Snowball Surprise Cookies

My annual cookie exchange is in two weeks. And Carolyn and I were invited to a Mother-Daughter Cookie Exchange here on the same day! There will be lots of baking around here soon! Today I tried out one of the recipes I am considering. It is a nice easy cookie and I think it will go great with the containers I am planning to use. (What, you don't plan your baking around your presentation?)

The competition at my exchange is pretty fierce. I definitely have to bring my A-game to keep up with these ladies!

printable recipe here.

Advent Calendar

After school yesterday, the kids and I made these adorable advent calendars. (For a better tutorial, go here). Mochi's are much cuter than ours, but I used what we had on hand-aren't those the best kinds of crafts?

You will need:

* two packages of 12 blister pack gum (I used Eclipse because that's all I could find, but Mochi used Dentyne Ice which was much cuter!)

* some fancy paper

* labels/stickers

1. Gently open the cardboard sleeve and use it as a template. Trace two pieces on your scrapbook paper.

2. Cut out the two pieces.

3. Glue the paper to the sleeve of each package of gum.

(This works better if you score each of your fold lines with a boning tool or by pressing heavily on the wrong side of paper with a pencil.)

4. With a sharpie, number one blister pack 1-12 and the other 13-24 on the foil on top of each piece of gum.
5. Cut a cover from another piece of paper and glue the two packs of gum to it book-style.
6. Decorate with stickers and labels.

Pop a piece of gum each day to count down to Christmas! Or, if you are like us and don't make your advent calendar until December 7th, pop TWO pieces of gum for a few days until you catch up!

Santa Train

The Friday after Thanksgiving, we didn't hit the mall... we took a ride on the Blue Ridge Scenic Railroad!

The girls talked to the conductor before boarding. Cool mustache!

All ABOARD!!!

We found seats in our car. Railroad ambassadors led everyone in singing Christmas carols.

About 15 minutes into our trip, the train slowed and look who we saw outside of the window!!!

Santa boarded the train and took time to talk and take pictures with all the boys and girls. (Isabella did NOT think this was a good idea.)

Our trip took us over the Toccoa River.

One of Santa's elves gave everyone a silver bell to ring (over and over and over...).

Our friend the conductor came through and punched everyone's tickets.

(Overheard- Grandy to Christian: "You think that conductor punched your ticket? I'M going to punch your ticket!")

We had so much fun riding the train with Santa! We saw Frosty and Rudolph and even saw Mrs. Claus when we returned to the station. This may become a yearly tradition!

O Christmas Tree

We put up our Christmas tree this weekend.

I always make the kids matching Christmas pajamas. But this year? I BOUGHT them! (Oh and it felt so good!) Cute, yes?

And today we opened the mystery box from Paula. And I want all kinds of points because I am NOT the most patient of people and I followed instructions to the letter and didn't open it until we put up our tree!

Look! LOOK!

The most PERFECT ornament from our trip to Lexington!

I guess I didn't get a photo with all six kids... as I recall Al was a bit "shy" that day!

And I say it every year, but THIS year I think we have the most beautiful tree EVER!

Thanks again, Paula! We love the ornament and it is front and center on the tree!

Grip

Taking Christmas card photos is never easy.

Luckily I had my trusty grip to help me out!

Daddy's Little Helper

Helping Daddy with the lights

Self Portraiture by Carolyn