Twas the Night Before Christmas...

JP and I spent Christmas with my family this year.  I love Christmas Eve just as much as I love Christmas Day.  My sister, Mom, and I started the day by going to GiGi's to pick up some cupcakes.  We each picked two flavors, and I chose strawberry and chocolate peanut butter.

 The rest of the day was spent cleaning and preparing for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner.  I also took time to reorganize the gifts under the tree and number each gift for our Christmas morning gift opening game (more on that later).

That evening we went to the Christmas Eve service.  I get so frustrated throughout the Christmas season over how so little of what goes on seems to revolve around what Christmas is really about.  I love spending time with my family celebrating and focusing on the birth of Christ.

Following the service we headed back for our Christmas Eve dinner.  Each year my aunt, cousin, and grandmother join us.  We always have the "ol' hen" and my Granny's yummy dressing.  Seriously, it is the best I've ever had.  

Our napkins were straight from Paris via my cousin who had just returned from a trip abroad.  And the flowers are my all time favorite, gerber daisies, and were a sweet gift to me from JP.

After dinner, my sister, cousin, and I always entertain our Granny while my always Mom puts away the food and my Aunt always cleans the dishes.  When I say my Aunt always cleans the dishes, it's true.  I always offer to do it for her, and she always refuses the offer.

Once the dishes are clean and the foods is put away, we exchange gifts.  We used to all give everyone a gift, but as we have gotten older we each get one gift to open.  This year we all got products.  My sister, cousin, and I both got body wash.  My Aunt, Mom, and Granny all got different types of facial cream.

 So what does a man get when all the women get products?  My Dad got some intense dry skin lotion, and JP got Tylenol Pain Patches.  It was super funny.  He has been playing basketball after work and has had a sore back lately because of it.

 After everyone opened their gift, it was time for Granny to open her big gift.  This year my Mom and Aunt basically bought her a new winter wardrobe.  The gift bag was full of SO many clothes.  I think Granny was a little overwhelmed!  It was fun to see her go through them all, but what was really fun was the fashion show she had the next day when she tried all of the clothes on!

We chatted for a while, and then I went to bed!  I fell asleep as soon as I got in bed.  Complete opposite of my childhood self! It always took me hours to fall asleep with the anticipation of Santa's arrival!

Secret Santa

Each year between Thanksgiving and Christmas, my co-workers and I play Secret Santa.  We each draw a name and once a week  for 3 weeks we give a gift.  There is a $5-8 price limit on the gifts each week.  Trying to figure out who each person's secret santa is and looking at what everyone gets is SO much fun.  We all look forward to it all year long.  Actually, our new employees that started in June were informed on their second day of work by a co-worker that Secret Santa was "just around the corner."

I always have a lot of fun buying gifts for my person.

 The first week, I gave these ornaments.  I actually got them in Phoenix the day after Thanksgiving at Hobby Lobby.  They were all 50% off!

And then I put the ornaments in this cute tin.





The second week, I went to Hobby Lobby again and gave this oven mitt and dish towel. Again, everything was 50% off!




I thought this box was really cute to put them in.

 Finally for the third week, I gave what was my favorite of the three gifts.  I got this really cute teapot at TJ Maxx.

After all of the anticipation over the three weeks, it all comes together at our annual Christmas party.  This year we decided to have it at one of the girl's houses instead of at a restaurant.  We all brought a dish, and yes there was only one "healthy" item at the dietitian party.  

This year because we had it at a home, we decided to invite spouses too.  Not many came but it was great to meet the ones that could make it.  We hear about these guys all the time so it was great to actually meet them.

At the end of the night we do the Secret Santa reveal.  There was much laughter and fun.  I am very blessed to have such fun co-workers that I get along with!

Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad!

What a glorious day today has been! What a wonderful day to celebrate our dear Savior's birth!  More updates on our celebration and fun later.  For now, just enjoy our Christmas card photo.

I was so excited about having our Christmas card pictures taken in Phoenix over Thanksgiving by JP's brother Michael.  For months I knew that I wanted to have cacti in our picture.

Well cacti we got.  However, one of us did not participate in the photo session very well.  No normal faces were made and therefore every photo was goofy.  The above was the best option.  Below were the other two that were in the running...

Luke 2:11 

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Another semester in the bag...

picture from here

JP and I finished our grad school semesters last year.  It started off as a busy semester, and once JP started his job, it only got busier.  JP took three classes... Business Law, Tax Research, Advanced Accounting, and I took two classes... International Business, Marketing Seminar. 

Of course our classes could not meet at the same time.  Here is what our schedule looked like:

• Tuesday: JP class from 4:30-7:00, Me class from 7:15-9:45
• Wednesday: Me class from 4:30-7:00, JP class from 7:15-9:45
• Thursday: JP class from 4:30-7:00 

So basicall on Tuesday and Wednesday we would hang out in the parking lot for about 10 minutes between our classes.  On the night I had the late class, he was in charge of dinner.  The night he had the late class, I was in charge of dinner.

Overall, I really enjoyed this semester.  Probably because both of the classes were heavy on the group work, and I actually loved both of my groups.

I have about two weeks off before I start what will be my LAST semester.  I will be taking 4 classes though so it will be very time consuming.  Thankfully one of the classes is online so I will only have to go to class 3 nights a week instead of 4.  I'll be taking:

• Technology Project Management
• Social Media
• Social and Legal Ethics
• Strategy

JP will not be taking any classes during the fall since he will be focusing on work during busy season.  He will take classes during the summer.  He has 2 or 3 classes left to take until he is officially a CPA.

Stranded in Paris

So why am I posting a picture of the Eiffel Tower on my blog?  Am I going to Paris?

Unfortunately, no.

But, I LOVE this picture of the Eiffel Tower in the snow. Oh, Eiffel Tower, I have never seen you in real life.  My cousin, on the other hand, has seen you and has taken the above picture.

Yep, my cousin Brooke went to Paris for her job (she works for a photographer in NYC).  As it so happened there was a snow storm in Paris, and she is now stranded there for three additional days.  Stranded in Paris... I could think of worse places to be stranded.

Hopefully she will be able to make it back to NYC in time to get on her flight from NYC to Alabama for Christmas!  We all know that Alabama is the superior of the three places mentioned in this post :)

My husband went to the ballet.

Last Friday, JP and I went to the ballet.  Now, if you know JP, you know he is very openly NOT into the ballet or other similar things.  So, I never in a million years thought that I would ever say that I went to the ballet with him.

One of my friends I have made in grad school works for a firm that was sponsoring the opening night of George Balanchine’s Nutcracker (which is the original version of the Nutcracker).  As a result they were giving free tickets to their clients.  My friend offered me some of the tickets.  I told him I really wasn't sure but what let him know.


Now, I really had no desire to go to the ballet.  However, I did say to JP, "Do you want to go to the Nutcracker? I have free tickets."  I really just asked to see how he would respond.  I totally expected a disgusted "NO" but I got, "Yeah I'll go."  I made sure several times that he was actually ok with going and made it clear that in no way was I forcing him to go.


So, that is how we ended up at the ballet.


We knew JP was not going to love the show.  This was my first ballet since my 5 year old ballet recital, and I've decided I'm not a ballet fan either.  Don't get me wrong, I am in awe of the things they do and kept thinking 1) I wish I could do that and 2) I wish my legs looked like that.  They did a very good job.  However, I got somewhat bored during the show, especially during the first act.  This is not surprising as I frequently get bored during movies as well.  Another thing, I was quite thankful for the written description in our program of what was going on because otherwise there were somethings I don't think I would have gotten.  I must say though that I did enjoy hearing the familiar Nutcracker songs.


So, two things we learned from this event.
1. JP got lucky.  He has a girl that would much rather sit and watch a baseball, basketball, football, or even curling game than ballet.  
2. JP and I both mentioned several times during the show and afterwards that we really hope we don't have children that want to hard core pursue the ballet.  Although, I'm sure watching your children would be different.

pictures from here

Chili 3-peat... sorta.

My husband can cook.  So, of course he always is eager to enter our church's third annual chili competition.  The first year he won the competition.  The second year, last year, he didn't win best overall but he won best hot chili.  Well, this year he won again!  And when I say he, I seriously mean he.  I played no role in the cooking process, just moral support.

Here is the Best Overall Chili of 2010!

Again, JP did not write down his recipe.  He seriously just makes it up as he goes.  This one did have tequila in it, but as we all know the alcohol cooks off.  There was also some orange juice in it.  I think the fact that the orange juice was calcium fortified was what put the chili over the top :)

A Christmas Celebration

Before JP and I got married, one of our initial concerns was what church we would go to.  We both had a church in Birmingham, but we wanted one of our own so it didn't feel like I was going to his or vice versa.  Sometimes it feels like it takes forever to find the perfect thing, but not in this category.  In a funny (to me at least) event, God led us to Redeemer Community Church for our very first "church shopping trip," and we have been there ever since.

One of the things JP and I love so much about our church is the community we have.  We have grown very close to our home group the past few years.  This year a few of the other home group girls and I decided that we wanted to have a Christmas party where everyone dresses up plus we wanted to send out real invitations and provide a real meal.

We got our invitations from tinyprints. They say, in case you can't read the pictures,

A Christmas Celebration

Come celebrate the Christmas Season

With our home group and church leaders

Wear you best dress or tie

For dinner, dessert, and wine

We hosted it at one of the girl's houses.  For appetizer we had deviled eggs and pigs in a blanket.  The main course was pork tenderloin, mashed potatoes, green beans, and rolls.  For dessert we had oreo balls.

I was in charge of the pork tenderloin and the oreo balls.  I bought three pork tenderloins from Sam's Club.  Let me tell you, these are a great idea if you are ever having to serve meat at an event.  They come pre-marinated in 4 different flavors so all you have to do is take them out of the package and stick them in the oven for 1.5-2 hours.  They are so juicy and tender! Everyone kept saying how excellent they were.  One girl said she didn't even like pork but thought they were great.

I did get assistance from JP when it came from cutting the meat.  I am terrified of knifes so pass this duty off to him whenever possible.  And yes, he is using the electric knife he gave me when we were dating.  And yes, we do own two electric knifes, the one he bought for me and the one he had before we got married.

I was a little nervous about having the meat done at the right time, but it all worked out great.  Plus, it provided me with a reason to buy a new serving piece from TJ Maxx. 

Unfortunately I don't have any pictures of the oreo balls or of us dressed up.  But, Sarah came over the night before the party and helped me make three batches of oreo balls.  Thanks sister!

Peanut Butter Pie Extreme

JP's brother Matt, who lives in NYC, had a piece of pie that he loved in NYC and wanted to see if it could be homemade.  It can... and it was so good!

I don't have the exact recipe but basically it is...

Graham cracker crust (we used the store bought to save time) with melted chocolate spread in the bottom.  Then a layer of sliced bananas followed by the peanut butter pie filling (8oz cream cheese, 1 cup peanut butter, 1.5 cups powder sugar, 8oz. tub cool whip).  Top it with whipped cream (homemade is best) and a banana slice to give it the gourmet look.

I love peanut butter pie, and this just takes it to the next level. Now, I think I need to make a trip to NYC to compare the two pies.

Icing on the Cookie

Do you Groupon? I do, and I definitely recommend you sign up to get notified of their daily deals.  I love trying new places, so I love the fact that Groupon makes me aware of new places or even established places I've never heard of.

In April I purchased a Groupon to Icing on the Cookie in Homewood.  The Groupon expired early in December, so I decided to use it to purchase cookies for JP's family to give to them the night we arrived. Icing on the Cookie has SO many different cute cookie shapes.  I decided to get a different cookie shape for each family member.  

For my brother-in-law Matt... The Pirate.

For my brother-in-law, Michael... The Catfish

For JP... The Rooster

For JP's Mom... The Palm Tree

For JP's Grandmother... The Ice Cream

For JP's Dad... The Sombrero

For JP's Grandfather (who is a diabetic)... The Apple (which means it was ok for him to eat, right?)

And for me... The Penguin

Thankfully the box made the flight from Birmingham to Phoenix without any tragic breaks.

The Mother of Sir Charles

When JP and I were taking our seats on our 6:15am flight to Phoenix for Thanksgiving, we heard this conversation about the Iron Bowl between the 50ish year old man and the 63 year old woman behind us:

Man:  Yeah I'm excited about the Iron Bowl.  War Eagle! Who are you cheering for?
Woman: Well, my son played basketball at Auburn for three years until he went pro, so War Eagle!
Man: Who is your son?
Woman: Charles Barkley
Followed was some overreacting by the man and who we think was his college aged daughter.

So yes, JP and I sat in front of the mother of Charles Barkley. If you aren't into sports, Charles played basketball for Auburn and then the NBA for 13 seasons. He was an All Star 11 times, MVP in 1993, and was ranked in the top 50 NBA players ever in 1996. Now you can find him on TNT as a commentator.

It was so interesting to listen to her conversations with the man over our 4 hour flight. From these conversations, I discovered that Charles' mom is a very humble woman who has not taken her sons fame to her head.  She seemed just as proud of her son who coaches middle school basketball as she does Charles.

The man sitting next to her spent the entire 4 hours trying to impress her and trying to act cool.  For example, "Yeah doesn't Charles play golf?  I'm a member of this really nice country club. You need to have him call me the next time he is in town and we can play." Here is my favorite conversation between the two of them:

Man: Yeah, I just bought my mid-life crisis car.  A porsche. Yeah I love that car.
Charles' mom: Yeah Charles tried to buy me a new car, but I told him I didn't need a new car.  My 2004 Honda was running just fine.

I'm pretty sure that she was not impressed with the man.

In case, you were wondering how we knew this lady was really his mom and not just making it up:
1. The lady next to me, who is a hand therapist, knows Charles' mom because she treats her so she could verify.
2. She had several pictures of Charles in her wallet.  She showed JP one of Charles when he was in college.
3. When we got our luggage, she was definitely being picked up by a driver... no not Charles like we hoped.

Thanksgiving 2010

JP and I traveled to Phoenix to spend Thanksgiving with his family.

We enjoyed eating here...

and here...




and climbing this mountain...

photo from here

but most of all, we enjoyed hanging out with these people...







ps. Michael took our Christmas card pictures...
This is the most normal picture we got of the two of us at any point in time during our trip. Our Christmas card will not be serious...

Go Mavs!

Last weekend I went to visit my friend who lives in Atlanta.  She is from Dallas, we lived together in Dallas, and we are both Dallas Mavericks fans.  She now lives in Atlanta, so when the Mavericks were in town to play the Atlanta Hawks, we knew we had to go!

The game was Saturday night, so I got there Saturday afternoon and enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner with her friends.  We then went to Pinkberry, yum! and headed to the game.  We wore our Mavericks gear to the game, and there were actually a few other Mavs fans sitting around us.  We did miss the entertainment they have in Dallas, as well as the announcer in Dallas that says, "Twooooo Points."  We were excited the Mavericks won!

We didn't really take any pictures that are worthy of being posted on this blog.  So, I will share some pictures from some of our previous Mavericks experiences, which all occurred in the great city of Dallas.

Here we are at my first Mavericks game ever in December 2007.  

It was the Mavericks vs Suns game and JP happened to be in town for the game so we all three went plus one of JP's friends who lives in Dallas.  JP is a huge Suns fan so it was a fun game.  The Mavs won :) 

Here we are at the Mavs game for Amanda's birthday in January 2008.  

Our tickets were super good and VERY close to the court.  We got to see the players up close!

Hopefully we have more Mavericks games in the future! Go Mavs!