Christmas 2012

Christmas was so much fun this year. Michael understands more and more, and really got into opening presents. We had our nativity set out for several weeks, and would read books every night about baby Jesus. It was so cute how he said Joseph. He would say, Jofuph.  We also did an advent calendar with him each night. He got to open little doors, and got a piece of Chocolate  He would ask me several times each day, if he could "read the book?" referring to the advent calendar.

The week leading up to Christmas, I had the flu, so I am so glad that I had everything already bought and wrapped before hand. The flu is miserable, and I was completely useless for 5 days. Thankful, I have the best child in the world, and he was so great while I laid on the couch every day.

Christmas eve we spent with Andrew's family. Michael refused to put clothes on, but I was able to talk him into at least wearing his Christmas pajamas.

 Santa stopped by, and Michael wasn't really impressed, until he gave him a present, than Michael willingly sat on his lap to open it.

Checking out his new toys

To Infinity, and Beyond!

 This was the year of buzz lightyear. Michael got so many Buzz Lightyear toys. But seeing how "Buzz and Woody" is his favorite movie, he was pretty excited about the new toys.

Christmas morning we were home, and Michael jumped right in. 

He loves his race track!

Happy with his Buzz

 His big present this year was a ride on motorcycle.

I know it's blurry, but this was his reaction to opening his motorcycle

Well, Michael was less than thrilled with it after he took it for a ride and fell off. He actually said, "I don't like it, I don't want it." He did warm up to it a little bit the next day, and took it for a ride. But he hasn't ridden it much. We thought he would love it, since he is obsessed with motorcycles.

 He does, however, love the little motorcycle that was in his stocking.

Our little family

Watching his new movie with his Two Buzz Lightyears

Christmas afternoon, we went over to Becky's house for the Cox family gathering. The kids had a blast playing together, and Santa even showed up.

Santa got a little choked on his beard, so he had to take it off.

We had a wonderful Christmas, and feel so blessed.

 

Weekend at Disney

We spent this past weekend at Disney World.
Here is our weekend in pictures

Michael was super excited about his first airplane ride!

He decided that Characters were ok, and
walked right up to Pluto and gave him a hug!

You can't tell in the picture, but he was very
excited about meeting Mickey Mouse!

Giving Buzz a fist bump

Enjoying the Magic Kingdom and
 the beautiful Florida weather

Michael loved Dumbo

He got to meet his favorites, Buzz and Woody!

At the Character dinner

Michael gets so excited when he sees the characters coming. 

Michael's favorite ride, the "Horsies"

Michael's other favorite ride. He got to "Drive" the car!

The best weekend!

Believe it or not, Andrew's entire family was there with us, but I didn't get pictures of Michael with any of them. We had a wonderful weekend, and the weather was gorgeous!

Christmas Card 2012

I love our Christmas card this year! I got a killer deal from shutterfly too, and ended up getting 30 for free.

Merry Christmas!

Cream Cheese Mints

I found this recipe on Pinterest, and it reminded me of some mints someone made for one of my bridal showers. I made a batch a few weeks ago and they were just like I remembered them. So I made another batch today and thought I would share the recipe on my blog.

They are really easy to make, but time consuming to roll out all of the balls. They are Michael approved, so that means they have to be good.


Here is the recipe and directions:

Homemade Cream Cheese Mints

Yield: 70 U.S. quarter-size mints
Calories per mint: about 10
Note: I typically double this recipe

1 3-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon pure peppermint or mint extract
3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
(Optional) Food coloring


Directions:

Line baking sheets with waxed paper.

In a mixing bowl, with an electric mixer beat together softened cream cheese and peppermint extract.

Note: While creaming the cream cheese is the ideal time to add food coloring to dye the dough.

Add powdered sugar gradually and beat until smooth, kneading in the last of the powdered sugar with hands or a heavy spoon.

Using a 1/2-teaspoon measuring spoon, form mixture into balls the size of a cherry.

Place two rows of dough balls 1/2-inch or so apart, then flatten with a pretty stamp or a fork, like I do. If you'll lay out a couple rows first, by the time you're ready to roll out the third row, the tops of the dough balls are dry enough to flatten easily without having to dip and re-dip the fork in powdered sugar.

Let the mints stand overnight. Every several hours, gently turn them over.

Store in an airtight container.

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving

Thankful Day 21

I am thankful for the beauty God has given us in nature. All around us you can see God's hand at work. From the beautiful leaves to the gorgeous sunsets.

Thank you God for painting a beautiful scenery for us to look at every day.

Sunset on our way to Georgia for Thanksgiving

Sunrise at Vero Beach 

Thankful Day 20

I am so, so thankful for good health. My family has been so blessed. Michael has never been to the Dr because he was sick. Flat feet is such a minor thing compared to what other people are dealing with.

Thank you God for good health and a healthy family.

Thankful day 19

I am thankful for Shriner's Hospital. Michael has flat feet and was referred to Shriners last year. We had his yearly appointment today, and it went great. He won't have to go back for another two years. They are very hopeful that his feet will correct themselves over the next few years and that they won't have to do anything to correct them.

Thankful Day 18

Tonight we got together with my family to celebrate thanksgiving! Since we had 23 people there, we had to have it at my parents work. We brought the bounce house for the kids to play in.

I'm thankful for my huge family and that we could all be there together to celebrate. I'm thankful for fun times with my family and I hope and pray I cherish these moments with them. I know we won't always have this opportunity, so today I am thankful for these crazy moments with my family.

The cute place cards my mom made. 

Thankful Day 17

I am thankful for the opportunity to go to the southern Christmas show with my friends. And I am thankful for Andrew and the in-laws for taking such good care of Michael all day.

We had such a fun time. Every year we see groups of woman with matching shirts, so I decided we would should do it too. I found really cute shirts at Walgreens and for really cheaper had such a fun day and got tons of comments about our shirts. I'm already looking forward to next year.

This is what we look like after half way through. 

Thankful Day 16

I am so thankful to live in the south and have beautiful weather throughout so much of the year.

Today, Michael enjoyed being outside and enjoying the beautiful fall day.

Thank you God for lovely weather and especially mild winters.

Thankful Day 14

I am thankful for emeals! My weekly menu and shopping list is emailed to me every Wednesday and it requires very little thinking on my part. It is so easy, and is one less thing I need to worry about. We have been doing it for over a year and a half, and have loved it since we started. 

Thank you God for giving me a resource to use that helps me be a better wife and mother.

 

Thankful Day 13

Sometimes it's the little things in life that bring so much joy. As the weather gets colder, I am thankful for my heated seats in my van. I guess that means I am also thankful for the van I drive. It was a total God thing that we could even buy the van, and it was a big blessing.

Thank you God for providing a vehicle for us when we needed one. It really was a gift from you. And thank you for the little things, like heated seats to keep my bum nice and warm in the winter.