Sunday, December 19, 2010

Matt's 29!

On Thursday my hubby turned the big 2-9! I decided for dinner I would make him Fish & Chips along with Mushy Peas of course. I was a little nervous b/c I had never made them before and I had never used our deep fryer that we got as a wedding gift. So, I was scared I would not only burn the Fish & Chips but burn the house down as well! ;) It turned out to be pretty simple but time consuming b/c the chips need to have the perfect crunch on the outside and soft on the inside. To my surprise they turned out perfect and so did the fish and Matt even said that it taste like the ones you get at a Pub back in England! So I was pretty proud of this culinary accomplishment and Matt was very excited to know that his wife can whip him up some good ol' Fish & Chips! On a side note: deep fryers are a PAIN to clean! So, I hope he doesn't  get a craving for a while! ;) Here's some pics!

You can find the Mushy Peas at World Market
 
The birthday boy relaxing before dinner
DE-LISH!
The batter and fish. All thats in the batter is Self Rising Flour and beer. I used Newcastle and it gave the batter a great taste!
Finished Product!! YUM-O!

His birthday celebrations wasn't over though! On Friday, Dustin Matt's best friend came in town to celebrate with us. On Saturday the boys went and finished up some Christmas shopping and went mountain biking while I got caught up with things around the house. Then, Saturday night we went to The Londoner and meet up with friends for a couple  of drinks and dancing! It was a great time b/c it had been a while since we had all hung out together. Here's a couple of pics from last night.

Guy ruined our pic! lol
We took several and none turned out! lol
 I look forward to many many more birthdays!! I can't believe we are already 29 (well I'm not till June but you know...) When we met at SFA we were only 20!! Looking back I feel so blessed to see how we have literally grown up together. I couldn't imagine anyone else I would want by my side everyday. I love him more than the world and I cant wait to see what life has in store for us! Happy Birthday Hubby!!!! 


 “Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.”

 

 

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

It's the most wonderful time of the year.....

for a TACKY CHRISTMAS PARTY!!! This weekend Matt and I ventured south bound 35 to Belton. Our great friends Dustin and Evan recently moved in a house on Lake Belton and so why not combine and make it a Tacky Christmas/housewarming!!! It was a brilliant idea of theirs! We all had a blast and all the guest went out of their way to be tacky....it was AWESOME! Here's some pictures from the night.

The hostess's with the mostest!! :) Dustin and Evan

Matt and I (in case you couldn't recognize) Matt's inspiration was Eddie from Christmas Vacation. haha
Oh dear... 








On Sunday on the way home we stopped by Hillsboro to visit my parents for a bit and then headed back to Dallas. We decided to take the country route home though which was nice and we ended up making a stop by Chicken Express!


The best Sweet Tea you will ever taste!!! :)

So all in all it was a fantastic weekend!! Stay tuned for pictures from this weekend b/c it's Matt's 29th birthday!!! I will try and post them on Sunday! Have a great rest of the week ya'll!


          “Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” - Oprah Winfrey

Friday, December 3, 2010

Thanksgiving Weekend

The day after Thanksgiving Matt's mom and dad invited my family over to their house in Magnolia for a traditional British dinner. We all had a great time and it so nice to have the whole family together. Here a a few pictures of the evening.

Everyone with their crowns on from the crackers

Caddo, Boo, and Matt
My sis-in-love Amy and her boyfriend James
Pax with the napkin hat Matt's dad, Nick made for him lol!
Pax loved his Uncle Nicks fish tank

The next day Matt helped his dad with some jobs around the house and did some fishing while me and his mom went to some local shops in Magnolia.







You can barley see but that's Matt and his dad fishing at the pond behind their house

Backyard looking from the pond

After Diane and I got back from the shops and the guys got through with their jobs and fishing it was time for dinner and time for Matt and I to head back to Dallas. I wanted to get back on Sunday so I could get all the Christmas decor up! :)

Matt helping me put up the big tree in the front room

After I got it all decorated! I love this tree! Matt and I started a tradition a couple of years ago that wherever we go on vacation we always pick up an ornament for the tree. It's nice to get those out and remember our trips! :)
 
Our 2nd tree in the little den area off the kitchen 
The den area all decorated! Note: that the kitchen and this den are getting a total remodel in January! Can't wait!  
  
My new stockings! They match better than the old ones seen in the picture above.
Fireplace Decor. 
The wreath I made for the front door. I know the ribbon looks pink but its a sheer red. Promise. :)
Dinning Table Decor. This was something I did real quick but hope to get to Crate and Barrel and get some ideas for a better centerpiece.

A little outside decor and we have lights in the bushes. I'll try and get a good picture of the whole house lit up tonight and post it.

We had a great Thanksgiving weekend! It was the perfect finishing touch to get in the Holiday spirit by getting out all the Christmas decor and turning on the Christmas jams! I love this time of year, I just wish it would start getting a little cooler out!


“It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air.”-W.T. Ellis







THANKSgiving!!!

This Thanksgiving was a very special Thanksgiving to my family.  2010 has blessed my family with answered prayers, and happiness. We have so much to give thanks for especially for my nephew. 
Paxton Jay Studdard
My sister, Jennifer and  her husband Caddo had Thanksgiving at their house this year and so Matt and I along with my mom, dad, and Boo Mama made our way to Katy for Paxton's first Thanksgiving!! Here are a few pictures from the day.
Caddo carving one of the turkeys! Yes, we had 2 a smoked turkey and a roasted turkey
Note: we are all in red not by choice ;) My mom made us do so for her and my dads Christmas card this year
 Pax with his Lollie and Pop
The Studdards!! Happy family of 3! :)
Auntie A & Uncle Matt with Pax
Note: Boo Mama sweeping in the back! :)
Big boy can sit up all by himself! 
Love my sis!

Paxton eating his first Thanksgiving dinner!
Big boy at the table
Pax and his dad having a conversation over Thanksgiving dinner ;)
Look at those legs!
Pax loves his Pop
Pretty boy!
Mommy reading Pax his book
Boo and Pax relaxing!


All worn out from all those toys!


As you can tell from the pictures Paxton brings so much joy to our family. What a wonderful Thanksgiving we had! I hope you and your families enjoyed your Thanksgiving day as well and were able to look back on the year and realize all the blessings you have received whether big ones or small ones....they all add up! :)


“May God give you...For every storm a rainbow, for every tear a smile, for every care a promise and a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, a faithful friend to share, for every sigh a sweet song and an answer for each prayer.” - Irish Blessing