linker fun (cupcakes, food to die 4, graffiti & the zoo)

Post #3 for the week, btw - content RICH. Here is a post that is ALL LINKER, how wonderful is THAT? The Linkers had a little post-holiday vacation and went to Maggie Valley (awesome) and then to Knoxville to visit (even awesomer). I have loads of photos of the kiddies and then of course, the food. I don't have one of the gang together, I need to remember that next time...

I had a canister of the Sprinkles Cupcake Mix in the pantry and thought it would be fun to make cupcakes with Campbell. This wasn't her first rodeo, she was a natural (she might get that from her dad).

campbell hard at work

And here is the finished product, they were chocolate peppermint - I LOVED THEM!

sprinkle cupcake mix, i love you
(and a big thank you to campbell for making these!)

Our tradition with the Linkers (and one that I am VERY fond of) is that the boys do all of the cooking. And it's not chicken nuggets and mac n'cheese if you know what I mean. They throw down in the strongest sense. High style. John had a few meals in mind, he and Matt really wowed us - here are some photos.

fried oysters with a yummy sauce

the before: they prepared the fish (i have to ask what type of fish it was specifically) by wrapping it in prosciutto

the after: fish in prosciutto topped with caramelized onions on a fried heirloom tomato topped with pimento cheese

The second nigh the boys made a beef tenderloin meal, I can't tell you how good it was. Matt made it again not even a week before we had it the first time.

the appetizer: matt with his onion tarts before they went into the oven

i don't know what i ever did without tarts, they are one of matt's specialties

i mean whoa, seriously - it was delicious

And here are a few random photos of the weekend...

campbell on her razor thingy

john was reading to all three but notice only one is paying attention

campbell graffitied the tub, a work of art

evy and lottie sue closed themselves in the office

this is my new favorite game, blokus (love it) - john and campbell were on a team

evy loved to hide in the curtains, it was perfect because lottie sue loved to find her (they would both squeal with delight)

One morning the boys played golf and Jamie and I took the girls to the zoo. It was Lottie Sue's first visit, she really liked it. Every time we would see an animal she did her usual "hiiiii" with a wave - adorable.

mommy and baby chillin with the elephants

lottie sue meets a zebra

here she is greeting the rhinos

this is campbell when we arrived home, she was out like a light

Alrighty, I am scanning in Matt's drawings this afternoon and will put the post up this weekend. You won't be disappointed...