Family Vacation

I am pretty much packed. Still got to gather up my beauty products and switch my junk to my new purse that Matt got me. For the past few years my mom has started a new tradition of taking everyone on vacation during Christmas break. I think it started in '06 when we went to San Francisco and that was also my first time on a plane since I was an infant. That was a fun trip. This year we opted not to travel by plane or go on a cruise to be more swine flu cautious and I told my mom I was not up to flying with a 2 year old!

We are going to Rockport, Tx in the morning. A whole week to relax and do nothing! That yellow beach house above is the house that my grandparent's on my dad's side built. The house sits facing the water. I'd go stay there for a week or so almost every summer with my Peepaw's and my Aunt Jennifer. I always had a good time and would cry my eyes out when it was over. It's now a rental house. But that is not where were staying. Were staying at a Lodge that sleeps more people. People going are, my family (3), mom, dad, 3 sisters, Jeb, Uncle Jim and 2 of his kids.

I'm ready to see the ocean and have family time!

ps. Quick story. One of the family dog's used to run circles around the porch and flew straight off the edge! But he was ok after the fall.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas my friends! We had a dinner party last night. Here are two of the recipes I used. The Christmas punch was so different and good.

Christmas Punch-

• 2 cups water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (46 fluid ounce) can pineapple juice, chilled
• 4 cups cranberry-apple juice, chilled
• 1 liter ginger ale, chilled

In a saucepan, bring the water, sugar and cinnamon to a boil; stir until sugar is dissolved. Chill. Just before serving, combine the syrup mixture, juices and ginger ale in a punch bowl or large pitcher. Serve over ice. Serves 15.

Gingersnap Dip-

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (I thought it needed 3 tsp)
  
• 1 (8 ounce) carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (16 ounce) package gingersnaps

In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and pumpkin pie spice. Beat in whipped topping until blended. Refrigerate until serving. Serves 24. (After the party I still had another bowl left, that's alot!)

Both of these recipes came from my go to website...allrecipes.com

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and we will be going to eat a nice dinner at my parents then we will go to the 11pm candlelight service with my husband's family. Then Christmas at our home in the morning, then my parent's for lunch and to the Mil's for dinner/presents! Busy, busy, back and forth we go.

Beautiful Sunday

We went to the Dallas Arboretum yesterday to have a picnic and take a stroll through the storybook houses. So much fun. There was lots of sunshine and Violet loved it. This was also were I had my bridal portraits done back in June and we got horrible service from one specific lady and I got 6 free tickets to come back. I'm happy to say this was a great visit except for when Justine got yelled at for throwing a mini, soft football in our picnic area. The picnic spot overlooked the lake and their were lots of sailboats going by. Just lovely! And I got to use my new picnic basket set from Mandy =)

It's already started

All of the girls in my family (minus Jus) took Violet to see The Princess and the Frog on friday. Very cute movie with lots of peppy songs! Of course, it was Disney.

Violet likes to remind everyone that she saw the Princess and the frog off and on throughout the day. Today my sister Jaley told her, "Your such a pretty little girl." Violet got mad and said NO, I NOT! Then she crossed her arms and said in a pouty voice, "I'm a princess." But is sounded more like pwincess. She's a cutie and talking more and more every day.

Cold and Wet Day

At the moment it's after noon and Violet and I are still in our jammies. She's eating yogurt and a peanut butter sandwich while watching the Dora Christmas special. I'm dunking buttered toast in my leftover Zuppa Toscana soup from last night. Delicious!

I found a pretty playground/park last week just a few minutes from my house. I can't wait to take V there to play. It's beautiful with huge trees and a walking path with a pond and ducks. Thought we might get to go today but my hubby just texted me that it was too cold and wet out.

Now I'm off to put cleaning the house on hold and think of some awesome indoor activity for us to do!

(pics are of V and Brianna a few weeks ago)