Christmas

I knew one day the fact that I was so behind on my picture organization/blog would bite me in the butt, and today is that day. My computer DIED recently and along with it went a few pretty important pictures.  I'm TRYING not to dwell on it, but for those of you that know me well you know this is not an easy task.  One set of pictures that I lost were my Christmas pictures.  Luckily I had loaded a couple to my phone but not many :(.  So here is what I salvaged from my phone, the rest I will just cry over until next Christmas...or longer.

Okay, enough with the sob story.  This is Christmas and it was a great one.  The kids were all excited about their surprises under the tree and having a two year old on Christmas morning just amplifies all of the feels.  The "big" presents this year were a 22 for Nolan, a bike for Bennett and a kitchen for Everly.  They also got a Nintendo Switch as a group gift.  They must have been good this year!  I won't lie, the play kitchen is what dreams are made of.  For whatever reason the kitchen is one of those things that I was so excited about ever since finding out we were having a little girl.  Don't ask me why, I can't explain it even if I try but I've dreamt of this day for 2 years (okay, maybe before that too).  And I'll be honest, it was as good as I imagined.  She LOVED it and it is getting plenty of use and we have eaten more pretend food than I ever thought possible.  Don't you worry, that Nintendo Switch, 22 and bike are also getting their fair share of love.

 

Cookie Baking Fun

Getting pretty close to Christmas here and we didn't have cookies yet!!  Better call Grandma!  In full disclosure, I did offer to bake at my house but when my Mom "insisted" I was quick to take her up on her offer.  I mean, have the fun...bake the cookies...leave the mess?  SIGN ME UP!  I mean, thank you Mom for the memories!  We baked a few different cookies, but obviously the most fun ones are the ones you get to decorate.  It always gets a little competitive around here and over the years a little more creative as well!  My Dad still just swoops in for a little taste testing (looking for the "broken" ones to eat), but every once in a while he thinks he is creative as well.  The boys are quick to show him up with their creations though.  At the end of the day I end up with a tray full of beautiful cookies that takes us the rest of December to finish!