Kaylee's 12th Birthday

Kaylee turned 12 back on the 5th of February. She wanted us to take her and some friends to a local Japanese hibachi-style restaurant this year for her birthday. (I forgot my camera so I didn't get any pictures there). They all enjoyed watching their food being prepared right in front of them. However, I think it was more entertaining for me to watch what was placed before them. I brought along some picky-eaters. They weren't quite sure about the miso soup and the salad with an Asian house dressing on it. Or the sauteed vegetables with onions and zucchini. But could only handle their teriyaki chicken and rice. It was all very delicious and well prepared. Afterwards, I took the girls to Cold Stone for some ice cream and then headed back to our house for cake and presents.

Unfortunately, her cake was a last minute, throw-together cake. And didn't turn out like I had planned. All she told me she wanted was a yellow cake with peach colored frosting. I added three cupcakes on top, skittles and some stick candles. The cupcakes ended up crooked and I didn't have 12 of the candles. In this case, beauty was definately on the inside. I actually made the frosting from scratch this year and it was to die for. It can easily be used for frosting sugar cookies too. I'll post the recipe at the bottom.

Kaylee with her two friends Kennedy and Kirsti doing their Charlie's Angels pose...??? Kennedy (blonde) is the one who she rode horses with and has been friends with for about 3 years now. These girls were all babies together here in the same ward/neighborhood but because of different circumstances they didn't become friends until later in their lives. Oh, and here's that recipe for the frosting:

EASY BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:

1/2 cup margarine (not butter), 1/2 cup shortening, 5 cups of powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/8 teaspoon salt, food coloring (optional).

In a large bowl, cream margarine and shortening until light and fluffy. Add salt, vanilla, powd. sugar and milk. Beat well until fully combined. Add choice of coloring. Use to frost cakes, cupcakes or sugar cookies.