5 years.

{before}

{finished to perfection}

Ryan and I came up with the brilliant idea to cook a huge meal for our family on Christmas Eve (also our 5 year anniversary).  We absolutely love entertaining – cooking, eating, drinking and being merry.  But this was our first attempt at cooking a 13 lb prime rib, and in a 1950’s O'Keefe Merritt gas stove.  I’m not going to lie, I was nervous!  And of course, what happens… our oven breaks an hour into cooking.  Ryan, being the calmer one, took charge of the oven situation while I finished my side dishes (crock pot mac n’ cheese <recipe>, green salad, and homemade stuffing w/turkey sausage).  Before I knew it, the prime rib was on the barbeque grill and the repairman was in route.  Honey Bader don’t care… he just shoved the prime rib on the grill.  Haha!!  An hour later the prime rib was back in the oven.  And that is why I love this man!  He is one of the best gifts of my life.  Ryan and I shared another wonderful day together, with our family. 

======================================================

After 5 years together, we finally had photographs taken of our little family.

{with our kids, Sienna & Mieka}

Big thanks to our lovely photographer, Juliana!  Check out her blog <here> to see more of her work.

xo

Vix

naughty and nice.

Some holiday fun with my special friends.

Bad Santa Party

{Santa's helpers}

{no one was injured during the taking of this photo} 

& Hot Cocoa Party with some of my closest girls

{mustache mugs made by meeeee.  unfortunately, my dishwasher did not like them... will be remaking with new paint soon!}

{awesome cookies by G}

{Cocoa Bar}

{spiked hot cocoa} 



happy & merry.

Wishing my family and friends the happiest and merriest of holidays.

Here are a few of my christmas decorations this year.

chalk.

I did my first chalkboard paint project last week and I absolutley love it!!! 

I purschased the below jars at Target for $6 each and the can of paint for $5.  Easy and cheap project.

{2 coats of paint}

I filled them with yummy treats for my Hot Cocoa Bar.  After the holidays, I'll fill them with sugar, coffee and tea.  :D

MandM.

I made my first batch of holiday cookies last night. 

{I couldn't get over how cute these small lil butters were}

Recipe

1 1/3 cup all purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup & leveled
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cooking oats
3/4 cup m&ms
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup white sugar

Stir all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Add

1 slightly beaten egg
1/2 cup butter (melted slightly in the microwave)
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Don't be afraid to use your hands! Then roll the cookie dough into 1 1/2 inch balls, place on a baking sheet and bake for about 10 minutes in a preheated 350 degree oven.