It doesn't take much....

...to make me laugh. In fact, I laugh at pretty much anything and everything (even if I shouldn't)....but someone once said, "Laughter is the best medicine" which I whole heartily believe. That is why you need to check out Ridiculousness on MTV with Rob Dyrdek. Tony and I started watching this series over winter break, and I almost on three different occasions choked, stopped breathing, or died because I was laughing so hard.

My favorites include an old guy falling into a pool, shit whips, and credit card skateboarding "tricks".

Plus, my brother can easily pass as a twin.

It's Christmastime again!

It really has been over a month since I posted anything. In a way, I figured that was good, because I was living in the moment with my family, taking in every little giggle, fart, and meltdown. On the other hand, I have a ton to share. Thinking back to my December "Bucket list" we accomplished a lot this month including Lights on the Lake, Polar Express Train, cookies, Elf on a Shelf (who is currently missing right now) and a kick-ass gingerbread house. In addition we fit in breakfast with Santa at my Mom's elementary school, coconut macaroon mayhem (for our church), Christmas pictures, and some very small projects off of Pinterest. Here is a photo montage of our month, in order, from the beginning.

Christmas Pictures = Epic fail

They may look cute, but you have no idea what we went through to get these shots...

Breakfast with Santa

Riley smooshed (yes I said smooshed) the hell out of her cookie in the bag. She really thought it was the cats meow. I only wish I had a picture of what it looked like after. She thought it was hilarious.

Polar Express Train

Cookie Making

Christmas and Christmas Eve

My Mom makes the best stuffing. The end.

This stuffing will change your life forever. Believe it.

Mom's Stuffing

Ingredients:
1 small stalk of celery
1 medium onion
1 can of mushrooms (optional)
1 package of breakfast sausage (I buy Gianelli breakfast sausage)
1 box of chicken stock (I use fat free)
salt/pepper to taste
1 bag of Pepperidge farms cubed seasoned bread crumbs

Procedure:
Cook sausage until golden brown and cooked in the middle. Chop into small slices
Dice celery, mushrooms and onions and place with cooked sausage. Cook until softened.
Add some chicken broth and simmer for 5-8 minutes.
Once sausage is cooked, and veggies are softened add the cubed breadcrumbs. Add the remaining chicken broth and water (if too dry).
Add salt and pepper to taste.

Place in baking dish and bake for 30 minutes or until crunchy on top.

Enjoy!

Freezer Caramel Drizzle Pie

I am trying this new dessert for one of my Thanksgiving pies....it looks absolutely delicious and so easy to make! Happy eating!

Freezer Caramel Drizzel Pie

allrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 2 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker crusts
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 1 (7 ounce) package shredded coconut
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (16 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (12 ounce) jar caramel ice cream topping

Directions

1. Place butter in a medium skillet and melt over medium heat. Add coconut and pecans, stirring to coat. Saute until coconut and pecans are lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whip together condensed milk and cream cheese until fluffy. Fold in whipped topping. Spoon 1/4 of cream cheese mixture into each graham cracker crust. Drizzle each with 1/4 of caramel topping. Repeat layers with remaining cream cheese mixture and caramel. Top each pie with coconut and pecan mixture. Freeze overnight.

I'm looking forward to.....

Let's be honest, the months of October-January rock. Why you ask? Oh, I don't know...maybe all the holidays, celebrations, parties, food, and family time!?! Here are some of the things I am looking forward to (and am very thankful for) the next month and a half...

1. My Mom's Thanksgiving dinner...she makes homemade (kickass) stuffing with sausage...and an 

a-mazing turkey. I will easily eat three plates of food...easily.

2. Ella's visit to NY. McKenzie and Riley adore her, not to mention I miss her a ton! (She was my student teacher last spring...who foolishly moved to St. Louis, Missouri. I wish she was here for weekly coffee talks, and Saturday Panera dates.

3. Lights on the Lake. This year we WILL go! It seems like EVERY year we are just about out the door, leaving the driveway when something happens....ie. explosive diaper with poop that has traveled up the back and into armpits requiring the child to be hosed down, or we'll start driving there and everyone passes out from the 10 minute car ride....we will go this year damn it! We will go!

4. Polar Express. If riding on a train isn't cool enough for you, it's Polar Express themed! Kids go on the hour and a half train ride in their pajamas, listen to stories, and get into the spirit of the season. Don't tell the girls, but Santa even makes a special visit...

5. Clinton Square Ice Skating If I'm brave enough this year I am going to take McKenzie to experience her first ice skating adventure.  Otherwise...it's a date night in the making. How could that NOT be a romantic night out??

6. Elf on a Shelf- First year for this tradition. I am so excited to place this little Elf ALL over the house. I figure the little guy can help watch over the girls' behavior until Christmas. Tony on the other hand thinks the Elf is TOTALLY creepy. Can't wait to stick the Elf in a place he least expects it just to scare the poo out of him.

7. Gingerbread House- Every year we make one, every year it collapses overnight. EPIC FAIL! This year, I will learn how to REALLY make a gingerbread house so it lasts more than a night.

8. Making Cookies- SO many ideas, so little time. Thank you Pinterest!

9. It's an O'Malley Christmas! The name says it all!! We somewhat resemble the Griswold's. And, in a way, I'm proud of that (nothing is ever boring around here).

10. Highland Forrest Sleigh rides- Cannot wait to try this out! We took the girls on a tractor hay ride...that was a great success, we took McKenzie on a horse drawn hay ride....another great success...how could this NOT work out?

And of course, it's time to get out my all time favorite holiday movies...(of all time)