Christmas fun!

We have had a wonderful Christmas season. It all happens so fast and is so fun! Thank you for the sweet gifts. We have so much to be thankful for! I did have time to make Christmas Eve PJ's thanks to a super easy pattern from Val. I think they turned out pretty cute! Emery only wanted to hold baby Grant on Christmas Eve.



We all slept under the Christmas Tree. Santa did a great job working around all the bodies and it was really fun. GG and Pops spend Christmas Eve with us. It was wonderful to have them share the kid's joy on Christmas morning.





Santa got everyone exactly what they wanted. Emery was so happy with her bike, that she didn't want to get off. It didn't take too long, before she realized there were more packages to be opened though. Liam and Isa loved their game and bear.





What was supposed to be a small Christmas turned out huge! Thanks mom and dad for all the sweet and thoughtful gifts. Liam is busily putting his lego together as I type and Isabelle has already got her Thank you cards done! Our branch surprised us with some extra sweet parcels as well. I am humbled by the love they have for our kiddos. It is a gift to be a part of the branch and such a great experience.








Lastly, here are some fun photos of the kids after all the excitement. Isa is feeding her bear her cereal and had to try on all her new dresses and Liam was of course drawn to the computer to try out his new game. Emery is off visiting the rest of the cousins with Daddy and GG and Pops. I got all dressed up for the day and asked Liam to take a few photos so you can see how the baby is growing. Merry Christmas everyone! We love you!

Beautiful Snowy Sunday

I love the Sunday before Christmas. I can't wait to get ready and go to church. I always know it will be special. Today was no different except it has been snowing. It has snowed a lot. This week we have had snow every day and this morning was no different. We woke up to another magical layer of light and fluffy snow blanketing the sidewalks and cars and trees and everything else. It was beautiful! It still is.

Church was also magical. We had a beautiful message on the life of the Savior. It was so touching. Then came the most spritiual moment. MUSIC! We had three musical numbers in a row. The first was the Thompson children. They sang a song I had never heard before. It was beautiful and touched my heart. Next an elder serving in our ward sang. His voice was so pure, so sweet that as he sang "Oh Holy Night" I felt as if I had been given the best gift I would receive this season. I cannot tell you how touched I was, how honored I felt to be a part of that moment. Lastly Dani Asten Allred sang a beautiful song I had never heard before. It was sweet and simple and beautiful. The spirit was ever present as we all listened to these choice spirits share the music of Christmas. The last speaker is our new high councilman. He and his wife are from Arkansas and have moved here to be closer to their grandchildren. He gave a message on Joy. It was the perfect end to a perfect meeting.

Each and ever element of this Sunday was perfection. Our Sunday School teacher is President Monson's grandson and he has grown as a teacher this year. He is young but I enjoy his enthusiasm for the Gospel. It is so very special.

I had to teach R.S. so I cannot comment on how I did but I will tell you that I was so delighted to see the faces of so many of my beloved sisters in attendance. Beverly Sturgill, Ruth Day, Maureen Rappley, Joy Barnes and so many others who have been the stalwarts of this ward. I love them each and I am blessed to have been allowed to be taught by them.

Sister Willa Dean Nielsen had a stroke Fri. She is in dire circumstances. Her health is so precarious. Sis. Klinke is lost without her friend. I hope you will keep them in your prayers. Bev is improving. Her health is still not good and I know you love her as do I so I ask you to continue to keep her in your prayers.

We have lived our lives in an older ward. It has always been a place where the cycle of life is every apparent. This year we lost so many. Sister Babble, Louise Willingham, Blanche Cherry. We will miss them but they are in a much better place.

I am feeling a bit thoughtful. I think most of all I want you to all know that I love the church. I love the gospel. I have an unshakable testimony of the truth of these things. I love each of you and hope you know at this time of year when we are sending and receiving gifts the greatest gift your dad and I ever gave you was to be born in the covenent and to be a part of an eternal family.
Merry Christmas my loves. I hope your sabbath was a good one.

Too Funny

I am watching my friends kiddos while they go pick up their new baby. She was born today in Memphis and while we were waiting to hear back, Isa and Jenacy were pretending to be pregnant. So funny, they even "delivered" their babies. I laughed so hard!

Liam found the camera and composed a song for everyone. Too cute!
This second video is not for the weak stomach. Liam has some funky camera tricks, I thought it was a great example of what a vigilant mom I am. Note Emery crying in the background and I never once call in to see what's up. I guess sometimes you just let them handle it. I have no idea where I was. oops.

Christmas decorations

OK so here we are and we found the camera. Let me tell you I have lots of fun things to share, because, my kids found the camera before I did and they had fun! hee hee. First though here are some cute photos of the kids decorating our charlie brown tree. enjoy! Please note all the ornaments are at the bottom of the tree. We did redecorate a week later, but couldn't find the camera to take pictures.

Beautiful Baby Blessing

So the photos always come backwards, but here ya go. Look at the angel face on that little girl! She was very well behaved for her blessing on Sunday, and was even awake for a while! It was great to have Gramachele, Poppo, Tim, and Audrey representing the Hamilton's! She is growing so fast, I was glad I didn't wait until next month to bless her because I don't think the dress will fit that long!
My sister Alison and her husband brought THEIR babies and it was very entertaining. Mom liked them a lot more than she thought, and Tim and Audrey still want some!

Two Bonus Recipes!

I am now adding my two favorite non-cookie goodie recipes.

Caramel Corn

(I buy the pre-popped popcorn at Walmart for $1 - it is much less expensive and a great time saver!)

In a large glass bowl put:
2 cubes of butter (yes it must be butter!)
2 cups of sugar
1 cup light corn syrup

Microwave on high for 7 minutes.
Remove from microwave and add:
dash of salt
teaspoon of vanilla
1 can sweetened condensed milk

Stir well.
Microwave on high for 12 minutes - stirring every 3 minutes. It is easiest to time if you will microwave for three minutes four times. Pour mixture over 12 cups of popcorn and stir until it is completely coated. To make into balls let mixture cool and butter your hands to make balls. We just eat it out of the bowl!

YUMMY CHEX HOLIDAY MIX:

2 cups coconut
1 cup sliced almonds
2 cups chopped pecans
1 med box rice chex
1 med box golden grahams
Mix this together in a very large bowl.
Boil the following ingredients together in a medc saucepan for three minutes. Don't begin to time until the mixture begins to boil.
1 cup granulated sugar
1 pound butter
1 cup light corn syrup
1 t. vanilla
Pour the completed mixture over the chex mix and stir to coat well with a wooden spoon. Spread out on a jelly roll pan to cool.

You might as well make two batches now because it will never last!

I am done for now but I can always add the Swedish Kringler recipe or my Microwave Peanut Brittle recipe or divinity or you just let me know!
love,
mom

Snickerdoodles

OK - Here is my recipe. This is a recipe I have had since college and one I love but rarely make. I think I am afraid I will eat them all and that is not an unreasonable fear!

Snickerdoodles
Cream together:
2/3 cup butter
1 1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 whole eggs

Sift together in a separate bowl:
2 3/4 cups flour
2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 t. soda
1/2 t. salt

Add dry ingredients by spoonfuls to wet ingredients until it is all incorporated.

Roll into balls the size of a walnut. Roll balls in a sugar and cinnamon mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. They will have a crackled surface when done.

BONUS RECIPE:
OATMEAL RAISIN COOKIES

Cream together until fluffy:
3/4 c. butter
1 c. dark brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 egg
1/4 c. water

Sift dry ingredients together in separate bowl:
1 c. flour
3 1/2 c. oats (quick or regular)
1 t. salt
1/2 t. baking soda

Add dry ingredients to wet in spoonfuls until all the ingredients are incorporated. Stir in 1 1/2 cups raisins, cranberries, chocolate chips, m&m's, nuts or any other additions you may want.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12-15 minutes

Now I will be expecting you to all come over on Sunday so we can get all this baking done!

Yes! Here's my contribution!

Christmas is not christmas without Grams' ginger snaps and mom's peanut butter blossoms and since I'm on first, I get dibs on these great recipes.

1 c sugar
3/4 c butter
1 egg
1/4 c molasses
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
2 c flour
2 t baking soda

Cream butter and sugar
add eggs and molasses whip till fluffy
sift together flour and spices add to first mixture mix on low speed
roll dough into ball the size of a walnut. roll in sugar and place on cookie sheet

Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes.( or until they smell good!)


Peanut Butter Blossoms

1 c sugar
1 c packed brown sugar
1 c butter
1 c creamy peanut butter
2 eggs
1/4 c milk
2 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 c flour
2 tsp baking soda
12 oz package of hershey kisses or peanut butter cups


Cream sugars, butter, and peanut butter with mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, milk and vanilla. Stir together flour, soda, and 1 stp salt. and stir into egg mixture on low

Share completely mixed batter into batter into balls the size of a walnut and roll in sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes Upon removal from the oven, immediately press chocolate into the center of cookie. cool completely. (if you can)

Love to you all! merry christmas! jess

The 1st Annual Cyber Cookies Exchange!!

Hehehe!! Heck yeah!

Seriously. I *love* baking at the holidays, I just don't do it because I work all the time!! I have this fantasy about baking cookies and breads and making candies like I used to, but sorry Mark its probably not going to happen!!

I have tons of Nannies old recipes and they are covered in dust because they have not been touched since she passed plus Ash and I get invited every year to our bosses house for a cookie swap - sadly we never make it - the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak folks!! You all know what it is, a little party where folks get together and exchange cookies! You make a batch or two of your favorite holiday cookies, package them in individual servings, and give each person at the party a package. So, if 10 folks show up to a party, you get nine different types of cookies - with their recipes attached. So fun! And, so yum!
So, I thought it might be fun to do an online cookie swap. This way no calories are consumed, but we can share some kickass recipes to add to our holiday cookbooks! And, I think it would be GREAT if you guys posted your OWN cookie swaps on your OWN blogs. The more people that do that, the more recipes you can get.. because you can read the comments of your friends blogs, and swipe the shared recipes there! Sweeet! Remember you cannot post the same recipe twice!! So, let's get started, shall we? I'll post one of my favorite holiday cookie recipes, and you guys add yours to my blog comments. Then, go post your own cookie swap blog and I'll add a different recipe to each friend who plays.

I Heart Rocky Road Chocolate Cookies ( the Rocky Roads are hiding behind the hearts!)
2 cups all-purpose flour
2/3 cup cocoa powder (I used a mix of natural and Dutch)
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, slightly firm, cut into chunks
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2/3 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup broken toasted pecans
1 1/2 cups bittersweet chocolate chips
2 cups mini-marshmallows
Glaze Ingredients:1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 teaspoons boiling waterPreheat oven to 350 degrees F.Sift the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt together 3 times. Set aside.
Using an electric mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy and lightened in color, about 2 minutes.
Add the sugar and beat 1 minute longer. Add the eggs and mix until combined. Mix in the sour cream and the vanilla.
Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the dry ingredients in two additions, mixing just until blended. Using a large rubber spatula, fold in the pecans and chocolate chips.
Using about a quarter cup measure, shape dough into mounds and place 3 inches apart onto parchment paper or lined cookie sheets. Bake for 12 minutes or until just starting to set on top. Remove from the oven and press nine or ten mini-marshmallows at random onto the tops. Return the cookies to the oven and bake for another 2 minutes or just until the marshmallows start to soften. WATCH CAREFULLY. Do not allow the marshmallows to become too hot or they will melt. These cookies are best slightly underbaked.Let rest on the cookie sheets for 5 minutes or until firm enough to handle before loosening with a large metal spatula. Remove to a wire cooling rack set over a jelly roll pan or a sheet of wax paper.
Glaze the CookiesCombine the chocolate chips and the butter in a medium bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Melt together, stirring occasionally. [Or microwave for 30 seconds or so] Add the boiling water , ½ teaspoon at a time, to thin to a pouring consistency. Using a spoon or a fork, drizzle the glaze over each cookie. Let stand on the cooling racks until the glaze sets.
Note: I left out the boiling water, spooned the glaze into a heavy duty zipper bag, snipped a tiny hole in the bottom corner and squeezed the glaze out the corner.Makes 20


Love you all!!