Thanksgiving

Our family shared such a nice thanksgivng day... we woke up to our kids at 6:15 (ok, maybe that isn't so great) calling out mamma and daddy..they came running into our room and jumped in bed with us. We all got up a few minutes later and I made pancakes for the kids and bagel sandwiches for Sean and me. I spent the morning finishing up the laundry, sorting out baby clothes, and cleaning up the house while Sean finished painting the nursery (I painted half of it on Tuesday and by the time I was done my back was killing me and I had had enough).

The color is just perfect...so girly. I got that great shabby chic armoire from my parents when they rearranged their bedroom this past week...the timing was perfect.

After Brody naped we packed up the car and headed for my brother's house for thanksgiving dinner. Here is what was on the menu...

Appetizers of hot apple cider, cheese, crackers, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and pumpkin soup with apple/cranberry relish served with cinnamon sugar toast (I make this EVERY year per everyone's request... so I thought I would share the recipes here. This recipe is where I get the soup and toast from http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Cream-of-Pumpkin-Soup/Detail.aspx, and I took the relish from this recipe http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/pumpkin-soup-with-chili-cran-apple-relish-recipe/index.html ) ENJOY!!

Dinner was turkey breast (rubbed down with a butter sage...it makes my mouth water thinking of it), mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, flaky buttery biscuits, cranberry/pineapple/apple jello sauce and a delicious sweet potato casserole.

Our dessert spread was spectacular! We had french vanilla coffee and hot apple cider with chocolate pecan pie, pumpkin bars, pumpkin bread, ice cream and cream cheese/caramel/toffee apple dip (Here is the recipe for the apple dip! Mix 2, 8 oz packages of softened cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla. Spread into a large pie plate (you could use a smaller casserole dish if you didn't have a pie plate), pour caramel sauce over the top, and sprinkle with a crushed up toffee bar. Serve with sliced apples).

My only regret is that I didn't take pictures of any of our food...

Hope you (my friends and family) all had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day as well. I have so much to be thankful for and I am glad we have such a special day dedicated to helping us stop and remember what is truly important in our lives!

xoxo

nikki

When did my baby grow up???

After taking these pictures of Riley the other night on Sharky's pier, I had to ask myself "When did my baby grow up"? He looks so much older than he is. I love you big guy.

xoxo

nikki

Me and my Hubby

Sean and I wanted to get away for a couple of days, so I made reservations at my favorite little place on Anna Maria Island. It is so nice to be able to drive 45 minutes north but feel like you are in a different place entirely. We spent the weekend fishing, reading, sitting by the pool, eating out at some nice restaurants and just enjoying each others company. (When you have two young kiddos you can hardly have a normal conversation let alone enjoy each others company.) I finished "Nights in Rodanthe" in one afternoon/evening...it was so nice to read without any interruption. Sean and I shared some really good laughs, but most of all we came back refreshed and ready to jump back into the swing of things. Looking forward to our next getaway....

xoxo

nikki

Crazy Girls

These girls have been my friends for over 15 years...we have shared so much together, but it seems like since we got married and started having children those times are fewer and further between. But we decided that we would try and get together one afternoon a month to catch up and just hang out. We leave the kiddos at home with the dad's and we take some time to ourselves... the last time we met we decided to "brown bag" it and go to Fort Desoto Park. It was the best! We sat around a picnic table, eating dinner and laughing so hard we were all crying. I am so glad I brought my camera...even if it captured some crazy, goofy girls.

i love you guys.

xoxo

nikki

Bad Hair Day!!

xoxo

nikki

Did you get out and...

VOTE!!

I did!
xoxo
nikki

A special dinner...

My mom graduated from USF with her master's degree this past summer. To celebrate, my dad wanted to take us to dinner at Burn's Steakhouse. (Since I wasn't feeling so great then, we waited till now.) It was worth the wait. I would recommend Burns over any steak house around here! We had so much fun. Our waiter was hysterical and kept us laughing through dinner. Then we had a tour of the kitchen as well as their amazing wine cellar. After that we went upstairs to the dessert room, where we ate inside of a wine barrell or cask (each dessert table is very private...you can hardly see anyone one else)...very cool. Over all, we all enjoyed our meal, the dessert, but most of all the company.

Congratulations Mom!!!! We are so proud of you and we all love you so much.

xoxo

nikki