Thanksgiving 2013

Last year at thanksgiving, we spent it at my mother in laws house. My Husband, myself, mother in law, sister in law and Brother in law all stuffed ourselves around a table, Enjoyed an afternoon feast, discussed the Black Friday ads and enjoyed the company of each other. It was my first Thanksgiving away from my family and my first thanksgiving pregnant.. I was very pregnant, very swollen and really tired. Ha! 

Later that night we decided to tackle the Black Friday crowds for the first time.. Remind you again.. I was very pregnant. Lol! We didn't really know what we wanted to buy, but figured we would just see what the fuss is about and go shopping.  Oh the looks I got! We made off with some great deals.. And lots of stuff for my husband. New steel toe boots for half off and some other great stuff! We didn't go back this year, I didn't feel like there was really any good deals on stuff.. And well we are saving any and all money for our new house! 

This year, we have a 10month old (now 11months) an almost empty rental house to cook Thanksgiving dinner with my Mother in law. My husband and MIL cooked all day while I was at work. I got home, loved on my little man.. And we began to feast. We were all pretty tired.. Joseph didn't sleep well and woke up screaming a few nights in a row. This picture is exactly how we felt lol. 

When we moved into our rental, we were faced with the fact that rental houses here just simply do not allow Big dogs. Our Cattahoula that we've had since a pup.. Had to be relocated to a new home.  His Foster parents were heading out of town for Thanksgiving and asked if we would watch Chubbs for a few days. Yes, his name is Chubbs! Ha ha! 

Joseph and Chubbs just love Each other, they always have. I am happy to say that in Jan when we get back and settled in our new home.. We get Chubbs back!  I'm very thankful for the family that took him in for us, and we never thought we would actually get him back.. ( they have two young girls who love Chubbs) but it's best for their family right now, they are simply too busy for him. 

Our little chunk was able to enjoy Thanksgivibg dinner. This boy has lots and lots of teeth..he gobbled everything down and saved the ham and turkey bits for last. Of course he ate naked.. Little boys get messy! We're working on using forks and spoons.. Drinking out of a straw Sippy cup (which he's almost a pro at)

We had a low key and eventful thanksgiving. I'm thankful for a MIL that can cook some delicious food, she taught my husband how to cook a turkey and many other dishes!  I'm thankful for my family as well! With everyone being so far away, I feel like this move has actually brought us closer, especially my sisters and I. 

Now that it's December, 

We've got a lot on our plates. We close on our house in 2 weeks, leave for Texas and then celebrate Joseph turning 1! (I'm going to cry allll day!) I'm so excited to start fresh and this new chapter in our lives! 

Oh! We were contacted by HGTVs House Hunters! After many, many email exchanges with one of the nicest people ever! I'm sad to say that due to the timing of our close and move and of course the Holidays.. We won't be filmed. We were so close! Everything was a go, until we discussed dates.. Oh well! 

This weekend is the Christmas party at my husbands job, Joseph will meet Santa and there is lots of goodies for the kiddos! I hear it's really fun! 

How was your Thanksgiving? Did you go Black Friday shopping? 

-Nicole

Recent Happenings

I've been a little quiet within my social media. 

Honestly, I've just been busy.  But every day I think about my blog. "What do I write about? What's all of my other favorite blogs up too?" Well, I'm still reading y'all! 

I've been chasing after Joseph who is a few steps from running! Haha seriously, he's a quick little guy. 

It's been chilly here, so we've been playing "follow the Momma" inside, as I scramble from room to room trying to figure out what to pack and when it's an ok time to do it. It's different packing up with a kiddo. Oh and also packing for a trip too! 

We still have a few weeks until we get the keys to our house, but I'm trying to keep this as stress free as possible. Praying the weather stays on our side as well until after we get home from our trip! 

That'll make for easy and safe moving/ traveling. Don't worry, I've got lists of " To Do's" going on..Other than that.. My focus is mainly on this little guy. 

This was a very sleepy bath baby. He's been taking really long afternoon naps and then skipping his evening naps. So about 8-9pm he's zonked.  

it's the season for your crock pot, y'all! I love cooking in our crock pot! I got to work Sunday to be surprised with a card and this awesome cook book from a co-worker! She's so sweet! 

I babysat another co-workers 1 month old. Joseph was lovin on her and so interested. He's been around babies his size and up.. But never smaller. She will be around more after the 2nd of December. 

We had our first bit of snow for the season. This was the beginning of it on my car while I was at work. I was surprised how long it took for the snow to melt.. It's gone now though. 

If you have Instagram, follow me!  My pictures are private so you have to request it. Since Joseph has started having tantrums when I tell him "No" or "don't hit" or when he's just plain sleepy.. I've been capturing some faces and he's got his own hashtag lol. Yes, I plan on showing him when he is older. It's kinda cute.. For now. Haha.  I believe this tantrum was because I wouldn't let him eat his baby soap.. Yup. 

There's one from when I pulled him away from playing in the laundry shoot.. ( his Dad used to slide down it when he was a kid!) 

My MIL brought us a bunch of storage bins to help move.. Joseph made one for his favorite items. 

While I'm packing, Joseph likes to help put his animal cookies in the boxes or random items.. It'll be interesting to see way we find while unpacking! 

Now we wind down this post with some relaxing baby yoga! He stayed in downward dog for a while.. Watching Mickey Mouse of course. Haha! 

That's what's been going on around here! 

I can't wait to give everyone a house tour when we move! Yey!

Happy Thanksgiving week , y'all! 

-Nicole 

http://youtu.be/gGmYf4BVCXc 

Recipe swap- Overnight Rolls

I've been a bit MIA:

 if you read my last post you will have seen that we're MOVING! Yey! So besides packing and cleaning and working and of course chasing after my wild child..  I joined in on a recipe swap! 

My sister ( The Foodette) and Doree ( Top Notch Mom) hosted the recipe swap! It was perfect timing because I had been going through my cook books to find something new, I was getting tired of feeling like I was cooking or baking the same thing. So, I joined in! 

I was paired with the lovely Lauren @ From Gate to plate! We swapped emails and social media sites and of course our recipes and even joked around on Instagram  about our football rivals.

Y'all should really go check out her blog, there are some SERIOUSLY delicious recipes on there!

Lauren sent me "Donna's Famous Overnight Rolls." 

How perfect is this recipe for Thanksgiving and Christmas?! 

This is where it gets fun! I used a big Tupperware bowl to keep the dough in while it was rising, with a sealed lid. Lauren notes that you can also use the big zip lock bags! Easy peasy! 

 If you don't wish to make so many rolls, Lauren provided all the measurements in half! This came in handy for me, turns out I only had enough flour for the half batch! 

Thanks for that, Lauren! 

I decided to make loaves instead of rolls, it works better for us this way!
  ( and Im going to pair it up with a beef stew tonight!)

I filled my two pans half way, covered them with a kitchen towel and when I came back the next morning there were two beautiful raised loaves! 

After Baking in the oven at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, my nose was excited and my mouth was watering! ( I really love bread y'all, it's a beautiful yet dangerous thing.) 

Letting both pans cool just a bit, I spread some butter on top to melt! 

These babies are SO delicious and soft! I share a bite with Joseph and he shoved the whole thing in his mouth, and later wanted some more!  I give myself a high five for not making this an epic fail lol! And of course Lauren a High five for sharing this with me! 

It will now go into my recipe book and I will be making these again next week for Thanksgiving! 

Thanks Lauren! 

Note- you can freeze these after baking, just reheat until warm! 

Enjoy y'all! 

-Nicole 

Thanks again to Doree & Susan for Hosting! 

As well as Lauren for the recipe! It was fun!