Christmas is in the air

The rest of Thanksgiving vacation was so much fun!
Friday we picked out our Christmas tree, got out our decorations and started the fun. When I was pulling out each ornament, it was nice to reminisce about each one. There were ornaments from when I was born, ones from grandma, some from my sisters and all the ones that mom has given to us each year. I know it sounds silly, but I'm so thankful for each ornament and all the memories it holds!
Decorating the tree would not have been complete without some homemade buckeyes!

Saturday was a day filled with friends and football! I got to some good quality time with Kat & BFF and some of the APP Family men too. BFF and I got in some much needed wedding talk and it was SO nice to catch up with her in person instead of phone, text and email. Thankfully the Mountaineers pulled out a win and are headed to Richmond this weekend.Emerson got to meet Aunt Lauren & Uncle Kyle

Mike and I rounded out the weekend with a date night and some good quality time together on Sunday! I love that boy :)

Please note: this is what the dogs and Mike were doing while I was hard at work on the buckeyes

Carrot Cake by Aunt Wendy

As promised, here is the world's greatest carrot cake recipe. It's been in Aunt Wendy's family for 28+ years so you know it's a keeper! I DARE you to make it and enjoy every bite. Here's to packing on the holiday pounds :)

CARROT CAKE:
3 Cups grated raw carrots
2 Cups flour (All Purpose Flour)
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 Cups cooking oil
4 eggs
1/2 Cup chopped pecans

Beat all the above together and then add the eggs one at a time. Then add 1/2 cup nuts. Bake 9x13 pan for 35-40 minutes (8 inch round cake pans take a little longer, just keep checking with toothpick, till it comes out clean) in a 350 degree oven.

ICING:
1 (8 oz.) Pkg Cream Cheese
2 teaspoon vanilla
1 Pkg powdered sugar (2 Cups)
1/2 stick Butter
*you can double the icing recipe to make sure you have plenty

Let cake cool then ice and enjoy!

Fat Camp

I am thinking about enrolling after all the delicious food I ate the past few days!

Wednesday we headed to the lake for the Russo's annual Thanksgiving dinner. As usual, the food did not disappoint and its a good thing because there was a ton of it. The big news this year...I tried collards for the 1st time and LOVED them!
Thursday I woke up and it felt a little weird to still be in Charlotte. I have spent every Christmas and Thanksgiving with my parents. Usually I wake up to the smell of coffee, the sale ads laid out for me, the Today show on, dad washing the cars or running and mom telling me Happy Thanksgiving.
This year was a little different and that's okay. I LOVE traditions (thanks mom) and I'm excited about starting news ones with my future husband!!!!!

Mike and I took the dogs for a really long walk before heading to his grandparents house. A lot of the Dorsey/Staton clan was there to celebrate Thanksgiving together. The food was AMAZING and there was plenty of it. Grandpa even video tapped the entire meal...hahaha!
Mike's mom knew I loved my mom's squash casserole so she made that this year as a surprise. It was so yummy and was very thoughtful.To keep my favorite traditions alive, Mike bought us tickets to see The Blind Side. It was a great way to end our day and the movie was AWESOME! (go see it right now)

Mike's Aunt Wendy sent us home with her homemade carrot cake. I love carrot cake and have had a ton in my lifetime, BUT this is BY FAR the best I have ever had (sorry if that offends anyone). I'm totally serious...I guarantee this will be the best you have ever tasted. I will post the recipe once Aunt Wendy emails it to me. SOOOOOOO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!

All in all, it was a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. I missed my parents and sisters but I will see them for Christmas in a few short weeks!!!

Chocolate Heaven

We had a BUSY weekend of celebrations!

Friday night we headed to an engagement party for "Phillary"...aka Philip Tester & Hillary Pace. They are too cute and I loved talking about wedding stuff with Hillary.
Saturday we headed up to Boone with Kelly, Robby & Lindsay. After a few "mishaps" we made it into Boone. We had a great time of shopping, eating and cheering on our app state boys!
Sunday was the big day...
After church, we headed to Winston to celebrate Gregg's 88th birthday, Dad's 60th birthday and Lora's wedding anniversary. WOW!!!
We did presents at our house before heading to the "old folks home" to see Deedee & Gregg.
Lora decided to get dad an extra present this year...I don't think anyone will ever be able to top this one. CANDY MAN WAS IN HEAVEN!!!
After a little QT with Deedee & Gregg, we headed to dinner. Thankfully we didn't have to experience K&W for dinner...we were spared :) We actually had a great dinner at VT...complete with free desserts and champagne.It was a very full weekend but I'm glad we ended it with family. Its always an adventure with my family but I love it!

FREE

Lynsey posted THIS today and I thought it was worth sharing with everyone...
CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR FREE!!!

Visit her site and see how you can get free Christmas cards this year

Happy Friday.

Thanks Lyns:)

What were we thinking?!?!

Well folks, its almost been 1 year since a few of my friends and I went to the midnight premier of Twilight! Yep, I know...get your laughs out now.We arrived at the theater 2 hours early to ensure we had the best seats.
After the movie, I talked about my disappointment HERE!
The Twilight books were great, so I should have known that movies are never as good as the book. The screaming pre-teens could have had an impact on my viewing pleasure as well.

New Moon is being released tomorrow and that is all I have been hearing about on TV. I will NOT be going to the midnight showing. Alli and Adele were trying to talk me into see a matinee with them and I might. (sorry Ellen- I might be a sell out) Maybe I should just wait for it to come out on DVD so I only have to pay .99 cents.

Oh the memories we can laugh about...

Oh Daddyo

We have 283 days until our wedding but don't worry...I have already picked out the "father/daughter" song. Yes, I know its a little weird. Most people pick their song out a few weeks before the big day...but not me.
I heard this song a while ago and sobbed when I heard it. (sobbed=I loved it) I love the song even more because I have never heard it played at a wedding!!
My dad has always had a special place in my heart and I cannot wait for him to walk me down the aisle to marry Mike!
Get ready to shake your booty daddyo :)

Dad's 1st Father/daughter dance