Emmy's special day

I just love birthdays.  It's really important to me to make birthdays special for my family.  Even though Emmy didn't fully understand that today was her birthday, I think we still did a good job making it a great day for her.  Bryce couldn't wait to give Emmy her present from him.  He really wanted her to have a stroller to push her babies around.  So sweet!

Taking care of her baby!  

We got her some food to go with her kitchen she got for Christmas.  She's glad to have something new to chew on, ha!

We met Jason for lunch so he could see the birthday girl since he leaves for work before she gets up.  Tonight we went to my parents' house for dinner and presents.  Emmy wasn't so sure about her cake at her party so we tried again tonight.  Bryce had fun helping me make a cake and cupcakes.    

She definitely knew what to do this time.

I guess I should be glad she hasn't grown any hair on the top of her head in the last year!

She was so proud of herself.  Her second bath of the day followed this.

Bryce looked forward to dinner and presents all day.  He had lots of fun with her new toys.  The shopping cart is too cute.  It's like the car carts at Kroger.  

Emmy enjoyed the box, ha!

Happy Birthday, Emmy

From this.....

...to this!

 Happy Birthday sweet girl. 

party food

****When I view my blog, it looks like the ends of my sentences are getting cut off.  I'm not sure if it's just my computer or what.  I'm looking into it.**** Update -  It seems to be better in internet explorer than safari.****

Everyone raved about the food at Emmy's party so I thought I would share some of the recipes with you.  Other than my chicken salad, I borrowed some wonderful recipes from some other great cooks!  Since we were having brunch, I tried to have a good variety of breakfast and lunch foods.  On the menu was: bacon and egg cups, fruit, monkey bread, donut holes, brie, chicken salad and  mini croissants and green bean bundles.  

 Bacon and Egg Cups

Source: recipebyphoto.com via Grace on Pinterest

I wanted something different than a breakfast casserole that would be more finger food friendly.  I found these yummy bacon and egg cups on pinterest and thought they would be perfect. I used a mini muffin tin, but you can make them in a regular size muffin tin if you want more per serving.  Simply wrap a slice a bacon around the cup (you may have to cut some off), pour in whipped eggs (seasoned how you like.....cheese if you want), then bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.  I would suggest spraying your pan first.  I'm still trying to get egg out of my muffin tins.

Monkey Bread

I have only made monkey bread once before, but it was so good!  I just used the recipe from the Pillsbury website and altered it to my liking. 

You will  need:

2 cans Pillsbury Grands Homestyle buttermilk biscuits

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup melted butter

bundt cake pan

You simply cut the biscuits into fourths then shake them in a ziploc bag with the sugar and cinnamon mixture.  Place them in the cake pan.  Then melt butter and stir in the brown sugar and pour over top of the biscuits.  Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes and let sit in pan for 10 minutes before removing.    

Brie

I have a friend who makes the best brie.  She gave me her recipe and I tried my best.  The ingredients are the same, but I'm not sure about my technique.

You will need:

1 round of brie

1 box puff pastry (2 sheets)

raspberry preserves

brown sugar

slivered almonds

Unwrap the brie (I left the outer layer of the cheese on), put the preserves, brown sugar, and almonds on top, then wrap in puff pastry.  Then I repeated the steps again....put the preserves, brown sugar and almonds on the top and wrap it with the second piece of puff pastry.  You are supposed to cut a few shapes out of the puff pastry and place on the top, but ours fell off, oops!  I cooked mine at 350 for about 30 minutes (just don't let the pastry get too brown).

Chicken Salad

I simply boil the chicken breasts, shred them, then chop the chicken.  I use mayonnaise, salt, pepper, celery seed, and chopped celery.  I have no measurements for any of it.  I just taste it as I go.  We served the chicken salad on mini croissants from Kroger.

Green Bean Bundles

I got this yummy recipe from Kelly's Korner.  I thought this was the perfect way to include a vegetable, but not have a veggie tray.  

You will need: 

2-3 cans whole green beans 

bacon slices (I cut them in half)

1 stick of butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp garlic salt

These were super easy.  You just wrap the bacon around a bundle of green beans (5-6).  Place them in a baking dish.  Melt a stick of butter then mix in brown sugar and garlic salt.  Pour over the bundles and cook at 350 for 30 minutes then put under the broiler for 5 minutes.   

And mimosas were the perfect touch for this yummy brunch...even if it was a party for a one year old!

Emmy's birthday party

Though she won't be one until Wednesday, we celebrated Emmy's first birthday yesterday.  It was a wonderful party with family, friends, and great food (I'll save the food for another post).

  

Emmy was a little overwhelmed by all the people at first.  She was so cute holding onto her doll.

We were so glad that most of our family and friends could make it to the party. I tried to get a picture of Emmy with all of the family (even if she never looked at the camera), somehow I missed Nana and Pap.

Jason's grandparents

Jason's Grandma and Vickie

My Nanny

 Nina and Pop

  MeMa and PaPa

Mama Pat

Getting a picture of Emmy with her friends was quite the task.  Emmy sat so still and was ready for the picture!

By the time we got all the kids in one spot and somewhat happy, this is the best I could get, ha!

Emmy had fun opening presents and Bryce and their friends were lots of help!

Singing happy birthday!

Emmy tasted the cake, but she wasn't so sure about it.  She sure did have fun feeding it to Bryce though.  She didn't need much cleaning after the cake!  

Thank you SO much to everyone who came out to celebrate this special day with us!  

under the weather

My sweet girl wasn't feeling any better today.  I hate that she is sick, but I sure did love the extra snuggles and the chance to hold her while she slept! 

She was very content just relaxing in my lap and watching tv.  Love her hands!

I thought a lollipop would help, but she wasn't really interested in it.  She normally eats it up.

 A little birthday mail later in the day helped!

I'm slowly working on a few details for her party this weekend.  I pulled out our Christmas card holder to display Emmy's monthly pictures (birth - 11 months).  

We're excited about her party on Saturday and won't let a little cold slow us down.

I needed a day like this

There's nothing better than a warm January day to get you out of the cold winter funk!

I figured it was too nice outside to make Bryce take a nap today so we stayed outside all afternoon while Emmy napped.  He was a big help washing the car.  It was much needed after all the snow.

 

 

We relaxed in the sun when we were done!

 

 

Then we headed to the backyard to ride his bike, scooter, jeep, and jump on the trampoline!  All the things we haven't done because it's been SO cold!

 

 

When Emmy got up we went for a wagon ride. 

 

 

Bryce and Emmy have been passing a cold back and forth all winter.  Bryce just got rid of a horrible cough and now Emmy has it.  Up until now, I was just satisfied knowing that it was just winter junk going around and they were fine.  Emmy was just miserable at dinner tonight so I finally decided to take her to the doctor just to be safe.  If she did have something more than a cold, I wanted to take care of it before her party on Saturday.  Of course, it's just a cold.  Oh well, better safe than sorry!

 

Last night we went out for frozen yogurt for the first time in a long time.  I'd say it was a big hit!

monday mish mash

It's been cold.  It's been snowy.  I've been lazy!

We had snow on Thursday so Bryce got to miss school.  We played in it while Emmy napped and then it melted by lunchtime.  Then we had snow Friday afternoon/evening and we woke up to this pretty scene!  This morning we woke up to freezing rain and ice everywhere.  Last week the highs were in the 20's.  A few days this week are going to be unseasonably warm!!!  However, I have heard varying reports of snow again on Friday and I.DON'T.WANT.IT!!  Emmy's party is Saturday and I really don't need weather to interfere!

Our friend Avery came over to play last Thursday.  It was impossible to get a picture of the girls together!

Emmy took four steps on Saturday!  It's exciting, but I still don't think she is close to actually walking.  

Bryce spent the night with Chase on Saturday night and they used a little of Dave's hair products before church!

Bryce has been working on his birthday invitations for his friends.  Next we have to tackle Valentine's for his friends, oh boy!

I may have mentioned these last year, but they are my absolute favorite!!!  I don't like the traditional conversation hearts because they taste chalky and they are just yucky!  The tart and sassy version remind me of smarties!  These are the kind I remember as a kid.  I got a bag at Target the other night, but I may need to stock up for the year, ha!