The Wedding

My sister in law, Katie, got married to her new hubby, Jon, on Sunday.  It was absolutely beautiful.  She had thought through so many details, and it showed.

It was clear and crisp for the wedding, and both of my boys walked down the aisle without incident--Woohoo!

My husband and I were both in the wedding party, so there are no pictures of the ceremony, but I have some before shots.

Enjoy!

The beautiful bride getting ready

Her GORGEOUS dress!  I wish the lighting were better.  I was trying not to make the REAL photographer upset. . .

The colors were champagne, cream and cranberry.  Here are the dresses we wore as bridesmaids. . .

My mother in law had a beautiful cranberry dress.  Isn't her hair pretty too?

The flower girls

Just before the ceremony.  This shows some of the amazing dress details.  She was such a pretty bride!

The bridesmaid flowers

The bride's bouquet

The programs

Setting up for the ceremony

Flowers on the chairs at the ceremony

Our family right after the ceremony.  I put on my jacket because we were standing in short, sleeveless dresses in chilly weather during the ceremony outside.  I have a shot of the dress further down. . .

The boys were given treats to stay quiet during the ceremony.  Do you see the sugar kicking in?

My big boy

My little munchkin

This is the only pic I got of me in my dress.  It isn't the best picture, but doesn't my hubby look handsome?

I made a banner for Katie's hot chocolate bar, and I'll share some details in a later post.  She had regular and Mexican hot chocolate.  She had three flavors of marshmallows, peppermint sticks, cinnamon sticks, fresh whipping cream, chocolate shavings, caramel sauce and more.  It was a very popular place!

A centerpiece at the reception

Giving her new Uncle Jon a hug . . .

It was a breathtaking day!  Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. B!

Sneak Peek and Snow

Tomorrow is W day--the wedding day.  My beautiful sister in law is getting married.  I can't wait to share pictures--the whole event will be stunning and her dress is BEAUTIFUL! 

Katie had me make a banner for a little surprise she is having at the reception.  I don't want to give any details away, but here is a sneak peek at the banner I'll show you! 

Today we are off for nails and the rehearsal dinner. . . tomorrow I have hair, dress, pictures and the main event!

We are praying for nice December weather.  Did you hear we had SNOW in Southern Orange County, CA this week?  That is pretty remarkable--it has been decades since it snowed here.  It was all fun for Facebook pictures and shocking our friends who expect 80 degree weather here all the time, but it isn't so fun for a wedding where the bridesmaids are wearing strapless, knee length dresses.  Just sayin.  It was light, but it is so rare here.  This picture was by my friend Shawn near the Laguna Hills Mall.

I'll post wedding pics soon!  I'm off to get started on the wedding weekend!

Busy, busy

         

Here is our Christmas card.  We took these pictures before Ryan had a job, and the JOY summarized how we felt about the hope we have in Christ, even in trial. 

This week is a busy one!  Last night we had 60 people over for our ministry leaders' Christmas party.  It was so fun--dinner, dessert and a white elephant gift exchange.  Fitting 60 people inside a house is a tight squeeze too!

The marriage ministry we co-lead is having its all member Christmas party on Thursday night.  We have a fantastic team of helpers, but decorating the tables, getting dessert, and planning games for over 200 people is always a challenge!

Friday morning, my five year old has his school Christmas performance, and I'm making cute, chocolate covered oreo cookie pops for the class.

Friday night is an service dinner the marriage ministry holds every year for some families that are in need this Christmas.  We adopt families and provide dinner, dessert and gifts for the families.  It is always a wonderful night.  That night should have about 120 people attending, but, again, we have a fantastic team of volunteers leading the charge.

The biggest event happening this week is my sister in law's wedding!  She is getting married Sunday, and all four of us are in the wedding.  The rehearsal dinner is Saturday night, and a couple days of fittings, nails, and other errands all lead up to the big day! 

I will be sure to post pictures from as many of the events as I can, but especially the wedding.  Christmas is getting close!  Christmas is my favorite holiday--Merry Christmas!

Chocolate Covered Oreo Neighbor Gifts

I almost always make my caramel brownies for the neighbors, but I wantedto try something new this year. 

I had seen these beautifully covered oreos on Pinterest, but I wasn't sure I could get the smooth look without buying a mold.  SO, I used a muffin tin, and it worked beautifully. 

Enjoy the pictures.  From the smiles on my neighbors' faces, I think the treats were appreciated!

I bought Oreos, white chocolate melts and candy canes.

I crushed the 2 candy canes--sorry for the glare--this was at night.

I put a spoonful of melted chocolate in each muffin tin and put a cookie on top.

I covered the cookie with melted chocolate and put some crushed peppermint stick on top.  Then, I popped them into the fridge to set.

Once the chocolate was hard, the cookies popped right out of the muffin tins.

I put three in a little bag and tied it with red ric rac.

So sweet, easy and delicious for Christmas!

Pinterest Recipe: Bacon, Ranch Pull Apart Bread

           
(picture from Plain Chicken--found on Pinterest)

Plain Chicken has had this recipe on Pinterest for awhile now, and I have been craving it for awhile now.  Yes, folks, it is really good.  I even messed up the recipe.  In my December busy haze, I didn't read carefully before heading to the store and bought a bottle of ranch dressing instead of ranch dressing MIX.  I mixed the bottled dressing with the butter and it tasted great, but I bet the mix and butter would be even better. 

This pulls apart with gooey promise and you get a strong bacon taste in every bite.  The baked in ranch-butter that soaked into each sourdough bite was the best part.  My friend and I almost ate the whole loaf, and I would have eaten more if it hadn't been unacceptably gluttonous. 

Next time I make this I will run ten miles first (or at least be aware I need to) and add some finely chopped green onions toward the end of the baking time. 

I was so happy inhaling this that I didn't take a picture.  It really looked a lot like the picture above.  Often my recipes look "different" from the beautiful example on the recipe, but this one looked just about as ooey and gooey with calories and deliciousness as above.

This would be a fun appetizer for an informal party this Christmas or New Year's.  Your fingers get buttery and gooey, and the boss's party isn't the place for this dish.  This actually would be a PERFECT dish for watching your favorite football bowl game.  We resorted to a fork and knife half way through, but it was too pretentious for this appetizer.  Enjoy!

Bacon/Ranch Pull Apart Bread:

1 unsliced loaf of round sourdough bread
8-12 ounces of shredded cheese (I used a cheddar/jack mix)
3 oz. of bacon bits or chopped bacon
1/2 cup of melted butter
1 Tbsp of ranch dressing MIX

Using a sharp bread knife cut the bread going both directions. Do not cut through the bottom crust. Place shredded cheese in between cuts. Sprinkle bacon bits on bread, making sure to get in between cuts. Mix together butter and Ranch dressing mix. Pour over bread. Wrap in foil the entire loaf in foil and place on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Unwrap. Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Thoughtful Christmas Activities for Kids

As our family room mantle says, we try to keep our eyes off ourselves, especially at Christmas.  We don't even ask our kids what they "want" for Christmas.  They certainly make it known all year long.  My five year old caught wind of my mother asking about some toys I had mentioned for him, and he asks every day when he gets them.  Kids are wired to love the "gimme, gimme" of Christmas.

As a parent, I want my boys to focus on Christ and others at Christmas, and I need to planfully train them for this.  There are so many fun ways to practice a thoughtful Christmas.  We do the Jesse Tree advent activities, and many of our friends at church are celebrating St. Nicholas day today by practicing generosity with other families just as Pastor Nicholas did years ago.  I wish I had a post about this, but my pastor gave a great sermon about St. Nicholas and the way he handles "Santa Claus".  He mentions books and activities, so it is worth the listen here.

Also, two new ideas came to my attention via my Pinterest boards this year.  Check out their pictures and blog links below.


                           
The first was a mom from TSJ Photography who wanted her kids to serve others and learn the popular saying, "It is better to give than receive."  They made an advent calendar of service activities throughout December.  She even has a cute printable that tells others they have been "RACK'd"--been recipients of Random Acts of Christmas Kindness.  This would be a great way to write down a verse and even a summary of the gospel as you leave the note for others.

Here are some ideas that are random and not so random:  Bring a teacher, office staff person, or post office worker a Starbucks.  Pay for a person in the drive thru behind you.  Mail or drop off anonymous gift cards to families you know who are in need of some "help" this Christmas.  Help a family put up Christmas lights who have illness or other reason for this being difficult (remember to help take them down after Christmas).  Buy a Christmas tree for a young family who might not be able to afford one this Christmas.  Leave a pretty Poinsettia on the doorstep of a widow or single mom.  Make dinner for someone who is having trials this season.  Invite single or lonely neighbors to your home to have dinner with your family.  Pass out free hot cocoa  or cider to people driving around looking at lights in your neighborhood.  Sing with your kids and leave Christmas caroling song messages on people's message machines (short songs and a sweet message).  Let someone else have the amazing parking spot you just found.  Be creative! If you have older kids, let them help you think of nice activities you can do. Depending on your routine, circumstances, and neighborhood, the ideas will be specific and unique.


         
This other idea is much like the Jesse Tree.  Pinfluence made a paper circle garland, but glued scripture print outs that point to Christ on each paper ring.  Each day, you and the kids can rip off a garland ring and read the scripture together.  This would be a fun activity to do at dinner.  Pinfluence even includes free scripture ideas and downloads on the link. 

Have a beautiful day celebrating God's generosity and gifts to us by focusing on Christ and being generous to with others!

Christmas Card Rejects

I was considering NOT doing Christmas cards this year when we were without a job, but Ryan really wanted to still do them.  My super sweet friend, Jenny, asked if she could bless us by taking family pictures for free. 

She was amazing with the camera! 

My two boys were not. 

They are five and two, and trying to get a picture of all of us looking is like climbing Mount Everest.  Difficult.  We did find a couple pictures we could use.  We got the two year old to smile like last year--by tickling him.  Try it.  It is the greatest trick ever.  My husband has become a master of posing like he is holding still while still inconspicuously tickling the two year old for a smile.

I thought I give you some Friday light heartedness and show you what my boys do on 99% of our pictures.  These are some of our favorite rejects . . .

Micah wouldn't put down the Mickey Mouse telephone toy and play along.  I think this was the FIRST picture--sigh.

Micah is not enjoying being tickled and the five year old is being goofy.

See the mischief all over his face?  It is oozing out.  He is thinking, "How can I be cute and then run away really fast and ruin the picture?"

A much needed time out from pictures.

And that's a wrap!

I love my little, crazy boys!  Those who know me know how high energy they are!  I hope I gave you a smile for the weekend!