Month: December 2019

Holiday 2019

Dear Sis,

Our Hanukkah and Christmas got all mixed up this year. 

We decided to do our family gift exchange before our trip, so they wouldn’t be mixed up in the mess of travel. William opened his gifts first. Then, he opened Charlotte’s, mine, and daddy’s. 

We did our Hanukkah routine before bed and drove to Nashville the following day, Christmas Eve. We arrived just in time for the family gathering at Aunt Jeramie (Josh’s Mom’s little Sister) and Uncle David’s house.

William is being held by Uncle David and is pointing to Aunt Stephanie (Josh’s Mom’s little brother Jim’s wife). P-pop, Daddy, and Flo (Great Granny’s Boyfriend) are chatting in the background. 

On Christmas morning, Granny Bob and P-pop met us at the hotel. We did our Hanukkah routine from the previous night in the morning since we got in so late. 

It was so nice out in Nashville, we decided to go to the park!

William remembered getting his picture taken on his last visit, so we did it again:)

Daddy and William went back to the hotel to nap. Mama and baby sister went with Granny Bob and P-pop to Shoney’s lunch buffet and then to Aunt Jeramie’s for gathering night two. Great Granny wasn’t able to make it, so we visited her in the morning.

Great Granny guided William’s fingers to his favorite song…

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star:)

Great Granny took this picture as we were leaving:)

We stopped off at Opry Mills for a boat tour with Cousin Blue (Aunt Jeramie’s eldest son). Daddy took a picture of us by the giant tree!

We got home very late! …and it will probably take until next year to clean up.

Love,

b

Three Months Old!

Dear Sis,

The ugly year is finally over! My body is healed and we are all adjusted to all the change a new baby has brought to our family. Growing pains are a real thing, but it’s so worth it!!!

Love,

b

Mimicking Us

Hi Sis,

Some photos of little Evelyn mimicking us. Here she is on her fake phone talking to her Aunt Brandy, just like mommy does. Sorry, for the crumby pictures. I was on the phone talking to you while I took them. hehehe

Love,

Jamiegoof

Holiday Baking 2019

Dear Sis,

This year Mama Jenn and I decided to join forces! We scheduled 5 play dates and made 2 kinds of dough each time we get together. We are also going to make 2 kinds of candy. Here is what we plan to make:

Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies

We made a double batch and added one bag of milk chocolate chips and one bag of holiday M&Ms.

Perfect Sugar Cookies

This dough is so versatile. It can be rolled dyed and shaped into pinwheel cookies, or rolled in color sugar or cinnamon sugar to make snickerdoodles! I made snickerdoodles this time:)

Cranberry Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

We didn’t soak our dry fruit, so the cookies would be less tender.

Gingerbread Cut-Outs

Cranberry Citrus Shortbread

Macaroon Kiss Thumbprints

Maple Pecan Snowballs

Peanut Butter Cookies

We are still on the hunt for the perfect peanut butter cookie recipe that is WORTH repeating!

Pumpkin Molasses Cookies

I won’t be making these again either.

Chocolate Mint Burst Cookies
Yields 48
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Ingredients
  1. 1 1/4 c unsalted butter, soft
  2. 1 c dark brown sugar
  3. 1 c granulated sugar
  4. 2 eggs
  5. 1 T vanilla extract
  6. 2 t peppermint extract
  7. 1/2 t salt
  8. 1 t baking soda
  9. 3 1/2 c unbleached flour
  10. 48 Junior Mints or mini York peppermint patties
  11. 1/2 c white chocolate chips
Instructions
  1. Beat together butter and sugars until smooth. Beat in eggs and extracts.
  2. Stir in dry ingredients until well combined.
  3. Preheat oven to 350.
  4. Using a cookie scoop to portion dough, place a mint candy in the center of each ball and hand roll to seal completely.
  5. Bake on sheets 9 minutes. Cool on sheets a few minutes until set enough to move to wire racks to cool completely.
  6. Drizzle with melted white chocolate. Let stand until set before stacking and/or storing.
Adapted from Sugar Hero
Adapted from Sugar Hero
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/

Peppermint Bark

Crispy Peanut Butter Balls

Mint Oreo Truffles

Reece’s Peanut Butter Fudge

William was laying on the floor with the babies and we thought… wouldn’t it be nice if we could get all the kids in the picture. Carter was not eager to join in:)

Love,

b

Knit Baby Dress

Dear Sis,

Our blog is loaded of pictures of pretty knit baby dress. All made by you! This is the only one I’ve ever made. It was one of my very first knitting projects. I made it in knitting club during collage. Needless to say that was about a decade ago:) It is really amazing to see it on my daughter after all this time!!!

Love,

b

Creamy Tomato Tortellini Soup

Dear Sis,

I have always loved Tomato Basil Soup. I make it on occasion, but I’m really the only one who enjoys it. I have longed for a family friendly alternative for some time. Today I found it!

Cream Tomato Tortellini Soup
Serves 6
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Ingredients
  1. 1/4 c unsalted butter
  2. 1 onion, diced
  3. 1 T minced garlic
  4. 1/4 c unbleached flour
  5. 3 c vegetable stock
  6. 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
  7. 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
  8. 1 t Italian Seasoning
  9. 1/4 t salt and pepper
  10. 1 (8 oz) pkg. refrigerated cheese tortellini
  11. 2 c fresh spinach leaves
  12. 3/4 c heavy cream
  13. 1/2 c grated parmesan
  14. 1/4 c fresh basil, torn
Instructions
  1. Melt butter over medium heat in a thick bottom stock pot. Sauté onion.
  2. Stir in garlic and flour. Stir until thick and smooth.
  3. Whisk in vegetable stock gradually, bringing to a boil between additions.
  4. Stir in diced tomatoes, sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Return to a gentle boil.
  5. Add tortellini and cook until tender.
  6. Remove from heat. Stir in spinach, cream, parmesan, and basil.
Adapted from Tastes Better from Scratch
Adapted from Tastes Better from Scratch
Tag Sis, You're It! http://www.tagsisyoureit.com/
Love,

b

P.S. I got some great pictures of the kids together this morning!