Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred!

If you're looking for a quick, GREAT workout I found the perfect one for you! My best friend Elizabeth told me about this dvd and after trying it was so glad she did! Plus, who doesn't want to drop a few extra pounds before the holidays, right?! :)

This great workout is only 20 minutes and you can do it at 3 different levels (easy, medium, hard). It's a combination of toning, sculpting and cardio... all great for your core. You can buy it at Target for $10! Enjoy!

Omaha Blizzard '09!

Just wanted to share some pictures from our recent snowfall. I heard we got 10.5 inches! Crazy!

I LOVE how the lights are covered by all of the snow! So pretty!

(This pic was taken BEFORE the snow was finished)

My greenery/christmas ornaments covered in snow!

Wilson thought the snow was pretty cool!

Many Prayers For Grandma Reigle

Recently, my Grandma has had a rough go of it. She fell twice last week (luckily not breaking anything) which left her very sore and stiff. It took a toll on her body as she found it very uncomfortable to move and didn't have an appetite. Today, my parents took her to the Doctor where they decided it would be best for her to go to the nursing home in Madison. Although she was not very pleased to give up some of her independence (temporarily, hopefully) they all agreed this was the best place for her right now. It will be good for her as Aunt Delores (yay for instant friends!) is already there, and she will have the opportunity to do some physical therapy. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers as this is a difficult transition for her.

Candy Cane Kiss Brownie Bites!

Do you remember my earlier post raving about candy cane kisses? Well look what I found today?!? Don't they look amazing! I think I need to try them! If they look as yummy to you as they do me, here's the recipe:

Festive Candy Cane Kiss Centered Brownie Bites
1 brownie mix 9×13 inch size
18 Candy Cane Hershey Kisses
1/2 Cup chocolate chips
2 Tablespoons heavy cream
3 original candy canes, crushed
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare brownie mix according to package directions and scoop into a mini cheesecake pan or mini muffin tin pan that has been generously sprayed with cooking spray, about 3/4 way full. Press kisses into center of brownie batter, do not push all the way to bottom, some of the tip should stick out the top. Bake for 20-23 minutes or until brownies are cooked through. Let cool completely.
2. Melt chocolate chips in microwave, 30 second intervals until smooth and melted. Stir in cream until silky smooth. You can place back in microwave for 10 seconds to smooth more if needed. Dip tops of brownies into melted chocolate, then sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Serve with a tall glass of milk. Enjoy!!

Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful...

So HearthStone got a SNOW DAY! Yippee! We have had SO much snow in Omaha and are only supposed to get more (up to 10" they say)! Wilson and I have gotten some much needed bonding time. :) He LOVES the snow! It's so fun to watch him pounce around and bury his little nose in it. And, I am not getting my hopes up but we're supposed to get 30 mph winds tonight so maybe another snow day tomorrow???!?! (I'll keep my fingers crossed). :)

Personalized Message From Santa!

Oh my GOSH - this is so cool!! It's a personalized video message from Santa and it's FREE! As a child, I can't imagine how neat it would be to see this! I found the idea from a fellow blogger who made one for her daughter.

Here's the link if you'd like to watch her video: http://portablenorthpole.tv/watch/24baa7424d47a0ad82024fed15fb05f9

If you'd like to make one go here:

http://portablenorthpole.tv/home/

Custom Stamps!

I am sorry for the tiny picture, but I discovered the neatest website and wanted you all to know about it! The website is: http://www.expressionery.com/ . I am in LOVE with their personalized stamps (GREAT for a return address 'label'). They have so many neat designs to choose from too. I think they'd make a great gift for those 'hard to buy for' people as well! Enjoy!

Puppies, Dogs and Christmas Trees!

Wilson and the one lonely present under the tree!!

I am so excited to have the pretty glow from our Christmas tree in the living room again! I love this time of year! Wilson must be excited too, as his favorite new spot to lay is right next to the tree!! It's so cute!! There's still some work to do as far as gifts under the tree and the mantle... I cannot find our christmas stockings anywhere!! They'll probably show up the day after Christmas. lol! :)

I'm sure you're all curious about the cute little puppy. No, it's not ours. (darn) Actually, Wilson is just enough for us right now. :) My friend Christy and her husband want to get a dog, and she asked me to go with her to look. This was a little golden retriever, isn't he the cutest?!? I am hoping Wilson will have a new little puppy friend to play with soon! :)

Gumball Machines!

Seriously, how cute are these little gumball machines?! This would be an easy/inexpensive project for the holidays!

Reasons to Celebrate!

Today I have two things to celebrate! One, (and most important) it's Tim's birthday! Happy 31st Birthday Tim! Two, today is my blogoversary! Meaning it was one year from today that I published my first blog post! Wow how time flies when you're having fun!

A little update on where I have been since my last post (nearly 2 weeks ago). Tim was home for a short time. He was home for 1 week and we packed so much into that week!! It went by SO fast! While he was home, we of course celebrated Thanksgiving with our families, went to the movie Blindside (amazing story, I highly recommend it), put up our Christmas tree/outdoor lights, watched 2 husker football games, ate lots of good food, went shopping and took family pictures with Tim's dad. Fortunately, I was able to get last week off from work so we were able to get all of these things done! :)

Now Tim is in Fort Leonard Wood, MO. He is attending Chemical School while he is there. He will be gone for 14 weeks this time, BUT gets 2 weeks off around the Holidays! Thank goodness. :) Have a great week everyone! I will post more soon!

Favorite Things Addition!

I don't know how I forgot these, but right now I am almost addicted (and have mostly everyone I work with in the same boat). Candycane kisses! They are so yummy!!! You must try them, I guarantee you can't just eat one. ;)

Favorite Things Part II...

As promised in the earlier post, I decided it was time to bring back more of my 'favorite things!' Part of the reason for the long delay... Tim acted like I was crazy when I did my first 'favorite things' post! haha! Then, this past weekend I saw my Aunt Virginia (a dedicated follower of the blog, thank you Aunt Virginia) and she said one of her favorite posts was my 'favorite things!' So, here's part II, I decided to make this one a food theme!!

Starbucks Carmel Frapuccino... I usually omit the whip, but the picture looked prettier with!

When I feel like indulging... :)

LOVE Crystal Light Raspberry Lemonade

Ghiradelli Chocolate Chips... LOVE them for cookies!

One of my FAVORITE summer drinks... Cherry Limeade from Sonic!

Lately, with Tim being gone I eat a lot of these easy microwave meals. This is one of my favorites... for me, NO meat is a good thing when it comes to microwaveable meals. H.C. has some great all veggie options.

Now, for Wilson... Frosty Paws!! He LOVES these! You can find them in the freezer section of the grocery store!

In the kitchen: I Love, Love, Love my Pampered Chef Mix N Chop! This thing is AWESOME! It gets hamburger (for tacos, etc) super ground and 'fine' if that makes sense. I LOVE it!

Also from Pampered Chef, I don't know what I would do without my batter bowl.

Weekend at Home!

Uncle Bill, Maurice (Jessica's friend), Me, Dacia and Jessica

Dad, Mom and I



Max! What a corndog... haha!

Wilson LOVES to visit Max/the farm!! He was so excited he couldn't even sit still for a picture!

I visited home this weekend and had a great time! Time always goes by SO fast though. We packed a lot into a day and a half! On Saturday we went out to the farm and visited Dad (who is busy right now with harvest). And on Sunday was the Dickey Thanksgiving, 32 from the Dickey family made it! Fun times!

More Fun Ideas!

Plate of Fall Cookies

Pilgrim Hats


Adorable!

Turkeys!

Fun Thanksgiving treat ideas!

Prairie Soldier Article Featuring Tim!

There was a really great write-up in the Prairie Soldier Newspaper featuring... Tim! The Prairie Soldier is the Nebraska Army/Nat'l Guard Newspaper! It's a great article that hi-lites Tim while doing his training to become an Officer (in Ft. Meade, S.D. last summer)! Such a neat article! And, special thanks to Ross (brother-in-law, who is also in the Army ) he saw the article and told Tim about it. Thanks Ross! Here's the link to the article, page 15.
http://www.neguard.com/PRAIRIESOLDIER/2009_10_PS.pdf

Thanksgiving Place Cards

Aren't these place cards ADORABLE?!? Love these!

Happy Veteran's Day!

Land Of The Free

Because Of The Brave

Happy Veteran's Day to everyone who has served and is still serving this great country.

Jenny's Baby Shower!

Jenny's baby bump was hidden by the trifle!

Yummy!
Lots of PINK!
Even a pink rubber duckie for the punch

June painted these cute pumpkins!

June!

Maizy enjoyed the chocolate fountain!

Some of Jenny's friends having fun with the game we played!

This weekend June and I hosted a baby shower for Jenny (sister-in-law) at Ryan and June's house in Lincoln! It was a great turnout, about 25 people came! We had a dessert shower with lots of sweet treats, including a chocolate fountain! Jenny got a ton of great gifts and is anxiously awaiting the birth of their baby girl, Madelyn.