applying for at the MTC? I'm sorry to announce that he did not get the job. He was one of the last four interviewees and one of two people asked to re-apply in a few months.

Out of 60 applicants, making it to the top 4 is pretty darn good, wouldn't you say?

At any rate, although we were disappointed, we think it will work out for the better. Tyler still needs to have an internship to graduate, and the MTC job wouldn't count for it. So he would have had to work full time at that job, then turn around and work another part-time job for internship. It would be do-able, but miserable. (And oh so lonely for me!)

In other news, Tyler got new glasses! (Sorry for those of you who have seen this pic before. I do not yet have my own picture of Tyler in his new glasses.)

Anyway, I love these glasses. Each time I see him in them, I swoon a little. (True story.) What can I say? I never thought glasses could look so good on someone. And Tyler really wears those glasses! (They definitely don't wear him.)

You should see him in a suit wearing those glasses. Freals. It's hott.

Of, in, or appropriate to spring: Vernal

or in other words, Happy Independence Day!


Since we couldn't make it to California for the 4th, Tyler and I headed out to Vernal to see my grandparents and attend the annual Richens Independence Day Family Feast, hosted by my great-uncle Ken and his wife Barbara (in Myton).

Check out how much meat we had! 

(There was a whole other pole like this filled with chicken, and another with lamb and pork!--Though I don't think there was quite as much lamb or pork.)

Uncle Ken made homemade root beer: 

(The hose wasn't quite long enough to reach the bucket. So Grandpa encouraged Ken to improvise. And Ken did. The root beer was delicious, by the way.)


We also saw some of the sights around Vernal.
Like a nature preserve in Ouray.

(Grandpa let us borrow his binoculars.)






Aren't my grandparents cute? (Kudos to Tyler for getting this great candid shot!)

 We also went out to Ashley National Forest to see the sights, like the Green River (I think):

Overall, Tyler and I both really enjoyed the trip out there. We had a great time, and were sad that we couldn't stay for more than the weekend.

I'll post more pics later that show some of the incredible beauty in this country.

Many thanks to my wonderful grandparents for showing us such a good time!