Sioux Falls Christmas

We headed up to Sioux Falls this year for Christmas! The best part was raiding the Siefer's closet for warm clothes so that we could take the sledding challenge over at Tut Hill!

Sleds at the ready -- check!

Sister-in-laws in one sled --- check!

Husbands being wussy and just watching for their own pure delight -- check!

While I don't have a picture of our landing down at the bottom of the hill, I have to assure you it was amazing and filled with lots of screaming!

Marianne, put together a beautiful tree -- with a new motif this year.

And of course the traditional gift-opening was great fun with Marianne and John. I have to say that they just weren't as excited about all of the "finds" Jeremy and I discovered at the Dollar Tree and then packaged up for them as stocking stuffers. Who knew velcro could come in so many colors!!!

Awww, cute family shot... the two married couples!

Christmas involved lots of eating!! I think this prime rib was the jewel in Marianne's crown of accomplishments for the week....

But dang if this Bing Cherry stuffed french toast didn't amaze me too!

She even brought the Bing cherries back from their recent trip to Wisconsin to use them in this recipe... that is love!... and for me it should definitely become a new Christmas tradition!

Okoboji Winter

While we were up in South Dakota for Christmas with Jeremy's family we took a day to drive over to Okoboji. It is where we were married in July of 2007. Only, it looked VERY different this time. I was amazed to see the snow --- we had to hike through knee high drifts to get to the house!

And long gone was the clear water...it was replaced with ICE! The whole lake was iced over. I guess this is where my Texas roots put me at a disadvantage... because I was amazed at all things winter on this trip... including: snow blowers, shoveling snow, ice fishing, and more!

Jer woke up early in the morning to take some beautiful shots of the lake.

There were a few cold souls already up with an auger -- drilling their hole for their ice fishing hut.

I finally woke up -- borrowed some winter gear and we were off to explore!

...so these are how mittens work!

...ready for the cold -- bring it on!

So crazy to see the water iced over -- when we were just jet skiing in this cove this summer!

I climbed up to the Eagle that graces "Eagle Point".

...and made the obligatory snow angel!

Then we headed back home that evening....

...across the frozen tundra!

It was so beautiful to see the winter season in full effect -- but I have to admit -- I am loving my 70 degree temps back home too!

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!!