Rotel Cups

I made these for Christmas Eve at Memaw’s…You know, we don’t get together at Memaw’s and she isn’t even there, but I think I will forever call it Christmas Eve at Memaw’s, it just doesn’t seem right not too. Anyways, they were a big hit. Plus they were super simple and quick- two things that are important during the Christmas season!

3 pkg. Fillo Pastry Cups (thawed)
1 Can Rotel (drained)
1 bag Real Bacon Bits
1 cup Cheese (shredded)
1 cup Mayo

Mix all the ingredients and spoon into the pastry cups.

Cook at 350 for 15 minutes.

Told you it was quick and easy- perfect for when you have a lot of people to feed!

Neiman Marcus Dip

I’m not real sure why this is called Neiman Marcus dip, but I’ll take anything with NM on it ! I made this for when we had family over and it was a hit.

Ingredients:

1/2  cup sliced almonds (toasted is optional)
6 slices bacon, cooked,crumbled and cooled (you could also cheat and use Real Bacon Bits if pressed for time)
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
5-6 green onions, sliced thinly
1-1/2 cup mayonnaise
salt. to taste

Directions:
1. If you choose to toast the almonds,  Preheat the oven to 350F.  Spread almonds on a cookie sheet and toast for 10 minutes and let cool.  It’s totally optional whether you want to toast them or not. I’ve also seen it made with pecans, which would probably be really good as well.

2. Combine all ingredients until well mixed.

4.  Chill for a couple of hours.

5. Serve with crackers or apple slices.

 

 

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Wedding Weekend part 3

Here are a few more pictures from the wedding weekend, some of these came from the photographer:



Ava getting her groove on



Ava and Eva- they were like this the whole weekend!



Part of our family- the rest were scattered among the dance floor (or at home since they couldn't come)



Cait & Ava



Official family portrait...again, minus a few...



To say the photobooth was fun would be an understatement- so many great pictures because they are totally candid and random.

 



Ava and I went first









Adam initially didn't want to do it...I had to talk him into doing it with us.



Does this look like a guy who doesn't enjoy a photobooth?!



Yeah....I didn't think so either...





Ava and Eva had their turn



Then we kicked the husbands/wife and kids out and had an official cousin one done.



We hate the camera- can you tell?!



Which leaves us with this: the morning after....we are a fired up group aren't we :)

2012 Christmas Trees and Ornaments

Each year I try to take pictures of our Christmas Trees and new ornaments that we added. I mainly do this to remember how I decorated each tree, it never fails, when I start putting the trees up I always refer back to how I did it the year before. I may still make some changes, but I at least know what worked last year.

I added a NYC ornament from our trip to NYC in April

I also had Ava’s picture from when she was a flower girl in Kelly & Brett’s wedding printed on metal…its actually printed on metal- its pretty cool. There is another picture of her on the other side.

Each Christmas when we travel down to Disney World, I pick up a new ornament.

This is another one that was printed on metal- how cool is it?! We wanted an ornament to represent the time Adam and Dad hiked across the Grand Canyon and we couldn’t find one we really liked, so I thought, why have a picture of when you two actually exited the canyon?! So that’s what we did, on the back is another picture Adam took of the canyon.

Adam’s Aunt Winona surprised me this Christmas with these beautiful Pillsbury Doughboy ornaments that she had bought for me. They fit perfectly on my tree in the kitchen!

It never fails that Ava’s tree has the most additions each year. She already has a 4’ tree, we are going to have to get her a bigger one at the rate she receives them

Her Disney ornament this year was Rapunzel, of course.

She received a couple ballerina ornaments. This one came from her Meme.

And of course a few more princess ones.

And she received a few Barbie ones.

And of course, I couldn’t leave our our upside down tree out of the pictures

I typically buy fresh garland for my table setting, but this year I knew we would be out of town and I didn’t want to have to worry with the mess, so it was simple this year.

I did add garland and ornaments to our chandelier- it was super simple and added a lot to the area.