Christmas Cookies

Today was Christmas cookie day! I've been trying to get this done since last weekend, but just haven't been able to. Today was the day. My parents came over with my niece and nephew and it was really alot of fun. Having 3 adults and 3 big kids to the 3 little kids was just right!! Everyone had a great time, especially Miss W! She was so excited!!

(These pictures are a little off because my ISO was set high and I didn't know it. I was just trying to keep the camera out of the dough!!)






Wesleigh was so proud of herself. She loved every bit of it!






When it was time to decorate, each boy took one of the littles and helped them decorate. They were awesome!! It worked out perfect!


This is my favorite picture. Rylan had just dumped half the jar of sprinkles on one cookie and they both got tickled. So cute!









Auden finally realized that this cookie stuff tastes pretty good!!






After my parents and the littles left, the boys wanted to make some of their own. They enjoyed being able to decorate all by themselves. They did make me promise I wouldn't upload the pics of them on faceb00k...lol...they knew the blog wasn't even up for debate ;)



I have learned through the years to throw any pre-conceived ideas you have about cookie making out the window when you make cookies with kids. You can't care how big the mess is. You have to be willing to have cookie ingredients/dough everywhere, and you shouldn't expect the cookies to be anything close to what Martha Stew@rt shows you!! As long as you go into it knowing these things...you'll be fine!

We definetely made a huge mess!!!






I don't know what took longer...making the cookies or cleaning it all up! I will tell you the cleanup was much quieter!!

First Gifts of Christmas

Last weekend, Richard's family from Texas came to celebrate Christmas. Wesleigh was more than thrilled to be able to tear into a few presents! I can't believe she hasn't unwrapped everything under the tree!











Wesleigh had a sweet spot for Grandpa this visit. (He has one for her too :)

First Day of Winter...Can't you tell?

Today might have been the first day of winter, but it wasn't feeling too wintery down here! High in the 70's today. Fine with me! I took the opportunity to snap some pics of Miss W.

Anytime she's in these boots and jeans, I just can't resist!












I know she's a little out of focus, but I love this picture. I was holding the camera out and took it of the two of us. I wish I was the blurry one.


I showed her the above picture and told her to make that sweet face again. This is what she came up with ;)


Bryce and Richard spent the afternoon making air soft shields. I think there's a huge battle in the works ;)

My Little Elf

This is what the Christmas spirit looks like in my house this year. My sweet Cade has more jolly spirit than anyone else I know...he always has. He makes the most elaborate Christmas lists and starts counting down before Thanksgiving, and he is utterly appauled that there are children in his class that don't believe in Santa. Some years, I'm right there with him...some years, not. For some reason, this year, it's been hard for me to get in the Christmas spirit. I've had a hard time getting things done, thinking of great gifts ideas, having the motivation to decorate, etc. I think the busyness has gotten to me, and I'm doing everything with a toddler...again! Still, I would like to have a little more "ho ho ho" for my family. One thing I just couldn't get done was wrapping presents. Cade had been begging me to help me wrap, so I gave the job to him. He was thrilled. Friday, my mom came to stay with the kids while I went out to try to finish some errands. While I was gone, Cade wrapped everything! (except his siblings' gifts)



I have to admit, there's a very small part of me that wants to redo them all...with big beautiful ribbons, but there is no chance I'm touching them. He is so proud, and I am thankful to have the help. They have been wrapped with love.


I just thought his spelling on Christopher's present was so cute!


So thankful for these two this Christmas. They are definitely the motivation to make this holiday season special.

Throw Me Somethin' Mister!

Last weekend was very busy for us. I don't know how it is in other parts of the country, but down here, they have parades for everything! We were involved with 2 parades this weekend. Our parades aren't just floats going down the streets either...everyone throws beads, candy, toys, etc to the folks on the side of the road. It's alot of fun and the kids love it.

The first parade was one in the community we live in. Bryce's marching band marched in it and played as they went. We met up with a few friends and watched it together. This was Wesleigh's first experience with a parade. She loved it and loved that they were throwing her pretty necklaces.











The second parade was a little different situation. We actually all rode in a float with my brother. It was in the community where he serves as councilman. It was freezing cold and windy so Wesleigh and I rode inside the truck throwing out the windo while the boys threw things to the bystanders from the back. This is the first time I've done this and I have one thing to say...people are CRAZY!!! They were so unbelievably aggressive and if you didn't throw them what they wanted, they wouldn't bother to pick up what you threw. I am just not like that, so it was a whole new experience for me. There were also grown men grabbing things away from the kids that were there...really?!? What in the world are those men going to do with those trinkets? I actually forgot my camera, so these are a few pics I stole from my mom.



Lined up, ready to go. We almost missed the whole thing. We were running late and I had to sweet talk the policeman into letting us through.



Yes, these were the beads everyone was screaming for. They each chose a child toward the end to give them to.



My nephew, Rylan. He kept handing candy to Wesleigh through the window of the truck while my mom yelled at him to stop hanging out of the back (from the front seat, no less) :-) It was pretty funny. My brother had it under control. We didn't lose any children.





Wesleigh, right before the craziness.

Had a Ball!

I have mentioned here before that Bryce joined the US Naval Sea Cadets in the summer. This program is amazing and we are so proud of him. Last night we got to attend their first Military Ball!! This was Bryce's "first date" and because of the circumstances...his parents went along! He took a good friend of his, Grace, and we had a really good time. Bryce looked so handsome in his dress blue uniform and Grace looked so pretty.

(OK...can I just say...these shoes rocked!! I LOVE them and they were so comfortable! They also made me taller than Bryce again!)


Bryce and Grace


Bryce received two awards. He got his 1 year of service award and the marksmanship with sharpshooter award.




The "dance" portion of the night was outside. It was 45 degrees!! FREEZING in this part of the world ;) Grace did put her coat on after these pictures...poor thing! Richard took the outdoor pics because I'm too much of a wimp!!


So cute...they've been friends since the 4th grade.




My favorite!