And More Snow

This morning we woke up to another couple inches of snow. This time the wind was blowing - so all that light fluffy stuff from yesterday and today was blowing around - making it hard to see.
We did some holiday baking - Andes Mint Cookies, and Peanut Butter Blossoms.



















The kids helped me start baking, and then Caden went to watch a movie, (Underdog) and later they both went to take a nap. (We have my family Christmas party this evening)
As I was baking - I received a phone call saying that our church was canceled for the am service. Well, I guess they are planning ahead - the gravel roads are drifting shut (definitely need 4 wheel drive to get through) and they predict very cold temps (below zero for a high!) Brrrrr!

Snow, Snow

On Friday, we woke up to around 8 inches of snow. It warmed up a little in the afternoon, so when Grandpa Rick came over with the tractor to clear our driveway, the kids got dressed to play outside for a little bit. (Our snowmen from last week are still standing - and from the looks of the forecast, they will be for awhile yet.)

Traveling Nativity

A local church puts on a traveling nativity every year. Broc and I first started going to this when we were youth group sponsors at our church (around 6 years ago).














This church does a great job. They give you a number as you walk in the door, and then you go into a large room and wait until your number is called. They have hot drinks and sometimes some sort of snack to eat. When your number is called, (you are grouped with a couple other families) you go to the designated area and are led outside to get on a horse pulled hay wagon. There are several different stops along the way showing different scenes from Jesus birth. One stop is Mary and Joseph on the donkey traveling to Bethlehem.














We took the kids this year and they enjoyed it. We were surprised when we got there to find my Grandpa, Grandma, and cousin Aimee there. It was neat because they were only a couple numbers ahead of us, and we able to take the ride together.

Snow Much Fun

Today, the weather was beautiful. The temperature was in the 40's so instead of housecleaning, laundry, and naps this afternoon, we played outside in the snow. The kids had a great time. They love to make snow angels and sled down our little hill. It snowed earlier this week and we were pretty disappointed on Tuesday when we couldn't make a snowman. Today the snow was perfect for snowmen. Of course we had to make 2 - one boy and one girl. Here is the finished product.


















I have to mention that after the pictures we were getting ready to go inside, and Allyson took the carrot out of her snowman face. I wasn't watching what she was doing, but a couple minutes later, she showed me that she put the carrot on the other side of the snowman face - so that when we look out the window at the snowman - we can see their nose.

Busy, Busy

I know, it has been an entire week since I have posted. I have good reason. I am busy making Christmas cards, and working on Christmas gifts. Hopefully this coming week will be better.
I wanted to share a few things that the kids have said in the past couple days.

Caden and Allyson love the cartoon Max and Ruby on Nickelodeon. Today when it was starting, Allyson said, "Max is always doing something naughty." "I'm Ruby."
Caden said, "I'm Max."

Another thing that I thought was cute. The UPS truck was on our yard this morning, delivering a package. Allyson said, "Mom, there's the dog truck."
I asked her, "why do you call that the dog truck?"
She replies, "because it brings treats for dogs, and books for daddy."
She is very right. The UPS truck driver always has treats for the dog, and has been bringing books for daddy for work in the past week. (Little does she know that today he delivered one of her Christmas presents - easy for me to not have to explain the package!)

Santa and Sleigh Ride

On Thursday evening, we went to visit Santa. Both kids were excited. Caden went first, and was so busy telling Santa what was on his list, that he didn't even want to look for the camera.
Later he told me some of the things on his list were: trains, Spiderman, bugs, and helicopters.



















Allyson really didn't want to sit on Santa's lap, but did take her turn.
On her list were: a baby doll, and princess stuff.



















After we visited Santa, we saw they were giving sleigh rides. Our friend Dave was driving the tractor that pulled the sleigh and Broc's boss Tom was helping with the sleigh. We had a fun ride. It was really cold, but the kids enjoyed it.

Old Fashioned Gingerbread Men Recipe

I have had a couple requests to share the recipe we use for our gingerbread cookies.
Enjoy!

Old Fashioned Gingerbread Men
From Real Simple Magazine Dec 04/Jan 05

5 to 5 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
2 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1 cup butter at room temperature (we use the real stuff)
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 large egg at room temperature
1 cup molasses
1 tsp vanilla extract

Combine the flour, baking soda, salt and spices in a large bowl; set aside. In another bowl, beat the butter, brown sugar and egg with an electric mixer on medium until smooth. Add the molasses and beat until fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add the vanilla. Stir in the flour mixture 1 cup at a time, blending until smooth. The dough should gather into a semi-firm mass. If it is not firm, add another 1/4 to 1/2 cup of flour, but not enough to make it crumbly. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide in half. Flatten into disks and wrap in plastic. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or up to 1 week.
Preheat oven to 350. On a floured surface, roll each disk to 1/8 inch thickness. Use gingerbread man cutter to make into shapes. Transfer onto a large, parchment lined, baking sheet, spacing them about 1 inch apart. Decorate, if desired. Bake until firm to the touch, about 12 minutes. Cool slightly before transferring to a rack.

(Decorate as desired and put a hole at the top using a straw. After they are cool, thread a ribbon through the hole to hang on the tree.)

I find it works well to keep the dough on the saran wrap to roll out and cut - then it doesn't stick.

Gingerbread Cookies

On Saturday, we baked gingerbread cookies. After running to town to get one of the ingredients that we didn't have enough of, we were set to go. We made them from scratch and had lots of fun.
While we were "cutting" the cookies out of the dough, the kids called the girls Fiona and the boys Shrek.
Allyson was a great helper. She decorated almost all of the cookies. Caden left to help dad with for a little while, but came back to help decorate the last few cookies.
We put some on the Christmas tree and brought a couple just out of the oven to share with Grandpa Rick and Grandma Kay.

Trimming the Christmas Tree

On Friday, yes - I was one of the crazy ones that got up early to get a good deal. I went to Wal-Mart with Dana to get some things, but then came home. The kids and I put up our Christmas tree and had a lot of fun.

Thankful for...

The kids made these in Sunday School.
Allyson says she is thankful for...
a mom, a dad, a brother, yogurt, and candles
(could it be that she takes after her mom? I love the Ella G flameless candles! and have been using them on the warmer a lot lately.)



















Caden says he is thankful for...
toys (he is all boy!)