Saturday, December 31, 2011

The End of 2011

I can't believe 2011 is over! This year went by fast, crazy. I'm excited to see what 2012 has awaiting for us. :) Another year and new beginnings.
I set a few goals for myself at the beginning of 2011 and I feel pretty good that I accomplished them.
One goal that I had was to open my own website for all my cards, invites and more. I can say I got this up and running and am very happy that I finally got this done. Please visit Courtney's Cards & More and check out my stuff and feel free to contact me to place an order. I haven't been very active with all my crafts lately but hopefully I can do more next year. :)
Another goal I set for myself was to get more into photography. I love taking pictures and editing them! I'm happy to say this took off and I have been busy with doing photo shoots since October. I'm very pleased with how much business I have gotten with offering shoots this year. I have had a ton of fun doing all different kinds of shoot (Seniors, Families Kids...). I also got a Facebook page up and going for all the shoots I have done. Please check it out and let me know if anyone wants to book a shoot with me for 2012. I look forward to continuing this business and doing a ton more shoots! Photography is a big passion of mine and I look forward to see what 2012 brings my way with this.
At the beginning of 2011 I wanted to start eating better and working out on a weekly basic. I did so good at this from day one of 2011. We started getting healthier foods and I worked out almost everyday. I'm happy to say I did loss 10ibs and I was so happy about this. I had to go out and buy new pants b/c mine no longer fit and I went down 2 pant sizes. I felt so good about myself and was so proud that I worked so hard. I'm sad to say that in Sept when we went on our vacation to Mexico that the whole eating and working out routine kinda got lost. but we did have a great vacation! But, I plan to make this a goal for 2012 again. Since the holidays will be over I'm ready to get back into my workout routine and eating better!

I hope everyone has a safe New Years and if you are out please be safe! There can be some crazy people out there.

I'm planning on making a goal list for 2012 so please stay tuned to see what I want to accomplish in 2012.

Photo Shoot: Cygan Family

The day after Christmas I  had a family photo shoot at Union Station. We got there at 9:00am so we could beat the rush of a lot of people being there and in the way of taking pictures. It was pretty dead when we got there but as it got later more people started showing up, mainly families doing photo shoots. A popular day for pictures with the families. This family was fun and the 2 kids were too cute.









To see more from this shoot please visit my Facebook Page.

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Quick Little Devil Cookie Bars

I made this dessert for Christmas to take to his side and my side of the family. They turned out pretty good.

Everything you need
Mixing the cake mix and butter together
Spread in baking pan
Mix marshmallow creme and peanut butter together
Spread onto of cake mix then crumble rest of cake mix onto of marshmallow creme and PB. 
Done and ready to serve

Ingredients:
  • 1 package devil's food cake mix
  • 3/4 cup butter, melted
  • 1 7oz jar marshmallow creme
  • 3/4 cup peanut butter
Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
  2. In bowl, combine cake mix and butter; mix well. Spread half the mixture into greased 13x9 baking pan.
  3. Combine the marshmallow creme and peanut butter; carefully spread over cake mixture.
  4. Crumble reserved cake mix over the top
  5. Bake 18-20mins or until a tooth pick inserted near the corner comes out with moist crumbs (do not over bake)
  6. Cool completely
  7. Cut into squares



Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas Recap

I hope everyone had a great Christmas with family and friends. I hope Santa brought you all the goodies you wanted! :)
This year we had a wonderful Christmas and I just loved all my gifts I got and everyone loved the gifts we got them as well. Good times! We also had lots of yummy food and of course I ate way too much. Haha

Friday I decided to take a half day b/c I had a lot of baking to do for the weekend. I spent 3 hours in the kitchen making lots of goodies. I made chocolate snowdrops, quick little devil cookies, Fudge and pumpkin pie.

Christmas Eve morning Shane and I did our Christmas together. Lets see if I can remember everything we got each other....Kira dog got a bed, blanket, bone and a Kong. She is still getting used to her bed. LOL
Shane: In his stocking: Wallet, supplements, KU Koozie and Darth Vader candy dispenser.
His gifts: Rock Shoes, PS3 inter cooler, mesh drum heads for his rock band drums, under shirt, socks, Capital America long sleeve shirt w/ hat and subscription to a Rock Magazine. He's just a little spoiled :)
Me: In my stocking I got: Hat & Glove set, Chap Sticks, Tootsie Rolls and a Candy bar. All my gifts I got a camera bag, Memory card, Rechargeable Batteries, Inter cooler for my laptop and The Digital Photography Book Volume 1. I was so excited for all my new stuff! I love my bag! He did good this year.

Kira's stuff is ready to go
 Shane ready to open his gifts
 Me ready for gifts
 Our stocking stuff
 My gifts from Shane
 Shane's gifts from me


That evening we had some of my family over: My Mom & Step Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Sisters, Nick (my little sis boyfriend), Brother-n-Law and Nephew. We had snacks foods and desserts for that evening. We all hung out talked and then we opened gifts. This was the first year we had a lot of people over Christmas Eve. I really enjoyed it and hopefully next year we can have everyone over in our new house. Fingers Crossed :)

Snacks for the evening
 Everyone waiting to open gifts
 Lexan opening gifts
 Heather, Me, Kasey and Brandon
 Mom, Me, Grandpa, Brandon & Kasey

Christmas Day we got up and headed over to his dad's house for Christmas over there. We hung out and then opened gifts and finished cooking Christmas dinner. Dinner was so yummy!! After dinner we had to head out so I could go to my Grandma's for Christmas over there. We were busy Christmas Day seeing all our families and eating food! I was so sleepy by the time we got home from Grandma's I passed out shortly after I got home. And sleep pretty good that night.

Christmas @ The Wickliffe House

 Paige opening gifts
 Shane opening his gift
 Jo opening her gift from Shane and I 
 Sydney with one of her gifts from Shane and I 
 Dinner time!! YUM!!!


Lets see if I can remember all my goodies I got this year: I already mentioned what Shane got me.
From mom Fleece blanket
From Grandpa $100
From Kasey (sister) a shirt, cutting broad she made in wood shop and some candy
From Brandon (brother) perfume and some socks
From Grandma Pumpkin bread, Sweater, Charm for my bracelet, hair towel, keyboard/computer screen cleaner and some socks
From Jordann (sister-n-law) candle warmer with some candles
From Wayne (farther-n-law) hand soaps and location from Bath and Body Works.

Gifts Shane and I got together...
From Heather, Eric & Lexan AMC Movie Gift card
From My Dad & Step Mom gift card to Texas Roadhouse
From Sydney (Niece) box full of goodies she baked
From Kasey a gift card to Wallaby's Bar & Grill.

I think that is everything.....lol I feel like I may have forgot something. haha But I guess that will happen from getting so many exciting gifts!



Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Creamy Chocolate Fudge

For Christmas Eve when my family came over I decided to make fudge this year. I was super excited to make fudge. I didn't realize how easy it was till I made it! Love it!

Everything you need
Mixing in the marshmallow creme, sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt. 
Melting the semisweet chocolate chips & milk chocolate chips

Done and ready to serve


Ingredients:
  • 1 7oz jar marshmallow creme
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 2/3 cups evaporated milk
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups milk chocolate chips
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
  1. Line an 8x8 inch pan with aluminum foil. Set aside.
  2. In large sauce pan over medium heat, combine marshmallow creme, sugar, evaporated milk, butter and salt. Bring to full boil, and cook for 5 mins, stirring constantly.
  3. Remove from heat and pour in semisweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips Stir until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth.
  4. Stir in nuts and vanilla
  5. Pour into prepared pan
  6. Chill in refrigerator for 2 hours or until firm

Sunday, December 25, 2011

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Merry Christmas from the Wickliffe's!!!

I hope everyone has a great Christmas with family and friends. We will be busy seeing both Shane's family and my family! I'm excited to have Christmas and spend time with the families! Ah the holiday season.
Hopefully Santa brought you everthing you wanted this year!
If you are traveling safe travels!!




Friday, December 23, 2011

Christmas Movies

As I mentioned before I have been really into Christmas this year! And what more fun is Christmas then Christmas movies...we have been watching a lot of Christmas movies the past few days and I'm loving it. Shane is even more into them this year then in the past it's awesome. We both can enjoy them together. I think this week we might have watched a movie every night. I thought I would share some of the movies we have watched this season with everyone.
Loving Christmas time it's crazy how much I'm so happy this year compare to the past few years! :)







This movie is on our DVR but I can't talk Shane into watching it with me, so I'm on my own.

I told you I was in the Christmas spirit this year!!! :)