The most wonderful time of the year!

So I know that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year and for me that is SO true because now that I'm a Northern Californian it's the only time that I get to see my family for 12 days straight! They were amazing ...and of course went by so fast. Now why did it take me so long to do this post...because I was lazy and now I'm back to the real world...and real stress lol.

My event packed trip home included time with the Eckles side of the family!

Yum! Cake balls!

Cousin lovin'

Grandma Vera love you!

It was a great Christmas low key and I got to spend it with my favorite people on earth. Love you mama, sister and shmo!

Christmas morning we opened stockings and Guiness was ready to go... he already has broken in Bailey's (our future puppy) new chew toys I got in my stocking...he was a stinker.

My big secret was this!...looks just like a panel of fabric I know, but it is a very cherished child memory. We had one when we were younger that my mom made, I remember my brother sister and I would argue about who would move the bear to his last spot when he found Christmas. We lost ours in a move ...and I bid on one on eBay...well seven of them lol , but I got one! I can't wait to see the joy on my little nephews and nieces ...and my own kiddos (when I can win another one lol) as this tradition continues.

No Christmas is complete without the cheesy gift opening pics lol...

We got Aj a scooter and as soon as he opened it he was ready to put it together.

I love this picture...and it kind of makes me tear up. Wow you three we have been through a lot! but you know we have made it through everything and I can not possibly love you anymore...I am so thankful that I have you and miss you terribly...but I know thru the miles,hospital visits,tragedies and stress we are there to hug hold and pick each other up...I love you!

Sharing!

I got to go to the aquarium with my high school friend Brandi, her husband and 4 amazing kids. I had a blast and you know hanging out with these kiddies made me excited to have some...but I can wait to be an auntie first ;)

New Years!

So many hard and wonderful things have happened in 2011 so I looking forward to what 2012 has to offer. Happy New Year!

Wreath-Tastic!

So...I have been a busy bee and been in the wreath making mood. I got a Women's day magazine that had several super cute wreath ideas that caught my eye...I couldn't decide which one to make so I made 3! lol

First though...from another magazine ;) (I have been inspired lol) a columnist wrote about how her and her husband cut the bottom of their Christmas tree every year as a memento for every year they had been married. I thought this was a really sweet idea so we cut a sliver off our tree...and I bought a wood burner for $12 at Joann's and figure I will engrave the date and a saying each year!

Here is a peppermint wreath I made a pain in the butt (they kept falling off...and after this picture was taken I bought a acrylic clear coat spray to seal it), but I think it's pretty.


I love, love, love this one and it was the cheapest and easiest one.

Cut three sizes of the paper straws 48 that are 6 1/2, 48 that are 5 1/2, and cut 25 in half.

Long ones first, hot glue touching inside circle.

Then middle size glue between two long ones.

For the last row glue small ones in between two middle sized straws.

Last one is called forget-me-knot!

Praline Pecan Crunch

Whew! What a whirlwind of a couple of weeks. We had a fabulous and relaxing week at the cabin for Thanksgiving...and then back to my lil love bugs at work! I am still getting used to having this pretty lil thing on my finger and it has been really exciting seeing people's reaction! Only 3 more weeks until Christmas, I know it's going to be here before we know it!

So let me catch up to Thanksgiving before falling too far behind...

I made a yummy Praline Pecan Crunch trail mix to bring up to the cabin, it's super easy and a yummo snack-my principal made it for a staff meeting and I knew I had to try it.

Heat oven to 250 degrees. Combine 1 (16 0z.) pkg Quaker oat Squares Cereal and 2 Cups pecan pieces. I used the cinnamon quaker cereal, but you can use whatever flavor you want, I think they have a maple and brown sugar one too. I always use throw away pans for these types of recipes that deal with Karo syrup...easy cleanup.

Combine 1/2 cup light corn syrup.

1/4 cup butter

and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar in a sauce pan. Heat to boil over medium heat. Once boiling remove from heat and stir in 1 tsp vanilla and 1 tsp baking soda.

The mixture will puff up and pour over cereal mixture. Stir to coat. Bake 1 hour stirring every 20 minutes.

Spread on wax paper to cool. Break into pieces.

Turkey dinner

At the beginning of the week it didn't look like we were going to be able to cut down our Christmas tree, but luckily the weather changed in our favor and we got to!

Look how cool this moss looks hanging on the trees.

lol and on Greg's chin.

Okay that's enough with the moss.

much better!

Here she is... ;)

He Likes It!

...he put a ring on it! ;)

Friday I had one of the happiest moments of my life. My future Fiance surprised me (literally I screamed) and proposed to me. It was a complete shock and he planned it perfectly. I thought that I was going to be a babbling mess when it really happened, but in that moment It was such a wealth of emotion; joy, love, excitement,surprise,disbelief that all I could do was smile and hug and kiss Greg. He had to ask me if I said yes because I wasn't even able to muddle that lol.

I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with this man. Since the first day that we met I knew this was different I felt and continue to feel comfortable, safe and truly special when I am with him.

I love you my new fiance...only great things are to come!

He did an amazing job with the ring too...it's the ring and man of my dreams!

It's funny to think that when I first started this blog , rereading my last paragraph of that post-not in my wildist dreams did I know how things would change. I really believe that good things come to those who wait and with faith, love and perseverance your life dreams will happen...when they are suppossed to happen.

Family Fun

Veterans day weekend my sister gave me a call asked what I was doing and the next thing I knew I was booking a plane ticket to go see my family. I know I might be a little biased, but I really and truly have the best family ever. They fill my soul with love and laughter when we are together, that's what makes it so hard to be away from them-but makes me cherish the time we make together!

My grandma and aunt and cousins came down and we ate, played games, laughed...basically everything we do best.

Grams B!

Love you mama-so proud of your strength, I miss you everyday!

Sister!

Stare down :)

shmo shmo

hand and foot action! We played many games of this! Just have to mention that I did win a game against Heather and Grandma...oh yeah!

It was a magical weekend that really relaxed me and now I can't wait till Christmas when we get to do it all over again. I love you all and thank you for supporting me, loving me and flying me home on a whim...I miss you all more than you know!