Goodies, Gifts, and Grease

Was my elf eating or unwrapping the Hersey Kisses for me?

Jackson helped me make peanut butter blossoms this weekend, and Brian helped with the cake balls and toffee. 

  I decided to forgo the cut out cookies just because I didn't want to spend the time frosting them.

Platter for of yumminess headed to Brian's work!

I made up goodie bags for each of my team members and sent some as part of Jackson's preschool teachers gifts.

 

I finished "wrapping" my students gifts this weekend as well. 

 Today my friend Jeannine brought me my first baby gift.

 Look at those adorable socks! Maybe I do need a girl!

I decided to use them to tell my students I was pregnant. I had them infer why Rennie, our school Elf, would leave Mrs. Hartzler baby socks. It took them a while to figure it out, but when they got it their reactions were priceless. I love the sweet girls who said, "But, why is your belly not big?" At writing time, another student told me I should write my small moment about how I made the baby. I think NOT!

 

We bought a Explore about a month and a half ago, so Brian has been driving the Jeep. He realized the Jeep was leaking radiator fluid on Saturday and decided he was going to try and fix it himself.

After being covered in grease from head to toe, taking the front off, leaking red transmission fluid all over the garage and driveway, 9 hours of labor, some frustration he DID it and save us a bunch of money!

Yummy!

I can't bake with my Mom at Christmas time, but I married wisely. Brian is a great helper at this time of year. Jackson pitched in a bit too, but he would rather just it all the goodies!

Cake balls: We dyed the cake mix green to add a festive touch.

Roll out cookies: They are so time consuming, but taste so good!

The snowmen are Brian's creation, but I did four cookies for his one.

Toffee: No pictures of this one. It really is too yummy for pictures.

Some of my presents wrapped and ready to go.

 I thought the scrapbook paper look on the baggies of treats turned out very cute!

 Another plate of goodies ready for Brian's work. The tray came home empty today, that is always a good sign!

Oh, what fun!

I had a long fun to-do list this weekend; baking, making candy, putting together and wrapping presents for Miss Sandy and other friends. Baking and making candy did take up a majority of the weekend, but we still managed to have some other fun thrown in too!

Here are some of the cookies fresh out of the oven, more to come.

 We went over to my Aunt's house Saturday night for dinner to celebrate Jonathan's birthday. We enjoyed some delicious chicken pot pie. On the way over to her house, Jackson said "Mom, I like Midge!" He didn't let her sit down at all after dinner:)

The beautiful colors of fall foliage is all over our subdivision. I love seeing all the different colors on the trees. Since we have a pretty orange leaf tree in the backyard, we had to take a picture before church.

After Church, we had a bunch of errands to run and stopped by our favorite place for lunch!

 On the way to the car, Jackson struck a pose! So cute! Love this little boy! (2 more days until I can spend 2 weeks with him.)

 Jackson got a special video message from Santa. He was blown away and watched it 3 times!

 A few trips to the park, where Jackson makes a new friend each time. I think he will be such a good big brother, I pray that will happen someday soon.

Oh, I can't forget this movie!

Jackson got an early Christmas movie. We definitely got our $5 worth out of it already. He watched it at least 3 times today (it is only a 20 minute movie) and wanted to watch it again!

What a FUN weekend! Now, I must survive 2 more days of school!



Christmas Baking

Growing up I always loved making Christmas cookies and candy with my grandma, mom, sister, aunts, cousins. Each year it seemed that less and less participated and now that I live a thousand miles from my mom I miss out on it each year. Thank goodness I married a wonderful guy who loves to do anything with me.

Last Sunday we spent the day baking away. We started off with cut out cookies. Jackson was game for helping in every way possible!

Brian won favorite parent points by making Jackson a Mickey cookie and letting him eat the whole thing!

Brian and I teamed up and made toffee. He stirred constantly for 10 minutes, then I spread the chocolate chips on top and broke it into pieces. This stuff is amazing and so addicting! I am glad there is no left in my fridge! I also dipped peanuts and Ritz with peanut butter in chocolate.

During Jackson's nap we frosted cookies and as soon as Jackson woke up and came downstairs he said "cookie please". Yup! Cookie number 2 for the day!

Here is a sampling of the finished product, so yummy!

The best part of baking all these goodies is delivering them to friends and indulging in a few myself!!

Gingerbread Barns

Saturday afternoon Jackson and I headed over to Katrina's to build Gingerbread Houses. Each year Katrina invites all the girls from Northwestern College that ended up down in Houston to build houses. And like last year, she was nice enough to invite me even though I abandoned her after freshman year! Thankfully God brought us back to the same place!

Jackson was all into decorating his house or barn, as he called them, for the first 10 minutes. He found a M&M and ate it, that was the end of decorating. He kept sneaking candy into his mouth. I don't know how much he ate, but I do know it was A LOT!
Jackson really loves Katrina (and Louis)!

I had a hard time keeping our house together because Jackson thought it looked better without a roof! The finished product! Right after this picture Jackson ate Santa peep and his pretzel skis.

Gingerbread House Decorators 2010!