Super Bowl Party 2012

The Super Bowl, bringing people together for over 40 years. I'll be honest, I come for the food- because unless the Redskins are going to get it together and have a 1992 season, I'll never really care about who's playing. I was 5 years old in 1992, so really, they haven't been good since I've been alive.

As I was saying,  I'm all about the food, this year included. We hosted a 15ish people party and made as many football favorites as we could- everything from pigs in a blanket to slow cooker BBQ to homemade salsa and guacamole to jello shots, on and on-- literally, two tables worth of food. Totally worth spending 90% of my day in the kitchen, totally delicious!

For tonight, here's a sneak peak into party. Stay tuned this week for all the recipes I tried.

You'll be happy you did!

Thanks to everyone who came over, we had such a great time and were so glad you could make it!

Special thanks to Weslie, Abigail, and Amanda for their much needed help in the kitchen.

The Best of 2011

Happy New Year!

I'm super excited to see what 2012 has in store for me, but I have to say 2011 treated me pretty well! Here are some highlights, at least one from each month!

Our best friends, Ryne and Weslie had their little boy, Connor Scott Nichols, on January 3rd.

In February, Bryce and I celebrated a year of dating.

We also began repainting and doing some renovations on the condo. Newly painted counter tops, new paint throughout, addition of a "man cave", and trim work.

(More about that at a later date)

In March we went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee for a family vacation before Evan deployed to Afghanistan.

And our best friends, Ryan and Mallory, announced they were expecting a baby in the fall!

In April, my brother Taylor came to visit colleges and we saw Zac Brown Band!

LOVE ZAC BROWN BAND!

In May, Ryne and Weslie got married!

In June, Taylor graduated High School!

July came, and Bryce turned 24!

(Kat and I made our first ever attempt at a fondant cake.)

In August Taylor started college and football! Go Pride!

 September was busy!

 Baby Ried Elizabeth Symonds was born, we got a Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy,

 Boomer, and I turned 24!

October FINALLY came and we were thrilled for Evan to come home!

We spent a week at Topsail Beach. It was heavenly!

And Ally and Matt got married!

(Melissa Smith Photography)

In November, Mom and Dad brought their Chincoteague ponies home! Captain and Sunny D.

We wrapped up the year with some great progress in December- my parents began building on the property they bought in Burlington. We're that much closer to having the whole family in one place again!

And the dogs love the pond!

Cheers to 2012 and all its adventures!