"Happy Birthday to you..."

I have meant to post these for a while...but I haven't. No excuses here-I just haven't gotten around to it. Maybe it is because I've been "nesting" like crazy. I find something to do no matter how clean or tidy everything in our house is. My husband has even begun nesting...it's actually pretty funny and I love it. He has been VERY productive lately-cleaning out closets, organizing his side of the closet (or should I say his small corner of the closet), deep cleaning the bathroom, and much more. Impressed? Me too! (not that he doesn't do anything around the house...Jon is a very good helper when it comes to chores-but this extra stuff lately has been pretty amazing). Ok, enough about our nesting....I'm sure no one really wants to hear about all that...let's get to the good stuff!

Delaney Rae Turns 2!
I posted a while back about Laney turning 2 but I didn't have any pictures to go with it. When my sister visited she gave me some and I wanted to post them on here for all to see how precious this little girl is-and how fast she is growing!

And these are just because...

Paige Sarr Turns 1!
Matt and Jenna threw a birthday party for their little girl Paige. She is already 1 year old!? Geeze...how can that be? It was a fun birthday party full of plenty of laughter and love. I always feel like part of the family when I am with the Forney/Sarr gang. I love it. Here are some pictures from that day too :)

COMING SOON!: Pictures of Delaney (and Charleigh too!) Laney is visiting for 2 whole weeks with her mommy and daddy! Yippee! They are coming to see baby Charleigh-I really wanted my sister to be here with me during all this birth stuff-and now that I know she will makes me so relieved and happy! And Laney is so excited to meet her cousin (whom she thinks lives in Auntie Jen Jen's bee bo...aka belly button) It'll be fun to watch her with my huge tummy and to realize that there is a baby in it-hopefully I don't traumatize her too much :)

Happy Birthday

Happy Birthday Delaney Rae!

Today my niece Delaney is 2 years old! Wow. How did she grow up so fast!? It feels like she was just a teeny tiny little baby! (I know-cliche thing to say-but SO true!)
She has grown up so much, especially this last year. My sister moved to Texas last July and since then I haven't gotten to see Delaney daily-so it feels like every time I do get to see her she is a whole new little girl!

Delaney has been such a HUGE blessing to me and our family. I can't imagine it any other way. She makes us all laugh with her crazy sense of humor (that she developed very early on) and even through all the medical craziness she went through as a baby she always seemed to have an upbeat attitude (hard to say about babies-but she did (: )

I feel a special bond with this little girl. Maybe it's because I watched my sister bring her into this world-or maybe because I watched her twice a week for the first year of her life. Whatever it is she will always have a special place in my heart-and I will always love her as one of my own.

Due to my own little girl arriving in early July I am not able to go to her Birthday Party in Texas. My sister tells me that she thinks me and baby are going to be there. Makes my heart melt! Today I get to skype with her as she opens her gift from "Auntie Jen Jen" and "Uncle Jon Jon". I can't wait to see her face! She is VERY dramatic when she sees something she likes-so I'm very excited to see her reaction to the kitty beanie we bought her (fyi-she LOVES kitties) :) Her Birthday Party is Princess theme (with cats on the side). Haha...she couldn't decide on which one she wanted until last minute. I'm sure my sister will go all out on this one.
So fun.

I can't wait to see little miss Delaney Rae in two months! She is coming out for TWO weeks in July-and will hopefully (fingers crossed that baby isn't more than 1 week late) be able to meet her little cousin. My sister said that she can't stop talking about her already-and calls out her name all the time to play. I love it. We already have a photo session lined up with them in matching outfits :) Can't wait!
Or as Laney would say.......'SITED'! (translation: excited!)

Happy Birthday

"Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to my Jonny
Happy Birthday to you!"

Last week was my hubby's birthday....and here is what he requested for his birthday cake...

Kahlua Cheescake! I have to admit....it was a VERY tasty alternative to regular ol birthday cake. Good thinkin' Jonny ;)

And for all you who are drooling right now (and you should be) here is the simple recipe!

Heavenly Kahlua Cheesecake

1 1/4 cups crushed graham crackers

1 cup granulated sugar - divided use

3/4 cup unsweetened baking cocoa - divided use

1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted

2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

2 large eggs

1/4 cup coffee, brewed

1/2 cup coffee liqueur

2 teaspoons vanilla extract - divided use

1 cup (8-ounces) sour cream

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

2 ounces milk chocolate candy bars, grated

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
2. Combine graham cracker crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa and melted butter in a small bowl; mix well. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 5 to 8 minutes, until firm but not browned; cool
3. Raise oven temperature to 375°F (190°C).
4. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Gradually add 3/4 cup sugar, mixing well. Beat in remaining 1/2 cup cocoa. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in coffee liqueur, coffee and half the vanilla. Pour into the cooled crust. Bake for 30 minutes, or until almost set.
5. Raise temperature in oven to 425°F (220°C).
6. Combine sour cream, 2 tablespoons sugar and remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla in a small bowl; mix well. Spread evenly over the hot cheesecake. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes.
7. Cool to room temperature on a wire rack. Refrigerate, covered, for 8 hours. Carefully remove from pan and garnish with grated chocolate. (and I added some whipped cream too)
   

Enjoy!