Merry Christmas To All and To All a Goodnight!

Merry Christmas!

Filled with Love

I love Christmas for so many reasons; spending time with family and friends, celebrating the birth of our Lord, decorations, Christmas trees, gifts, yummy food and CHRISTMAS CARDS!! It is so fun coming home from work and checking the mailbox to find, no not bills, but Christmas cards from family and friends. It is so fun to watch the kiddies grow for those far away that you do not see and just to have cards hanging to see all of your family and friends. Here is our door so far:) Thanks everyone for the sweet adorable cards! We sure are enjoying them. Christmas is two days away! HOORAY!

Gift Idea

My sister-in-law, Emily makes rum cakes every year around Christmas and I loved the tradition b/c a bundt cake is so pretty, so I now do it as well. I give a bottle of rum and rum cake to my boss and it also makes a great gift for neighbors, co-workers, friends or hostess gifts etc. Give it a try! YUMMY! Christmas is just 5 days away.

Rum Cake

Cake ingredients:

½ c chopped pecans
1 box yellow cake mix
1 small pack instant choc pudding
½ c white rum
½ c water
½ Crisco oil/canola oil
4 eggs

Glaze ingredients:

1 c sugar
1 stick butter
1/4 c rum
1/4 c water


Grease and flour pan, chop nuts in bottom. Mix cake and pudding in mixer add rum, water, oil and eggs. Mix 2 minutes. Pour into pan. Bake 325 for 50-60 min.
Or until set.

Immediately after removing from oven, poke bottom throughout cake and pour glaze SLOWLY. Cool before flipping over (appx 30 min)

Glaze: bring all ingredients to boil and boil 2-3 minutes constantly stirring.

21 Weeks & Baby Kicks!

People always say you will pop and boy they were sure right. I would say over the last 2-3 weeks my belly GROWN so much. Our sweet little angel over the last week is kicking and moving around like crazy and it is the most wonderful feeling. I used a heating pad on my aching back last night and boy she loved that or hated it.. one or the other, but was moving around like crazy. Matt was able to feel her kick for the first time last week and he was just amazed. I hope everyone is getting ready for Christmas, I am so ready:)

Week ending 21 Weeks

Weeks 19 & 20 and a Christmas Tree

Weeks 19 and 20, WOW time sure is flying! I feel GREAT!!! I have lots of energy and I am trying to get a lot of stuff done so when the third trimester hits I will not be so overwhelmed! Matt and I are getting more excited everyday because our sweet baby girl is going to be here before we know it. I sure Love being pregnant, it is so fun to watch my belly grow week by week. I felt little kicks this week and it is an amazing feeling. Can't wait for more to come. Have a great week.

19 Weeks

20 Weeks

Picking out our tree!

Our sweet Fergie trying to stay warm:)

Covered in Pink!

Bows, baby dolls, ballet shoes, crafts and PINK galore.... We are so overjoyed to announce that we are blessed with a sweet baby GIRL! Matt and I had a feeling all along and mommy is so excited to have a little girl and daddy, well he is in trouble:) (he is a softy.. shhh don't tell him I said that). I can't begin to tell you how real this is getting, we saw her sweet little face and body on the ultrasound and it melted our hearts. She is in the 70th percentile for her weight and she is a healthy healthy baby! We found it funny that all of her measurements came in average except her legs, her thigh bone is measuring in the 97th percentile; she is going to have some long legs. Matt seems to think she is going to be a scholar athlete and is so excited about the tall little one. The shopping has begun and the nursery is going to come together in a matter of no time and I will share with some pics. I am feeling great, belly is starting to really show. We had so much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving!!!

If you remember from the first blog of the baby announcement you will remember the onesey's that you see above. I gave oneseys to each parent in a gift bag and they opened it and found out they were going to be grandparents:) The grandparents names have changed though. My mom is still Noni, my dad is Papa, Matt's dad is still Big Daddy (he is so excited about this) and Matt's Mom is Ya-YA. Love the grandparent names, now we have to get our little girl to say them, that is the main test:)

Now.. to find out whether it was a boy or girl, they reopened the gift and found a onesey with a little pink boy to indicate it was a girl:)

Close up

Thanks and Giving

We have so many things to be thankful for but most of all a wonderful family. We had a great time with my family in Charlotte. We did Thanksgiving with Mom on Thanksgiving Day and then Thanksgiving with Dad and his family on Saturday, although I did not take any photos on Saturday, bummer. We always have such a wonderful time with the family and it's so sad when it is over. I will tell you one thing, I am not eating Turkey until Christmas because with two dinners and then leftovers, boy we are sick of it now, but it sure was yummy!:) Black Friday was a crazy day, we woke up at 3:30 a.m. to get a great deal on a video camera and we did lots of other shopping and we were wore out by 11 am so we came back home and took a power nap and went out for more shopping. I love the holidays and can't wait for Christmas now:) Time is flying by.

Cooking away

What a beautiful Turkey and great looking couple

The Girls

Jennifer's Shower

This past weekend we threw a shower for our friend Jennifer. What a beautiful day and such a lovely shower. Jennifer is one of my dearest friends and so it was so much fun planning a shower for she and baby Clark, (whom I can't wait to meet and put my hand on in a few weeks). Our little babies are going to be best buds or well girl/boy friends:) We will see!!!!!

The trained themed shower was a hit and Jennifer sure went home with lots of beautiful gifts for them to enjoy. I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!

The train theme was so fun

Logan-18 weeks, Jennifer-31 weeks, Heather- 21 weeks


Hostesses

High School BFF's

Belly touch!

I don't look pregnant compared to her, come on baby grow:)

Peek-A-Boo

Well, The past couple of weeks my belly really started to pop, FINALLY!! HOORAY! I just love the little baby bump. I feel like there is a small little one inside there now:) Our sweet baby is just fluttering away, at least I think, and it feels so amazing. Sometimes I am like "gosh I just ate and not hungry" and well it is a flutter, so fun. We find out next week if it is a boy or girl and we can not wait. I have been feeling great and can't wait until next Tuesday! Happy Thanksgiving!!!

16 Weeks

17 Weeks

Quick n Easy

This is a delicious, quick and easy appetizer to share with your family and friends when they run over for a drink in the afternoon:) My sister-in law shared with recipe with me who originally got it from my dad, way to go dad (so weird I have not had it when he made it)! Being pregnant makes this even better b/c it is all cheese:) YUMMY!

Bruschetta Bake-

Place one stick of cram cheese on a foil lined baking sheet, layer a jar of pesto over cream cheese, top with tomatoes and finally mozzarella cheese. Bake until melted. Enjoy!

Baby Update

I have been so bad about blogging lately. Have had great things to blog about but we keep taking pics with my mom's camera so I can upload them on my computer.

I thought I would give you a little sneak peak at the baby. We find out two weeks from TOMORROW if we are having a sweet baby girl or boy. OMG I can't wait! I have a feeling it's a girl. We are really getting anxious now! I have been so lucky to have had such a wonderful pregnancy thus far and am hoping it continues, actually praying hard it continues:) I know everyone is different but the doctor told me he thinks I would pop between 15-20 weeks. I am 17 weeks tomorrow and you can see a little something, and I am so excited. I think by Thanksgiving for sure I will look pregnant. I know, I know, it is crazy, but everyone mommy shows at different times.

I am just loving cheese, carbs and peanut butter as always but especially now. My first trimester that is all I ate and as big of a sweet tooth as I have, was not much of a fan but now that the second trimester has hit..it's back, not so good news. I lived off peanut butter and jelly sandwhiches for lunch during the first trimester but trying to eat more salads, but it is hard.. not as yummy as they use to be:) I am loving belly bands now, whoever invented them, THANK YOU! I have my crib and picked out a recliner chair and furniture this weekend! It's just so exciting.

In two weeks I will know what to pick out as far as bedding and clothes and I can't wait!! HOORAY! I am going to be hitting up the baby stores on Black Friday for sure!!! Happy Monday!

15 weeks

Trick or Treat!

I hope everyone had a very Happy Halloween. We sure did! Saturday night we had two parties, the first was a "True Blood" party and it was decorated from ceiling to floor with the theme "True Blood,"the tv show. The second party was a "Hero's and Villains" party and we had a blast with great friends and fun laughs. Sunday was the big day.. We live in a neighborhood where one would think either Halloween Hell or Halloween Hollywood. I think it is Halloween Hollywood b/c I love to give out candy:) There are so many kids in or neighborhood I was not sure how much to get but I got a 6 lb bag and then a at least 35 large chocolate bars. you should have seen the kids eyes light up when I gave them a HUGE candy bar, it tickled Matt and I. So fun! Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

Happy Birthday Momma!

This weekend all the kids went to Raleigh and we stayed with Meade and Emily to celebrate Mom's birthday. Mom wanted to go to the State Fair which was so fun. Talk about FOOD! Lord, we ate everything you could think of from, fried snickers to funnel cake, corn, fried pickles, sausage rolls and more. We enjoyed playing games and visiting the animals on this absolutely GORGEOUS day for the NC STATE FAIR and MOM'S BIRHTHDAY!! (I took lots of pics of the food but I will have to share later b/c they are on Mom' s camera)

Birthday Girl!

AMAZING Apple Cake that I made for her birthday!!

Emily shared this yummy recipe that we made on Saturday night for Mom's birthday dinner. It was delicious!!

Honey Flank Steak:

2 c honey
1/2 c ketchup
1/4 c mustard
3 dashes Worcestershire
1/4 c olive oil
2 Flank Steaks or 1.5 lb
Lemon Pepper

Mix and coat with lemon pepper on bother sides.

Pour marinade on meat and marinade at least 4 hours. Cook 5 min per side. Pour rest of marinade in saucepan and bring to boil. Serve on side.

Enjoy:)

Carmel Apples

After mom and I went apple picking I have made several different recipes with apples. I eat at least two a day, they are so good for you as well:) I make cooked apples all the time as a side with dinner and breakfast. I made oatmeal raisin cookies and added cooked apples to them, which were delicious. I had to make the obvious, Carmel apples so I could not wait to make them and had fun doing it. One of these days very soon I will have a little helper to help me:) Enjoy!

Wash apples. Push wooden sticks into the top of chilled apples. Return apples to the refrigerator until caramel is ready for dipping.

Place sugar, corn syrup, and water in a large saucepan; boil, stirring until dissolved. Boil, without stirring, 9 minutes or until light golden. Combine half-and-half, vanilla, and salt; slowly stir into pan. Boil until candy thermometer reaches 235° (45 minutes), stirring frequently. (To make it easier and quicker, you can always just buy already made Carmel, but you know me, always like a challenge in the kitchen and homemade ingredients:) )

Here is my assembly line all ready to go. I did a few with walnuts as well:) YUMMY. Pour caramel into a bowl sitting in a hot water bath. Swirl apples in caramel, and place on baking sheet lined with wax paper.

Carmel Apples

16 wooden sticks
16 small apples, chilled
2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup light-colored corn syrup
1/2 cup water
2 cups half-and-half
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt


1. Push wooden sticks into the top of chilled apples. Return apples to the refrigerator until caramel is ready for dipping.
2. Place sugar, corn syrup, and water in a large saucepan; boil, stirring until dissolved. Boil, without stirring, 9 minutes or until light golden.
3. Combine half-and-half, vanilla, and salt; slowly stir into pan. Boil until candy thermometer reaches 235° (45 minutes), stirring frequently.
4. Pour caramel into a bowl sitting in a hot water bath. Swirl apples in caramel, and place on baking sheet lined with wax paper.

Emulating My Mother's Tradition...

My mother had such a wonderful Fall front porch display that I had to pass it down to our family last year. I revamped it with some Halloween decor but I will be honest, the spiders freaked me out when I was hanging them. I just LOVE coming home and looking a the porch during this time of year b/c it really gets me in the spirit. I have always loved the idea momma, thank you!!!

I thought this scarecrow was adorable and could not pass it up

Close up on Fall

Close up on Halloween

A Trip to the Orchard

Click here to view these pictures larger

A Trip to the Orchard..Part 2

This past weekend I went to Charlotte for a Mother/Daughter weekend and had a blast, like usual. The more this little peanut grows in my belly, I know I want a daughter one day b/c the relationship my mother and I have is to strong that I only hope my daughter and I are as close as my mom and I. We drove up early Saturday morning to Hendersonville to go apple picking at Stepp Orchard, old family tradition. Wow, did it bring back such wonderful memories and boy did we pick a TON of apples. I will be making LOTS of apple dishes, so stay tuned. The weather could not have been more beautiful, I mean it was absolutely gorgeous, perfect temperature and clear blue skies. After we went apple picking we went into town and had lunch and headed home. What a fun filled day. We are going to continue this tradition for years to come!

Please excuse me:

I downloaded the pics on my mom's computer and when sending on shutterfly I can not save it a a normal size so you will have to view above for pics

New Addition.....

Matt and I are so overjoyed to announce the arrival of our sweet little bundle of love that will arrive April 21, 2011. We are so excited and thankful that the Lord blessed us with a sweet baby and in April too, because I have always wanted an April baby:) My birthday is April 13th and my little brothers is the 21st so we can not wait to see when our little one will make his/her debute. The blessing of a child is such an exciting time in a families life and Matt and I are on cloud nine. We only ask for continued prayers for a healthy baby and safe delivery. Please keep us in your prayers over the next 6 months so we can meet our little one.

The Details:
We found out that I was pregnant 4 days before my brother's wedding and a week after our Key West trip:) We had to keep it a secret so we would not spoil Meade and Emily's big day so I did and it was hard, but waited until it was safe enough to tell and the family was so excited. How we told out parents: We gave each parent a gift and said it was a little present from Key West. In each gift they found a little onesey, found below:) I was so excited about my idea and can't wait to share how we will tell them if it is a boy or girl. We told the brothers by giving them an envelope that said "Congratulations Uncle Wes, April 21, 2011" Congratulations Aunt Emily and Uncle Meade, April 21, 2011" with a picture of the ultrasound, We did the same for Matt's sister. It has been so fun sharing the news with our family and friends and just can not wait until April.

My mom wants to be called Noni, and my dad is thinking Ozzy, but not 100%. Matt's parents want to be called YA-YA and Big Daddy! Laura always wanted it to be Big L, but she changed it, which is why the onesey says Big L.