Ornaments

This post is for Aunt Brittany (so you better comment), and anyone else who is stuck at work for the next two days and needs something to read :).

Along with starting the Advent Wreath this year, I also decided to start a new Christmas tradition with the girls back at the beginning of December.

Each girl will get to choose a new ornament each year for Christmas that will adorn our tree. Then when they grow up and move out and get a tree of their own {sniff, sniff}, they'll get to take all of their ornaments with them.

Hattie picked a ballerina of course:

And of course, she couldn't just hang it on the tree and leave it alone; she had to play with it........which led to an accident......which led to a headless ballerina......which led to Mommy pulling out the glue gun. Now all is well, and the ballerina has more character anyways! - a story to go with the ornament.

I picked Mary Ellen's out for her since I can't exactly let her loose in front of the ornaments at the store to choose one. I picked a ball since it was one of her first words. The one I chose has "merry" written all over it. Couldn't have been more perfect for her for this year!

Good thing atleast one out of the two is unbreakable.

And since I'm talking about ornaments, here's a picture of our tree:

Top heavy much? I'll give you two guesses why!

And speaking of trees, what do you prefer, colored or white lights? I like white. Sean likes colored. We have had white since we got married, but colored lights are growing on me, so maybe next year we'll have to change things up a bit......

If Only They Weren't Related

I can't help but look at this picture and think about how great arranged marriage CAN be.

You get to pick spouses who come from good families for your children.

My girls wouldn't have to worry about a mean mother-in-law if they could marry these boys. They would have good Catholic husbands who are sure to be Aggies, and they are Czech for goodness sakes! ;)

Alas, these two sweet boys who have the most beautiful blue eyes ever will never be my sons-in-law. Not only is their mother my very dearest friend who feels like a sister to me, but Sean is also her cousin, which puts these arranged marriages in the "no-go" zone. In fact, Hattie and Luke already fight like brother and sister, and I know they will both look at this post one day and go, "BLECH!"

Santa Will Just Love These!

Hattie's school asked for volunteers to make 3 dozen cookies for our wassail and cookie social at church this Sunday. Part of getting a tuition cut at the school is through tithing, and a big chunk of tithing is service, so I signed up! Plus, I love to bake and I love to eat, so it's a win/win situation! :)

After making these (and tasting these!), I had to share the recipe because they are just yummy, yummy goodness!


Spiced Sugar Cookies
2 & 1/3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp salt
2 stick butter (I know that's a lot, but tis the season!) :)
1 & 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract

1.) Mix flour, baking soda, nutmeg, and salt; set aside. Beat butter & sugar in large bowl with mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Gradually stir in flour mixture until mixed well.

Then if you are going to use cut outs, refrigerate the dough for atleast about an hour to firm it up. I didn't, so I skipped this part.

2.) Preheat oven to 375. Place rolled dough or cut-out dough on greased cookie sheets. Bake 8-10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on baking sheet for one minute, then remove to wire racks. Cool completely.

3.) Once cooled, dip one end in melted chocolate. I used the microwavable candy wafers (chocolate flavored) from Hobby Lobby. Then sprinkle on sprinkles and place cookies on wax paper so chocolate can dry and harden.


Yields about 4 dozen.

So I plan on sending 3 dozen off with Hattie to school tomorrow. The other dozen goes to me, myself, and I! I might share a little ;).

Just Some Christmasy Pictures

On Friday we got SNOW! The girls LOVED it.



This weekend we had Christmas with Sean's family since they will be out of town for Christmas this year.



By the time gift wrapping was over, you couldn't even see the carpet on the floor b/c it was completely covered in wrapping paper and ribbon. Santa sure was generous!

Lastly, I'll leave you with two of my favorite things in one picture: naked babies and Christmas trees! :)

That chair placed strategically in front of the Christmas tree was put there to block access to wrapped presents and indicates that this little girl is a fan of mischief! ;)

Advent Wreath

This is the first Advent that we are doing the Advent wreath tradition in our house.

Yesterday marked the first Sunday of Advent. I think it's a great way to stay focused and keep your kids focused on the CHRIST in Christmas.

Wanna do one with your family?

Here's a helpful website that explains it and provides the prayers you say each night as you light the candles.

Happy Advent to all!