Christmas Weekend

 

We started off our festivities with some gingerbread construction. 

We decided to let the boy be head foreman.

That may or may not have been a mistake (depends on how you look at it)...

But he loved every minute of it. 

We played in the sun...

...until our noses were numb.

 But still went back in the warm house kicking and screaming.

Now the presents were all gone...

...so we got dressed up for church.

And then we slept and slept and slept.

MERRY CHRISTMAS...

...from our little mountain home

 

(its probably a good thing we got out of construction...)

Gettin Ready

 

Rogan had to plow our driveway. 

You see, we have no chimney for Santa. He'll have to park in the driveway.

It's cleaner that way anyways.

I hope he remembers to take his dirty boots off before walking on my new carpet...

Santa is very grateful for all the extra help he had this year...

Round and Round

"CHOO CHOO!" he says.

He loves to watch it go 'round.

And 'round.

And 'round.

And 'round.

Until "choo choo" has to go to bed.

baking with the boy

When I wake up in the morning and its snowing (again), I know its a day that will be spent in the kitchen with the oven on.Tyson started a new job this week and I wanted to bake something  to send with him, but wanted to try to keep it healthy, so , as I do for many healthy recipes, I resorted to sisters blog for chocolate chip oatmeal "cookies". I chose to make them in bar form.

Rogans steps for successful cookies:

mix well, but not too well.

Taste test peanut butter.

Put in oven for recommended time

Wait. This is the hard part.

Taste! (mmmm-ats gud)

Get every last crumb.

Sleep.

oh christmas tree...

BRRRRRRRR

This years tree hunt was very cold.

Too cold.



So we just hurried up with it...

...and hurried home to decorate it.

And set up GG and Papa G's train

Which the boy absolutely loves.

Did you get your tree yet?

Thanksgiving

Happy Late Thanksgiving!

This year we spent Thanksgiving with Grandma and Grandpa Heiner.

We ate lots and lots.

The day after, we ate lots more.

The boy got to play with his cousins.

Summit.

Rogan likes having a playmate his own size...

Now its time to get out the Christmas decorations and make Christmas Cookies!!!!

Hope everyone had a fun holiday!

We're still here...

must try

I got this recipe out of Taste of Homes Complete Guide to Baking cook book. It was gone before I remembered to take a picture.

Buttermilk Banana Cake
3/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2 medium)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups cake flour (i used all purpose)
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup buttermilk (I never have this, so I used 1/2 Tbsp vinegar and enough milk to make 1/2 cup)

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, beat 2 minutes. Add bananas and vanilla, beat 2 minutes. Combine dry ingredients, to to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.

Bake in two greased 9 in round baking pans (I used a 9x13) and bake at 375* for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

I frosted it with chocolate buttercream frosting and it was delicious.
Chocolate Buttercream Frosting
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup cocoa
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
milk

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa, powdered sugar and vanilla. Add a Tbsp of milk. Stir, adding more milk until you have your desired consistency.

I have topped it in the past with a cream cheese frosting and it was also delicious.

Now- GO BAKE!

perfect pumpkin pickin'

Its a hard job, but somebody has to do it.

So many to choose from.

Finally found the perfect pumpkins.

No time for rest.

Whatever Brooke.

(Brady & Brooke)

(BJ)

Finally, time for a rest.

So tired.