Day 301

I think the kids might have a hard time finding Mr. Elf today.

He decided to hide in one of our glass jar frames...hehe.

He looks like he belongs up there!

Day 300

It was a busy weekend for us.

This morning, the kids performed in their Christmas program at Church and did so well!

It is always so much fun to see them, although it makes me slightly sad to realize just how big they are getting!

Madi played the part of Mary and Tanner was a shepherd with a speaking part.

Day 299

I apologize in advance for this photo heavy post, but I just couldn't limit the number to one today.

The kids and I got together at my moms to make some Christmas goodies and homemade ravioli for our Christmas feast...

I am going to let the photos tell the story of the day.

It was a great one, filled with lots of smiles and and happy memories..

(Oh, and the reason the big guy Tanner isn't in this post is because the lucky stinker got to go to the Bison game with his grandparents! He had a BLAST!)


We began by making these cookies...mmm, mmm, good (and so festive!) Angela and Madi got right down to business and created the dough for our ravioli's ...way to go girls! This is my least favorite job, I always hated the kneading the dough part (so glad Angela is passing this love of hers off to my daughter, so I don't have to struggle through it anymore!) Making their own 'noodles' The pasta maker, one of the most valuable tools in our kitchen! Filling in the cheese. All covered up... Angela and Nick's little guy even got into the action...he really wanted to help create the ravi's too! We also created these yummy cookies (although we took our own spin on them, if you happen to check out the recipe...they don't look exactly like what is pictured.) These cookies taste amazing, but are a TON of work, so I am thinking this will be the only time that we make them. Have you heard of this stuff yet? Oh my, if you haven't, go on over here and check it out, and then go and make some. It is so good! And to end the post, I am going to share some of the love that was going around....I {LOVE} my family! Some one is now giving high fives....how adorable! Happy Christmas season everyone!

Day 298

Our elf took a 'bubble bath' (marshmallow bath) in our bathroom last night...

I think he had a fun time relaxing in the soft and squishy marshmallows!

Day 297

So, I shouldn't even be posting these photos, but it is pretty funny.

And it is a good thing to laugh at one's self sometimes, right?

Mr. Zack Elf got me back for the all the shenanigans that I have been doing the past couple of weeks around our house.

I fell asleep on the couch and was out for the count when our elf (or, ahem, a certain big guy at our house), decided it would be great fun to stamp my name on my forehead.

Sigh, I suppose that I deserve it.

I was out cold, and don't remember a thing but the elf also decided that it would be great fun to take a photo of me so we could always remember the trick he played on me.

Here is the photo....

This blog is supposed to be about my life, so I am posting this...can't believe that I am!

 The following photos are how the kids found the elf the next morning... That sneaky little stinker!

Day 296

Our elf is into climbing things...

Madi seems to think it is because he likes to watch over everyone during the day to see if they are being naughty or nice...

I like to think it is because he is making the 'no touching' rule a little easier to follow.

If he continues to be 'Mr. Not Talking', I don't think we'll be finding out anytime soon!

Day 295

This morning I decided to break the 'everybody fend for yourself' rule that seems to be happening around our breakfast table a lot lately (I shouldn't admit that, but it is the truth).

I made pancakes...in shapes that the kids requested.

I really shouldn't have been too surprised when they were so shocked by my actions that they had a hard time coming up with shapes.

I think I need to do this more often!

Wow.

I love the pin that I pinned on pinterest a couple of months ago about saving an old ketchup bottle and using it to make shapes out of pancake batter!

It really helped me get some great shapes (not blobs like I had before).

What did we all do before we had such an amazing resource to go to like pinterest?! and yes, this was his idea of a smile this morning...winking his baby blues over and over at me. The only shots I got of him were with his eyes closed or half open, looking like he had a LONG night! Not too impressed, in his words, 'they are just pancakes mom.'

Day 294

We had a busy weekend...so in other words, just a typical December weekend!

Our kids (family) joined 4H this school year and I am so glad that we did.

We are involved in a great group and the kids are learning a lot and meeting new friends.

On Sunday, we went to their annual Christmas party....

Here is a glimpse of our fun afternoon...


Playing a pick up game of bball, Tanner was loving that he and his friend Hunter were getting to play with fourth grade girls! The kids played a fun gift exchange game and got their first gifts of the season...

Day 293

Gone fishin'?
 

 Our elf did, last night!

 The kids and I both had a good laugh about it!

 He sure is up to a lot of hijinks lately!

We're all going to miss him when he has to go back to the north pole and be with Santa Claus until next year!