MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL

Here is a recap on my busy week. On Friday Buck and I drove down to Alabama to visit his family for Christmas. The drive down wasn't too bad and surprisingly the kids were good, they did however get restless toward the end (it's a 9 hour drive). We had a great time while there. It's always great to get to spend time with Buck's family. We drove home on Monday and I finished up on last minute shopping on Tuesday.Jillian and I also went to see the Nutcracker on Tuesday afternoon in Cincinnati. I loved it and she enjoyed it for the most part but it was a little long for a 5 year old to sit still. Today I made a new recipe for chocolate truffles. Here it is
1/2 bag of Oreo cookies crushed
2 8oz packages of cream cheese
16 oz bag of chocolate chips or whatever chips you like

Mix crushed Oreos and cream cheese with a mixer until blended. Mixture will be slightly lumpy. Roll into balls and put on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper or aluminium foil and put into freezer for 2 hours to cool and harden. After 2 hours take balls out and melt chips in microwave for 90 seconds. With a fork dip balls into melted chocolate and return to lined cookie sheet. After all balls are covered return sheet back to freezer for at least an hour.

This was a BIG hit with my family this Christmas Eve! I made mine with Andes Mint chips to make mint chocolate truffles. We had two places to go to this evening which makes for a busy night but as long as we're with family it doesn't feel like a chore. I truly enjoy spending time with my family. During our stop at my aunts house we watched Santa as he flew across the world. That was exciting to know where he had been. There even was video of him flying. As like every Christmas, the kids got to open one gift each before bedtime (they get Christmas pajamas to wear on Christmas Eve), then we read The Polar Express. This year we got the treat of having Brayden read it along with sound effects. That made for a heartwarming moment. I do still have a few gifts to wrap before I go to bed, tomorrow will be an exciting and busy day as well. I do love Christmas time and to see my children's eyes light up when they see what Santa has brought is precious. Do know that we are reminded daily of what Christmas really is about, the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!

DOES LIFE EVER SLOW DOWN?

Jillian's Christmas program went wonderfully! She looked sooo good in her new Christmas dress. Although I might add she looked even better when, standing in the front row, she continued through out the entire program to dig at her underwear. She is not a panyhose girl. Afterwards everyone had cookies and punch except Jillian who instead had me walk around with her so she could stop and let me know when I needed to take a picture of her and one of her friends. Brayden also had a blast at school ( not often that he says that). It was quite wierd though to say "Get up Brayden and get your pajamas on for school". They ate candy, had hot chocolate and even had a ticket to board The Polar Express. When he came home he had brought a bell that they got in school, I aked him if he could hear it and he said yes because I believe (how silly am I?). We also had a birthday party this evening at Pump It Up. We love that place along with Bananas. Now I'm waiting on my last load of laundry to finish so I can lay all of our clothes in piles to be put into our suitcases in the morning. We are leaving tomorrow to visit Buck's mom ,who lives in Alabama, for the weekend. I heard that we might have some bad weather on Monday (the day we are to return). I really hope not, I hate to drive in bad weather. I'll post pictures of Jillian's program and of our trip when we return. Does life ever slow down?

Christmas is on it's Way!

This evening proved to be a busy night. The kids and I finished up Jillian's treat bags for her Christmas party tomorrow. Her class will be singing in a program. This is one of the many things I love about being a mom! We also made 3 dozen cookies for her party and we are also bringing the punch for all the kids and their guests :) I hope I have enough. Brayden is having a Polar Express Day at school tomorrow. They will be watching the movie, playing games, ect. They also get to wear their pajamas to school, just like the kids on The Polar Express. He is so excited. I'm sure it won't be to much of a struggle to get him up in the morning. Thats a plus for me, he is such a grouch in the morning as am I. We do not mix well when it time to get up! Jillian on the other hand loves mornings and is a ray of sunshine usually before the sun shines :( The only downside is that Buck has to work and won't be able to see Brayden before he leaves for (Buck leaves for work around 3:20am YUCK) or see Jillian at her program. All he gets to see is pictures and videos. But on the upside, we have a house, car, food and everything else he provides for us. He is our everything. On top of all this we are packing to leave for the weekend. We are traveling to Alabama to visit Bucks mom for an early Christmas. I can't believe Christmas is only 1 week away!

I've made it!!

I've finally made it into the 21st century. I'm a blogger :) Well here goes...I finished up my christmas shopping today. Yea! My cousin Nichole and I hit every department store in town and then after picking Jillian up from preschool we drove up to BridgeWater Falls and shopped some more. I must say I can spend money well. I do however, have one more gift to get Buck but I'm going to wait until Tuesday before I pick it up. It's his big gift. Now I have to wrap all of them (yuck). The kids are hoping for a snow day ( I doubt that will happen though) or at least a delay. I wouldn't mind a delay. I love to sleep in, if Jillian is nice enough to stay in bed.