Friend Christmas Party, White Elephant Style

Last Thursday was our annual Christmas party with a group of guys (& their wives) that Jason grew up with. We always share some great laughs. One of the highlights of the night is the classic white elephant gift exchange. Several years ago one of the white elephant gifts was a "used prosthetic leg," yes, there were even a few leg hairs in it! Every year the prosthetic leg would reappear. The intention was to disguise it so no one would know it was the leg. Well, we forgot about the leg and this year it reappeared.

I forgot my camera, but here's the closest picture I found on google that looks like the actual prosthetic leg.

Here's the white elephant gift Jason & I gave this year: a his & her pedicure set. The gift included a his & hers pair of slippers (made from maxi pads). I embellished the "hers" pair with a giant brad & flower. It also included used lotion and other foot care products. I found the inspiration from a few emails I received about making slippers from maxi pads. As I was making these slippers, Abbey asked, "What are those? Can you make me a pair of them?" If only Abbey knew what they are really used for! And I'm really not ready to give her the "maturation" talk yet! (she's only in 2nd grade).

Chessman Dessert

Delicious dessert! ENJOY!

2 bags Pepperidge Farms Chessman cookies (at Christmas time they are made with a tree, wreath, candy cane, bells)
1 lg box instant vanilla pudding
8 oz cream cheese
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 8 oz container cool-whip
4-5 bananas
1 pomegranate

Custard:
Mix together softened cream cheese and condensed milk. In separate bowl, mix pudding as instructed on box. Fold first mixture into pudding. Fold cool whip into this.

In 9 x 13 pan, lay on bottom of pan 1 bag of cookies. Put on one layer of bananas. Put on one layer of pomegranate seeds (Open the pomegranate and pull out all of the seeds. Pour custard over the pomegranate seeds. On top, arrange the other bag of cookies in 4 x 5 rows (20 cookies). Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Aliza, our little reindeer

Aliza came home from preschool on Thursday sporting these Reindeer antlers. She's really enjoyed preschool this year.

Magic Bars

Need a quick & easy treat for a Christmas party? I just made these last week for a neighborhood Christmas party. Super easy and one of my favorites. 1/2 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 (14 ounce) can EAGLE BRAND® Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup butterscotch flavored chips
1 1/3 cups flaked coconut

Heat oven to 350 degrees F (325 degrees for glass dish). Coat 9 x 13 pan with non-stick cooking spray. Melt butter in 9 x 13 pan. Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter. Press into bottom of pan. Pour sweetened condensed milk evenly over crumb mixture. Layer evenly with chocolate chips, butterscotch flavored chips and coconut. Press down firmly with a fork. Bake 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Cut into bars. Store covered at room temperature.

Abbey's Christmas Dance Party

Abbey had a Christmas Dance Party on Wednesday, 12/10. Ashley & Abbey are both on competition dance teams this year.

Abbey & dance friends after their gift exchange. Abbey scored some lip gloss.

Abbey & her dance friends with their teacher, Miss Lynell. Lynell has been an amazing dance teacher. I'm grateful that she loves each one of the girls on the team and has taught them to believe in themselves.

Aliza's 4th Birthday

We had fun celebrating Aliza's 4th birthday on Tuesday, December 9th. Happy Birthday, Aliza!

She came home from preschool with her crown with the glittered #4 on it. Poor Aliza skinned her nose and upper lip on our driveway the night before her birthday.

We always let the kids pick their favorite restaurant to go out to eat at. Aliza's choice...Olive Garden. All of the kids (mom & dad included) love their fettucini alfredo.

One of her favorite presents..a baby alive doll. The doll came with a little carrier that converts into a backpack, purse, car seat, you name it. She's been wearing the doll as a backpack all week. Aliza named her "Sophie."

Ava enjoyed helping Aliza open the presents.

Fabulous Fried Ice Cream Dessert

We made this last week as a FHE treat. The kids LOVED it! Every once in a while when we hit a good Mexican restaurant, we'll splurge and order "fried ice cream." You can't go wrong with this one (another great recipe with my two favorite ingredients-sugar & butter!) ENJOY!

1 half gallon ice cream
3 cups corn flakes (or rice krispies)
1/2 cube butter
2 Tbsp brown sugar

Take ice cream out of the freezer and let soften.

In a pan, melt the butter and brown sugar. Add corn flakes (or rice krispies).

Scoop softened ice cream into individual balls. Roll the ice cream into mixture until well covered. Refreeze for a few minutes. Serve with hot fudge or carmel sauce.

Aliza, winner of Nick Jr's Super Fan of the Month Contest!

In October, we entered Aliza in the Nick Jr Super Fan of the Month Contest. Nickjr.com called for super fans of Dora the Explorer. We took several pictures of Aliza and explained in less than 50 words why she is Dora's biggest fan (which those of you who know Aliza know how much she LOVES Dora!)

On Monday, I received an email, which said, "Congratulations! You were selected as a Monthly Prize winner in the “Nick Jr. Super Fan Monthly Contest.” So, Aliza won $80 worth of Dora merchandise: Dora Snow Princess Dress, Prance & Fly Pegasus toy, Dora Snow Princess PC Games & Dora Mermaid Stickers. Oh, how I love winning contests (even though these prizes are for her, not me!) I kept saying to her, "Aliza, you won! you won!" We were both jumping up & down. She was so excited she swallowed her gum. She had a true perma grin on her face all day. It was such great timing since her birthday was yesterday, Tues, 12/9.

So from July to December, nickjr.com is selecting monthly winners (5 kids/month). All 30 monthly winners will be entered in the Super Fan of the Year Contest in January. The Super Fan of the Year will be selected by popular vote and will receive a $4,000 grand prize of a room makeover and party for their friends. So come January when I'm begging all of you to go online and vote for Aliza, you'll know why!

What an Amazing Race Finale!

I'll admit it, I have an addiction to reality TV shows. Amazing Race, Biggest Loser, Bachelor, Survivor. You name it....I've probably watched it! In fact, I even just watched Paris Hilton's my new BFF (and I really am not a Paris Hilton fan!)

Amazing Race, however, is truly one of my favorites. I love watching the contestants travel to foreign countries and after watching the show have realized there are some countries, that I have no desire to ever see.

The Season finale was tonight. I recorded it on the DVR and just finished watching it. My heart was racing dying to know who would cross the finish line first and win the million dollar prize. I was literally screaming at the TV and thrilled to see it was Nick & Starr. In fact, I woke up Ashley, who sadly enough said, "So who won?" So here's my question, where was Toni & Dallas (the mother & son team that was eliminated last episode). Dallas & Starr have had a budding romance on the show, so you'd think he would've been at the finale. Any ideas?

It's one reality show that I'd love to be on! Kristy, still game for trying out?

A couple of photos for any of you that missed the finale:

Phil (host of the show), with other contestants, waiting at the finish line.

Nick & Starr, winners of the million dollar prize.

Can't Call in Sick Day

Abbey & I were both hit hard on Thursday night with the stomach flu. I can't even remember the last time I've had the flu and I'm sure we could have caught it from anywhere (working in the nursery, going to the pediatrician's for Ava's 1-yr check up, kids at school, neighbor kids, stores, the list goes on & on).

The hardest thing about being self-employed and running a business is not being able to take a "sick day." I had quite a few payrolls to prepare for Friday, so I just had to work through the pain. And I was so sad that we had to miss our annual friend's Christmas party on Friday night.

The only good thing about being sick: I caught up on a few TV shows I've taped and read the entire book "New Moon." (yes, I'm the last girl in the blogosphere to read the Twilight series. I just read "Twilight" in November and haven't seen the movie yet, hopefully sometime soon!) Another thing: there's nothing like being sick to make you really appreciate how great it is to be healthy!

Superfantastic Blog Giveaway!

Mindi, is having "another shameless, self-promoting giveaway!" Click here to enter & don't delay these tidings of comfort and joy will end Dec. 17th at midnight. She's giving away 2 Christmas books Can you see what I see? and Snowmen at Christmas, as well as a Leg lamp nightlight (remember this featured on Christmas Story) and a $25 olive garden/red lobster gift card. The real reason I'm pimping her out on my blog? It earns me an extra entry.

Ava's 1st Birthday!

Hard to believe that our little baby, Ava Grace is now officially 1 year old as of today, November 30th! Aliza will turn 4 on December 9th, but we decided to combine their birthdays and celebrate both of their birthdays with both mine & Jason's family. We had everyone over for dinner (Cafe Rio style, see recipes on the next post) and then had cake & ice cream. A HUGE thanks to both of our families for coming & celebrating with us. THANKS for all of the presents, which Ava & Aliza both loved! We truly do appreciate your generosity & thoughtfulness! I was a little camera happy tonight, but it's not everyday that my 5th & final child turns 1!

It's been a fun year having a new baby in our family! Her smile truly brightens every day. The kids LOVE her so much and it's been so rewarding to watch them interact with her. I always say it's a miracle she's lived to her 1st birthday after the mauling she takes on a daily basis. Happy Birthday, Ava! We're so glad you're part of our family!

Ava loved the cake, especially the frosting!

Ava & Aliza's birthday cake/cupcakes. Aliza picked this one out from Sam's Club.

Ava & me. I'm loving my early Christmas present to myself (my new domestic diva apron) that I purchased from my friend, Amy! LOVE it!

Ava's been taking more & more steps each day. She'll take about 8-10 steps without falling.

Jason & Ava in front of the Christmas tree that we put up yesterday. Ahhh, one of the perks of throwing a party....having a clean house and all of the Christmas decorations are now officially up!

Thanks Kate for the cute shirt & Care Bear that you mailed to Ava. She loved it and wished you could have been here for the par-tay! Miss you all tons!

Some pictures of Ava's loot that she scored.....

Strawberry Shortcake ride on toy from Grandma & Duane. They also gave her a Barbie suitcase filled with lots of cute clothes. She also got more super cute clothes from Jeff & Missy, Jared & Marize, Grandma & Grandpa. Darling hair clips & Elmo toy from Steve & Margo & boys. Cute slippers & toy from Ellen & Angie. THANKS again for all of the great presents!

Musical Table from Jason & I. Ava & Ben had fun playing together with the light up toys.

Here's Aliza with the presents she scored. Tons of super cute clothes from Grandma & Duane.

Lots of Dora & Little Mermaid toys (both her favorites).

Love the cute dress that she got from Grandma & Grandpa H.

Cafe Rio Recipes

For Ava & Aliza's birthday party, I decided to make dinner & serve Cafe Rio chicken & pork salads. Here's the recipes I promised! ENJOY!

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

6 lbs pork - I bought it at Sam's Club (pork loin, boneless)
2 16 oz jars of salsa
2 cans of coke
3 cups brown sugar

Place pork in crock pot and fill it with water. Cook on high for 5 hours. Drain liquid & cut off fat. Cut pork in thirds. Mix together sauce and pour over pork. Cook an additional 3 hours on high. Shred pork with forks. Leave on low until ready to serve.

Cafe Rio Chicken

1 bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp cumin
3 Tbsp minced garlic
6 chicken breasts

Cook all together in crock pot on high for 4 hours. Shred meat and cook 1 more hour on high.

Cafe Rio Tomatillo Dressing

1 buttermilk ranch dressing packet (make as per recipe with milk & mayonnaise)
2 tomatillos (peel off dry skins/leaves)
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 clove garlic
juice of 1 lime
1 jalapeno (I removed the seeds, so it wouldn't be too hot)

Blend all ingredients in food processor or blender until smooth. Refrigerate.

Cafe Rio Rice

3 cups water
4 tsp chicken bouillon
4 tsp minced garlic
1/2 bunch cilantro
3/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp butter
4 cups rice

Chop cilantro into fine pieces. Bring water to boil and add all ingredients. Simmer covered 30 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.

* I cooked my rice in the rice cooker and then added all of the boiled ingredients to the rice cooker. Our family loves rice in the rice cooker (so much better than Minute rice).

Thanksgiving Pictures

We had a relaxing Thanksgiving. Good food. Good family. Good times. Here's just a few random pictures I took. We ate at my mom's this year. We alternate between my family & Jason's, but usually still see both families since they only live about a mile apart from each other. It's nice to show up with a small food assignment and enjoy a complete Thanksgiving meal. I'm sure it won't be for many years (since my mom's a mere 59 years of age) that I'll have to start hosting Thanksgiving, so I'm trying to enjoy it while I can.

Here's my nephew Ben (10 months old), always smiling & so happy.

Cute picture of Ben & Marize (my sister in law)

Aliza playing with cousin, Aaron

Jeff (my brother) & Missy (sister in law), a match truly made in heaven. Honestly, they are so perfect for each other. They even look alike!

Thanks for the great meal, Mom! We appreciate you having us over! Wow, I better get to bed, it's 3:40 am. Luckily, our church doesn't start until 2:00 pm!

Peaches 'N Cream Cheesecake

This is truly one of my favorite desserts. I just made it for Thanksgiving. It's supposedly one of my neighbor's family secret recipes and I lost the recipe. So, instead of calling her, I googled it and sure enough there were so many websites with the exact same recipe. Oh, how I love the internet. So much information at my fingertips! ENJOY! Hope you LOVE it!

Peaches 'N Cream Cheesecake

3/4 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 pkg (3 1/4 oz) dry vanilla pudding mix (NOT instant)
3 Tbsp butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 (15-20 oz.) can sliced peaches, well drained, reserve juice
1 (8oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
3 Tbsp reserved juice
1 Tbsp sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Combine in large mixer bowl first 7 ingredients. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Pour into greased 9" deep dish or 10" pie pan. Place drained fruit over batter. Combine in small mixer bowl cream cheese, sugar, and reserved juice (3 Tbsp). Beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Spoon to within 1" of edge of batter. Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over cream cheese filling. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes until crust is golden brown. Filling will appear soft. Store in fridge.

Ava's first taste of chocolate

Jason bought some Pretzel Flipz (chocolate covered pretzels) and gave some to Ava. This was her first real taste of chocolate and she of course, LOVED it! Jason was so amazed that she could bite through the pretzel with her teeth and asked me if I knew she could bite so well. Ya think? Believe me, I know and have painfully felt every tooth that she has cut. Oh, the joys of nursing! Actually, it really is easier for me than making a bottle in the middle of the night and everytime she's fussy, I just hook her up...just call me the human pacifier.

Daddy's 4th little girl. See the resemblance? Everyone always says how much Ava looks like Jason. Maybe she'll be lucky and get his naturally curly hair (like Ashley & Aliza have).

Abbey's Thanksgiving Feast

Abbey's 2nd grade class had a Thanksgiving Feast on Tuesday. She was so excited about it and wanted me to come volunteer. Of course, I had to jump at the chance, since I'm sure it won't be long until she is too embarrassed to have me volunteer (like Alex & Ashley!) Abbey is our middle child and is our peacemaker. She's always the first to help when someone is hurt or crying. She's been a great big sister to both Aliza & Ava. Thanks for inviting me, Abbey! I love spending time with you!

The kids really seemed to enjoy their feast.

I'm so thankful for the great friends & teacher that Abbey has this year!

Aliza is thankful for...

Aliza came home from preschool on Thursday so excited to show me all of these art projects she made. She's been wearing her indian headband all weekend.

Picture taken from her book, "I am thankful for." She keeps saying all weekend, "Mom, Did you know the pilgrims and the indians became friends?"

Chicken & Broccoli Braid

I found this recipe in a Pampered Chef cookbook and used to make it all the time, but forgot about it. ENJOY!

Chicken & Broccoli Braid

2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1 cup broccoli, chopped
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tsp dill seasoning mix
1/4 tsp salt
2 pkg (8 oz) each refrigerated crescent rolls
1 egg white, lightly beaten
2 Tbsp slivered almonds

Mix chicken, broccoli, cheese, mayonnaise, dill seasoning, and salt. Unroll pkgs of refrigerated crescent roll dough and lay side to side on cookie sheet/baking stone. Spread filling evenly over middle of dough. Cut stripes 1 1/2 inches apart, 3 inches deep. To braid, lift strips of dough across mixture to form a braid. Tuck ends under to seal at end of braid. Brush egg white over dough. Sprinkle with almonds. Bake 25-30 minutes at 375 degrees until golden brown.

Thankful THANKSGIVING Thursday

So true about Thanksgiving. As soon as Halloween is over, it's all about Christmas with every store filled with Christmas decorations and playing Christmas tunes. But in honor of Thanksgiving today, I want to pause & reflect on what we're thankful for. Here's what our family is thankful for:

Michelle - The important things: great husband, great kids, great friends, my testimony & faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The little things: caller ID on telephones, DVR to record my favorite shows, the internet, being able to work from home, our accounting & tax business & clients, a warm house & bed and heated leather seats.

Alex - family, Wii, friends, bacon, beef jerky, and guitar

Ashley - friends, soft blankets, electricity, yummy smelling lotion

Abbey - french fries, Santa Claus, Webkinz, American Girl Dolls, my pink, fuzzy blanket from my friend, Alexis

Aliza- Dora, my house, my sisters, my family

Ava - warm milk (luckily my mom has enough to feed me 24/7)