Christmas has come and gone...

Note~ Sorry I haven't blogged this week about Christmas or anything but I have been working ALOT. When I say ALOT, I mean it too. I worked 15 hrs Monday night and 12hrs Tuesday, and 11hrs Wednesday so when I get home I am just too tired to blog.**

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas. Todd and I had a great Christmas and enjoyed our time with both of our families. It was so nice to be able to relax and have a mini vacation from work. We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day here in Lufkin with Todd's family and then headed to my parents house on Friday and had Christmas all over again. We are so blessed to have such loving wonderful families that made this Christmas very special. I have to get a few pics from my sister in law because she was the picture taker and steal a few pics off of Sarah's blog. I was able to spend alot of time with my sweet niece which was such a blessing. She was so much fun on Christmas morning, she was talking and looking at all her toys and she also loved the book that Gigi and Pops got her. She kept wanting to turn the pages. I can't believe how big she is getting and she is also so inquisitive these days. I am going to copy from Sarah's blog and tell you how we spend our Christmas.

Doesn't she look like a little angel. I loved spending so much time with my precious niece.

Anna loved all her toys Santa brought. She was so much fun Christmas morning.

Isn't she so cute...

On Christmas Eve day we spent most of the day over at Todd's parents getting ready for that night. We helped out with wrapping presents, making russian tea, baking, and other last minute preparations. Lets just say I pretty much stayed in my pjs all day until time for church. It was great : ) We went to church with Todd's family for their Christmas Eve service then went back to his parents house. When Todd was growing up they always ordered pizza on Christmas Eve because the delivery man would dress up as Santa, and they have just continued the tradition ever since. This year we had pizza for lunch instead and had a nice steak dinner for supper. It was delicious. After dinner we all sat around the Christmas tree and opened gifts from each other. We left a few to open on Christmas morning. Todd and I then headed our church for the 1030 Christmas Eve service. It was a beautiful service. On Christmas morning Todd and I got up and opened presents from each other and then we headed over to his parents to eat breakfast and finishing opening up presents and see what Santa brought. Todd and I must have been very good this year : ) On Christmas night we went over to the Hicks for Christmas dinner and a gift exchange. We had to bring a $5 gift. It was kind of hard and I went 1 dollar over, but I thought that was okay. I also got the #1 blogger award for the family. haha. They made me a special presentation and I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe. We had so much fun that night. On Friday we packed up and spent the weekend with my parents. Santa also was very good to us at my parents house. My brother and his girlfriend came over and we all opened gifts and then had a big lunch. We stayed up late and played monopoly, one of my favorite games. We were pretty competitive. Todd finally quit and gave me his properties and then he was helping my little brother to win and wasn't even helping me out : ( Kate, my brothers girlfriend ended up winning. On Saturday we ate Christmas Morning Casserole for breakfast and then laid around most of the day and I played with my new sewing machine. That's right Santa brought me a nice sewing machine and my mom spent the weekend teaching me to work it. : )

My new SEWING MACHINE, here comes domestic Karah.

Todd got a mirror for his office.

Christmas wine glasses to match our Christmas china.

Todd finally got his UT pullover. He has been wanting one for 2 years now and those things are not easy to find.

Our Ped Eggs

My little brother opening his book from Me and Todd

Zeke opening up his BIG GIFT. A Michael Kors watch. He must have been a very good boy this year.

Kate and I tasting Todd's eggnog AKA "Funeral Home EggNog"

Looking through some of my old smocked dresses and such. My mom made that bonnett for me for my very 1st Christmas. It still fits 25 years later : )

Hard at work with my new sewing machine.

Its beginning to look alot like Christmas...

Okay so I have not kept my promise but I have been so super busy, which I am sure all of you can undertand. I will be taking a little blogging hiatus as Christmas approaches and will be back and ready to go next week. We will be in and out this week celebrating Christmas with our families so I won't have time to blog. I finished wrapping all of my presents last night. Yes I stayed up until midnight, but I got it all done. That feels like a big burden lifted off my shoulders. I also finished up the rest of my Christmas shopping. I am officially done!! I can't believe Christmas Eve is tomorrow. This season has gone by so fast and I am not ready for it to be over just yet. It seems like yesterday we were putting up our decorations. My friend over at Newlywed Stilettos tagged me for the Lemonade award! Yay my first blog award. I am very excited and thankful because you are nominated for the blog that shoes great attitude and GRATITUDE! Thanks so much Mrs. Stilettos. Of course like any award it comes with a few rules.

I am wishing everyone a wonderful Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope everyone has safe travels. Lets remember the reason we celebrate this season!!

Put the logo on your blog or post.
Nominate at least 10 blogs which show GREAT ATTITUDE and/or GRATITUDE!
Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

I don't have 10 blogs that I can come up with so I will just choose 5.

TAG YOUR IT!!

1. Newlywed Stilettos again- Love this girl her blog is so cute

2. Ran Clan Edition 3

3. Brooke and Freeland

4. Undomesticated Newlywed- hilarious blog, check it out

5. Kellys Korner

7 days until Christmas...

Bentley says Merry Christmas!!

Can you believe it? Only 7 more days until Christmas. I cannot believe the Christmas season has gone by this fast. It feels like I blinked once and Christmas is here. I have so much to before next Thursday and I am starting to feel a little overwhelmed. Anyone else feeling the same way? I still have a few more presents to buy and lots of wrapping. Tonight when we got home from dinner I went in the guest bedroom and got to wrapping.

Tomorrow is Friday, TGIF!!

Questions for all my blog readers out there. What are your favorite Christmas Traditions? Do you open all your gifts on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning? Whats your favorite holiday recipe? Where do you spend the holidays, at home or on vacation somewhere?

Somebody has a big present under the tree....

Ramblings

I don't really have much to post about tonight but since I am keeping my promise the best to my ability I had to post before bed time. Tonight we had the church choir party at The Main Event. We had a great turn out and everyone just loved the show room. Its so exciting to see how many people love the new building and are so impressed with what Todd and Mark have done. It makes me so excited as well. My husband is amazing, in case you didn't already know that. I am truly blessed with a wonderful soulmate. God could not have picked anyone better.

Do ya'll remember my obsession that I posted about, a few weeks ago? Ebay!! Well I ordered the cutest Christmas outfit for my precious little niece and I have been waiting to see her in it. Malee and Anna were in town this weekend and I stopped by on my way to church and got to see that little angel all dolled up. Head on over to my sister in laws blog to check out my cutie patootie niece : ) She looks just adorable in her outfit, it could not have fit her any better. It doesn't matter how many clothes she has, I will still buy her more. haha

Whew! We have a busy week this week. Tomorrow we are going out to dinner for Todd's grandmothers birthday and then I am on call Friday Saturday Sunday and then Christmas Eve is a week from today!! Can you believe it? I know I sure can't and I am really stressing about all the things I must get done before Christmas. AAAHHH. Anyone want to come over and wrap presents for me, I have a whole closet full. Hope ya'll are having a good week and I am giving a shout out to all my new blog readers and thanks for all the sweet comments. Keep checking back daily because I will have new posts every day for this month excluding weekends. Those are my break days. Until tomorrow.......

I love all things "W"

Okay so my friend over at Newlywed Stilettos started playing a little game. You receive a letter of the alphabet and write down 10 things you love that start with that letter. Well my awesome new bloggy friend gave me the letter W. She knows me well. : )

P.S. If you want to play along, just leave me a comment and I will pick a letter for you**

Wine

I like to have a glass of wine with my dinner. My favorite is this kind.

Wednesdays

Everyone shoud know why...Its Morales night and I don't have to cook : )

Wonderful friends

I am so blessed to have such AMAZING group of friends.

Warm weather

I love the warm weather. I love summertime and the beach : )

Winter

As much as I love summer, I also love winter. I love to bundle up in jackets, sweaters, scarves and boots : )Weddings

I love everything about weddings. I love how God brings two people together to become one.

Watermelon

I could eat it every day.

Water

Anything that involves being in the water, I love the lake, beach, ocean, pool.

Woodlands Mall

Oh how I love to shop here.

Work....haha not really but I couldn't think of a 10th thing.

Christmas House Tour and Recipe Monday

Okay guys and girls it's that time again. Its recipe Monday, and I decided to post a dessert recipe today. This recipe is one of my favorite things to make at Christmas time. It brings me back to my childhood when I used to help my Nana make this every year. What is it you ask? Okay the anticipation is over. PEANUT BUTTER BALLS!! It sounds delicious doesn't it. It is oh so yummy and if you like peanut butter you will love these. Let me know if you make some this holiday season and if you liked them or not. I hope to make some this next week. Recipe is as follows...

Ingredients:

2- 1 lb boxes powdered sugar

3- sticks oleo-melted (this is butter, sorry guys)
1- 16oz jar smooth Peanut Butter

Chocolate:

1- 12oz bag of chocolate chips melted with 1/4 cup parafin

Mix above ingredients together well. Roll out in 1 inch balls and place in freezer to harden.

Dip balls in chocolate.

Its that easy and that tasty. Enjoy!!

Today is also the day I have been waiting for. Its Boo Mamas Christmas Tour of homes. It is so much fun to see how everyone has decorated their homes for the holidays. Head on over to her blog to check out all the wonderful Christmas decorations. There are over 300 links so it might take you a while. This is will be my first time participating but I am so excited. I love how our house looks at Christmas. It makes the whole house feel so much cozier and warmer. Does that make sense?? Sit back, relax, drink a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy the pictures.

Come on in and enjoy the tour.....

Our Front Door with these 2 big Nutcrackers that I love. Todd has an exquisite nutcracker collection.

Our Nativity on the entry table right when you walk in the door.

The Dining Room, notice the ornaments on the chandelier and our Christmas china : )

I love this Old World Santa that my MIL bought for us.

Our antique armoire. The garland is so much prettier in person. The lights don't show up well in pictures.

Our living room, Bentley had to be in the picture too.

Our BEAUTIFUL Christmas tree. I just love our tree....it's all red and gold and glass ornaments.

Our mantle....the inspiration came from the White House.

Santa is always watching...

Our breakfast table... see Todds Nutrcracker collection.

I love this Santa head. I found it last year at Canton

More nutcrackers on the back patio with lighted garland.

Okay hope you enjoyed the tour. Happy Monday!!

Black Tie Bingo

I am finally getting around to posting about Black Tie Bingo. This past Wednesday night Black Tie Bingo was held at the Country Club here in Lufkin. Me, Todd, Mark, Callie, Elizabeth, Hughes and Brian all went and sat at a table together. We had a lot of fun. It is a fundraiser for the local boys and girls clubs. There was a live auction, silent auction and door prizes for bingo. Elizabeth was very serious about her bingo. She was the bingo natzi. haha. I think she somehow manged to have about 4 or 5 bingo cards and was playing them all. Todd and I had gone 2 years ago and definately did not enjoy ourselves. This year was much better because we had our own table with all of our friends. It was a nice evening for a little outing and when we were all leaving, it was SNOWING!! That made it all worthwhile. None of us won at bingo but had fun anyways. Hope everyone had a great weekend. I made a little trip to Houston on Saturday to finish up my Christmas shopping. I am pretty much done except for a few small gifts. I can't believe Christmas is only a week and a half away. Stay tuned for Recipe Monday tomorrow and Boo Mamas Christmas Tour of Homes : )

The guys....Mark, Todd, and Brian

Elizabeth(The bingo natzi) and Hughes

All of our Bingo cards

The girls.....Me, Callie, and Elizabeth

Elizabeth getting serious about bingo

Callie and Mark