Here are a few attempts at family pictures from Christmas night:
And one of poor Jaybird. We wore him out shopping on Friday!
And a couple of videos of the boys enjoying their new toys:
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Our Merry, Merry: Misc Pictures and Videos
This will be the last of our Christmas pictures. Well, until Zhariah gets here today and opens all her gifts! Aunt Tammy is coming over this evening to exchange gifts as well. But once all that is done, then all of our Christmas-ing is officially over!
Here are a few attempts at family pictures from Christmas night:
And one of poor Jaybird. We wore him out shopping on Friday!
And a couple of videos of the boys enjoying their new toys:
Here are a few attempts at family pictures from Christmas night:
And one of poor Jaybird. We wore him out shopping on Friday!
And a couple of videos of the boys enjoying their new toys:
Monday, December 29, 2008
Our Merry, Merry: Christmas Dinner
This year was only the second time ever that I did not spend Christmas in Arkansas. It was also my first time ever to cook Christmas dinner! What began as just a small dinner for six plus the kids and just the basic Christmas-y foods became dinner for twelve (plus the kids!) and enough food to feed several small armies. Eddie fried the turkey and was also in charge of the candied sweet potatoes. Derrick took care of the gravy and stuffing. Everything else was all me! And it turned out pretty darn good. I was proud of myself. ;) After dinner we opened presents. The boys got SO MUCH STUFF! Everyone had a great time and, all in all, the entire evening went off without a hitch.
Pictures from the day:
My personal favorite picture. It's my mom face!:
Pictures from the day:
My personal favorite picture. It's my mom face!:
Puppadooooooooooog
Thanks to Storme, Jaidan now uses the term "Puppadoooooooog" rather than "puppy" when talking about dogs.
He and I had the following conversation this morning:
Jaidan: "Wan' a puppadoooooog."
Me: "You want a puppydog?"
Jaidan: "Uh-huh. Name him PawPaw."
Ha! I guess if we ever get a dog, we'll be calling him PawPaw . . .
He and I had the following conversation this morning:
Jaidan: "Wan' a puppadoooooog."
Me: "You want a puppydog?"
Jaidan: "Uh-huh. Name him PawPaw."
Ha! I guess if we ever get a dog, we'll be calling him PawPaw . . .
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Our Merry, Merry: Christmas Morning
Before Jaidan went to bed Wednesday night, he left cookies out for Santa. The first thing he said when he woke up Thursday morning was, "Santa cookie?" We went to the fireplace and saw that they were all gone. After that, he made a run for the kitchen when his eyes glanced to the front room and he say all the toys. I'd never seen the boy so excited. "TOYEEEEEZ!" The first thing he ran to, funny enough, was one of his brother's toys. It didn't take him too long to get excited about all the things that Santa had actually left for *him* though. Jaybird had a great time playing with his new toys and being able to eat whatever he wanted (lots and lots of chocky canny!) that morning. Kyan? He had a great time rolling in the paper and trying to stuff all his new toys in his mouth!
I love this picture! Kyan: not too fond of the Jumperoo!
I love this picture! Kyan: not too fond of the Jumperoo!Our Merry, Merry: Christmas Eve
The past week has made two VERY spoiled boys at my house! We took a ton of pictures (of course) and here are a few to share from Christmas Eve.
We carry on the tradition of opening one present the night before Christmas -- it's always jammies. We had planned on getting Christmas pajamas for both boys, but word to the wise: if you wait until two days before Christmas Eve to buy them, most o fthe holiday jammers are gone. Therefore, Jaidan ended up a super hero!
We carry on the tradition of opening one present the night before Christmas -- it's always jammies. We had planned on getting Christmas pajamas for both boys, but word to the wise: if you wait until two days before Christmas Eve to buy them, most o fthe holiday jammers are gone. Therefore, Jaidan ended up a super hero!
Josh and Jessica made it to our house around 7:00 that evening. Kyan was not impressed with his Uncle Booger!
True form for any 7-month-old . . . much more happy to play in the wrapping!
Superman jammies!
KyKy's jammies
One of his very favorite presents -- Spiderman houseshoes
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Ho Ho Ho! Merry Chris-me!
Next year, we'll be making our annual visit to Santa's workshop in the mall much, much earlier in the year. Right after Thanksgiving if I have my way.
We took the boys yesterday. Jaidan was SO excited. All morning he kept asking, "I see Santa Cause? I see Cause? I tell him Ho Ho Ho Merry Chris-me? I tell him wan toys?" His excitement was contagious and by the time we got to the mall, we were all pretty giddy.
Unfortunately, we ended up in line for over an hour (Eddie was a good daddy and held line for us while the boys and I sat on a bench -- Kyan even made 'friends' with a four-month-old named Kyle). We also ended up in front of a bratty little girl who kept singing over and over "Santa's not reeeeal! Santa's not reeeeal!" There were various toys in different places on the workshop and she would snatch them out of the hands of other kids. Needless to say, our excitement was gone and we were just ready to be done with it.
Once we got up to see Santa, Mrs. Claus was a wee bit . . . um . . . rude. And Jaidan decided he wasn't having anything to do with Santa. We expected Kyan to scream bloody murder when I sat him on his lap, but that wasn't the issue at all. The issue was actually getting Jaidan to go sit on Santa! He finally went over there, wouldn't say a word to Santa, and you can see from the picture -- was none to happy with the process! Kyan, however, did great. I was surprised!
After we left the mall, we stopped at Wendy's to eat. And that's where Jaidan met Santa Rick. A man with a long white beard came in wearing a Santa hat. Jaidan FREAKED OUT! "Oh! Oh! Oh! It's Cause! It's Santa Cause! Hi Ho Ho Ho! Hi Ho Ho Ho!" Santa Rick came over and introduced himself and Jaidan took right to him. He even happily posed for a picture with him. There must have just been something about the Santa at the mall . . .
By the way -- when Santa Rick was leaving, we noticed that he had antlers on his car!
We took the boys yesterday. Jaidan was SO excited. All morning he kept asking, "I see Santa Cause? I see Cause? I tell him Ho Ho Ho Merry Chris-me? I tell him wan toys?" His excitement was contagious and by the time we got to the mall, we were all pretty giddy.
Unfortunately, we ended up in line for over an hour (Eddie was a good daddy and held line for us while the boys and I sat on a bench -- Kyan even made 'friends' with a four-month-old named Kyle). We also ended up in front of a bratty little girl who kept singing over and over "Santa's not reeeeal! Santa's not reeeeal!" There were various toys in different places on the workshop and she would snatch them out of the hands of other kids. Needless to say, our excitement was gone and we were just ready to be done with it.
Once we got up to see Santa, Mrs. Claus was a wee bit . . . um . . . rude. And Jaidan decided he wasn't having anything to do with Santa. We expected Kyan to scream bloody murder when I sat him on his lap, but that wasn't the issue at all. The issue was actually getting Jaidan to go sit on Santa! He finally went over there, wouldn't say a word to Santa, and you can see from the picture -- was none to happy with the process! Kyan, however, did great. I was surprised!
After we left the mall, we stopped at Wendy's to eat. And that's where Jaidan met Santa Rick. A man with a long white beard came in wearing a Santa hat. Jaidan FREAKED OUT! "Oh! Oh! Oh! It's Cause! It's Santa Cause! Hi Ho Ho Ho! Hi Ho Ho Ho!" Santa Rick came over and introduced himself and Jaidan took right to him. He even happily posed for a picture with him. There must have just been something about the Santa at the mall . . .By the way -- when Santa Rick was leaving, we noticed that he had antlers on his car!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Our Favorite Holiday Recipes
We spent the better part of the weekend in the kitchen baking and decorating. Our house smells absolutely delicious now (and totally like Christmas!) and I wanted to take a moment to share some of our favorite Christmas recipes.
Tuxedo Cookies
** We discovered this recipe in a magazine a few years back and fell in love with the cookies. They are so good. Usually the first thing to go! I have the dough made up, but I'll probably wait till Christmas Eve to bake them so there will be some left on Christmas Day.
Hershey's Hugs
1 pkg Brownie Mix
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
Mix brownie mix, cocoa, water, veggie oil, and eggs until well blended. Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes or until set. Allow to cool for one minute and then firmly press one Hershey Hug into each cookie.
Sugar Cookies
These are the best sugar cookies outside of Granny's! They're very sweet - I think that's why we like 'em so much.
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup vegetable oil
Pinch salt
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups flour
Beat sugars, butter, vegetable oil, and vanilla very well. Add eggs and dry ingredients. I usually freeze the dough and then allow it to thaw slightly to make it easier to roll out. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes.
Chocolate Snowballs
These are good, but the next time I make them I'm nixing the almond extract.
1 pouch Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix (this is a Betty Crocker recipe!)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1 tsp almond extract
Hershey Kisses
Powdered Sugar
Stir cookie mix, butter, egg, flour, cocoa, almonds, and extract until soft dough forms. Shape into 3/4 inch balls and wrap each one around a Hershey Kiss. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool about five minutes and then roll each in powdered sugar. Allow to cool completely and then roll in sugar again.
Holiday Surprise Cookies
These are super cute cookies!
Sugar Cookie dough (make your own or buy -- I made my own)
Chocolate mint candies (like Andies)
Food coloring and decorations
Divide sugar cookie dough into three equal sections. Dye 1/3 of it red, 1/3 green, and keep the other third white. Use a circular cookie cutter to cut out equal-sized round cookies. Place each one on a cookie sheet and top with small amount of mint candies. Top with another cookie. Use a fork to press down the seams. Decorate tops with sugars and candies. Bake at 375 for eight minutes.
Pecan Clusters
This is a Paula Deen recipe. It's so easy and so yummy! It's like really easy fudge. I can't keep Jaidan out of them -- I had to hide them in a cabinet!
2 1/2 cup sugar
5 oz evaporated milk
4 tbsp butter
1 bag Hersheys Kisses
1 jar Marshmallow Creme
Pecan Halves
Mix the sugar and milk in a sauce pan. Add in the butter and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir well and let simmer for eight minutes. While sugar mixture is simmering, unwrap Kisses and place them in a large bowl with marshmallow creme. Poor sugar mixture on top and stir very, very well. Spoon by teaspoon full onto wax paper. Press a pecan half into each cluster.
Tuxedo Cookies
** We discovered this recipe in a magazine a few years back and fell in love with the cookies. They are so good. Usually the first thing to go! I have the dough made up, but I'll probably wait till Christmas Eve to bake them so there will be some left on Christmas Day.
Hershey's Hugs
1 pkg Brownie Mix
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs
Mix brownie mix, cocoa, water, veggie oil, and eggs until well blended. Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes or until set. Allow to cool for one minute and then firmly press one Hershey Hug into each cookie.
Sugar Cookies
These are the best sugar cookies outside of Granny's! They're very sweet - I think that's why we like 'em so much.
1 cup powdered sugar
1 cup white sugar
1 cup butter
1 cup vegetable oil
Pinch salt
2 eggs
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 cups flour
Beat sugars, butter, vegetable oil, and vanilla very well. Add eggs and dry ingredients. I usually freeze the dough and then allow it to thaw slightly to make it easier to roll out. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes.
Chocolate Snowballs
These are good, but the next time I make them I'm nixing the almond extract.
1 pouch Betty Crocker sugar cookie mix (this is a Betty Crocker recipe!)
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 egg
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1 tsp almond extract
Hershey Kisses
Powdered Sugar
Stir cookie mix, butter, egg, flour, cocoa, almonds, and extract until soft dough forms. Shape into 3/4 inch balls and wrap each one around a Hershey Kiss. Bake at 375 for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool about five minutes and then roll each in powdered sugar. Allow to cool completely and then roll in sugar again.
Holiday Surprise Cookies
These are super cute cookies!
Sugar Cookie dough (make your own or buy -- I made my own)
Chocolate mint candies (like Andies)
Food coloring and decorations
Divide sugar cookie dough into three equal sections. Dye 1/3 of it red, 1/3 green, and keep the other third white. Use a circular cookie cutter to cut out equal-sized round cookies. Place each one on a cookie sheet and top with small amount of mint candies. Top with another cookie. Use a fork to press down the seams. Decorate tops with sugars and candies. Bake at 375 for eight minutes.
Pecan Clusters
This is a Paula Deen recipe. It's so easy and so yummy! It's like really easy fudge. I can't keep Jaidan out of them -- I had to hide them in a cabinet!
2 1/2 cup sugar
5 oz evaporated milk
4 tbsp butter
1 bag Hersheys Kisses
1 jar Marshmallow Creme
Pecan Halves
Mix the sugar and milk in a sauce pan. Add in the butter and bring to a boil over medium heat. Stir well and let simmer for eight minutes. While sugar mixture is simmering, unwrap Kisses and place them in a large bowl with marshmallow creme. Poor sugar mixture on top and stir very, very well. Spoon by teaspoon full onto wax paper. Press a pecan half into each cluster.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Cookie Time!
Jaidan and I really got started with our holiday baking this morning. First up: sugar cookies! I went against my better judgement and let him help with rolling them out. I expected a huge mess everywhere, but he really did a pretty good job. He played in the flour a little bit but, for the most part, was more interested in eating the dough. Even though none of this batch of cookies came out looking anywhere even close to edible, they actually tasted really good. Way to go, Jaybird!
Here are a few pictures from this event:
Rolling out the cookies:
Putting them on the pan:
Guess who was not at all impressed with this tradition?
Caught in the cookie dough!
Adding sprinkles (his favorite part):
No, this is his favorite part!:
Here are a few pictures from this event:
Putting the stocking cookie cutter on his foot. Silly kid!
Rolling out the cookies:
Putting them on the pan:Guess who was not at all impressed with this tradition?Caught in the cookie dough!Adding sprinkles (his favorite part):No, this is his favorite part!:
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