Christmas and Family Pictures

A few days ago, one of Jud's friends at school, Rusty, took our Christmas and Family pictures. We wanted someone that we knew would do a great job, but not charge a whole lot. Jud talked to Rusty and he agreed! He took all of the pictures and I did the edits on them! The first two are the Christmas ones.

And, these were some of the family pictures!

All of the pictures were taken within 5 minutes from our house. I think Rusty did a really great job!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We had a great Thanksgiving! As always, we went to Livingston to spend the day with Jud's extended family. The night before, we made Puppy Chow and cookies for each family, plus separate ones for Jud's Dad and oldest brother for Jody. Here are the cookies on top of parchment paper in the tins.

And, the Puppy Chow underneath.

Jud's cousin, Mary, with Porter for the first time!

Wesley showing PopPop one of the helicopters!

Having fun!

Naomi (the baby-sitter of the group) with Porter.

Jud's brother, JimEd, with his son, Porter, and niece, Gracie.

And, Jud's Dad finally getting to hold Porter!

It was a long drive, but well worth it! We had a wonderful time, as always, with Jud's extended family!

I hope your Thanksgiving was as wonderful as ours!!

Wesley's Night on the Town!

Sunday afternoon, Jud, Mom, Dad, and I decided to take Wesley over to Shreveport to the Boardwalk for a night out! The weather was very nice for November, so we decided to go over a do a little shopping. While Jud and Dad were in Bass Pro Shop, Mom, Wesley and I headed down the Boardwalk to the kids clothing stores! On the way back, we decided to hop on the Trolley for Wes' first ride!

Mom and I both had to have a picture taken with Wesley on the Trolley!

When we got back to the Bass Pro Shop, Wesley joined his Daddy and PopPop for some boy fun!!

They really got into playing this hunting game!

Tell Me About It Tuesday- Things that I'm Thankful For

This week on Tell Me About It Tuesday, we are getting ready for Thanksgiving and talking about what we are Thankful for!! We hope that you will join Morgan and I!

• First and foremost, I am Thankful for a God that sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins. He loved us THAT much!
• I am Thankful for my husband, Jud. He loves me through the good times and the bad! We've been happy together for over six years! He's smart, sweet, loving and funny!
• I am Thankful for a healthy and loving son, Wesley!
• I am Thankful for a family that always has my back, whether we agree or not. I am Thankful for family that are also friends! This includes birth family and in-laws! I couldn't ask for a better family!
• I am Thankful for friends that are more like family. Friends that we can talk about anything with.
  
• I am Thankful for a home to live in.
• I am Thankful for this country that we live in, where we are free (for the most part).
  
• I am Thankful for all of the soldiers that fight, so we can continue to be free and safe.

We have so many things to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! It amazes me for all the blessings that we are given! If you would like to share the things that you are Thankful for this year, comment below with a link to your post! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Tell Me About It Tuesday- My Favorite Thanksgiving Recipe

Wow! I am way behind on my posting! I've been working on pictures for friends and family, and I have been putting those first. But, I am determined that no matter how late, I will post!

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This week, we are posting our favorite recipes. I have chosen to post two recipes. The first is a recipe that was passed to me by my cousin, that I am asked to bring to a huge majority of family gatherings on Jud's side. This recipe has two separate names, one that many consider the real name and the other is the name for church or religious gatherings!

Better Than Sex (A Touch of Heaven)

2 packs graham crackers
1/3 cup sugar
1 stick butter
1 large pack chocolate pudding (instant)
3 cups milk
8 oz. cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
12 oz. cool whip

Layer 1- Crush graham crackers and melt butter. Mix graham crackers, sugar and butter. Spread mixture in bottom of pan.

Layer 2- Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 6 oz. cool whip. Spread on top of first layer.

Layer 3- Mix 1 large box instant chocolate pudding according to instructions. Spread on top of layer two.

Layer 4- 6 oz. cool whip.


The second recipe is courtesy of The Pioneer Woman.

Pioneer Woman's Pecan Pie

1 Whole Unbaked Pie Crust
1 cup White Sugar
3 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
1/2 teaspoons Salt
1 cup Corn Syrup
3/4 teaspoons Vanilla
1/3 cups Melted Butter (salted)
3 whole eggs, beaten
1 cup (heaping) Chopped Pecans

*First, whip up your pie crust using "Sylvia's Perfect Pie Crust" found on Tasty Kitchen. (I chose to buy an Unbaked Pie Crust from the store being as this was the first pie I had made.)
*Next, mix sugar, brown sugar, salt, corn syrup, butter, eggs, and vanilla together in a bowl.
*Pour chopped pecans in the bottom of the unbaked pie shell.
*Pour syrup mixture over the top. Cover top and crust lightly/gently with foil. Bake pie at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Remove foil, then continue baking for 20 minutes, being careful not to burn the crust or pecans.
*Allow to cool for several hours or overnight. Serve in thin slivers.

Neither of these are hard to make and taste great!! I hope you enjoy them!

What are your favorite Thanksgiving Recipes? Leave a comment below with the link to your post with your recipe!!

Next week, we are discussing Things that we are Thankful for! Hope you'll join us!

My Beautiful Niece and Handsome Nephew!

These are a few pictures that I took of my beautiful niece and new nephew, last week. Ella turned two in May and Porter was born October 13!! I am a VERY proud Aunt!

A Friend's Baby Shower!

Many of you probably remember (or may not) me talking about a dear friend, Morgan!  Well, needless to say our family adores her and her husband! So, when we found out that her husband's little sister was expecting, my mom, sister and I volunteered to help with the shower. The shower was on the 13th and turned out AMAZING! Morgan put a lot of time and effort into this shower! Bridgett (the mom-to-be) had decided to go with a western theme in the baby's room, so Morgan centered the shower around that Western theme! She fixed up the guest table using blue and red bandannas, fixed the frames with an ultrasound, a poem and one of Bridgett's maternity pictures (that I took!!), fixed a Western-type guestbook, and made letters for the baby's nursery! Like I said, she put a LOT of time into this shower!

This is Bridgett's corsage! (I can't remember who made it.)

And, a better picture of the letters!

 Bridgett's mother made the diaper cake. The rest of the table was all Morgan's planning!

The set-up at the bar (with more maternity pictures)!

The cake and shower favors!

The cake and knife server that Morgan did!

Some of the gifts that Bridgett received for the baby! The whole floor in front of the table was full too!

Some of the things that Bridgett, her mom and Morgan had bought before the shower!

We played a shower game called "The Most Exciting Person in the Room." Bridgett's mom, Jackie, and another guest, Jennifer, tied as being "The Most Exciting!

This Morgan, Bridgett, and Jackie at the end of the shower!

You really have to check out Morgan's blog post on the Shower!! Morgan REALLY did a GREAT job on this shower!!

Tell Me About It Tuesday- Siblings

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This week, we get to brag (or complain, depending on your relationship) about our siblings! I am the next to youngest of four kids! I have an older half-sister, an older half-brother, and a younger sister.

(This picture was taken this summer at Kim's.)

Kim, my oldest sister, is almost 11 years older than myself and was born June 10, 1973. She and her family live in North Carolina. Kim helped raise Ashley and myself. She loves her family and puts them first. She is a mother to three kids, Jenna, Kirkland and Miranda. Kim also works at a Christian School. She doesn't hesitate to tell you like it is, whether you want to hear it or not. She's a little on the bossy side when it comes to Ashley and I, and still seems to think of us as kids. She is extremely fun to be around, but I very seldom get to see her. Kim is very sentimental and emotional (In the best of ways!). I don't always agree with her, but I do respect her. She has been through a lot and is always taking care of her family!

(Kim, James, and I at Kim's house this summer.)

James, my older brother, is almost 8 years older than myself and was born February 25, 1976. He and his family live in Virginia. He is a wonderful father to three kids, Arianna, Christian and Kassidy. He has made Detective on the police force where he is at. He's loud and isn't afraid to say whatever he wants to say! But, that is what makes him funny for the most part. He's never really been protective over Ashley and I. No offense intended to anyone, but when my husband first met my brother, Jud said that James was the blackest white man that he had ever met! I'm sure if you grew up in the area of Virginia that we did, you'll understand that statement! He doesn't like tears and gets uncomfortable when any of females in the family cry. (Oh, wait! That's all guys!)

(This picture was taken at Gator Country on Mother's Day.)

Ashley, my younger sister, is almost 4 years younger than myself and was born January 21, 1988. She and her beautiful baby boy, Carter, live with our parents in Texas. Where do I start when it comes to Ashley? She is by far the most outspoken and wildest out of the four of us. She doesn't worry about hurting anyone's feelings with what she says. But, she is very emotional and her feelings get hurt easily if you same something wrong. And, when that happens, she gets mad. But, Ashley has overcome A LOT. At 11 1/2, Ashley was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis. But, she has been determined to live her life as normal as possible. Even knowing that a pregnancy would wear on her and would not be good for her, she went through with it when the doctor's were telling that she shouldn't. She stood by her decision and ended up with a beautiful healthy baby boy! Though I don't always agree with her decisions, she stood up for her son and I respect her for that. She is stubborn and sometimes slightly selfish. But, when it comes to family, she'll back them no matter the cost. She isn't very good about choosing friends or guys, but she'll stand by them for as long as possible. Ashley has grown up a lot since having her son. Sometimes, she shows it and other times, as her sister, I wonder how much more growing up she's going to need to do. She's smart and funny. Ashley is never afraid to get up in front of a crowd or make a full of herself! She is outgoing and friendly.

I'm not extremely close with my siblings, but we always have each others back!! I love my brother and sisters and am so thankful to have them in my life!

I hope you'll join us on this journey! Write up your post, then link up below!!



Next week, we'll be sharing our favorite Thanksgiving Recipe!! Hope you'll join us!