Hosting Christmas - #28 Completed!

I know there have been a lot of posts and catching up today! Don't worry, this is my last post for the day :) Saturday we hosted our first holiday at our house (actually ever)! Because of the weather a few family members who had planned on coming down were not able to make it but we were still able to have a great time! We had my side of the families gift exchange right before everyone else arrived. We had SOO much food! And way too many sweets/desserts! But everything was so good. We had a white elephant gift exchange, in which both my mom and I got Snuggies! Mine came with a book light which I was excited about because I am doing so much reading lately and it will come in handy while reading in bed. Dave always wants me to hurry up so I will turn the light off. So problem solved! We also got to spend some quality time with my adorable little nephew, who gave us a really adorable picture of himself for Christmas. We had a lot of fun playing shuffleboard and a dice game with all our family members. Maybe this will be the start of hosting more holiday's...who knows!!

We feel so lucky to have been able to spend time with the ones we love and see some family members that we haven't been able to see for a while. We are also very grateful for all the generosity from our family and all the wonder gifts we received. We got more than we deserve! But the most thing we cherished as a gift was the time we spent with each and everyone this holiday season. We cannot wait for all the wonderful holiday celebrations in the future!!

My Delicious Pie...Thanks Grandma! See recipe at bottom

Getting Dinner Ready! Our Family So happy to see their Grandson! First Christmas as a Family of 3!

We got Snuggies! Woot Woot!!

Father & Son

Uncle Dave

The Cutest and Happiest little boy on Christmas

Coconut Cream Pie Recipe

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour OR 3 Tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 cups milk
• 3 yolks (egg whites will be used for meringue)
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup flaked coconut
• Meringue recipe

Meringue Ingredients

• 3 egg whites
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 6 Tbsp sugar
• 1/3 cup coconut

Filling - In saucepan combine 3/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup flour OR 3 Tbsp cornstarch, and 1/4 tsp salt. Gradually add 2 cups milk, mixing well. (I found using a whisk worked best) Cook and stir over medium heat till mixture thickens and boils. Cook 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat. Stir small amount of hot mixture into3 slightly beaten egg yolks; immediately return to hot mixture; cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add 2 Tbsp butter, 1 tsp vanilla and 1 cup flake coconut. Pour into a cooled baked 9-inch pastry shell. Spread 1 recipe Meringue atop pie and bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. Cool.

Meringue- Beat 3 egg whites with 1/2 tsp vanilla and 1/4 tsp cream of tartar till soft peaks form. Gradually add 6 Tbsp sugar, beating till stiff peaks form and all sugar is dissolved. Spread atop pie, sealing to edge of pastry. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup flaked coconut.