Christmas Cookies

For the past three years we have gathered with a few friends and lots of kids to frost sugar cookies. They usually get frosting everywhere, have fun talking and sharing what they want for Christmas and eating way too much sugar.  This year Bethany hosted and I made spaghetti dinner for everyone.  My mom showed up with some sparkling and Steve may have run to the store 1 or 2 times for more bubbly! 

Zac and Mimi

Jakie, Stevie and Bethany

Paige and CJ

Zac...with some frosting and spaghetti on the face.

Kari and Xander...aka X-Man!

Mimi frosted a lot of cookies with Zac.

All the boys helping and watching Zac open his noisy gift from Steve and Bethany...a Christmas does not go by without some sort of very loud and very annoying "gift" from them!  Thanks!

Bethany had a lovely Advent wreath with candles and each of the boys got to read a special passage. Zac got to blow out the candles.

His Friends

CJ had a cookie baking date set with my mom so it was just Zac and I today...cooking and making Christmas presents when Lynn called to see if she could drop her boys by while she shopped.

No problem. Easily done. Great kids.

Zac thought all three of her boys (9,7,7) were "his" friends.
They all played and laughed really hard!
In fact, Carlos came home and asked if Zac wanted to go out with him and run errands (he loves doing this) and Zac said, "No, I play with my friends."

So sweet.
I love that kid.

Almonds and Jerky

Fresh, raw almonds.

From the bulk section and about 12 pounds! 

Blanched and strained.

Spread out on a towel, rolled up and rubbed to take the skins off.

Naked almonds.

Simmering in oil. HOT!

(burnt the first batch)

Husks, naked almonds and rubbing of the skins area.

Another pile of skins and naked almonds.

Toasted and salted!  Yummy!

Now this next picture is not for the vegetarian.  (sorry)

We wanted to make some jerky (and the above almonds) for some stocking stuffers for our family.  We all enjoy the salty and tasty and it they are fun to make.  I had so much fun searching for jerky reciped online and finally found two that will hopefully be wonderful.  Trick is we won't know until they are all dried up!  The third recipe is a mixture of the other two...time will tell!

Christmas Tree Hunting

For the past four years we have been getting our tree at a local tree farm FOR ONLY $15!  It is usually cold, muddy and really fun.  The first year I had to pee so badly, out in the woods, behind many trees and near the fence (didn't know I was pregnant at the time!).  The second year I nursed Zac in the truck and we made an appearance for a picture in the freezing cold.  The third year we carried Zac up and down the rows whilst looking for the perfect tree.  Now, this year...perfect!  Zac went out and stomped, tromped, played, ran, chased, hid, picked, played and basically had a blast in the mud whilst looking for the perfect tree.  I also got to take some great pictures (these are only a few) of the boys playing, chasing and laughing all through the Christmas trees. 

PS  We did find the perfect tree. 

Jingle Bell

Amanda ran her first 5K today and she did awesome!  I am so proud of her and it was really fun. 

I am so thankful for my friends that like to run. It has been a great journey.

Winter Program

CJ is now a 5th grader. I could go back and find some photos on CD from when he was in Kinder all the way to now...but I won't. I don't feel like bawling my eyes out tonight. Did I mention he had a speaking part tonight? He rocked it. Memorized.  Clear.  Loud.  Confident....He is a natural.

I love this kid so much!

Amy with her daughter and friend. 

Zac doing everything...climbing the stairs, dancing, running around, playing until...the program started then he sat in Dad's lap the whole time!  Perfect.

Camera

We got a new camera.   Our Kodak finally bit the dust. It has been seven years.  It was about time.

We did not go with a DSLR this time around.  But someday in the near future, give us a few years. 

Right now I am in love with my Canon SX130, larger point and shoot with some great features. 

Hopefully I can get CJ's Winter Program pictures and a video uplated soon.