Christmas 2011, part 2

 We went to Allisa and Dennis's house on Christmas day.  However, we had to go early to teach Allisa how to cook.  It was a simple menu- baked ham, mashed potatoes, green beans and rolls.  

 I think this was the first time her mixer has been used.  And I know it was the first time to mash potatoes because we had to tell her how to make them.  They only make mashed potatoes from a box.

 Everyone cheered Allisa on!  You go girl!

 I was so impressed when my cooking challenged daughter said she wanted to make tempura battered green beans.  I thought to myself, "wow, there might be a chance for her to cook after all."  I should have know better because she opened a box from the freezer and spread the already battered beans on a cookie sheet. Gotta love her!

 Basting the ham!  It smells so yummy!

 Look at this beautiful dinner...and she didn't even break a sweat!

 She also cuts a mean key lime pie!  My favorite!  

Good times and a wonderful Christmas day together.

Christmas 2011, part 1

This year's official Christmas picture.  

This year, I asked Santa for a purple sweater.  Very sweetly, he provided me with three different purple sweaters! 

 This is a funny picture to me.  Peek-a-boo!

 A new Nike jacket, muy guapo!

 Love this picture- pearls, a frog and Victoria Secret!  I'm a happy camper!

 New Khaki LSU shorts!

 And an LSU fishing shirt...can't wait for it to warm up a little bit so we can go fishing again.

Santa was very good to us this year.   

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Eve found us with the opportunity to dress up and go out to dinner.  Steve and Noelle invited us to join them at Ruth's Chris. This picture was taken in front of the Christmas tree at Pioneer Courthouse Square.  I didn't realize that my purse was sticking out making my shawl look funny.  But that's okay 'cuz it is a very warm shawl.  There was the slightest mist that was very cold that night.

 Alana and I with the man with the umbrella.  Such a cool statue!

 Thank you very much for the delicious meal.

 Taylor and me...there was an elevator behind us.  That's why people we hanging out in the background.

 Love you honey!

 Not really sure what they were laughing about- maybe it had something to do with the drinks sitting in front of them. 

 Noelle and Tayler- Don't they look alike?  That's because Tayler did Noelle's makeup for her. Sadie, Sadie pretty ladies!

Wonderful food and company.  We stayed so long, we almost missed Midnight Mass!

Heavenly Skies

We have a second floor window that overlooks some beautiful scenery.  Lately, the clouds have been so pretty and the colors so vivid.  It's days like this that make me wish I could paint!

 Here are a few of my favorites.  I wish I had some pictures from my rides home the last week. The mountains have been beautiful too.  They are full of snow with beautiful pink skies all around.  But it wouldn't be safe to take pictures while I'm driving so no pictures this time.

One day, I'm gonna ask God to ride on a cloud.  They are so fascinating to me.

Thanksgiving at Noelle's

Happy Thanksgiving all- Love this picture of Ben and Carter.  

Thanksgiving was at Noelle's this year and it was a dual celebration since it was also Cooper's 3rd birthday.  He wanted everyone to have birthday hats so we made turkey hats.

Everyone got into it and it got very competitive.  They were all quite fun!

Ben brought his little bottles of Spiced Rum.  He wouldn't share with anyone.

The host and hostess... Thanks for your wonderful hospitality!

Smile girls, say "gobble, gobble"!

Such a sweet father and son moment!

Even Suzie got to wear a hat.  Fortunately, she tolerated it well.

Thanks for your help Mom.  I love my hat!

The birthday boy and his mommy.  Isn't this adorable?!

Sitting around talking about who knows what!

Grammy and her grandsons.

Happy birthday to me.  Thanks for the turkey cupcakes Mom!

Buddy says "please, please, please can't I have a small bite?"

Look at my new bike everybody!

Tayler had to go for a spin.  Nice boots T!

There wasn't one picture of the wonderful turkey dinner but we had to end with dessert.                             Yeah for Creme de Menthe shots!

Another Turkey Day in the books.  We are so grateful for our friends and family.

Basting the Turkey

So it was Ben and Jordan's responsibility to prepare the turkey for cooking.  Ben decided to inject it with a garlic butter mixture.  But first they had to wash the turkey...

 Uh Oh, he took his jacket off.  I think he is enjoying this a little too much!

 Don't they look so serious?  They were very focused on doing their job but don't let this picture fool you.  They were acting up right before and right afterward.  In fact, the next picture... well it will speak for itself!

Jordan jokingly said he had a toothache. Ben quickly offered to numb the gums and use his pliers to pull the tooth.  Ugh, it's like two teenage boys sometimes! 

 So the injections finally finished and the turkey was wrapped and left to marinate overnight.  After preparing all the cooking areas, the turkey was slowly lowered into the fryer.  It was some yummy turkey!  Unfortunately, I have no idea what happened to the finished picture, sad :( 

Stay tuned for the next group of pictures!

LSU is on top again!  Yeah baby, headed to the National Championships!

Save the Date- January 9, 2012