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!)

Thanksgiving 2008

This year for Thanksgiving, we had a very quiet day. We went to church on Wed eve and so were able to sleep in on Thursday. After sleeping in (for the kids sleeping in is only 8am, but that is better than normal) we watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. This is the first year taht we have actually watched this with the kids, and they loved it. We had a late breakfast and then after the kids had a nap, we went to celebrate Thanksgiving with extended family.

Trent playing cards with Allyson, Carly, Eli, and Grandma.














Allyson and Carly are "twins" for the day. (Allyson called Dana to ask Carly to wear this outfit so they could match!)



















Caden and Eli upside down.














Allyson and Eli drawing pictures on Gramdpa's lap while he is trying to play Rook.

Fun Picture

We were having fun taking pictures the other day, and I wanted to share one of the many that I took.
The kids thought it was fun to take pictures on the train tracks. They were worried at first about a train coming, but I reassured them that if a train was coming, we would get off the tracks.

Turkey Song

On Wednesday, the kids, along with their preschool class dressed up in turkey costumes that they made with the grandpa's and grandma's, and sang in the hospital, clinic, my work, and "the manor". As soon as Allyson saw me, she ran to me and started crying - so she didn't sing much. Caden followed her lead, and wouldn't sing much either and wanted to stay by me. This tends to be a pattern - so maybe next time I know they are coming, I will hide, and just listen.?
The funny thing is, they knew the song perfectly, because they were singing it the night before at home.






























...

Thankfulness

I wanted to make a list of some of the things that I am thankful for.

1. my faith - I have been blessed through my faith. I was raised by two wonderful Christian parents who taught me that God loves me unconditionally. They taught me to love God first, others second, and myself last. I thank God that he sent his Son to die for my sins. I have truly been blessed.
2. my husband - we have been married for 9 1/2 years and have been through so much togheter. He's so great because he has the best interest of our family in mind. I love truely love him, and am a better for having him in my life.
   
3. my kids - Caden and Allyson are two blessings that God has entrusted us to care for and love. I can't imagine my life without them. They are constantly reminding me of the importance of living each moment to the fullest. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for your future!
   
4. my sister (and her family) my sister is 3 years younger than me, and when we lived under the same roof, we didn't always get along so well, but now that we are older, we have a great relationship. I value her opinions, and love that we get along so well. I love that we can share our love for Christ together.
   
5. my brother (and his family) my brother is 6 years younger than me. I love him dearly and am thankful that he has such a loving personality. He wants the best for everyone and shows genuine concern when that doesn't happen.
   
6. my parents - they have been wonderful role models in my life. They have shown me the importance of a good work ethic, how to love others, and to love God. Thank you mom and dad - you are wonderful parents and grandparents to my kids - who love you bunches.
   
7. my grandparents - I am thankful that I have a relationship with all 4 of my grandparents. They also have been great Christain role models for me. They have taught me the value and importance of family.
8. my in-laws - I am thankful that they are very supportive of us.
   
9. my home - I am thankful - especially since it is cold outside that I have a warm house to live in and I am blessed with an abundance of food for nourishment.
10. my Freedom and those who fought for it. I am blessed to live in a free country with men and women who are willing to sacrifice their lives for the US to stay that way.
11. Love between siblings...it is so special to see Caden and Allyson love each other so very much. Yes, we have our fill of fighting, but in the end, they always stick up for each other.

This is not a complete list by any means, just some of the things that I am thankful for.

I'm Thankful for... (from 3 year olds)

This past week we have been talking about what we are thankful for. This morning in the car, the car, the kids and I were talking again about what we are thankful for. Caden said, "I am thankful to Jesus for giving me my Batman couch."
Allyson said, "I am thankful to God for giving me my Dora couch."
I didn't realize that these were so special to them, but it is definitely something they both like. I was told by their Sunday School teacher that they gave this answer when they talked about being thankful on Sunday also.
For now, I am thankful that I have two healthy children that know about Jesus.

Disney on Ice - 100 Years of Magic

Last night we went to Disney on Ice. The kids absolutely loved it. They were so excited to be there. We walked around a little before the show and all they wanted to do was go and sit down - they were anxious for the show to start.
When I told them we were going, Caden came to me later in the day and said "Mom, Beauty and the Beast, they will like me!"
We went as a family and had a great time. The show was 2 hours long, and the kids sat very well for all of it, but the last 10 minutes, they were getting sick of sitting.
















On the way home, we were talking about our favorite parts of the show. Allyson said "the princesses".






























Caden said "Alladin and Abu". (And Stitch!)



















They both liked Pinnochio but said they were scared when the whale came to swallow Pinnochio's father, because they thought the whale was going to eat them too!
At intermission, we got the kids cotton candy that came with a crown (with ears). Allyson calls the cotton candy "fluff" and was so happy to have some "fluff".