Ellie turns 11!!!!

My little man holding my hand. :D

Ellie and I went on a walk, and while we were away her siblings secretly made her a birthday sign. Other than Emmie ripping it in half, I think it turned out pretty well!

 Daddy brought home a smaller new salamander for James. He found him on his morning walk trying to cross the road. He's joined Mr Salamander in his cage. His name is Toothless.

 Sorry, I know these pictures are not the best, I had a horrible headache all day, so we had a pretty lazy day ...which is just what Ellie wanted. :D

 Lauren made Ellie a little book.

 A requested Movie. I only watch the part with the beavers, then it gets too scary for me.

 Barry and I gave Ellie a couple of Harry Potter books and 2 notebooks to keep all of her recipes in. One for main dishes, one for desserts.

 James made Ellie a compound bow. Super cool.

 Cupid with her bow.

 Someone licked the beaters after I made the cake frosting. I'll let you guess who. She had just had a bath to get the frosting from the cinnamon rolls out of her hair. Crazy girl.

 World Best Strawberry Cake (it probably really is)

Cake
1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix
1 (3-ounce) box strawberry-flavored instant gelatin
1 (15-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
4 large eggs
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water

Strawberry Cream Cheese Frosting

1/4 cup butter, softened
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 (10-ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed and pureed
1/2 teaspoon strawberry extract
7 cups confectioners' sugar
Freshly sliced strawberries, for garnish, optional

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 2 (9-inch) round cake pans.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix and gelatin. Add pureed strawberries, eggs, oil, and water; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Pour into prepared pans, and bake for 20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans, and cool completely on wire racks.
For the frosting:
In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in 1/4 cup of the strawberry puree and the strawberry extract. (The rest of the puree is leftover but can be used in smoothies or on ice cream for a delicious treat.) Gradually add confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth.
Spread frosting in between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries, if desired.
Recipe courtesy of Paula Deen

Love you my Ellie!!!

You are my everything! This family would be nothing without YOU! We love you to pieces!