NICK IS 2!!

Nick had his 2nd Birthday on June 6th. I can't believe how time flies. He's already such a big boy, talking so much, and SO super independent. He loves hugs and kisses, motorcycles, his "bay-buddah", swimming, 'Yo Gabba Gabba', and 'Elmo'. He loves to help me "make"(dinner) in the kitchen, and feed his dog. He is such a good boy. Anyway, for his birthday we invited Cameron's friends and family over for lunch, presents, and cake. Unfortunately not everyone could attend, so it was a smaller party than we had anticipated. Camerons mom, brother, and sister came over and played for a while, and ate with us and opened presents. Although it wasn't the most exciting party ever, Nick had so much fun opening gifts and avoided the camera as much as possible. I hope next year I will be home, so he can have all of my family there. It was so sad not to have everyone around... I know Nick missed everyone. He is constantly asking about Grandmas and Grandpas... all of them, and various family members!! We are so grateful for family.

Jack-Jack, who is apparently hungry at the moment...

I tried to get Nick to smile in a picture with me ALL DAY, and he wasn't having any of it... He was way more interested in his cake, and new presents.

This is the cake I made for my Nickolas. He picked the confetti cake, and cream cheese frosting. YUM. I made a double layer with filling in the middle, and decorated this myself. I thought it turned out great! If you look at the bottom of the pic, you might see a smear mark. This is where Nick got a sneak peak of his cake... lol. He swiped frosting. (He's my kid for sure!)

This is about the only smiling picture I got. He is riding his new motorcycle, he still wont quit riding it!

This is him opening presents. He was most excited about the Yo Gabba Gabba DVD, he still watches it NON STOP. He loved all of his Elmo cards. He couldn't get enough. :)

Although we didnt' have my family or friends here, we had a great day. I just kept thinking how much he's grown and how much I love him.

RECIPE-"ALMOST LASAGNA"

This recipe is DELICIOUS, and tastes like real lasagna, only it takes A LOT less time.
INGREDIENTS:
*1 Box Bowtie Pasta- I like this pasta because it is flat like lasagna noodles, and the sauce sits nicely on top.
-Red Sauce-
*26 oz. (1 bottle, or 1 large can) Spaghetti sauce- I used a can of Hunts- with sausage
*1 Lb. Hamburger- or 1/2 pound hamb. and 1/2 pound italian sausage
*Small onion, chopped
*1TB Brown Sugar
*Italian seasoning
*Olive Oil
*Salt/Pepper
-White Sauce-
*1 cup ricotta cheese
*1/2 cup mozarella cheese grated
*1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
*1 cup boiling pasta water

DIRECTIONS
1- Boil your pasta
2- Drizzle Olive Oil in a deep fry pan (a skillet with a high rim) add your onion, and brown your hamburger.
3- When your hamburger is cooked through, add the canned sauce, brown sugar and seasonings. (The brown sugar is to cut the acidity in the tomato sauce, and makes the sauce have sweet undertones. If you like your sauce spicy, you can add red pepper flakes, and use a smaller amount of sugar.)
4- Put a lid on your red sauce, keep it on low heat.
5-Place your cheeses in the bottom of a large bowl, and slowly add the boiling water, stir until the cheeses are all combined.
6- When your pasta is done, put it in with the cheese sauce, and mix it all around. When the white sauce is mixed, add the red sauce, mix all together, and you're done!!

This recipe will easily serve 6, and tastes good for leftovers.
I serve this by itself in a bowl, or with a salad.

OUR FIRST BASEBALL GAME WITH THE BOYS

We went to our first family baseball game on June 13. We had fun watching the Sarasota Reds and the Lakeland Flying Tigers. Mark Pawelek happens to be on the Sarasota Reds, and were playing in our town of Lakeland. I had fun watching an old friend play ball, and carrying on the tradition of baseball watching to my kids. I swear there is nothing like a hot dog at a baseball game, cheering fans, and the crack of the baseball against a bat...

The pictures are in backwards order...
Jack is all tuckered out... By the end of the game, he'd had enough, and was sleeping soundly in my arms.

Nick made friends with the people behind us, he was doing his "dancey dances with them", and they shared their popcorn... I was guarding him from the stairs. :)
Nick had fun watching the ball players, but at this moment I think he was more into the "Flying Tigers" Mascot... He watched him wherever he was.

Cameron, Jack and I hanging out, at the game. :)

This is my favorite. At this moment he was yelling, "The Tiger!! Look! The Tiger!!" He was so excited!