Thanksgiving Part II

So, Most of our holiday plans end up meaning one thing... My family, is always the daytime get-together, with he exception of Christmas Eve... while Cesar's family wraps up with fun evening,-night,-early morning festivities :) 

Cesar's cousin came in from Mexico, along with her husband. I do not think Cesar and Marianna had seen each other in close to 10 + years, I had met her on Skype one night years ago. 

 Here you go...

young-ins

always a dance party..

love

Becca+(baby) and Fede

Isn't she a beauty, Cesar's aunt Irma

This one's for my LADIES

Cousins, Paris and Cesar

Cousins

Aunts and Cousins

My Cesar and Fede

Cheers

added my nose ring

later on...

We got home close to 1 a.m., none the less, we had a blast.

I hope you all have a wonderful day, we are almost over the hump for this week.

Goodness, is it sad I am counting down until the weekend this quick??

chat Soon

Xo-Brittney

Thanksgiving Part 1

Disclaimer: I am the crazy photo taking family member.

This is Part 1, of  2. I split them up by families, this is my mom's side of the family.

And yes, all I phone pics :)

I hope you all had a wonderful time... we ate a lot, visited with each other, and laughed more than we had in a while. The holiday's are it for me, every bit of it. I love seeing my family and having the time to focus on one another, I always leave missing them more.

family

Mother and I

Husband and Step-dad

My Wonderful Papa

I cherish my Nana and Papa so much, they were and are a HUGE part of my life and  I am incredibly lucky to have such wonderful grandparents.

Daughter and her Grandma

I just had to capture the epitome of the men on Thanksgiving in my family.

Grace, eating like a big two year old...

Sister and Niece

I love you seester :)

This describes my sister and I , perfectly... 

My mini-me 

My husband.

Mom and Nana

Nana and I

 The pictures below, are my favorite. All it took was a few people to play with the kiddos, outside, in some leaves, and I was able to capture such happiness...

Cousin and I

My Bubba

There was laughter through the air, smiles on faces, football talk, giggles, and full bellies.

The perfect mix, and my definition, of Thanksgiving.

Chat soon.

Xo-Brittney

Work Potluck...

What do you get when you mix 60 women together, and ask all to bring a food for the company potluck...

One table of desserts, one table dedicated to bread, endless sides, a gourmet salad, turkey and ham galore... and an entire table of veggie trays with eggs. I had two plates, two!! I was not ashamed, and quite frankly, I cannot stop thinking about how much food I am going to eat on Thursday.

Gobble Gobble, is my motto.

love some pasta

add three more tables... of food.

after eating.

 Last but certainly not least, this will not mark the fourth time, friend and I have shown up in similar clothing, hair, clothing color schemes... people are starting to ask if we are : 1) related 2) doing this on purpose.

To Clarify, WE ARE NOT.

It does not help that :

we are both very tall blonde's,

work in the same office,

 style our hair the same,

 look the same,

 joke the same,

Creepy.

To clarify also, I am on the left :)

Well, I did get our family pictures back and will work on posting those for the next few days... if you are out for the holiday week, Safe Travels.

Chat Soon.

XO-Brittney

Get in my belly, Fall..

 The title, says it all..

I have such a love for food, and it is nothing like the fall and winter weather to set off some of my favorites: Stuffing, Meatballs, Chicken & Dumplings, all soups, chili, you name it... warmth is the key :) And All fall deserts,... if it has pumpkin, that is a vegetable  Right? I mean, to make up for the pie the pumpkin is in..

One of the ladies I work with always makes amazing cakes each month for the Birthday's around the office.

Her November cake was pumpkin with cream cheese icing. DE-Lish! I had to show off her talents, but also share the recipe...

Her November cake was pumkin with cream cheese icing. DE-Lish! I had to show off her talents, but also share the recipe...

Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) can pumpkin
2 cups white sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
4 eggs, beaten
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup finely chopped walnuts 
Frosting:
1 (3 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
6 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 3/4-2 cups confectioners' sugar
3 teaspoons milk
chopped walnuts 
Cake baking directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat pumpkin, sugar, oil and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
Add eggs and mix well.
Combine dry ingredients, except nuts (if using) and gradually add to pumpkin mixture, beating until well blended.
Fold in nuts.
Pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch baking pan/dish.
Bake for 35- 40 minutes or until center tests done.
Cool completely before frosting.
For the frosting:
 Beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until smooth.
Gradually add sugar and mix until well combined and smooth.
Add milk and beat until frosting is the spreading consistency you desire.
Frost cake and sprinkle with chopped nuts if you like.
I did not get the recipe from m co-worker, I got it here.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed... 
Chat Soon.
Xo-Brittney

Weekend Happenings.

Life is hard. Friday, we attended a memorial for an infant. Hardest thing ever. It did not make it any better that it was family.

 Heaven gained a beautiful angel.

After we attended the funeral, I knew I needed to go and visit my sweet niece who is still in the hospital. I was able to capture a few sweet moments of my sweet baby Itzell. She is doing much better and only expected to stay in the NICU for 5 more days, before she comes home closer to us. She smiled at me, and it made.life.so.much.better. She is merely 6 lbs. and has no idea the amount of love so many have for her... 

Fall is everywhere, and I love it! The colors, the outfits, the dullness in the air.

I managed to snap some of our family moments, as well as some beautiful foliage. I am slowly realizing how much of a picture taker I am. I feel like my calling was to capture life's moments and tell it's stories.

Such a kid at heart.

Such innocence...

besos

tiny.

Chat Soon.

Xo-Brittney

Family Pictures...

Good Morning!

Man, did we have a great weekend, I am awe-struck  that I am blessed enough to spend my days with these two wonderful people. We went to Eagle Mountain Park to take family pictures, it was beautiful...trees for days, lake views, walking paths, cacti... It was the perfect setting, I cannot wait to show them off.

Until then, here were a few snap shots in the car on the road to take the pictures...

attire

After the pictures, we came home to watch Sunday football and C made gorditas... YUM.. 

They were so yummy, I did not even wait to take a bite before taking a picture :)

Hope you all have a wonderful day, and had a fantastic weekend!

XO-Brittney

This. Video.

I do not have many words after watching this video, it brought me to tears.

Pure Life.

xo-Brittney