Happy New Year!

As I sit here reflecting on this past year 2010, I can't help but think about how fast it went! It literally flew right by!
And like each year, it had its ups and downs...

The Downs:

-My mother lost her older sister, my Aunt Geraldine, after a long battle with cancer
-Earthquake hits Haiti - news coverage was tough to watch
-Brent had a major turnover in his office staff (which in the end turned out to be a blessing!)
-BP oil spill (need I say more?)
-My sweet friend was diagnosed with cancer and is continuing her fight today (Always in my thoughts and prayers, Jessica!)
-Brent had back surgery (literally on the last day of the year)
-Obama signed the healthcare bill into law (whatever, Obama)
-Prince William got engaged....therefore my dreams of ever becoming a princess are dead. (I'm not interested in his brother, Harry)

The Ups:

-FOUR of my close friends gave birth to beautiful, healthy, happy babies!
-Record setting amount of snow for Texas (in February)
-Brent and I attended a World Series game
-Ashlan learned how to ride a bike without training wheels (Thank you Papa)
-Actress Betty White is BACK!
-Chris and Laura got married (Welcome to the family, Laura!)
-Brent and I took a once in a lifetime trip to New Zealand, Tasmania and Australia.
-Brent was a Top Doctor in D Magazine for the 10th year in a row (voted in by his peers)
-My stepdaughter Katie turned over into the double digits. The big 10!
-A fabulous trip to Ireland with Brent, his brother and wife. So many wonderful memories were made!
-We bought a lake house which turned out to be one of the best purchases we've ever made!

I'm looking forward to 2011. It will come with its own ups and downs as well!

Some of the Ups of 2011 I am already looking forward to are:

-Nick will get his drivers license (let's hope this is an UP and not a DOWN)
-Katie will begin middle school (That is hard for me to grasp considering she was 2 when we married!)
-A close friend will be getting married (Congrats Ashley and Frank)
-My in-laws 50th wedding anniversary
-Three friends will be bringing new babies into the world!
-Brent and I have booked a two week trip to the South Pacific (I need to get a swimsuit body QUICK, if that's even possible anymore)

Thank you 2010 for the memories! Hello 2011!

Christmas Morning

This year was our year to have Nick and Katie for Christmas. This made for a fun Christmas morning with lots of fun gifts for all the kids....since Santa came to our house this year for Nick and Katie. Enjoy the pictures below!

Ready to go to bed on Christmas Eve.....waiting for Santa to arrive

Santa ate all this cookies and milk and left a note for each kid!

Katie recognized her stocking immediately because a panda bear was sticking out the top. Katie LOVES panda bears!

Santa left some large gifts

Ashlan really wanted a snowglobe last year, but for some reason Santa didn't bring her one. But this year he did!

She was so surprised to open this!

Bismark even had some items under the tree!

Santa left two Wii games for Katie!

Brent and I got Katie two books she wanted

What a fun sleeping bag!

Katie got a Rangers shirt, Nick got a Rangers Antlers Up shirt, and even Brent got a Rangers sweatshirt!

Brent got Ashlan an electronic planetarium type informational board. It's so cool!

All Nick wanted for Christmas was North Carolina Tar Heels apparel, New England Patriot apparel, Hollister/Abercrombie clothes, lacrosse gear, and a couple of video games


Katie loves her books

Ashlan finally got her Light Up Sketchers shoes



Santa brought Ashlan a bike!

Katie got a new TV for her room!


No pictures of Brent or I. We were too busy snapping pictures of the kids who were so fun and appreciative and excited!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

We spend Christmas Eve each year at Grandma and Grandpa Morgan's. Grandma Morgan always makes several appetizers for the evening to snack on while we open gifts! I took my camera with us to their house, but didn't take nearly enough pictures as I should have. I wish I would have gotten pictures of all her beautifully decorated Christmas trees!

But I did manage to snap some pictures of all of us opening gifts, with the exception of Brent. Well, I had some pictures of him but they turned out blurry. Uggghhh.

Here is Grandma opening up a gift which included a variety of spices!

Ashlan got lots of fun art kits!

Nick was super excited about the Jelly Belly's

A beautiful shirt

Grandpa Morgan and his love for books!

Katie got a jewelry making kit. So neat!


These were just a few snap shots I got..... We had lots of fun spending time together, eating, and opening lots of gifts!

Rice Krispy Wreaths

One of our friends made these super cute edible wreaths yesterday. When I saw her finished product, I knew I had to make them as well!

This afternoon Ashlan went on a special movie date with her Aunt Traci. This gave Katie and I some time to do what we love to do together - bake!!! It was a perfect opportunity to make the wreaths!!

Here is how you make them!

Make your usual Rice Krispy treats by melting 3 tbsp of butter and a 10oz package of large marshmallows over the stove. Remove from the heat and mix in a few drops of green food coloring. Then stir in 6 cups of rice krispy cereal.


Then my friend let me borrow her mini bundt cake pans to form a wreath shape (you could also just use your hands) A very helpful hint: spray the bundt pans AND your hands with baking spray when making the wreaths!


Add some red hots or red candies to your wreath! Then we used shoe string twizzlers to form a bow on the wreath!
Aren't they cute!!

So much fun! Thank you, Kimberly, for the idea and supplies!!!

Chewy Nut Fudge Cookies

Yesterday my friend gave me a bag of some delicious cookies! One of my favorite cookies in the bag was a Chewy Fudge Cookie. When I asked her for the recipe, she informed me that the cookie was gluten-free. So if you are looking for a gluten-free cookie mix, THIS is your answer!!!

Chewy Nut Fudge Cookies
3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 c. plus 3 T. cocoa
1/2 tsp. slat
3 large egg whites
1 T. plus 1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. chopped nuts (I used walnuts)

Preheat oven to 350.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.
Mix powd sugar, cocoa and salt.

Beat in egg whites and vanilla. Beat for 10 min (yes, 10 min).

Stir in nuts.

Place tablespoon full on cookie sheet with space between them.

Put in oven and lower temp to 320. Bake 16 minutes. Cool.


Enjoy :)

Sausage Balls

One of my favorite things to make in the kitchen are Sausage Balls. Every event or party I go to that requires bringing food, I almost always bring sausage balls. They are easy to make and a delicious finger food!


Here's the recipe I always use...

1 pound ground pork sausage
2 cups biscuit baking mix
1 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, combine sausage, biscuit baking mix and cheese.

Form into walnut size balls and place on baking sheets.
Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes, until golden brown.

Easy Peanut Butter Fudge

I love fudge, Brent loves peanut butter! So put those two together and you've got peanut butter fudge!
This is a delicious EASY recipe I made last week!



Easy Peanut Butter Fudge
1/2 cup butter
2 1/4 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup peanut butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar
Directions

Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.
Stir in brown sugar and milk.
Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter and vanilla.
Pour over confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl.
Beat until smooth; pour into an 8x8 inch dish. Chill until firm and cut into squares.

Baked Potato Soup

This is a wonderful Baked Potato Soup recipe that was introduced to me awhile back. This was only my second time to make it, and it was just as good this time around as last! I must share it with you....


O'Charley's Baked Potato Soup
3 lbs red potatoes
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
8 cups half-and-half
1 (16 ounce) package Velveeta cheese, melted
white pepper
garlic powder
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/2 lb bacon, fried crisp
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup fresh chives, chopped
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped


Dice unpeeled red potatoes into 1/2 inch cubes.

Place in large saucepan; cover with water and bring to a boil.
Let boil for 10 minutes or until 3/4 cooked.
In a separate pan, combine melted margarine and flour, mixing until smooth.
Place over low heat and gradually add half-and-half, stirring constantly.


Continue to stir until smooth and liquid begins to thicken.
Add melted Velveeta.

Stir well.
Drain potatoes and add to cream mixture.

Stir in pepper, garlic powder and hot pepper sauce.
Cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Place soup into individual serving bowls and top with crumbled bacon, shredded cheese, chives and parsley.


So delicious! Thank you for the recipe Laura!!!

How Santa Got His Christmas Tree

This past weekend Ashlan was in a little community play called 'How Santa Got His Christmas Tree'. This was her second play to be in, the first being Snow White. This play was on a much smaller scale though. The cast consisted of 12 children all under the age of 11 and the play itself was only one act lasting 30 minutes. It turned out to be a very cute show with lots of laughs!!!

Enjoy the pictures!

Ashlan played the role of an elf named Mistletoe

In the dressing room checking out her reflection in the mirror

About ready for showtime!

Ashlan and a friend playing onstage before the show

Brent and Ashlan after the show

Chris and Laura were able to attend the show!

What cute elves!

Some picture time with Mrs. Claus

And of course, a picture with Santa!!