'Tis the Season

Giada met Santa for the first time this year! To my surprise, she posed perfectly for the photo and was not scared of Santa.

Giada also picked out her second Christmas Tree! All I wanted was a picture of her standing next to the tree, but that was not going to happen!  Instead, she sat in the dirt and played with the rocks... Oh well!


A couple nights later, we invited several friends and family members, with children, to join us for a night of Christmas lights on Candy Cane Lane. Thanks to my father-in-law chauffeuring us around on the trailer, all the kiddos (and parents) enjoyed the lights!

Thanksgiving and Carmel

The Serpa family had so much to be thankful for this year! We are blessed to have a healthy and beautiful daughter, looking forward to our family of three expanding to four in May and we are surrounded by amazing friends and family. 

On Thanksgiving, we were up north with my family and celebrated the day at my aunt and uncles house. It was a quiet Thanksgiving day because we were missing several family members. (We would be meeting the rest of the family on Friday in Carmel for a birthday celebration.) My uncle cooked a DELICIOUS ham and we had all the other traditional Thanksgiving goodies to go along with the meal. After dinner, Giada ate my aunt uncle out of house and home as she demolished the leftovers. Around bedtime, we headed home and called it an early night.... Or I did, Anthony and my dad had to finish the night off by enjoying some time in the hot tub. 

Friday afternoon, we headed to Carmel for the weekend. My mom booked us a house through VRBO. (The best way to go.) We had a three bedroom, two bath with a backyard to call home for the weekend. Shortly after arriving, we drove over to visit with the rest of the family who spent Thanksgiving in Carmel. That night we ate leftovers for dinner and enjoyed some adult time playing games. 

Saturday, Giada woke the house up at 7 AM sharp, which was early for half the group who arrived around midnight the night before. As we lounged around in our PJs for a bit, the boys decided to venture outside for some games of Corn Hole. Once Giada went down for her second nap, the ladies were off to downtown for a little shopping and lunch. That evening, we met back up with the rest of the family to celebrate my aunts 70th birthday. Having all the cousins together was so much fun!

Sunday quickly arrived and we were headed back home.

  

Thanksgiving Day

 Giada enjoying the backyard in Carmel and some sun!

A dad and his girl!

It wouldn't be a trip without doing the girls hair. 

Giada now knows how to stick out her toung - Thanks Uncle John!

 Most of the Kiddos

Christmas Tree Lane

Giada enjoyed her first walk night on Christmas Tree Lane. My sister-in-law and her family invited us to join them for a fun, and cold, night of Christmas lights. Giada stayed in her stroller for the majority of the walk, but eventually wanted to be out with the rest of the group enjoying the night. 

The smile on her face explains it all!

And now it is time for bed!

Green Beans with Bacon

Here is another side dish to serve with dinner

• Fresh Green Beans
• 5-6 slices of bacon - cut into pieces
• 4 garlic cloves, diced
• 1 cup white wine
• 2 T. red wine vinegar
• 4 teaspoons of butter
• salt/pepper

Brown garlic in medium saucepan. Add 1/4 cup of white wine, red wine vinegar and 1teaspoon of butter. Mix together and let cook for a minute. Add onions and cook until soft - about 5 minutes. Place green beans, bacon, remainder of white wine, butter, salt and pepper into pan. Cover and cook on med/high for15 min. Stir occasionally. Once the green beans are cooked to your liking, remove from heat. Let the green beans sit covered for 5 min before serving.

Enjoy!

Sweet Potatoes

This time of year, Anthony is always bringing home sweet potatoes. Last night, I tried a different recipe and really enjoyed the dish!

Ingredients

• 2 sweet potatoes, chopped up into cubes
• 4 slices of bacon, cooked and cut into small pieces
• salt/pepper
• 4-5 garlic cloves, whole
• 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3-4 tablespoons of honey

1. Toss sweet potatoes with the olive oil. Add salt, pepper, garlic cloves and toss again. Lastly, add honey and bacon to the mixture and mix together. 
2. Roast in the oven (or bake on high, 475) for about 20-30 minutes.

3. Toss one last time before serving.