24 on the 24th

Who says you can't party with just two people? Not I! This year, Chase requested to not have a party with lots of friends. He just wanted a laid back day where he didn't have to be anywhere at any certain time and could just chill. But I think that was code for not wanting a stressed wife trying to plan out a party more than just relax with him :). He usually knows best. After all, last year I went a little party happy, see post here. It was a blast and he enjoyed it, but this year he wanted something different. Not gonna lie, it was a little difficult for me to refrain from going crazy. I haven't thrown a party in months and I'm definitely having the party itch. Especially that it was his golden birthday, 24 on the 24th! Owell, at least I made him a card on yellow cardstock paper, so golden (wink).

You see, in the Rondo home we take birthdays very seriously. I feel like it has been instilled in me from my childhood. Birthdays are like Christmas but all about YOU! Everything is done in the name of your birthday and everyone is just so happy you were born! Well, they should be :). So usually the night before our birthday we go over with each other what we would like for breakfast in bed the next day, lunch plans, and of course our dinner date. Then there is always the discussion about festivities during the day and possible party with friends. We just make birthdays a super fun day to spoil the heck out of each other.

Chase was sure to request french toast with Tita's Polynesian bread, eggs, bacon, and orange juice for breakfast. I added the fruit (tryin' here). For lunch we made due with packing a picnic for the beach, and for dinner Chase wanted sushi so we went to Banzai in Haleiwa. Delicious! Throughout the day we beach hopped to four beaches, Kahuku beach, Sharks Cove, Lanis Beach, and Waimea Bay where we were able to watch the sunset on the horizon. Then we ended our day with yummy snickerdoodle cake at home with a friend who took this cute photo :). It was the perfect day. I sure do love my husband and am glad he is mine.

Snicker Doodle Cake

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1 tablespoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

2 sticks of butter (8 oz.), room temperature

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 cup sour cream

4 large eggs, room temperature

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 1/4 cups whole milk, room temperature

Directions:

1. Allow butter, eggs, and milk sit outside of the fridge for 30-45 minutes to get to room temperature
2. Preheat oven to 325 and flour two round 9 inch cake pans
3. In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon; set aside
4. In a separate and larger bowl, cream together butter, sugar, and sour cream until nice and fluffy
5. Add vanilla, mix
6. Add one egg at a time, mixing between each egg
7. Now you will be adding the 1 1/4 cup milk as follows
8. Add 1/3 cup of the flour mixture from the medium bowl to the cream mixture in the larger bowl. Then add a little bit of milk. Mix. Repeat this until all the flour and milk is mixed into the creamed mixture.
9. Bake for 28 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
10. Set aside to cool before frosting

* You can cut the two cakes into halves and frost the tops of each one to create a four layered look and three layers of frosting inbetween, or you can do as I did and just leave the two cakes and frost the top of one, stack the other on top, then frost the entire cake. That will leave one layer of frosting in the middle aside from the frosting on top.

Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

1/3 cup butter, softened

3 oz. cream cheese, softened

6 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup whole milk

1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1 tablespoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Beat together the butter and cream cheese
2. With mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar one cup at a time until creamy
3. Beat in the milk, vanilla, and cinnamon
4. Frost the cake once cooled
5. Store cake in the fridge for 1 hour before serving