Last night was our Christmas dinner for Relief Society at church. We had a dinner for all the adults in our ward and I was in charge! Me being the control freak that I am decided I'd prepare all the food myself and then had it off to people to cook. On the menu was Cherry and Blue Cheese Salad, Cranberry Chicken, Mashed Potato Casserole, Homemade Rolls, Slushy Punch and Chocolate Fountain for dessert. Some fabulous ladies in my ward volunteered to come set/decorate a table and host their table. We served the food family style, which helped because nobody had to stand in line for a buffet! I spent four days running around like crazy and alternating from being totally under control to having slight panic attacks. Everything turned out beautifully and the food was really good, if I do say so myself (I had never made the chicken, potatoes, or punch before!!).
Our program was excellent! We had two beautiful musical numbers, Janelle sang beautifully for us and Laura played a lovely song on the piano. The Johnson's gave us a short talk on "The Spirit of Christmas". Kelly shared an absolutely sweet story while her husband shared different ways that we can bring the Spirit of Christmas into our homes. The night was just what I wanted. I think it is the perfect kick off to the Holiday Season for me because now I can start to focus on Christmas in our home!
Thanks to all my wonderful friends who very graciously helped me in every way possible!
I'm horrible and completely forgot my camera to take any pictures, but I'll share the recipes so hopefully that will make up for it. Enjoy!!!
Punch3 oz. package jello, any flavor
1 cup
boiling water3 cups cold water
1 large can pineapple juice
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. almond extract
1/2 cup lemon juice
Sprite
Place jello and sugar in gallon size ziploc bag. Add boiling water. Mix until disolved. Add the cold water, pineapple juice, almond extract and lemon juice. Mix to combine. Place in freezer. Every few hours mush the bag so it will remain slushy and not an ice block! Place in punch bowl and add sprite.
Mashed Potato Casserole8-10 potatoes
Salt/pepper
8 oz.
cream cheese1 cup
sour creamBoil potatoes until soft, mash with
salt and pepper to taste. Mix in cream cheese and sour cream. Place in 9x13 pan and dot with butter. Bake at 350 for
20 minutes. Can be made ahead and either frozen or placed in the refrigerator. Serves 10-12 people.
Cranberry Chicken1/2 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
4-6 chicken breasts
1/4 cup butter
1 heaping cup whole cranberries
1
cup orange juice1/2 cup brown sugar1 Tbs. red wine vinegar
dash nutmeg
Combine flour, salt and pepper. Dip chicken in flour mixture. Melt butter in skillet. Brown chicken 4 minutes per side.
Boil cranberries in orange juice until the berries pop. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until dissolved.
Spray a 9x13 pan and add chicken. Pour sauce over chicken. Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Uncover for the last 10 minutes.
Tonight was Show 2 for Ryan's Christmas Dance Recital.
Once again, it went great and she was cute as always!
For this number she did a routine to the song, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch".
The Grinch was dancing around on the stage with them so Ryan seemed to be a little distracted by the big, green, hairy, thing dancing around!!!
Tonight, Ryan had Show 1 for her Christmas dance recital. 
It went great and she was so CUTE!!
It went great and she was so CUTE!!
She had a great time and did not stop talking about the show the whole way home.
She kept telling everyone we passed she was in a dance recital (good explanation for all the makeup)! She can't wait to go back again tomorrow for her jazz number with the Grinch!
I REALLY wish I'd gotten a picture of this ship next to a regular cruise ship, but I never had the vantage point. 
Deck 8 was "Central Park". This had tons of live plants, beautiful seating, a Coach store, specialty restaurants (you had to pay $75/person extra in one!), an art gallery, and strolling musicians!
On the back of the boat were two extremely tall rock climbing walls and an outdoor amphitheater overlooking a diving pool where they put on a show.
On the front of the boat was an adult lounge, pool, "healthy" restaurant area. These chairs were so comfy and after a red eye flight getting there, it didn't take long for this to happen!!!
There was a "floating" bar that went up and down from deck 5 to deck 8.
A cupcake store on board! What's not to love? I LOVE cupcakes!!!
The contest Kristen won included VIP passes to a concert with Rihanna onboard the first night. We were able to sit in the second row center. I didn't know much about Rihanna, but she put on a fabulous concert!!! 
Unfortunately it was only 20 minutes long!!!
Friday morning Good Morning America was filming and they asked all the guests on board to hang out in different areas. Unfortunately it was REALLY early in the morning, but we got to see a BEAUTIFUL sunrise!!
Sam Champion and Melissa Rycroft from GMA.
Apparently "real men" wear rhinestones!!
The full size carousel on the Boardwalk (deck 6)! 
The second night we went to a concert by "Mosaic". These guys sing everything acapela. There was NO music accompanying them but they are able to make their voices sound like EVERYTHING. AMAZING!!
Kristen LOVES Coach!
A Johnny Rockets on board as well!
They were doing face painting on Saturday and Kristen and I convinced this man to do Spiderman on his face!!!
Our "artist" beautified us, Kristen as a cat and me with my "fairy" paint!!
They do some crazy silly parade through the main area of the boat!
We went to an ice skating show that was based on the stories of Hans Christian Anderson. The story of Thumbelina was all drawn by this artist in sand. Very cool.
We met a few of the other radio contest winners. These are our friends David and Jasmyn. We went to a comedy show that was VERY entertaining! Jasmyn also won Modern Bride of the year and is on the cover of their magazine. It's been a good year for her!!! And they live in Phoenix!
Saturday night they had an Elton John impersonator. Very entertaining concert, I'm just not a GREAT fan of Elton John!!
Our new friend Tony, another winner from the Seattle area!
Late Saturday night they had a 70s disco party, complete with the "Village People"!
Seriously a FABULOUS adventure!!!
The day after our "sweet" Peyton was born, 
the 787 was "rolled" out.
and they have this...
