A Christmas Whirlwind

Why have I not updated in a while? Because we have been so busy in the month of December. Now that things are finally calming down, I have so much to share that I have no idea where to begin. Guilty! Okay...here goes my friends...try to stay with me;)

December 11th. Our annual girls White Elephant party, with the guys if course and such a great night!
Then..we had the Allis Chalmers Christmas Party on December 16th. Its especially fun on an occassion like this that Adam works for the same company as my dad:) The party was at the Magnolia Hotel downtown where my parents had a suite, so we were able to stay with them. Such a blast!


The very next morning I got an exciting phone call! Sealy ISD where I have been subbing called to offer me a longterm sub position. I am currently teaching 4th grade in Sealy for a teacher on maternity leave. It is ever so exhausting, but I'm loving every single minute of it! This is one important thing I really wanted to do before I apply for full-time teaching jobs. I have also discovered that I love this age of kids!

December 17th Adam and I loaded up the Tahoe and headed to New Braunfels for his sister Emily's wedding weekend! We arrived to the beautiful Gruene,TX around lunchtime where Adam dropped me off for the bridal luncheon. The wedding weekend officially began!


Here are pics of the rehearsal dinner..

The wedding partay.. The wedding day! The wedding was absolutely gorgeous and such a great time. We love you Emily and Rusty! (PS- I have no idea why many of my pics are sideways- my bad)








Then..We arrived back in Katy the day after Em's wedding to greet Nic and Jill from Atlanta. They were with us throughout Christmas and it was such a joy. We did so much, but most of all we enjoyed spending time with family.

Nic and Jill's first night, we celebrated Dad's bday at Lupe's!


Seeing The Christmas Carole and dinner downtown!


And a family dinner party at our house, topped of with a game of "Things!"


A laidback night with friends at the winery in Bellville always makes for a fun night! Maybe too much fun??

So, are you still there? I know its alot! Below are the pics of my most favorite day/night of the entore year, Noche Buena! This is Christmas Eve when we celebrate Christmas Cuban-style with black beans, roast pork or PIERNA, and all the fixins. Many close friends and family join us for this delicious feast after Christmas mass. In the last few years, Adam's mom and dad have joined us for this occassion which makes me more than happy. I just love when we can combine family traditions like this!


And finally, for Christmas day! We started out in East Bernard at Emily and Rusty's with Adams entire side of the family, and then we ended the day back at my parents house where Victor was finally able to join us in exchanging family pressies!

We wrapped up the season by visiting Victor at Prince of Peace where he gave a beatiful homily on The Feast of the Holy Family. It meant to much having our family all together on this day.
I hope you all had as wonderful of a Christmas as we did! We couldn't have been happier. Stay tuned for pictures of our "Roaring 20s New Years Eve" soon...

Great Soups for Cold Weather

Lately it has been so cold, which I am LOVING!! So of course I have made my two favorite cold weather soups. They are so easy, and are great for lunch the next day, leftovers, or popping in the freezer for later. These soups will warm your soul and are super healthy.

The two soups- Split Pea and Baked Potato are American classics. Recipes to these can be found in many places with many variations, but these recipes, my friends, are tried and true:) Both which I may add were family favorites growing up! So these are definitely "vintage" and have been passed down from my dear mother:)

1. Baked Potato Soup

INGREDIENTS:
4 Large Baking Potatoes
2/3 C Butter
2/3 C Flour
6 C Milk
3/4 t Salt
1/2 t Pepper
4 Chopped Grn. Onions (divided)
12 Slices Bacon Chopped (div)
5 oz. Shredded Cheddar (div)
8 oz. carton Sour Cream

-Wash potatoes, poke potatoes several times witha fork, and bake at 400 degrees for 1 hr.
-Let cool, cut potatoes lengthwise, and scoop pulp (set aside).
-In heavy sauce pan over low heat, melt butter.
-Add flour, stirring until smooth, cook 1 minute, stirring constantly.
-Gradually add milk stirring constantly, cook over medium heat until mix is thick and bubbly.
-Add potato pulp, salt, pepper, 2 T green onions, 1/2 C bacon, 1 C cheese.
-Cook until thoroughly heated, and stir in sour cream.
-Add extra milk (or flour) if needed for desired thickness.
-Serve and top with remaining green onion, bacon and cheese.
ENJOY!

2. Split Pea Soup

Okay- I know, I know! Split Pea Soup has a bad rep! The color isn't pretty, its not the most pleasing to the eye- BUT I promise its delicious and it couldn't be better for your BOD:) I would also like to add that this recipe is one that my mother found in the Dallas Morning News in February of 1979. I have the actual news clipping she cut and used to make this. The paper is tinted brown and fragile now, but it makes me so happy knowing she clipped this out to cook when she was pregnant with my oldest brother, Victor. I definitely agree with her- this recipe would be great for a new mommy with a growing baby!

INGREDIENTS:
1 Lb. Dried Split Peas
1 Lb. Meaty Pork Hock
1 C Chopped Onion
1 C Sliced Carrots
1/2 C Sliced Celery
2 Quarts Water
2 t Salt
1/2 t dried Marjoram leaves
1/4 t Pepper

-Combine ingredients in a 5-quart Dutch oven and bring to a boil
-Reduce heat to low and cover for atleast 2 hours
-When soup is dense, serve (omit pork hock)
-Top with desired grated cheese, sour cream, and/or cherry:)
ENJOY!

I hope you all love these family favorties as much as we do! My hubby now loves these just as I did when I ate these growing up. Happy winter!

So much to be thankful for...

It has been much longer than I intended since I posted an update. Things have been so busy around the Vyvial house, but life couldn't be better:)

1. I passed my EC-6 certification test and have finished all of my certification and training classes, woohoo! Now I am working on my resume and have been subbing a ton. It has been a blast!

2. We had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving with both sides of our family. Thanksgiving day we celebrated with the Vyvial/Bilek side and had a fabulous day with our loved ones. That evening we jumped in the car and drove to Fredricksburg to be with my side of the family and stayed there with family for a few days. It was perfect!

Girls Day in Fredricksburg:)

3. We are officially ONE WEEK away from the wedding of my sister in law Emily and her fiance Rusty. This coming Saturday is the big day and we couldn't be more excited for the two love birds. Lately we have enjoyed showers and wedding festivities getting ready for the big day. Last weekend we threw Emily a Bachelorette Party and Lingerie shower at our house. It was fab! And such a blast! Pictures of this to come:) Here are some pictures of their couples shower at the Taylors.

4. Its Christmas time and nothing makes me happier! The house is decorated, the tree is lit, its cold out, and we have been enjoying many cozy nights at home with a fire and the pups. Does is get any better?

xoxo