Christmas in Texas

Macy's Grandma Funderburk was tickled to have us (especially Macy) in Texas for Christmas.

We were able to connect with a few friends. Randy, Emily, Candy, Stoney, and La. We made it to the Thai Garden for some delicious Pho. I'm drooling just looking at this.

Macy seemed to particularly like Stoney, one of Andy's many good friends in Amarillo.

This is Macy and La.

This is La's wife Lae and their little boy Lek. He is so cute! Lek is just 2 weeks older than Macy.


Jason and Laura, more good friends, came over to visit with their 6-week old baby boy, Bobby. He is such a precious little guy and they are the cutest parents ever.



This is Macy in her darling Christmas dress from Grandma Funderburk. We sure had fun showing her off at church.


Macy and Uncle Matt.

Kevo scored at the White Elephant Gift Exchange with a fake mustache!


Macy in her sweet Christmas Eve PJ's from Grandma Funderburk. I love this picture because it looks like she is about to tell me what's up! I felt like she grew up so much while we were gone, but I loved all of the time we got to spend together. Macy's is a momma's girl and I wouldn't have it any other way.

MACY GOT
Lots of books and toys
A coat and handmade blanket from GiGi
A dress and lots of clothes from Grandma Funderburk
A "Jump up Johnny" from cousin Nash
A trip to Texas from Mom & Dad

NICOLE GOT
Mini Cupcake Tin
Salt & Pepper Mills
Awesome Alarm Clock
Cricut Cartridge
Scrapbook Paper Organizer

ANDY GOT
New Balance Shoes
Clothes
Rodder's Journal Subscription
Pancake Pen
Digital/Instant Read Meat Thermometer

Our big Christmas present stayed in Utah since it was a new kitchen table that Andy built. We absolutely love it. We recently updated the kitchen colors and I'll post those pictures soon.



Hope you're holidays were also wonderful.

Lights

This weekend we were able to go up North. Our first stop was dinner and then the lights on Temple Square with my WHOLE family. It was fun. We got these photos just before the battery died. They're incredibly blurry. After this, Macy slept in her stroller the whole time. I thought she would enjoy seeing the lights but she conked! I'm glad she was bundled up and warm.

Ruffles & Blossoms

Need a dose of Macy?
I do.

She has discovered her tongue and we randomly find her licking her fingers or doing silly things with her tongue.






Thanks for the pics Liz.

Double Post

In case you don't check my cooking blog, here is our latest culinary endeavor.

STANDING BEEF RIB ROAST WITH MUSTARD JUS

I saw this in the latest Rachel Ray magazine and knew it was a must-try. Andy's birthday dinner seemed like the perfect opportunity. We actually cut the recipe in half and used a smaller roast because Costco's standing beef rib roasts are a little pricey (but oh so tasty). And, we didn't have any brandy on hand so we used beef broth there too and it turned out just delicious.

5 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary, plus 1 rosemary sprig
1 teaspoon paprika
One 9- to 10-pound standing beef rib roast with 4 ribs.
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1/4 cup brandy
2 cups low-sodium beef broth

1. Using the flat side of a knife, mash 4 cloves garlic with 1 tablespoon salt until the mixture forms a paste. Mix in the chopped rosemary, 2 teaspoons pepper and the paprika.

2. Coat the roast with the garlic mixture and transfer fat side up to a roasting pan. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand at room temperature for 2 hours (ore refrigerate over night, then let stand at room temperature for 1 hour before roasting). Remove the plastic wrap before roasting.


3. Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees. Transfer the roasting pan and meat to the oven and cook for 20 minutes. Lower the temperature to 350 degrees and continue cooking for 1 hour. Brush the roast all over with 3 tablespoons mustard and roast until it reaches 115 degrees on an instant-read thermometer for rare, about 15 minutes more (the temperature will continue to rise). Transfer to a carving board with a well, tent loosely with foil and let the meat rest for 20 to 25 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, discard the fat in the roasting pan, leaving the drippings. Place the pan over medium-high heat, add the brandy and simmer for 3 minutes, scraping up any browned bits at the bottom of the pan. Add the beef broth and rosemary sprig. Smash the remaining garlic clove and add to the pan. Simmer for 10 minutes. Whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon mustard; strain.

5. Carve the roast, adding any carving juices to the mustard sauce.

And there you have it, Andy's birthday dinner. Standing Beef Rib Roast with Mustard Jus, Roasted Acorn Squash, and an old favorite Mushroom Rice Pilaf.

Pre-Church Photo Shoot

Macy is always so dolled up for church that I have to get her photo before we head out the door. And, yes, it usually makes us late.

Fashionably late, mind you.

I Love This Guy

Today is Andy's birthday. He is so many things...

{strong} MAN

{wonderful} HUSBAND

{loving} FATHER

{kind} BROTHER

{thoughtful} SON

{best} FRIEND

{constant} TEASER

{brilliant} BUSINESSMAN

{amazing} HANDYMAN

{skilled} WELDER

{talented} ARTIST

but most importantly he is...

{all} MINE {forever}

I love you, Andy.

Vintage Holiday

I just love breaking out the holiday decor and all of the nostalgia that goes with it. I recently went to a vintage wreath-making class with my friend Keri. We made these wreaths from the pages of old Reader's Digest books. It was really fun and simpler than it looks.



And I love how it fits in with my Christmas decorations.





Hope you're having the happiest of holidays.