Thursday, December 31, 2009

Christmas in Texas

Kristen and I went to my parents for Christmas, then the whole family drove to my brother's in Austin the day after Christmas. It was so much fun to have the whole family together (minus just a couple of Kristen's cousins). We left Oklahoma before the big blizzard hit...14 inches of snow!! But we did get a little bit of snow in Texas.
Kristen in the little bit of snow that we got.

Playing the piano at Grandma and Grandpa's house.

Santa brought a few things for Kristen.

Opening presents on Christmas morning.
In front of the Texas State Capitol in Austin.

Kristen LOVES Matt...he's married to her cousin, Erica. Kristen was the flower girl in their wedding.

Kristen and Mommy.
Kristen's cousins, Erica and Shelby.There are many more pictures I need to sort through and post. And hopefully I'll get some from the rest of the family that they took on their cameras :)

We had a great 2009 and looking forward to an even better 2010. I treasure each day with my beautiful daughter. She's growing up so fast.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

BFF

Kristen has made a new, wonderful best friend in school this year. They sit right next to each other in class and are both such sweet girls. And the really cool thing is that B was adopted from China. Here they are at their Christmas party on Friday. B came by our house Sunday and gave Kristen a necklace which says "Be Frie", and of course her necklace says "st nds". How cute is that!!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

All I want for Christmas...

...is my ONE front tooth. Kristen lost a tooth yesterday while she was eating lunch at school and she was SOOOO excited. So she's been singing that little song over and over :) Her other front tooth is loose but I don't think it'll be out by Christmas. This was tooth #4 and the tooth fairy visited her last night and left her a little surprise. Happy girl!!!


Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Playdate and Cheering

We sure have had a lot going on lately, and are having a lot of fun. About a week ago we got to have a playdate with Abby, Hannah and Landis. The kids worked on a gingerbread train, but I think they had more fun sneaking bites of the candy and the icing :) It had been way too long since these precious girls had seen each other. Aren't they beautiful.




Kristen also went to a cheerleading clinic for 3 hours on a Saturday morning, and they got to perform their cheer and a dance at the freshmen girls and boys basketball games. She had a blast!! And it was pretty fun for mom to watch, too :)



Saturday, December 5, 2009

Recipe for Holiday Appetizer Dip

Here's a recipe that we've had in our family for many years. I love to have it any time, but it just seems to taste better at Christmas, so I make it more this time of year. The dried beef in it is the kind that's in a jar that is used for chipped beef on toast...the brand I think I get here is Armour. (Hormel also makes it)

Holiday Appetizer Dip

8 oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp milk
2 1/2 oz. jar sliced dried beef, finely snipped (about 3/4 cup)
2 Tbsp instant minced onion
2 Tbsp finely chopped green pepper
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Blend cream cheese and milk. Stir in dried beef, onion, green pepper and pepper. Mix well. Stir in sour cream. Spoon into 8-inch pie plate or small shallow baking dish. Sprinkle walnuts over top. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Serve hot with assorted crackers.