The Browns: December 2013

Monday, December 30, 2013

Christmas Date!

For Christmas this year, Robbie and I decided to give each other a date night to Angus Barn. It is one of our favorites, and we definitely don't get to go hardly ever. Not to mention, the thought of taking William now that he is BUSY (he has been twice as a baby), gives me the willies a little haha. We hadn't set an actual date, but when Mama and Hannah called the day after Christmas and said they wanted to take W to the mall for shopping and dinner, we jumped on it. Or I guess I should say, Robbie jumped on it. He called and made a hasty reservation (only one left - for 5:15! EARLY), and I quickly made sure the dinner I was making in the Crock Pot was done, and went in the refrigerator. Because when your husband is ready to go to the Angus Barn, you don't argue! ;)

We had a great time! We were there early enough to beat the crowd, which was nice. Our meal was fabulous, as always, and we had a great conversation without little interruptions (which we love, but always nice to have a break!). Halfway through, we got the cutest text from Hannah - William wasn't missing us a BIT! After a sinfully good sundae, we headed back home. William didn't get home until around 9:30 (late!!), so Robbie and I even had time for a movie - We're the Millers. Hilarious! But crude.

The decorations, and the upside down Christmas tree, were just gorgeous!!!

Robbie broke the "no gifts" rule. He said he saw this Love quote in Hallmark and just couldn't pass it up. We are suckers for Disney things. He also got us this ornament, which I love. Even though we weren't supposed to, I'm so glad he found these two treasures!!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Cinnamon Roll Casserole

Christmas morning, I decided to make Cinnamon Roll Casserole. I got the recipe from Erin at Blue Eyed Bride, and was so excited to try it! It was super easy. I whipped it up while everyone was playing, and it baked away. It will definitely be a repeat!

Ingredients:

Baking spray
2 cans of Pillsbury refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
4 eggs
½ cup heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans (we omitted these)
¼ cup maple syrup
Garnish:
Icing from cinnamon rolls

Directions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees
Spray 13×9 glass baking dish with baking spray
Separate both cans of cinnamon rolls into 16 rolls; set icing aside.
Cut each roll into 4 pieces.
Place pieces in baking dish.
In a medium bowl, beat eggs.
Beat in cream, cinnamon and vanilla until well-blended.
Gently pour the egg mixture over cinnamon roll pieces.
Sprinkle with pecans.
Drizzle with ¼ cup syrup.
Bake 20-28 minutes, or until golden brown.
Cool 15 minutes.
Remove covers from icing and microwave for 15 seconds, or until thin enough to drizzle.
Drizzle icing over the top of the casserole.

Ta daaa!

It was SO good, and everyone LOVED it - even the toughest critic, William!

Christmas Day!!

Christmas Day this year was so awesome. We stayed at our house, and Mama and Hannah came over early in the morning, and we had dinner together that night. It was so nice to not have to rush anywhere, and William could enjoy his new toys alllll day. He played for the entire day. It was so funny, and he was BEAT by bedtime.

I can't even begin to tell you the difference that a year makes. Last Christmas was possibly one of the worst days of my life. There was just a lot of not-good stuff going on in our lives, and I was almost dreading this year. However, I had nothing to fear. Yes, bad things will always happen to people, and maybe even to us, but I am SO thankful to have the grace of our Savior. This past year, I feel that I have been a better wife, mother, and hopefully, a better friend. I could seriously go on for hours about how trusting in Christ has changed myself and my household for good, but I will save it. Maybe ask me in person about it one day. ;) I just encourage you, if you have not trusted Him with you life, please do it. You wouldn't believe the changes in yourself. The peace that surrounds you. After all He "goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6). AMAZING!!!

This post has a TON of pictures (what else is new, right?!) I'm going to let them speak for themselves, and make comments sparingly haha. William actually let us sleep in until around 8:15 - I know the days of late Christmas mornings are extremely limited, so we are enjoying it ha! I made cinnamon roll casserole (recipe coming next!), and he took it all in. Yes, we do Santa. We also do Jesus. He really doesn't know the difference at this point, and when he does, we will see then. We are kind of playing it all by ear. His elf, Max, didn't even give him a goodbye letter this year to say goodbye, so I am so glad we get a pass (probably our last one) of him figuring too much out this year!