Christmas morning

Sydney tried to get us up at 3:30, oh yes but I talked her into snuggling til 5:30!

Griffin emptying his stocking

golf club pen Sydney bought for Bill

movies from Grammie and Grandpa

fireman Griffin!

Sydney making badges, very fun

dino puzzle

 a few videos

 

 

Our Christmas was wonderful, we hope yours was too!

Christmas Eve

Since the kids were dressed up for church I tried to get a few pictures ....

a bit cheesy

so Griffin

sweet girl

Bill and I toasty to a wonderful Christmas

Bill being well Bill

My girl and I

silly man

kids sprinkling reindeer food (Griffin still has his tag from the church nursery on his back)

ready to open a Christmas eve gift

new Christmas pjs

sleeping together in sissy's bed

 

great times as a family

Snack Necklaces

My sister Ashley, told me about making these necklaces with my niece and I thought it was such a neat idea.   I gave the kids fruit loops, pretzels (true confession I had bought chocolate covered pretzels but ate them one night before this project) and gummy life savers, plus yarn.

They threaded the snacks on the yarn.

Griffin needed a bit of help.

Then we took a few pictures and watched a movie, eating our snacks off the yarn.  So fun and good fine motor skill practice.

Griffin Singing

 

He just melts my heart, I love his little voice and I love that he sings while he plays. 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Griffin and daddy

Bill and Griffin have a special bond.  I guess it is the typical little boy and dad bond but to me it seems so special.  There are things that only daddy does, that even if I try I cannot seem to do the right way.  Special versions of songs, ways to snuggle and play.  I love hearing Griffin say that he wants his dad.  I love seeing my boys snuggled together watching tv or playing legos. 

Deluxe Sugar Cookies and Frosting

We love to make sugar cookies for various holiday and the kids (and adults) enjoy decorating.  I use Betty Crocker's deluxe sugar cookie recipe.

1 cup butter softened
1.5 cups confectioner's sugar
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
2.5 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar

Mix thoroughly butter, confectioners sugar, egg, vanilla and almond extract.  Blend in flour, soda and cream of tartar,  Cover and chill 2-3 hours.  Heat over to 375, divide dough in half.  Roll each half 3/16 inch thick on a lightly floured surface.  Cut into desired shapes, place on lightly greased baking sheet (I use a pampered chef stone).  Bake 7-8 minutes or until lightly golden on edges.  Makes about 5 dozen 2-2.5 in cookies.


Cream cheese frosting

3 ounces cream cheese (I use 1/3 less fat)
1 Tbsp milk
1 tsp vanilla
dash of salt
2.5 cups confectioner's sugar

Blend cream cheese, milk, vanilla and salt, add sugar and blend until smooth.  If necessary add 1 tsp of milk at a time to get the right consistency for spreading on cookies.

Meet our elf Relf!

My mom bought elf's for all of us girls and our kids are enjoying them to the max. We named our elf Relf.   Every morning the kids run downstairs to see where Relf is hiding and what he has gotten in to during the night.  Here are a few pictures.... 

he typed a letter to Santa about the kids behavior

so fun!

puzzle man

Since a recent visit from Grammie and a new box of puzzles Griffin has become a puzzle man.  He has worked his puzzles and is now doing Sydney's old puzzles.  He is putting 35 piece puzzles together without any help.  He likes to sit on top of the sit and spin and he is very patient.  I love that he loves puzzles and I do believe he will be getting a few new ones for Christmas.  Our favorite brand is Ravensburger.



Sydney's Christmas performance

 

All the kindergarten classes sang a few songs at the PTO meeting.  I only recorded Sydney's group.  She did a great job and we were so proud of her.  She is right in the middle, second row from the bottom.  

simple ways to make the holidays special without big spending

This is such a special time of year and yet so many people are stressed out and too busy to enjoy themselves.  I think keeping things simple and spending within your means is a way to make sure you enjoy this season more!  We try hard not to get caught up in all the craziness and try to keep things simple yet so wonderful.  I love all the little traditions that we keep, a particular Christmas morning meal, Christmas eve church service, reading Christmas books all month, our advent calendar.  Here are a few ideas for you...


1.  surround yourself with people you love, just keep it simple, Christmas music, a few snacks, maybe a board game

2.  enjoy making a few holiday treats, I certainly have a few things that I only bake at Christmas time, so bake, maybe share and ENJOY

3. have a family popcorn party and watch a Christmas movie

4.  drive around after dark and look at Christmas lights

5. spend an evening thinking about and sharing all the things you do have to be thankful for (even if you feel bummed out that you do not have extra money this season)

6.  If you must exchange gifts, keep it small and set an affordable limit, at least you will have one thing to open

7.  if you live where you have snow- get outside and go sledding, make snow angels or a snowman

8. snuggle with a loved one by the fireplace

9.  sing Christmas songs

10.  Remember this is a season to celebrate the birth of Christ

Advent again..crafty post

Tonight I am repainting my scratch off advent calendar.  My kids had so much fun with the scratch off part and we are ready to do it all again, starting Saturday!

Jewelry frame

I made this frame for my jewelry.  I found a bargain frame at Salvation army, removed the picture, spray painted it brown and using a staple gun attached chicken wire to the back.  I love having my earrings and a few necklaces displayed. 

 

Have you made anything lately?

 



In the mail- Thriving Family

This past weekend we received our free Thriving Family December issue from Focus on the Family.  Included inside was an Advent activity calendar and I am excited to read through it with our family.  Each day has a scripture to read and a short activity/discussion point.  You can visit ThrivingFamily.com/Advent and download a digital version. 
The challenge for December is to stay focused on the reason we celebrate Christmas and not lose your mind!

La La visits

My mom was here last weekend for a visit and we crammed as much as possible into one weekend.  She brought clothes and gifts for the kids.  Griffin loves his new puzzle and Sydney has been working on her princess book every free moment.

We visited the Natural Science Museum

Meerkat show



 

huge turtle "bone crusher" believed to have been born in 1918

 

gibbon

 

mom surrounded by kids (human and animal)

 

Sydney by the tigers

 

With grammie playing her Ipad- a major hit with both kids!