It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Far away, but not forgotten :)

Last night I talked to my Uncle Don who lives in Nevada. He told me that his twin daughters (Finley's cousins)love to watch her videos so I knew I had to put up some new ones for them to see. Sam and Kena, here they are!

Weekend in the 'boro.

Saturday morning we drove up to Joey's old stomping grounds. Murfreesboro, TN! Joey moved there right after college graduation to train with CED. He met some great friends while he was there. John and Julie invited us up for the weekend and we had a great time. They have 3 children, 1 of which is just a few months older than Finley so she had plenty of playmates. The kids played and Julie watched Finley while I did a little shopping (that's a true friend!)That night we left the kids with a baby-sitter and went to dinner at Chuy's. Sunday morning Joey made chocolate chip pancakes for everyone and we just sat around in our pajamas and talked and watched the kids play while Joey and John messed with every electronic device in the house. It was a relaxing weekend and it was nice to get out a town for a few days. Thanks John and Julie!



Finley with Owen, Grayson and Catherine



Yay! A night amongst adults!

We also picked up our Christmas tree on the way home. Yay! Joey and I argued over whether or not this one tree would be too big ;) I KNOW it would have fit, but I love the one we chose. I'm headed out to get lights and ornaments tomorrow. Unfortunately, our ornaments, lights and probably some other decorations I've forgotten about are still in our house in Mobile. Not sure if and/or how we will get them to Huntsville because we definitely aren't driving down there for a few Christmas ornaments. A big box of balls from Costco will have to do this year :(



A little Christmas tree shopping

Iron Bowl 2010.

What a great game!!! It was a nail biter for sure! Joey had several mini-strokes throughout the game. We went over to my bestie Kristen's house to watch the game with my sorority sisters and their husbands. We had a great time. It was so good to see them. We don't see each other enough :( Finley had a great time too! She played with Kate and Kristen's dog, Max. She was doing some major boundary testing with the stairs. She has officially learned how to scream bloody murder when she doesn't get her way. Yikes! Here it comes...the terrible TWOs! We ate MORE food, watched the game and then headed home. WAAAAARRRRR EAGLE!!!

Decadent Peanut Butter Pie

This was so easy to make and it was a huge hit!

1 cup creamy peanut butter, plus 2 tablespoon, divided
1 (8 oz)block of cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup of sugar
1 (12 oz) container (4 1/2 cups) frozen whipped topping thawed and divided
1 prepared Oreo chocolate pie crust
1 (11.75 oz) jar of Smucker's Hot Fudge Spoonable Ice Cream topping, divided

Beat together 1 cup peanut butter, cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with an electric mixer on medium until well combined. Gently mix in 3 cups whipped topping until thoroughly combined. Spoon mixture into pie crust. Using a spatula, smooth mixture to edges of pie.

Reserve 2 tablespoons of hot fudge topping in the corner of a Ziploc bag; set aside. Microwave remaining topping (see directions on jar). Stir. Spread topping over pie, covering entire peanut butter layer. Refrigerate until set. Spread remaining whipped topping (1 1/2 cups) over hot fudge layer, being careful not to mix the two layers.

Cut a small corner from bag containing topping. Squeeze bag to drizzle topping over pie. Place remaining 2 tablespoons peanut butter in a Ziploc bag; cut bag corner and squeeze drizzle in opposite direction from topping. (Make a criss cross design) Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Thursday we drove to Bham to spend Thanksgiving with our families. Again, the hour and a half drive is so awesome! It feels like no time at all and makes the holidays even better knowing we don't have to pack up our lives and drive 8 hours round trip. We had lunch at Joey's mom's house and my mom and sister even came over to join us so we only had to make one stop. That never happens!!! We enjoyed visiting with family and stuffing ourselves with good food. Finley reused to take a nap because she didn't want to miss any of the action so it made for a rough afternoon, but she caught her 2nd wind and had fun playing with her extended family.

We have so much to be thankful for... family, friends, freedom, good health
and ,most importantly, a beautiful, sweet, funny and healthy little girl! Isn't that all that really matters?

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! It is officially the Christmas season!

Visit with Granddad.

My dad has been working on a project here in Huntsville so we have gotten to see him a lot more than we usually do. It has been wonderful! He came over for dinner the other night and shared his brown rice with Finley. We love our Granddad!!! The rice is sooo good and really easy so I posted the recipe below.

Melissa's Brown Rice
1/2 stick butter
1 (10 ounce) can beef consomme
1 (10 3/4 ounce)can French onion soup
1 cup uncooked Uncle Ben's rice

Melt butter; combine with remaining ingredients and mix. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Uncover, stir and bake 30 minutes more.

So delicious!!!