Just Because

Today was a great day. Hallie and I met several friends at North Park Mall. We shopped...a lot...and caught up. It was lovely. I bought a shirt at Urban Outfitters for $2.90. Can you believe it?! I know, I couldn't either. :)

Now I'm going to watch Grey's Anatomy. Season 1, disk 1, episode 1. I'm starting from the very beginning people. It's a big night.

Until next time,
AGH


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Oh Come Let Us Adore Him

Christmas 2010. Nothing beats friends and family gathering for one purpose, Christ' birth. The focus was not on giving or receiving gifts, but rather praising our Heavenly Father for what He gave us this year. What a blessing.

The Holden's spent Christmas Eve like we do every year. We went to the service at Prestonwood with our friends, the Hesse's, followed by dinner at Luby's. There is no telling how this tradition started, but I must say, it never gets old. After dinner, we went to my dad's family's house. We exchanged presents with our cousins and played a few exciting rounds of Golf. Disclaimer: the card game, not the one with 18 holes. Hallie and I each received beautiful watches from New York & Company from Jena and Meghan. We gave them Bath & Body Works products. All and all, it was a lovely evening.

Christmas day was very relaxing. Kyle, of course, woke up at the crack of dawn and proceeded to wake up the rest of the household just as early. While I was rather annoyed at the time, there is something magical about kids on Christmas morning. Even though he no longer believes in Santa Clause, it is still fun watching him get so excited in the days leading up to Christmas. We first looked at our stocking stuffers from "Santa Clause." These gifts are some of my favorites. You can never have enough socks and underwear. :)



Next, the family loaded up our plates with Mom's annual "hashbrown casserole" and "pigs in a blanket." Delicious, delicious, delicious. We then gathered around the Christmas tree and opened presents.


Kyle was so excited about his iPod touch!


Hunter rain boots!!



Vera!


Toms!



Julie & Julia and Giada at Home. Love.


Kyle's Guitar Hero Paper Jams


The best part of Christmas. Dad did goooooood this year. Well done Padre. Mom's new iPad.

After opening gifts, the five of us went to the movies and saw "Little Fockers." Hilarious, hilarious, hilarious. Maybe not appropriate for a 12 year old, but what can I say? Us Holden's sure know how to keep it classy. Wink wink. We spent the rest of the day hanging out at the house. We just relaxed and spent time together. These are the moments I cherish the most.

The big Christmas celebration took place the next day. Mom's family came to our house for pizza (YUMMO!), prensets, and playtime. (I like alliteration if you haven't already noticed.) Everyone had a wonderful time hanging out together. We played Rummikub, ate, opened presents, ate, decorated gingerbread houses, ate some more, took plenty of pictures, and of course, ate even more food. I wanted to go into a food coma to say the least. It was a great day!























My favorite Christmas song. Although, I personally believe it should be played all year. Enjoy.



I hope each of you had a wonderful Christmas filled with laughter, joy, and peace.

Until next time,

A Psalm of Life

A Psalm of Life
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow


What the Heart of the Young Man Said to the Psalmist

Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
"Life is but an empty dream!"
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal;
"Dust thou art, to dust returnest,"
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each to-morrow
Finds us farther than to-day.

Art is long, and Time is fleeting,
And our hearts, though stout and brave,
Still, like muffled drums, are beating
Funeral marches to the grave.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of Life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle!
Be a hero in the strife!

Trust no Future, howe'er pleasant!
Let the dead Past bury its dead!
Act,--act in the living Present!
Heart within, and God o'erhead!

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then, be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing
Learn to labor and to wait.


Until next time,

Christmas Time is Here

And boy am I glad! Christmas just makes me happy. It is a season that seems to bring joy, brighten spirits, and spread happiness throughout the land. I don't know what makes these things happen, but I don't mind it one bit. Magic in the air, houses and trees draped with twinkling lights, cups overflowing with hot apple cider, there truly is nothing like it. It only happens once a year; soak in every ounce of the Christmas spirit.

Tonight my family and I piled in the car to look at Christmas lights in Highland Park. OMG. Gorgeous. We first stopped at Starbucks in Highland Park Village and purchased hot drinks to keep us warm. Then, we drove up and down the streets admiring the beautiful homes adorned with lights, wreaths, nativity scenes, and Santa memorabilia. I love the classiness and history of Highland Park. It is the place where my mother grew up, along with her parents and grandparents. I dream of living in this area one day.

Here are some pictures from our evening.













Until next time,

Reliving the Glory Days

There sure ain't nuttin' like High School, right? Right?

Haha yeah right.

I actually do not have any negativity towards high school. I went to a private Christian school for ten years and loved every minute of it. I was incredibly blessed to have attended PCA. That is where I made my best friends.

Last night we all got together for the first time in a year. Each lady kept saying she couldn't believe a whole year had passed since we were all in the same room. That was the mutual feeling of the evening. It was a night I will remember for quite a while. We all gathered at Tenley's house and simply had a wonderful time catching up. We ate, talked, ate some more, watched Love Actually, ate again, and, of course, played Catch Phrase. After consuming every ounce of food (literally) we headed to the beautiful and classy Highland Park to look at Christmas lights. Well shoot me now. I have never seen more beautiful homes. They were all so unique and classy. This is where I dream of raising a family. Now I just need to find me a doctor hubby...just kidding...but seriously. :)

Here are some pictures. I hope these give you a hint of what my best friends are like. Enjoy. :)































Until next time,

Baking, Baking Is So Fun...

Especially when shared with everyone!

I'm not sure what has come over me the past couple of days, but let me tell ya I have been unable to put down the whisk and mixing bowl. I came across several new recipes and just had to try them. Plus, I couldn't stand to sit in front of a TV any longer...Christmas break 2010 boredom has gotten the best of me folks.

The first recipe was a Blueberry Coffee Cake. Unfortunately, I forgot to document the experience. But the final product turned out beautifully! Just like I planned. It's rather delicious if I do say so myself. I also baked chocolate chip cookies as well as oatmeal cookies, but who hasn't seen those at some point in their life. Am I right? So we'll skip those pictures.

Now the third recipe, and my personal favorite, was a dessert that I have eaten several times, but has never made until now. Drum roll please...


CAKE BALLS!!!

I don't even like cake, but these little guys are full of yummy goodness. Mmm mmm! Now, I cannot take any credit for this recipe. Two of my good friends were kind enough to share it with me, and I am here to do the same with you.

Cake Balls
Ingredients:
1 box red velvet cake mix
1 can creamy vanilla frosting
1 tray vanilla candy coating
1 tray chocolate candy coating

Directions:
1. Bake cake mix according to recipe on box
2. Mix finished cake with vanilla frosting in a large mixing bowl
3. Put this in the freezer for 20-30 minutes
4. Roll mixture into little balls (makes appx. 35-45)
5. Put balls into freezer for another 20-30 minutes
6. Melt both trays of candy coating according to directions on packages
7. Coat half the balls into vanilla candy coating and the other half into the chocolate
8. Sprinkle remaining coating on opposite balls

Here are pictures!



















Until next time,