We spent a glorious week in Newport Beach at this beach house with Steve and all his kids and grand kids.
It was a bit chilly the first few days we were there but then it got nice enough to get sunburned.
The view from the Balboa Pier back towards our beach house!
The Newport Beach Temple. Just gorgeous inside and the church is right across the street.
Fun flowers on Balboa Island
Disneyland fun!
Random house fun.
We stopped to eat at this diner on the way down because Peggy Sue is my moms name! It was like a step back in time. Very fun and lots of good food.
Beach fun!
What a great trip. I loved being so close to the ocean, collecting sea shells, our day at Disneyland and visiting a new temple. Thank you Steve and Kellie for including me and Steph!! We took a ton more pictures, these were just a few.
I had only heard horror stories about getting your driver license renewed. Enough stories that I got online and filled out the application so that was done before I got there. I also printed off the sheets that tell you what you need to bring to prove who you are where you live... especially if you can't find your original social security card. Well, I strategically planned to go on a day when the weather was supposed to be rainy and snowy hoping that would keep half the people expiring in May 2010 away. The weather people did not help out as it did not snow. However as I drove into the parking lot I was amazed to find a parking spot right up front. I then proceeded in the door to find no one at the desk and the worker lady immediately wanting to help me. Ready or not I got my new photo snapped. And no sooner had the same worker lady handed me my number and ask me to take a seat did they call my number and say they were ready to help me at window #7. I remember looking at my watch when I walked out the door at 11:27. If you will notice the time I walked in stamped on my photo above - the whole process took a total of 7 minutes. Pretty painless I would say... well except for handing over the $25 fee.
I tried my hand at these last night.... so yummy. Just make sure you don't fill the cup up too high as they will overflow. I ate one right after it came out of the oven - still warm - no icing - it hit just the right spot. Give them a try!
Chocolate Fudge Jr Mint Centered Cupcakes
1 box Pillsbury Devils Food Cake Mix
4 eggs
1/2 Cup vegetable oil
1/2 Cup water
1 small box instant chocolate pudding mix
1/2 Cup sour cream
1 Cup chocolate chips
3 4 oz boxes Jr Mints (look for them on sale, I found them for $1.00)
Favorite Vanilla or Cream Cheese Frosting
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a stand or electric mixer, add the cake mix, eggs, oil, water, pudding mix, sour cream and chocolate chips. Mix on medium for 2 minutes or until well combined and somewhat thick. Scoop into 24 paper lined muffin cups. Press 3 JR mints into the center of each cupcake center. Bake for 22-25 minutes or until toothpick comes mostly clean from center. Let cool completely and frost with your favorite vanilla or cream cheese frosting.
24 cupcakes
