Oreo Balls

 After our Annual Christmas Wine and Dessert Party

last year...the topic of conversation I had with most friends was "Oreo Balls"! 

Yes, simple...but divine!

 This little Dessert is quite a crowd pleaser! 

It was by far the most popular dessert at our party! 

I had Oreo Balls for the first time at a Halloween Party....and became a huge fan! 

The Oreo Balls can be decorated with Sprinkles or any color of Chocolate for any type of celebration!

I just had to share...this yummy dessert!

I love a good Dessert! 

Ingredients:

1 Package of Regular Size Oreo Cookies Crushed

1 Package of 8oz Cream Cheese Softened

1 Package of White Almond Bark

1 Package of Chocolate Almond Bark

Mix Oreos and Cream Cheese together

Roll into a walnut size balls

Chill for an hour

Melt approximately 3/4 package of white almond bark

Stick a toothpick in an Oreo Ball and Dip it in the Melted Bark

Allow to harden on Wax Paper

Takes about 15 minutes

Try another Bark

When Oreo Balls are no longer sticky to the touch, decorate with Sprinkles or Drizzles of Chocolate

Use a Sandwich Bag with a Tiny Hole cut in one corner to drizzle the Almond Bark

http://www.food.com/recipe/oreo-balls-52035

Enjoy!

Just like Dad

 Brooks just started his new Spring Sport...Tennis! 

Just like Dad....he loves it! It is so exciting to see him fall in love with a sport of his own. 

It is a great activity for him to do one day a week after school with his friends.

 Brooks is ready for a match with his Dad!

 I guess....I need to step it up and start some Tennis of my own to keep up with these boys!

Spring is Here

 We had a fantastic little vacation to Long Boat Key in Sarasota! 

We spent some quality fun time at the Pool and the Beach!

The Weather is Beautiful....welcome the Spring!

 The Boys collected Seashells and even made new friends from Kansas City! 

We sat on the Beach and listened to Music... the Boys built Sand Castles and Danced! 

It was Super Fun....and well needed!

Here are a few pictures!

I Scream, You Scream, We all Scream for Ice Cream

 Brooks Michael just celebrated the big 5th Birthday in style with friends and family!

 This birthday party turned out to be quite an adorable little event!

 Let me share some of these details with you.

 It is hard to believe that I wasn't going to do a party

 this year for Brooks....I just thought this was a year we could take off and go big next year. 

Brooks was fired up for his 5th birthday more than any other year.

 He wanted all of his friends and family to be there!

 So, as a good mom does....we went big!

 Go big or don't go at all! 

And you know this girl is all about a Party! 

I am very passionate about Party Planning!

 This year's theme was an Ice Cream Social! 

This Simple little Ice Cream Social became one detail after another!

 Details of a Party make me giddy!

 So Check out the details!

Brooks all Smiles in his #5 Shirt!

The Pepin Boys

Brooks and Dad

Proud Mommy and Brooks

The Ice Cream Cups....

I made to look a little special with Coffee Filters and Ribbon!

They look like a Cone!

I love it!

The Ice Cream "The Main Event!"

These Cute Tubs looked great in the Colors of the Party

Teal, Green, and Red and it kept the Ice Cream Cold!

The Kids were able to Scoop up their Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream!

It is all about the Toppings! 

The Kids enjoyed all their

favorite Toppings from Oreo's to M & M's! 

The Table looked so great for the party with all different

Toppings and Ice Cream Cones! 

Treats are always beautiful to look at!

Yummy!

I made Cupcakes in Ice Cream Cones with Icing and Sprinkles!

They were a HIT! I should have made more!

I also Dipped Pretzel Rods into White Chocolate and Rolled them 

in Sprinkles...another big HIT! 

I should have made more!

The Favors were one of my favorite Party Ideas!

I made this little Sign that said " Please take home

your own Ice Cream Toppings!" Enjoy! Love- Brooks

This took a bit of time, but super cute!

I layered M & M's, Chocolate Chips, Jelly Beans,

 and Marshmallows in Mason Jars.

 I put a Cup Cake Paper Cup on top of the Jar to add

 a little decorative Teal and Green Colors of the party.

 Tied a little Ribbon and a Special Thank you Note from 

Brooks and the guests are ready to have their own Ice Cream Social at home!

The boys and all their Friends enjoyed

the beautiful day in the Park with Balls and Bubbles!

Of course the infamous Bounce House that is 

such a crowd pleaser!

It was an absolutely amazing day! 

We are so blessed to have Brooks in our lives!

We are so proud of our little guy!

Happy Birthday Brooks!

We look forward to the next Party!

Because tonight's going to be a GOOD NIGHT!

 Good good night! 

Tonight's the Night! 

A celebration of Birthday's, Girls, and Friendships 

with a fun night on the town to 

Mangroves in Hyde Park!

It is always great to spend time with friends! 

And who needs to work out when you dance all night!

 Good Times!

When you wish upon a Star...

 it makes no difference who you are! I did it! I ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon 2011! It has been such an amazing journey! What a great day! We started at 3 am waking up and heading to Epcot for the 13.1mi Race! Rebecca, Bridget, and I were ready to take on the challenge! We were in one of the first Corral's to go out....which was such a Blessing....because we were able to complete at least half of the race in the dark! 17,000 people joined us in this race, it was huge.  I had trained for this race in mostly 50 degrees and under....most mornings 35 degrees. When the weather report came out that it was going to be 64 degrees...I was little bummed! The weather was actually pleasant for most of the race. At 5:45 am the Fireworks went off...and our Fairy Godmother wished us well! We were off to run in the sea of people. The first 3 miles were a bit tough as we were just so crowded to race. It was very difficult to have a good pace...but after mile 3 we kicked it up a notch and we were able to make some time up with a good pace. My goal was to beat my time from the Women's Half Marathon 2009 of 2.07 and also to get under 2 hours. The Race was so exciting....the DJ's pumping the runners up, the band's jamming, the Disney Character's giving us high 5's, the crowd cheering us on.....it was an unbelievable experience. I got chills as I ran down Disney's Main Street to Cinderella's Castle! It was so amazing to have Rebecca as my wing man again in this race. My good friend and training partner Bridget was my other wing man. We had a great time together! It was a challenge at times, but it was well worth it. It makes me so proud to show my beautiful boys that they can do it too! I am a goal oriented girl....and you know that dreams do come true! I crossed that finish line at Disney's Epcot at 1.57. I met my goals! I took 10 minutes off my last Half Marathon Race and it was under 2 hours! Go me! I have to thank all the wonderful supporters including my family....my husband and boys, the Keenan Family, Kristen, and Bridget S! All the love, prayers, and Cheers really helped! I had a Cheer Squad by cell phone texts messages ...which was so fun...everyone got updates as I went over mile markers! This was a great experience that I will never forget! My next Half Marathon.....I hope to do the Rock and Roll Series in New Orleans! 

Here are some pictures to capture our excitement!

I was so excited as I approached that finish line!

All Smiles after the Race!

My Awesome Husband and I ...he was so proud of me!!!!

My number #1 Fan!

My Friend, My cousin, My Wing-Man

Our Fan's Brooks, Brody, and Grant

Brody

It is always a good week....when you have Brody in motion!

  Brody keeps me very busy....but is such a love. 

He gives me a smile everyday and keeps me on my toes!

 I can't resist these fun faces they tell it all!

 Enjoy!

Off to the Zoo

 It was a beautiful day last week when the boys and I met some friends at the Lowry Park Zoo to check out the new Dinosaur Exhibit! We had a such a great day! We had so much fun that we will be heading back again soon! Our weather is finally warming up a bit to hit our favorite outdoor venues. Brooks' first plan of action at the Zoo was the Snakes! He is so interested in Reptiles right now. If we are not at the Zoo checking the Reptiles out we are at the Library "Checking out Reptile Books!" Of course the boys appeased me and saw my favorite animal....the Giraffe....but I think they enjoy feeding the Giraffe more than I do! The new Dinosaur Exhibit was super cool. The 2 year olds of the group were fired up and ready to go in ....but the 4 year olds needed to take a moment to re-think the exhibit before entering! 

We had a great day and look forward to going back!