Fruit Cake Club

One of those major life moments has happened and I feel it is only fair to share it! I am now a member of the "I received a fruit cake as a present and I can't exactly tell you how old it is" Club!

See "Exhibit A" here below:

At first glance it does look pretty tasty -- but then you start to notice a few choice dents. Maybe this fruit cake has been around the block a few times?

Only upon further inspection do we find the approximate creation date... 2000!

Yes, we think it may be close to 10 years old! =) The best part is that we are saving it for next year --- who knows, if you are really nice to us you may be the recipient of this fine specimen next year!

Running out of Magnets

It is one of my favorite times of year again -- the Christmas Card season! We are starting to run out of magnets for the cards as they come through.... I love, love, LOVE seeing everyone's families and hearing the newest stories.

Here was a quick glance at our refrigerator in early December!

If you missed our card this year and want to get on next year's list -- please let me know.

2010 Ornament

Ahh, yes, it was Christmas time once more. And one of the traditions Jeremy and I have is the induction of a new ornament on our 3 foot tree! (see past posts on this tradition).

So yes, you counted correctly. That means we have approximately 4 ornaments on our tree! For now it works! Here's our latest addition... the hot pink octopus! Nothing says "Christmas" quite like our new bedazzled friend below!

Better in mini!

This past fall I decided to take the famous Werner Family cake and make it in miniature.

First you have the amazing original in its normal size...

And now, may I please introduce you to the Chocolate Praline Layer cake in miniature! They were amazing -- soooo, if you are looking for a crowd pleaser dessert this winter, try this recipe from Pillsbury, but instead make it in cupcake form!

Werner-Humann

Yes, the big news is the Werner-Humann engagement! We are super excited for the wedding next year in Philly! Before we headed out after Thanksgiving I took some shots of the happy couple!

Here are a few of my favorites...

It was so fun to pretend to be a photographer for an afternoon -- if these pictures are an indication of how freakin' photogenic this couple is, then their wedding shots are going to be gorgeous!!

Turkey Day Frisbee Golf

So Thankgiving was spent in Dallas this year... and it was the first time Lauren, Ryan's fiance came to be with our family for the big holiday. We decided to make some extra room for turkey, so one day Jer picked out a frisbee golf course for us to check out. Small problem, fitting 6 people in the family car... Ryan decided to ride "trunk!"

Here goes nothing! Scouting out the first hole...Do I see water!?

I personally just like to watch my dad wind up for his throw --- it is half javelin, half tomahawk...but somehow it works!

Jer instead looks very Zen...

Umm, yes, the very cheesy posed family shot! It's required!

Me, I'm just happy to get a chance to wear my "pink fluffy ball on top" hat!

Ry looking fierce!

Lauren, also looking fierce... umm, maybe tough! Yes, tough is what I'm going for here!

I think we stopped taking count on the first hole, but it was fun!

T-day Dinner

Thanksgiving pretty much means everyone in the kitchen chopping, mixing, sauteing, and sneaking tastes of food here and there! This year was no different and it was fun to have the newly engaged couple with us... Here Ryan is trying his best to distract Lauren from her squash chopping! She made one of her family's favorites (this tasty squash and brown sugary dish).

Here Ryan and I are letting the pros tend to the bird -- glad it's not my turn to make one of these yet!

Ahh yes, the self timer photo at the table! Gotta love it! If you look really closely you can see the "pilgrims place holders" at everyone's seats. Those are Mom-made circa 1989! Lauren got her own pilgrim-ess this year, waiting at her seat. That's when you truly know you are one of the family!

Gotta sneak a shot of Dad's plate --- yummy!!