Thursday, December 17, 2009

Officially an Alum

G uess what?  On Tuesday, I had my last class as a college undergraduate!  Yep, I'm officially Erin Ellis B.A. and it feels great!  I finished up my last day of student teaching last Friday, and had two days of classes on campus including my student teaching exit interview (which I passed with flying colors).  It's been a pretty busy week what with it being finals week, people moving in and out of the dorm, and Tyler having his last week of school, but he still managed to find time to send me these beautiful flowers as a congratulations to my "graduating."



Ouachita has done away with December commencement, so even though I am officially done and will get my diploma, I'll have to wait until May to actually participate in a ceremony and walk.  That doesn't bother me though, because I will just join all of my friends when they graduate in May.  It has been such a wonderful week.  Tyler and I are getting ready to drive back to Allen to be with our families and friends over the Christmas break, and I can't wait to get there and start playing games and catching up!  I'm looking forward to our first Christmas together.  It may seem a little weird at first, but I'm glad we'll be together for everything.  Even though we have been together for so long, we have never officially spent a Christmas morning together.  We've always stayed with our families, so this year is going to be even better!  In other news, I just signed my contract with Ouachita Baptist University.



I am now a Hall Director and Assistant Director of Campus Activities!  This is me signing my contract!



Tyler and I are very thankful for the new salary we will be getting come January, and hopefully we can start all that saving that we planned on doing since we got married!  That's about it for us in Arkadelphia, can't wait to see everyone when we get back to Allen!  Until then, Merry Christmas!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Due to Popular Demand...


No one should ever spend the holidays without one of these fabulous cookies.  Ever since I first got the recipe from Tyler's mother, there hasn't been a Thanksgiving/Christmas without them yet!  They are so good and so easy to make.  Since they are such a popular little cookie with all of our friends, I've decided to share the recipe!  Enjoy!

Pumpkin Chip Cookies

1 can pumpkin pie mix
2 T milk
2 eggs
1 cup vegetable oil
2 cups sugar
2 t vanilla
2 t baking soda
4 t baking powder
1 t salt
2 t cinnamon
4 cups flour
1 package of chocolate chips

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl (no order necessary) and drop by the spoonful on a cookie sheet (it does not need to be greased).  Bake at 375 degrees for 10 - 12 minutes.  Let them cool, and then top with cream cheese frosting!  CAUTION: one batch makes A TON of cookies!  You'll be baking for hours if you double it!  Enjoy!




It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas



Santa's just around the corner and there's been a lot of change around Arkadelphia...at least around our little apartment!  This is our first Christmas as a married couple, and if you know me, it's not Christmas without all the trimmings!  Also, you'll notice that we have put up new curtains in the living room.  That along with curtains in our room has finally made the place feel complete.  We also purchased a pot rack to hang above our island (an excellent purchase if I do say so myself) and it looks great!




All of that plus some Christmas decorations make it the coziest home during this winter season.  We have been so busy wrapping up this semester, I have officially finished my student teaching...I only have two more classes of paperwork and presentations and then I'm a college grad!  Tyler still has one more week of school left, and after that, its time to head back to Allen for the holidays!  Tyler and I have been Christmas shopping, and we can't wait to unload at our parents' houses with armloads of presents...okay, maybe not armloads!  Now the hardest part is waiting for this week to be over so we can focus on our friends and family and not on school.  Since I know this is what everyone wants...the rest of the post is pictures of our apartment!


Garland and candles on top of our entertainment center

 
Our Christmas tree up close

 
Garland on top of the entertainment center looking at Christmas tree and wreath

 
Stockings on the entertainment center (we treat it like our mantle).  Tyler is the Santa and I'm the snowman!

 
The wreath I got on sale from Crate and Barrel last year...I've been waiting a whole year to hang it up!

 
Presents under the tree...I've had some time on my hands

 
Full picture of the tree

 
Snowman pillow on the loveseat

 
The "E" that Tyler's mom gave to us!  I love it!

 
On the wall in our bathroom

 
Any little thing we had got put out...we're still collecting Christmas things...I have a feeling when stores put things on sale this year, we'll have some more goodies for next Christmas!

 
 The best attempt at a picture of the living room.  Not a lot of stuff going on, but our little apartment doesn't need a whole lot.  However, we will have a lot of Christmas goodies (cookies, cranberry bars, etc.) and we'll make sure to bring some home with us!

Merry Christmas!  We love you all!