Fair

We took Will to the county fair this afternoon.  It was sooooooo crowded!  Too crowded for me but we did get to see the animals and ride some rides.   Will rode the train which he liked but we also rode the Merry go round and he wasn't too sure about it.  Every time we passed Bryan he would cry for him.  All the grandparents came with us which was nice because we had lots of hands to help with Will.  Will was really good despite the crowds and we had fun! 

The Beginning of Fall

We love Fall!  I love the cooler weather, opening the windows and letting some fresh air flow through the house, and leaves piling up outside for my little boy to play in.

Will decided he wanted to help Bryan rake up the leaves!

Now it's time to get out all the Fall decorations and buy some pumpkins and mums.  

Baby Visit

Whitney had her babies Monday!  Kendra and I went to visit her and the babies, Avery & Aubrey yesterday at the hospital.  Avery is around 5 lbs and we could hold her but Aubrey is in the NICU under the heat lamps so we couldn't see her.  She is eating and very strong but very tiny.  Whitney looked great but was in some pain.  Everyone is doing great but please keep everyone in your prayers.

I can't wait to get my hands on Aubrey too!

Tent

Will got a new tent this weekend and is having so much fun!

Chocolate Pound Cake Recipe

I had a few request this week for the recipe for my Mawmaw's chocolate pound cake with homemade chocolate icing so here you go....

2 sticks butter

3 cups sugar

1/2 cup self-rising flour

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 teaspoon rum extract

1/2 cup crisco

5 eggs

2 1/2 cups plain flour

1 cup milk

Mix and bake at 350 for 1 hour and 25 minutes.

Icing: 

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 cup milk

1/2 stick butter

Cook and stir constantly until it boils.  Cool it a bit then add 1 box powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla flavoring and 1 teaspoon rum extract

Let cake cool some before you pour icing over the cake.

ENJOY!!!

The Icing on the Cake

I have had a wonderful birthday today!  It has been full of cards, presents, flowers, and messages.  But tonight my mom and dad brought over dinner and a special treat....

My Mawmaw's Chocolate Pound cake with Homemade Chocolate Icing!!

My sweet mom and dad went and got Mawmaw's recipe from her house and my dad baked me a cake. They had to go buy a cake pan and everything.  My parents don't usually bake, so this was a big deal.  I laughed at my dad tonight because he said his hand held mixer was smoking!!!  He might have to invest in a stand mixer.  The cake tasted just like Mawmaw's and the icing was perfect!  Now he has to make it for me every year!  I miss my Mawmaw so much and I loved having this cake as a memory of her today.

I think I can honestly say that the cake was one of the best gifts my parents have ever given me!

Thanks Mom & Dad!  You guys are the best!

Doesn't that look absolutely delicious?  

Birthday Fun!

Saturday Ashley & Aiden came over for a play date and to celebrate my birthday with me.  The boys played so well together.  Aiden picked out some cookie monster cupcakes for my birthday and they were delicious!  Ashley gave me a ring and earrings with my initials on them.  Absolutely love them!

Saturday night we went to dinner for my birthday.  We went to Buca de Beppo and it is always so much fun!  I love that the food is family style, the decorations are tacky,  and the atmosphere is loud and entertaining. 

Angela & Kendra

Me & Whitney...she is having her babies next Monday!

Check out my necklace.  Kendra gave it to me for my birthday present.  Love it!  I wore it last night and  today to church, it matches everything!

Of course they told them it was birthday so they sang to me and brought the largest brownie sundae I have ever seen!

16 months

Getting the monthly pics with the sticker is getting difficult!  Now he won't leave it alone and he pulls at it the whole time it is on his shirt.  You will notice this quickly!

Will is so smart!  He remembers things that just amaze us.  For example, he has a set of play keys that he carries around and he still calls them "golf cart keys."  He hasn't been around the golf cart in a while but boy he sure does remember it!  

He is starting to repeat our words and I really wish I could interpret his rants.  He will start babbling and pointing and I know he is just a fussing about something.

He loves to read and I love that he loves to read!

Do you think it is time for a haircut or not?  We really can't decide.  I want to let it grow and see what it does but it is starting to look a little out-of-control!

Will is loves Roxy but sometimes he is a little rough with her.  He will pull her tail and try to drag her off the chair.  He hugs her so hard that he squeezes and she tries to squirm away.  Poor Roxy!!

He is cutting about three different molars right now but it hasn't been too bad.  He is drooling a lot but he is not super cranky.  

Right now he has a skinned up nose.  He fell the other day forward and didn't get his hands down in time. He's tough though, hardly never cries!

Will's personality is just developing so much everyday!  He is so much fun to be around and makes us laugh constantly.  

Bryan and I really can't get over how blessed we are!  We are so thankful that God chose Will for us and our family!