Annual Cooking Decorating Party!

Carrie, Leanne, and I had our annual cookie decorating party last week.  We have done this together for several years now and I think we all look forward to it!  We rotate houses and this year it was my turn to host.  I made all the cookies, Leanne made some Royal icing, and Carrie brought lots of sprinkles and some paint brushes.  I actually made the regular recipe of sugar cookie and also tried a Spiced Sugar Cookie recipe that I saw in a Better Homes and Gardens magazine.  They had cinnamon and nutmeg in them and they were awesome!!!  I will definitely be making them again.

We let the kids decorate first!  This was Layton and Lucy's first year to really get to do it.  Layton wasn't that interested.  He is so funny.  He didn't like it getting all over him and he wouldn't eat it.  Weird!!!

"This stuff is sticky, Mom!!  Get it off!!"

Of my kids, Hannah definitely got into the decorating the most.  She did quite a few cookies.

Eden was really good at it too.  She is the cutest thing sitting so sweetly decorating her cookie!

Lincoln did a few cookies, tried some out, and then was ready to go play.  Ha!

Jack was a pretty serious decorator--until he went to play with Lincoln!

Sweet Lucy!  We lost count at how many cookies she ate!  She kept sneaking them.  :-)

I really loved using the Royal icing that Leanne made.  I thought it was yummy, and it was so much fun to decorate with.

Later, Layton decided he wanted to taste the sprinkles.

 I made potato soup for everyone for lunch.  Layton loves it.  He licked his bowl clean.

 My kiddos' finished cookies!

 My cookies!  Oh yes, I probably was the one out of my clan that enjoyed it the most.  It was so much fun!  Thanks friends for sharing this time with us and making these sweet memories!

 

Lincoln's Christmas Party

Lincoln's class had its Christmas party last week.  I didn't help with this one, but I went along for the fun!  They started off with cupcakes.

 I think he liked his.

 Then they played a couple of games.  There are 9 boys in his class of 12, so they are ROUDY!!!  This picture was one of the calmer looking ones.  Ha!

 At the end of the party, Lincoln passed out some sticker books for all his friends.  He is getting so big too.  I can't believe next year at this time he will be in Kindergarten!  It will be here SOON!

Hannah's Christmas Party and Capitol Singing

A couple of weeks ago, all the first grade classes at Hannah's school went to sing at the Capitol.  Kris and I went to watch.  She was very excited about this and talked alot about it for several weeks prior.

Here she is with her friend, Vakayla.

Kris and I were so proud of her as we watched her singing so sweetly and standing so still.  She is such a good little thing.

A tried to take a picture of the whole group, but it is really dark.  They actually did half of the first grade classes at one time.  They have 8 classes at her school.

Afterwards she posed in front of a huge Christmas tree in the lobby.  She is getting so big!

Several days later, she had her Christmas party at school.  Layton and I went.  Layton had a blast.  He got to play 'Pass the Mouse' (like Hot Potato) with all the kids.  He thought he was big stuff.

Hannah with her best buddy, Jaidan.  A couple of little boys insisted on being in the picture too.

They had pajama day, ate lots of goodies, and played several games in centers.  It was fun to get to be with Hannah in her classroom!

Christmas at Mimi and Pappaw's!

The weekend before Christmas we went to Mimi and Pappaw's to celebrate with my family.  We opened presents that Saturday afternoon.  I got a couple of pics of the kids before we started.

Uncle Wes playing with Layt.

I was kind of surprised.  Layton was not really into opening his presents.  We pretty much had to do it for him.  He liked what he saw/got, but didn't care to rip into them.  Mimi and Pappaw got him a cute giraffe riding toy that will stay there for him to play with.

He got a Cookie Monster that talks and eats cookies from Uncle Jeff and a broom that sings when you sweep with it.  He likes to sweep!

Uncle Wes got him a talking Winnie the Pooh.

Lincoln was so much fun to watch open his presents.  He was super excited and loved everything.  He got lots of Transformers.

Some Thundercat figurines and a Thundercat sword.  He loved that sword!

A Hex bug.

Mimi made Hannah a special doll.  It is to sit on her bed.  Thank you, Mimi, for making this for Hannah!!

She also got a new Sunday dress,

A barbie,

Rapunzel,

and a Cabbage Patch doll!

Uncle Jeff opening a gift.

I got a necklace, some gift cards, and money which I plan to use to buy some new running shoes.

One of the things we got Mimi was a little devotional book.  I got one for me as well and I told her that I wanted us to read it at the same time so we can talk about what we have read.  I love my Momma and I am looking forward to this!

Pappaw surprised Mimi big time with a really nice sapphire earring and necklace set.  Sapphire is her birthstone.  He also got her a diamond necklace too.  She really was shocked!

Pappaw got some much needed tennis shoes from Jeff.  He and Mimi have joined a gym and are working out.  I think this is just great.  He really needed these shoes as I think he was working out in his boots he wears to work!  Ha!  (Sorry Dad.  Had to say it!)

And finally, we gave Mimi and Pappaw the picture of the kids I made.  Mimi's big smile told me she liked it!!

Thanks Mimi and Pappaw, Uncle Wes, and Uncle Jeff!  We loved everything, but most of all, being with you all!