ENGAGED!!!

I'm engaged! WOO HOO! It finally happened. Matt proposed on Christmas Eve at my parent's house in front of family and friends.

I'm gonna let my mom tell you the story...She does it better than me.

We have this tradition of giving PJs on Christmas Eve. Every year the girls get to open one gift and one gift only. It is the gift marked with a heart, and inside is always a new pair of pajamas. We joke alot about this because when Jill was about 8 years old, she said hey...is this gonna be stupid pajamas again? We also usually try to go to the movies on Christmas Eve, then come home open our PJs and then sit around the fire and read the Christmas Story and sing caroles. The last few years have been a little different because Violet isn't really up for the movies just yet. But, next year should be a different story. This year we had a little Christmas party and invited Matt's family. So, we had a pretty good crowd at our house feasting on tamales, cheese dip, spinach artichoke dip, brie, shrimp cocktail, homemade chili, lil smokies, etc., along with an assortment of sweets made by Jill and my sweet friends, Trisha & Martha!

We had a great time.Then the time came for us to open our PJs, we usually don't do it with anyone but family there and usually everyone that is there gets PJs, whether it's Grandma & Grandpa or the girl's boyfriends or whomever. But this year Matt's family was there and so we just went along with our tradition. Everyone opened there PJs and Miss Violet was already wearing her new slippers and we realized there was an extra gift for Jill. So I gave it to her and told her that here was a gift for her and Violet to open. She said ok, ...like she didn't even think that was strange. (remember 1 gift and 1 gift only on Christmas Eve her entire life!) Then as she began to open the gift she found a candle and said this is pretty, who is it from? Matt then bent down on one knee in front of the entire room (Jill, Violet, Matt's Mom, Matt's Dad, Matt's only sibling, Brett, Me, Jeff, Jordan, Justine, Jaley, Jaley's boyfriend, Jeb, and Jaley's best friend, Zach) and asked Jill to marry him!

Because you see tied to this pretty little candle was a beautiful engagement ring. She thought it was just an embellished candle! Sometimes I wonder if she is really my kid?! Crazy girl. She was completely caught off guard. Which is exactly the effect Matt was going for. It was great! You see, everyone knew except Jill.
I gotta run! I have to start planning the 'wedding of the century' on a budget!

Saturday with Violet

(Violet and her daddy a few nights ago)

My little girl is sick today. She's been coming down with something all week and I thought it was because she is getting new teeth. On thursday night she had a fever and today her nose is running nonstop. So, were keeping her warm and inside today.

During her nap time I made these sugar cookies. They are the Christmas Sugar Cookies from the pioneer woman. I made them into odd shaped diamonds since I don't have any christmas cookie cutters. I would have gone out and bought some because I want them real bad but I didn't want to take Violet anywhere.

They were probably the best home made sugar cookies I've ever made. I think it was all the shortening and orange zest that made them so good. Right?! I decorated the edges with a home made buttercream frosting. I'm saving some frosting for the cookie making party that Gloria is doing tomorrow with the kiddos.

Tonight I'm going to see my parents in their first dance recital. I'm looking forward to it. They started taking classes a few months ago.

Tata for now!

Tacky Christmas Party

My friend Gloria and I hosted a Tacky Christmas Party last weekend. Everyone was told to wear christmas clothing, the dorkier the better. Lucky for us my mom used to make some of these little gems. Such as the white sweatshirt that Priscilla is wearing and the Lace Santa one that Jaley is modeling.

It was fun! We had more people show up this time. I made Pepperjack Cheese Wontons, Sticky Hot Wings, Brown Sugar Bacon Lil'Smokies, Cucumber Sandwiches, Peanut Butter Balls, and Cake Balls. Gloria made salsa, guacamole, pigs n blankets, and Puppy Chow Mix. The only thing left over were the sandwiches. They were just okay and I got the recipe from Oprah.com. I thought Oprah knew her food.

Hope everyone is enjoying their Holiday Season!

Silly Violet

One of Violet's favorite words to yell at random times is "MATT"! That's her dad's name if ya didn't know. It is so funny. She yells it very loud and always sounds a little annoyed. And she always has to scream it numerous times. I know babies learn through imitation. hehe. Matt says I have to start calling him Daddy so she will stop doing that. But it's just too funny!

Rum Cake and Snickerdoodles

Rum Cake with a walnut-brown sugar topping. Got the recipe from pioneerwoman.com. The cake was a little dry but the glaze was delicious!

Snickerdoodles from allrecipes.com. Matt really enjoyed these because he loves cinnamon.

Just wanted to share pics of some of the Holiday junk er Treats I've been making (eating).

Cake Balls

Aren't they pretty? I have been wanting to make these for a while. Ever since I saw them on Bakerella's Blog. I used a Red Velvet cake mix with a can of cream cheese frosting. Then dipped in white almond bark. They were extremely sweet! Next time I will use less frosting and a better dipping chocolate. I don't really like Almond Bark. If your wanting to make these I suggest you have plenty of time on your hands. Took FOREVER! Got the recipe from allrecipes.com.

YUMMY YUMMY!

Vintage Figurines

Are these not adorable? My mom has been collecting christmas items forever. For real, she has the biggest Santa collection. She also has a ton of christmas angels. I never paid them much attention. Until this past saturday I went to Dallas to an Antique Flea Market and fell in love with all the tiny christmas figurines. I finally picked a little angel holding a hymn. She is so cute!

Then on Sunday I dragged Matt to our local antique store in Benbrook (which is huge!). After much research I've decided that Napco and Lefton have the most adorable items. So, I found a pair of Napco salt and pepper carolers and took them home! Then I discovered they have an angel for every month. So, I got my ebay crazed father to buy me the July Angel since everyone in my little family has a July Birthday. I can't wait to get her! I think I've turned into....Gulp, Gulp, my MOTHER.

I'm now a collector! I feel so nerdy and happy inside!

17 Months Old

Violet is 17 Months Old today! Time for an update!

1. She loves blowing kisses and giving kisses.
   
   




2. She is crazy about Brainy Baby and Baby Einstein. She points at the tv and then runs to sit in her little chair and waits for it to start.
   
   




3. She calls her friend Emi "Eno".
   
   




4. She likes to redecorate my christmas tree, little stinker!
   
   




5. She loves babies and baby dolls. She will pat hers on the back and give kisses.
   
   




6. She is always ready to go "SIDE"! (outside)
   
   




7. Some of her favorite words-belly, thank you, ruff ruff, meow, book, bath, bubble, snack,pretty...she says a lot of words! I think Bum Bum means Grandpa to her!
   
   




8. When we get her dressed she says "Woo Wee" and usually thinks it's time to go BYE BYE.
   
   




9. All children are babies to her. Even if they are 8 years old!
   
   




10. She Loves being with her family!

She is such a great, little, girl! TO ME!

My Pirate Girl

Violet LOVES this pirate hat! It's really funny. My dad won it on our trip to San Diego last summer. He was playing that game where you swing a huge hammer and try to get the highest number on Mission Beach. Then he gave the hat to Violet.

Well, she suddenly wants to wear it all the time. It looks so perfectly random with whatever outfit she has on. I think she looks tough, huh? Not really! She is such a sensitive little person. There is this popular video on youtube called "Scarlett takes a tumble". Violet will start crying if she sees it playing because the girl gets hurt. I figured this out after watching it then showing the video to my mom and sisters. She doesn't like it when Matt tickles me either. I have to distract her if Matt is watching an action movie.

I love my little sweetheart.