Our cartoon-

Several people have asked about our cartoon. My friend Janette Louden, who is an amazing artist did it. I thought that it would be something different for the cards. If this might be something you are interested in next year, let me know and I will get you the information.

Sure love those Christmas cookies

Today we are making Christmas cookies. The list includes requests from everyone. Darren wanted peanut butter kisses (no I didn't put pb on my lips for him to kiss). Rylee wanted peanut butter reindeers. Mason wanted sugar cookies (thanks pillsbury). I wanted to try something different so I picked eggnog snickerdoodles (they are so good btw). Oh yeah, Ayden didn't have an opinion...

HAHAHA

I just want to write this down so i don't forget it....

When you point at a Santa and ask Ayden who he is she says, "Santa, Ha Ha Ha" Instead of HO HO HO. It's too cute...

let it ...stop snowing

Today was a snow day. We got about 10-12 inches since midnight last night. School was cancelled and Darren didn't go to work. Since we don't own a snow blower, it took Darren and I an hour to shovel and then him by himself another 45 minutes. As we were shoveling, I asked him why don't we have a snow blower. He said because he never had one growing up???? HHMMMM? Should I take his Christmas present back and get him a snow blower?

Things that bring me joy--post office online

I am very excited that I just ordered Christmas stamps from the usps.com and it cost a $1 and they bring them to my house!! I don't have to take children out of the car and go stand in line!! YAH POST OFFICE!!!

I am dreaming of a ....

I want to know why in my mind I have this ideal of what Christmas looks like and then reality is so different. In my mind, Darren and I aren't arguing over the Christmas lights. We are all sitting around eating cookies underneath the tree sipping hot chocolate. My perfect scene forgets about who made the hot chocolate and cookies and all the other details. Oh well, I need to let go and focus on the real reason we have Christmas! Maybe if I do that I won't care about the ideal "Christmas".

Christmas with the Tolins

We had a great time with my family this weekend for the Tolin Christmas. It was fun to be together and let the kids open presents and let them run around Mimi and Papa's house. I will post pictures soon....

Stuff that Mason says

I just think it's so cute the things that my kids say and don't realize it's not right. For example, Mason says "teeter tots" for tater tots. It's so cute I don't want to correct him. They both say "bether" instead of better. Rylee said, "flupe" for flute for the longest time. Now she doesn't. Another example that she is growing up.

Should I be worried?

This is what I saw when I got Ayden out of bed. Should I be concerned??

Christmas Tables at church

We have a lovely tradition at church called Christmas Tables. Ladies decorate tables and provide food and then there is a speaker and some singing. Despite the nasty weather there was a great turnout. I was a hostess (with a lot of help) of two tables. I had the black, white and red table and the fruit table. The favors were CD's that Darren made (thanks Darren).

Things that bring me joy---rain

I am very grateful that we got rain instead of the several inches we were suppose to get, especially since Darren's back is messed up. About an hour away got 8 inches of snow!!!

Santa Christmas cookies

I am "baking" these this weekend. They are ohh soo good.

Here is the recipe...

Santa Claus Nutter Butter Cookies
Using store-bought peanut butter sandwich cookies.

Ingredients:
Nutter Butter Sandwich Cookies
Pillsbury canned white frosting
Red sanding sugars (hat)
Vanilla chips (mini size) (decoration for hat)
Chocolate chips (mini size) (eyes)
Red Hot candies (nose)

Directions:
Here's what we did...

Hat: Spread white frosting or melted white chocolate over top part of Nutter Butter cookie.

Beard: Spread bottom of Nutter Butter cookie.

While still moist, sprinkle part of hat with red sanding sugars, leaving a brim of white. Add vanilla chip on hat for decoration, chocolate chips for eyes and red hot candy for nose -- use a dab of frosting as the "glue.

----I use white chocolate bark and dip it in for both beard and hat. I think mini chocolate chips are too hard to get on so I just use black decorator gel.

turkey day is gone so should the leftovers...

This is from the FlyLady emails...it made me laugh...
MAY I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE!!

Today is Tuesday, December 2 and your Thanksgiving leftovers are
officially six (6) days old. According to the USDA, turkey leftovers
are good for four (4) days. It's time for them to go. Gravy should
have been tossed after 2 days; stuffing has to go too…its time is up
after 4 days.

Do not attempt to stretch the time on this; they are officially too
old to be good for anything except the trash, you don't want to be
sick. Do not attempt soup with that carcass. Do not feed your dog or
cat any leftover meat. Simply toss it, all of it, including side
dishes and cranberries. Just because there is no mold and it still
smells good, doesn't mean it is safe to consume

i have been in denial

about my Starbucks hot chocolate obsession. I didn't want to know how many calories or points...

Hungry girl brought it to my attention today....darn it

Hot Loco
Oh my. This is one completely crazy cup of cocoa. A 12-oz. serving has 23 grams of fat and a POINTS® value of 10*. For ONE SERVING OF LIQUID?!?! FYI, the Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate at The 'Bucks is even worse -- a Tall made with 2% milk and topped with whipped cream racks up a whopping 480 calories and 24g fat (POINTS® value 11*)!
Serving Size: Tall with whipped cream, made with 2% milk
Calories: 450
Fat: 23g
Sodium: 110mg
Carbs: 56g
Fiber: 5g
Sugars: 47g
Protein: 11g

POINTS® value 10*

I was thinking it was like 4 points...oh I was so wrong....sadly.....

I've been tagged...

So this is my fourth folder, my fourth picture....




This is perfect because I was just thinking of taking a picture of Rylee in her favorite dress. She could wear this dress every day. This was a picture of last Christmas when she got it from Aunt Shannon and Uncle Ryan. You can't tell from the look on her face that she loves it so much.

So I guess I have to tag three more...

Sara
Tracy
Holly

Have fun.

Elmo Live!!

Ayden and I went to see Elmo Live Sunday afternoon with Addi and her mom. It was a lot of fun to see the girls excitement to see all the Sesame Street characters. I don't think that they got the "story" of it but they loved the dance and music. Can't wait to do it again!!