Christmas 2010

We had an absolutely fabulous Christmas this year with both of our families! We are so blessed to live so close to our families seeing them all year long. And being able to be apart of all the activities when the holidays are here.

At the James' on Christmas eve. We all had matching pjs on with our names embroidered.

Luke showed up to the Jeffrey Christmas wearing one of his Christmas gift. He loves Superman!

James and Lily, with some of her new jewelry she got for Christmas

Well that is all the pictures I have. New Year's resolution for me is to take more pictures with my real camera and not just my iphone! Happy 2011 to all!!!

Grinch

A couple of weeks ago we went to see How The Grinch Stole Christmas: The Musical at the Winspear Opera House in Dallas. It was such a fun night with our dear friends, Hillary and Marty. The musical was good but probably would have been better if we had kids to take to see it.

Here Piggy, Piggy, Piggy

I shot my first wild hog! I know that might sound a little country of me but what can I say....it was a lot of fun. We were on a deer hunt so that was our main goal but we happened to stumble upon 2 wild hogs rooten around in the ground while we were on our way to the deer stand. So I got my rifle ready and shot and down one went. I didn't get a deer on this trip. We saw one buck but he wasn't old enough to shoot. Maybe next time...

Here is a pic of my hog. They sure are ugly beasts.

Here is my best grouping to date with my bow. Jonathan still thinks I am not ready for hunting with my bow but I think this is pretty good!

Beautiful sunrise one morning

Jonathan looking for deer in the stand.

Pumpkin Cookies with Light Brown Glaze

For those of you who know me well, you know that I am not the biggest pumpkin fan. Not like Nat Pat or Steph Shuler who love pumpkin anything. But I have found a pumpkin cookie that I absolutely love! It is a recipe from a dear friend of the family, Wende Downe, and she was gracious enough to give me the recipe because it is one of my husbands favs. So to kick off the Thanksgiving holiday (and because I am making these as we speak-they smell so good!) here is the recipe for you to try and enjoy!

Pumpkin Cookies

1 cup sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/2 cup butter
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt

Heat over to 375. Mix sugar, pumpkin, and butter. Stir in flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon and salt.
Drop dough by teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake until light brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Immediately remove from cookie sheet; cool.
Spread with Light Brown Glaze (see below). about 4 Dozen

Light Brown Glaze

1/4 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Heat butter in 1 1/2-quart saucepan over medium heat until delicate brown. Stir in powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir milk until smooth.

They are almost cake-like cookies and are so delicious. Enjoy!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Bathroom Makeover!

While I don't have "before" pictures, I still wanted to share what our master bathroom looks like now after a much needed makeover. Thanks to my amazing husband (who is my Mr. handyman!) we now have a beautiful updated bathroom. No more green/ivory/gold stripe wallpaper and old gold fixtures. We did a texture on the walls and then painted them. We added a new light fixture and bronze faucets and towel racks. I still need to add a few more accessories but here is the mostly finished bathroom...

Woody and Jessie (aka Luke and Lily)

Virginia

Jonathan and I went to visit his brother and sister-in-law in Lexington, Virginia last week. We had such a great time being with them and visiting their wonderful town! They were fantastic hosts and tour guides, as they showed us all the beauty that Rockbridge County has to offer!

The four of us at Washington and Lee University where they met and where Nathaniel is still in law school.

Lee Chapel at Washington and Lee University.

The campus was so beautiful with the old brick buildings and colorful trees!

We went to an applebutter festival at a nearby mill with local craftsmen, live bluegrass and homemade applebutter to sample.

You could take a turn stirring the applebutter. (It was good, but Mallory's homemade applebutter was better!)

Jonathan and I stopped at the Battle of Manassas on our way to Lexington from D.C. Jonathan absolutely loved this! I really enjoyed it too but Jonathan is the history buff of the 2 of us especially when it involves the civil war and the South!

Jonathan with Stonewall Jackson statue

"THERE STANDS JACKSON LIKE A STONE WALL"

James & Krista...engaged!

James and Krista got engaged about 2 weeks ago. We are so excited to have Krista be apart of our family!!!

My parents' rented out a restaurant in Waxahachie, where Krista is living. Friends and family gathered and waited to celebrate with them once they arrived.

Luke and Lily were our look-outs for the newly engaged couple.

We spotted them coming over to the restaurant

Surprise!

Telling everyone the engagement story

Lily-practicing as flower girl

Luke got to wear one of Krista's co-worker's police badge and he was super excited and seemed to feel very proud wearing it! It was super cute!

1 Year!

Jonathan and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary by going on a trip to the Dominican Republic for a week. We had a great time at a great resort called Casa de Campo. We would recommend it...especially during the off-season like when we went because there was hardly anyone there! On several occasions, we would be the only 2 in the restaurant eating so we got great service! We laid on the beach and at the pool, played tennis, went horseback riding, went sailing (Jonathan did), and did a round of skeet shooting all without ever having to leave the resort property. And of course ate well! It was such a wonderful trip! Can't believe it has been a year! Sure do love you, babe!!!