Making Cookies

Pardon the underwear.... Don't say I didn't warn you.  I'll explain...  the boys were getting food on their cloths and they didn't like that so they undressed to make it easier.  I wasn't going to complain being they were enjoying helping me out.  I discovering some battles are not worth the fight.

This past weekend, we spend much of our time in the kitchen and in the dinner room making cookies and a few candies.  I think we all enjoyed it.  Griffin loved this scooper the best.  He did really well with it. 

 Gavin was reading a recipe to Griffin.  He was told to find the number of eggs that were required for the peanut butter blossoms.  He did find it.  They love to make me work for my pictures.  LOL

 Gavin was showing Garrett how to open a Hershey Kiss so that he could help too.

 They are all working hard at rolling the cookies into a ball, rolling it in sugar, and then placing it on the cookie sheet.

 They thought putting in the kiss was neat as well.

We ended up making two dozen peanut butter blossoms, rice krispie treats, chocolate covered pretzels, mint brownies, anise cookies, pink ice, two dozen monster cookies, and several dozen sugar cookies.  We are handing out our goodies to some people this week.  Merry Christmas!! 

Trimming the tree

We usually "trim" the tree right after Thanksgiving and this year was no different.  We got the tree down, tuned on Christmas music, and the excitement began.  Gavin and Griffin were beyond excited to get the ornaments on.  They had to wait a little bit since we didn't realize that our lights were not any good so Kerry had to make a quick run to get some.  Since Gavin can read now, he was all about handing out the ornaments to Griffin if they were his or finding his in our organized (Ha ha) box.  It was fun to hear them make up stories why they received certain ornaments.  Some ornaments they did know the story behind so that was really neat to go down memory lane.  Both Grandma Ruth and Grandma Redenick gave the boys ornaments for the first couple years of their lives so it is always fun to look back.  I have a few ornaments from years past so I get to share as well.  Every year I try to purchase a new ornament to represent our family for the year and have it personalized.  So this year we got three frogs together with all their names on their hats.  I made them put that ornament on first, Garrett got to do the honors so he was a part of trimming the tree.  I think we will keep that tradition for years to come.  Garrett has been really good with the tree so far.  He loves to take one ornament off that is an airplane and play with it but that is it.     

I think we all do a great job with the tree.

The Boys Meet Santa

On Saturday, we took the boys to meet Santa.  I absolutely love this picture.  I think it is just going to be a classic.  It is really good of everyone.  We went to the Bass Pro Shop because the boys love it there and they have really fun activities for the boys to do while we waiting for our turn with Santa.  We took Mama Dolphin since she had never experienced the Bass Pro Shop so it was really fun to see her expressions.  The boys were able to see them feed the fish this time around.  We made a snowman craft and did a few other fun activities before heading home.  The boys wanted to give Santa their list but instead they just told him their list, it did take a while.  Gavin was not shy at all and explained everything he wanted.  Griffin was a little bit shy but he did say his list to Santa.  I don't know how much he heard but I think he got it.  The boys are in full blown Christmas spirit and I'm soaking it all up.  I love it!!