Cookies, Caramels, Candies OH MY!

For some reason I had a wild hair to do some major baking! Ryan and I went to the store on Friday night and got all the ingrediants! Saturday while Daddy and Sissy went to the ISU BB Game we were busy baking in the kitchen! First we made peppermint bark, then onto 2 batches of homemade caramels, reindeer cookies, santa cookies & last cut out cookies! Let's just say I was pooped out come Sunday night! That's a lot to do in one weekend! Ryan loves to be in the kitchen and enjoyed every minute of it!

here is our peppermint bark....first time making this
yummy melt in your mouth caramels...Love Them!

Ryan and all the fixings for the santa cookies!

The start of our peanut butter reindeer cookies...they turned out so cute!

After they came out of the oven

Add some choc. chips and a skittle for the nose :)

All of our Santa Cookies....so cute!

Now onto cut outs! The kids love doing this...and it was nice that Grandma was around to help!

My serious helper!

It was a fun weekend in the kitchen....believe it or not ... I whipped up another batch of cutout's last weekend and still need to get them frosted. My hubby's favorite :) ....and the baby likes them too :)

Let the Holiday's Begin!

Our Annual Tridition is to get our Christmas tree out at Kidman Tree Farm in Ankeny ... just down the road from our house! They have trees you can cut down, but we like the Fraser Fur Trees the best...very nice shape, low maintance, and smells GREAT! This year I didn't want a big fat tree...so we got a nice skinny one! It looks great in the house! I was a little disappointed with Kidman ... if you wanted to see Santa you had to make a purchase with the photographer there...since Ryan is not a fan of him we decided not to see him....so guess we will have to make a trip to the mall sometime!

The kids love going for a horse wagon ride!
Family Picture by the Tree we picked!

Happy Holiday's Everyone!!!!

NEW WHEELS!!

Ryan has been wanting a John Deere Gator for some time. Instead of waiting till Christmas we decided to get it this fall so he could use it....and it's been a great purchase! I would have to say the day he took it for his first spin was probably the best day of his life! He drove it all morning and then the battery died...which wasn't easy to explain to him that he needs to give it a break! He even tried to take a nap with his blanket on it....then finally broke down and said "Mom I want to go take a nap!" Thumbs up - this is so much fun!

The back ALWAYS has something in it...in this case dirt and a broom :)
taking his sissy for a ride!
Hi Mom! Cute :)
Complete with what he calls construction pants and shirt and his work boots!!!

He is a happy boy!!!!

SCHOOLS OUT FOR THE SUMMER!!!

BOY oh BOY have I been slacking on the Blogging! Last day of Kindergarten for Morgan was June 3rd....and she's lovin' summer! She is back at the day care this summer and is a big school ager! They go to the Ankeny pool 3 times a week, field trip on Tuesday and Park day is Thursday! Keeping busy and having a blast too! We had a busy first week of summer! Vacation Bible school and her first Dance Recital - Encore Candy Store! It was so cute and she can't wait for next year!
Ryan he is just enjoying the hot summer days with LOTS of popsicles and pool time! He's having a blast and will turn 3 at the end of July!

Morgan and Kindergarten Teacher Mrs. Longnecker. Being Silly!

That's better ... nice picture!

Lovin' Summer!

Where's Ryan? My Favorite!

Mommy's little hottie!

Ryan Matthew .... he is getting so big!!! He says he's not a baby anymore...he's a big boy!! Well that he is ... 2 weeks ago we were at the Dr. and he weighs in at 34 lbs.... Here are a couple pictures of him after his hair cut!

My little bud!

Less than 3 weeks....

we will be relaxing around the pools with drinks in hand at the Velas Vallarta Resort in Puerto Vallarta Mexico!!!! I can't wait - it is going to be a blast to soak in the sun and spend some quality time with the whole family!!!!

Our Resort....within walking distance to the Marina!

Can't wait to take in some PV sunsets....they are amazing!!!!!!!

FEBURARY 12TH CAN'T COME SOON ENOUGH....READY TO ESCAPE THE SNOW AND COLD!!!!

SnOw DaY

morgan walking on our sidewalk...where's the street?!
Watching the snowplow!

Wow its windy out here!


Eating some snow!

Morgan braving the weather!

Jumping in the big drifts!

He would rather stay inside and get the cookie spoon!

our front yard!

Our backyard...

Looking our our sliding glass door...can't even see the steps.

Ryan playing in the basement!

i think he is going to be a cook someday!

our first snow of the winter!

Morgan ready for her Christmas program at Church!

Best Buds!

First off - it has been way too long since I've updated this blog! We have been doing well...keeping busy as usual! The kids are really looking forward to Christmas! Here are a few pictures from the BIG winter storm we got this week...Morgan didn't have school, Ryan didn't have day care and Mark and I didn't even have work - it was a great day to spend the day at home and with the kids!

Winter's Here!