Delicious Chocolate Covered Oreo Balls

I don't know the actual name for these things, but I think they sounds fantastic. I say "think" because I haven't tried the final product yet (just bits and pieces of it!).

I got the idea from my friend Dana. It's SUPER easy, and they look really yummy (pics to come later).

Here's how I made them:

Ingredients:
1 package of Oreos
1 8oz block of cream cheese
Powdered sugar (to add to cream cheese)--add to taste :)
Chocolate bark
White bark
Candy cane pieces (or any other topping--I bought some Andes Peppermint Chips)
Small cupcake holders

Steps:
1. "Puree" half the package of oreos, set aside
2. melt cream cheese, with powdered sugar added to taste
3. mix cream cheese and oreos in large bowl
4. refrigerate for 2 hours or so (until it's no longer "sticky")
5. roll mix into quarter size balls (warning your hands get really messy!) and place in little cupcake holders--I placed mine in a cake pan
6. refrigerate balls for 30 minutes or so
7. warm up barks in separate bowls (I used three bars from the package and it was way too much)
8. spoon out bark of your choice to cover each ball
9. sprinkle your topping on the top
10. Refrigerate long enough for bark to harden
11. Enjoy (which is what I'll be doing later this evening)

Christmas Stocking for Noelle

The Christmas stocking I made for my friend Kelly's sweet baby girl, Noelle! Don't mind the craftsmanship :)





Stay tuned for more crafting pics...I organized my craft corner last night and am ready to rock and roll on the remainder of my Christmas gifts!

Vegas Vacation & NFR

Last weekend, Aaron and I met my parents and sisters (and Brice) for a little family vacation in LAS VEGAS! We were celebrating Maddie's 21st bday (a little belated!) and going to the National Finals Rodeo for Remembrance Night--my great uncle was a pro-rodeo bull dogger and was being recognized.

Let me just say, we had an absolute blast!

Here are some of my highlights of the trip:

• Watching Kristin try sushi for the first time--and she liked it!
• All the rhinestones and cowboy hats...man, they were everywhere!
• Christmas decorations at Bellagio
• Ice cream and frozen hot chocolate at Serendipity 3
• Singing along to a Garth Brooks look-a-like on Fremont St...so much fun!
• Winning $100 on the Sex and the City Penny Slot Machine
• Going to my first NFR and taking Aaron to his first rodeo ever...yes, I married a Yankee :)
• Singing Christmas carols in the limo, and, of course, my dad saying "how you doin'?" to every car we passed
• Visiting the Venetian bridge where we got married (aww) and eating gelato
• Last but certainly not least, spending time with my amazing family!!!!

Here are some pictures from the trip--

Family Pics

The Limo!

Singing Garth Brooks' Songs...We're big nerds

Decorations

It's All Flowers!

The Rodeo

My Dad's in heaven....

Turkey Day!

Aaron and I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with his family in Burleson! For the first time ever, all of Aaron's family (minus his youngest brother) met to celebrate. We had a fantastic meal (which led to lots of over eating) and lots of fun playing with all 6 of our nieces and nephews!


After Thanksgiving lunch, Aaron and I hopped in the car and drove to Austin for the big TAMU vs. tu game. It was my first UT game, and boy did I pick a good one! We beat the Longhorns in Austin! so much fun! UT has a great stadium and atmosphere (and really nice fans).






After the game, we crashed at Ash's house. Ashley and I woke up bright and early to...you guessed it....go early morning shopping with all the crazies! Neither of us had ever been, but it was so much fun!! We finished the morning off with breakfast with my second mom, Christi, at Dan's--DELISH!

I love the holidays!!!

Holiday Decorating!

I have been a busy little bee decorating the house for Christmas! And, for the first time ever, we have a tree up BEFORE the end of November....if we have a tree, it's not usually until a few days before Christmas. I decided this year, however, we're going to decorate much earlier (and it didn't hurt that I planned a holiday party at our house for December 1st!).

Here are some pics of the tree and front door wreath...it's getting there! I'll post more pics later.





Stay tuned for pics from the holiday party!

Etsy Shop is Open...Almost!

So, I'm in the final stages of opening an Etsy shop (OtyKaiCrafts). Check it out! I'm hoping to have items listed by the end of this week.

Crafting Galore!

To say that I've had an obsession with crafting recently would be a mild understatement! It's not only been a MAJOR stress reliever but also a fun way of making Christmas gifts for friends and family and holiday decorations. I've found some awesome online tutorials, which have sparked lots of new ideas....my binder of crafting projects grows on a daily basis!

Here's what I worked on over the weekend:

Holiday Wreaths (some gifts, some unclaimed...let me know if you're interested!)








Tea Wreath







Paper Christmas Tree





Cowl Scarf



Bows for EK & Beanie for E




Punch Card/Business Card Holder





Not Quite Finished Burlap Stockings (still trying to decide how to finish them off!)




With the holiday week coming up, I'm sure I'll have more to post soon!

Holiday Gift Exchange

Such a fun idea!

Latest Fall Wreath

Here's the latest fall wreath I made...tried a new type of flowers for this one. This wreath will be donated to the Bryan/College Station Sister Cities fall raffle drawing (if you're in B/CS, visit WorldFest next weekend to purchase tickets and to see some great exhibits!)






Next up...Christmas wreaths!!

Sweet Victory.....

33-19....need I say more?! The Wrecking Crew is back! Now, let's just hope we can win out the rest of the season!

Makes me teary eyed every time!

The excitement begins!

Now forming at the north end of Kyle Field....after all these years, I still love the band!

Victory! Whoop!