Catch Up Catch Up 2011 Part II

Let's see if I can catch us all the way up...
After Amy got married the family went to Gulf Shores, Alabama.  We have been here many times before and usually go every year. 

 

I got to go to a few Palette Parties with my sisters and friends.

This picture totally shows my family's personality!

 

I got to return the favor and stand by one of my best friends as she married the man of her dreams.  I didn't take any pictures at the wedding, so here is a throwback from our high school days.

Circa 2001 or 2002

We celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with both of our families.  We also held our 2nd annual Elf Workshop for all 9 of our nieces and nephews plus 1 great niece.  The Elf Workshop is technically hosted by our dogs and it is just a day that we spend doing fun Christmas crafts, games, and watching movies.  We have done an ornament both years and this year we did a snow family out of their handprints. 

Each kid did their own little masterpiece. 

Last for 2011, but certainly not least...we added a new family member with 4 legs.  Our precious little Bailey was brought into our family in November and has been a perfect fit for us.  She and big brother Buddy are the best of pals even though she is 6 times his size now. 

 

The day we got her.  11-4-11

Buddy checking out his new sister for the first time.

Best Buds

 

Happy Fall Y'all Part I

Fall officially starts Saturday, but here in Louisiana it will not really feel like fall for a few more weeks.  The weather has been beautiful here for the last week cooler in the mornings and evenings, but still HOT during the day.  Last year in October Matt and I took a fabulous week long trip to the North East and Canada with his parents.  Since I have been day dreaming about sitting on a huge front porch overlooking the mountains and fall leaves, I thought I would recap our trip.

We flew into Rochester, NY, rented a car, and were on our way to explore. 

Our first stop was Niagara Falls, NY.  Wow...is the best way to sum it up.  Looking at pictures you just don't realize the hugeness and grandness of the falls.  This is definitely a must see for your bucket list.  I was absolutely amazed at how close you can actually get to the falls.  In some places you can pretty much stick your hand in the water. 

My inlaws A&D



 

Our next stop was Canada.  We went to Toronto and Montreal.  I did not take many pictures in Toronto, so on to Montreal.  For some reason on our trips with A&D, we always end up in the prettiest churches and cathedrals.

Mary, Queen of the World Cathedral
The inside of this cathedral is beautiful, but none of my inside photos turned out good.  You can see the inside here.



Olympic Park



Notre Dame Basilica

Our next stop was one of my absolute favorites.  We spent the second night in Burlington, Vermont then got up early and explored all it had to offer.  We started our day at a delicious place called the Skinny Pancake. They try to use all fresh local products, and I could really go for a frumple cake about now.  After the Skinny Pancake, we headed to Church Street to do a little shopping then it was off for our big adventures for the day. Our first stop was the Cold Hollow Cider Mill.  We sampled fresh cold apple cider straight from the press, enjoyed hot apple cider donuts, and did a little wine tasting.  They had the perfect picture set up with the old blue truck in front of the mountains.  We even had to order cider when we got home because it was soooo good. 

The press

 

Our next stop after filling up on the cider donuts was an old wooden bridge. 

 

We drove a little ways to the Cabot Cheese Creamery.  We learned all about their cooperative and how they make cheese. The day we were there they were packaging sour cream and making pepper jack cheese.  I will say we buy Cabot products anytime we get the chance now. 

 

After visiting Cabot we enjoyed the fall leaves and drove to New Hampshire.  The Mountain View Grand in Whitefield, NH had the best view from their front porch.  All we did in NH was spend the night and enjoy the view from our top of the mountain resort. 

 

From here we headed to Maine, and I will tell you all about the remainder of the trip with my next post. 

Catch up Catch up 2011 Part I

Wow...it's been a while.  So over the last year and a half we have done quite a bit. So I'll try to quickly recap in pictures...

We sadly lost Belle our first 4 legged baby. 

I went to Vegas with my oldest and youngest sisters. 

I went to Los Angeles with one of the Alpha Chi Omegas that I advise for a recruitment training. 

Matt's sister Amy got married and we welcomed Rick and his girls to the family.  

 

We went on a few fabulous trips during 2011, so I'm going to post about those next. 

 

 

L-O-U-I-S-I-A-N-A Tech DAWGS!

Kelly over at Kelly's Korner is doing Show Us Your Life: Alma Maters today so I thought I would do my first link up and promote my alma mater!

I am from Louisiana, but I do NOT bleed purple and gold and never will! This house bleeds blue and red and we cheer for the bulldogs! Matt and I both graduated from Louisiana Tech University in 2008.  LA Tech is in Ruston, LA which is also my hometown!  Ruston is a small college community that is also known for its peaches.  Tech has a beautiful campus and lots to offer. 

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Being from Ruston and going to college at Tech, I knew I would see alot of people from high school, but Tech never once felt like high school!  I started out my college experience by going through formal recruitment.  This is something that no one else in my family had ever done before so I was a little nervous, but looking back I'm very glad I made the decision.  I became a member of Alpha Chi Omega and loved it!  I made many lasting friendships and enjoyed having the social, philanthropic, and sisterhood activities all through my college experience.  I still talk to a good number of my AX sisters and even help advise the chapter on Tech's campus.  Matt was a Kappa Sigma at Tech and he too stays in contact with many of his brothers. 

The AXO lodge on Tech's Campus

My AX sisters at my wedding

While at Tech I was a full time student and held pretty much a full time job either working at a gift shop or for a florist and babysitting.  During my last year at Tech, I got to work for the Dean's office in the College of Business.  I loved working on campus and loved the Dean's office because I got to know many of my professors.  The Dean's office was probably also the easiest and least stressful job I held while in college.  It allowed me to be on campus a whole lot more.

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The Clock tower

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This is one thing I looked forward to every spring....all the tulips that bloomed on campus.

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The Lady of the Mist

Tech has many great academic programs.  I got to experience two while there (Biology and Business Management) and will possibly be seeing a third in the near future.  A few interesting things that Tech has on campus are a planetarium and the Idea Place.  Tech has a pretty good athletic program.  You probably haven't heard too much about our football team, but we did have one football alum play in the Super Bowl this year.  The Lady Techsters (women's basketball) are probably our most recognized and successful athletic team.  They are actually undefeated so far this season.  Tech is a great place to learn and there is always something to do on campus or in the Ruston community.

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Tech the Bulldog

Go DAWGS!

Stir up some YUM!!

So I thought I would share one of my easiest and most requested recipes just in time for the Superbowl.  For about the past 6 months, anytime I have needed a quick and delicious recipe this has been my go to.  Every time I bring it somewhere someone requests the recipe. Let me add that I am by no means a photographer much less a food photographer!

Jalapeno Popper Dip
2 - 8 oz. packages cream cheese
1 cup mayonnaise (do NOT use Miracle Whip!)
1 1/2 cups grated cheese (really any kind works I like to use cheddar)
1 - 4 oz. can chopped green chilies
1/2-1 - 4 oz. can diced jalapeno peppers, reserve small amount of juice drain the rest (my local store does not have cans of diced jalapenos, so I use 10-15 jalapeno slices and chop them and about 1 teaspoon of juice)
bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except bread crumbs.

Spread into a baking dish.  I'm pretty partial to my LeCreuset pie dish that I got as a wedding gift because it is both cute and functional!  Top with bread crumbs.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until dip is bubbly and golden brown.

Serve with chips or whatever you choose.

I made this for a party Matt had at work during the holidays and he was calling me before I could even pull out of the parking lot because all the ladies at work wanted the recipe.  It is also a favorite with my beach trip girls. 

I am preparing for a quick little overnight trip to Dallas tomorrow with all the girls from Matt's side of the family.  A very special little girl turned 8 last week and we must celebrate American Girl style!  Emily Grace, Matt and I (and of course Belle and Buddy) hope you enjoyed your special day we have enjoyed watching you grow up over the last 8 years!  We can't wait to see where life takes you! 



Emmy and Matt after a musical at her school.

 Hopefully I will remember to take some pictures this weekend!



Going out with a Bang Part 2

I have kept busy volunteering with a few different groups.  I am in the Junior Service League and we presented Snow White to some of the area's younger students.  We had a blast and I got to know some of the other ladies in the JSL.



Snow White cast
I'm the bluebird in the front! I had to really use my imagination for my costume!

 Matt and I celebrated our 1st anniversary in November.  We took a little trip to Dallas/Grapevine, TX and stayed at the Gaylord Texan.  This place is pretty amazing.  We got there the night they turned on all their Christmas lights and opened their ice display.  Everything at the hotel was beautiful!  Matt's bff Zach and his wife Laura met us there since they live in Frisco and went through the ice display with us.  We got to see their beautiful house and go to Ikea before coming home. 



The Gaylord's beautiful Christmas tree



This was our view as we sat and visited with Zach and Laura





Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown ICE! display

Snoopy's ICE! doghouse

The nativity made of ice...this does it no justice at all!

We of course celebrated Christmas with both of our families.  We always celebrate with Matt's family on Christmas Eve and with my family Christmas evening.  Since both families live within 30-45 minutes of each other this isn't really hard to split our time between the two.  I of course didn't even get my camera out at either, but I did borrow a few pictures from one of my sisters.


Me and all of my siblings: Heather, Amanda, Shasta, Me, Haley, and Kyle



Three generations: Mom, Maw Maw, and me

 After Christmas part of my family got together to celebrate my little sis' 22nd birthday.  She claimed she had never been to Chuck E. Cheese before and has always wanted to go, so that's where we took her.  I think all the germy kiddos running around might have cured her from ever wanting to go back I know it did me!


Haley and all her prizes from Chuck E. Cheese!



2010...Going out with a Bang Part 1

Wow...it has been a while! Nothing too exciting has happened lately.  We have just been working and enjoy all life has to offer!  2010 ended peacefully! I did go on my girls' beach trip that I talked about before.  We had a blast even though it rained everytime we tried to lay out on the beach and there were a few tar balls, but that didn't stop our fun! We would love to make the trip a yearly occurance!

Bethany, Haley, Amanda, Jessica, and I (Sara Grace is missing...someone had to take the picture)

Me and my baby sister

 Matt and I went on a week long trip to Cancun in September with my oldest sister's family.  We stayed at an all inclusive resort and just relaxed and enjoyed ourselves.  We walked down the beach one night and got to help release baby sea turtles.  I don't know if we were just there during hatching time or what but they released these babies by bucket fulls! That was a great experience and something we won't soon forget. 

 Beautiful view!



Shasta, G, and Mark at an amazing seafood place!



This fellow got too close for comfort at the seafood place!



Bucket of baby sea turtles