Let's Get Cooking ... Well Baking

So, the whole blogging every day thing will happen at some point, but I guess trying to do that in December was pretty ambitious. I am so busy, just like the rest of the world, getting ready for the holiday season!

Friday, I ran to Macy's after work and picked up gifts for my mom and a few things from Walmart.

I then headed home and baked peanut butter blossoms and snickerdoodles with my hubby, while watching "Elf" and some Simpson's Christmas episodes (Joe's choice).

After going to bed, I woke up bright and early for a big baking day. We have our Christmas party this weekend, and I had tons to prepare. On Saturday, I made Wheaties cookies (love), gingerbread men, sugar cookies (Joe helped with these), red velvet cake balls, made the cake for the spice cake balls and pizzelles. It was an all-day event. We had Wendy's for dinner. During the day, our neighbor came to my house and asked if I would be her sponsor, as she comes into the Catholic Church. Considering I didn't really know her until then, I was pretty honored.

Sunday, I got up and did my Weight Watchers meeting, went to choir practice and church, headed to my parents' house for lunch, went grocery shopping for the week, went home and made the spice cake balls and Oreo truffle. It was midnight by the time I headed to bed.

Then, yesterday was really crazy. I headed to a few store after work. I got my gift exchange gift for Saturday, picked up a few things for the party, headed to Bath and Body Works for my holiday soaps, and I then headed home. When I got home I made hot dogs and fries, and we ate. I then tackled the mini cheesecakes for Saturday, and the first batch was an epic fail. They just weren't right. So, I moved on and made the mini quiches for Saturday. I made them with bacon, and the egg was allover the bottom of the tray, so we will see how they are. (The cooking gods were not with me yesterday.) Then I remade the cheesecakes, which turned out better.

Today, I am on deadline for work. This is my second-to-last deadline at this place. Woo hoo! Tonight is "Glee!" I have a roast and carrots in the crock pot. I hope to get all of the holiday platters, roaster and things cleaned tonight. I wish this was all done and the party was here!

Christmas from the Past!

So, I am going to try to do one post every day this month! December, what a great month to start with, right? We'll see!

Anyways, I this is a wonderful month. I was so enthralled to wake up to snow falling on the ground on Dec. 1. It felt magical. I love the snow, and it is pretty snow. I love everything about the holidays, especially how often I get to spend time with family and friends. I love the smell of winter, fires burning, cookies baking, Christmas music playing ( I have it on at work right now - Celine Dion's "O Holy Night"). I just love it, really.

In honor of the month of Christmas, I am going to post some pictures of some Christmases past. After looking through my files, I realize the only two Christmases I have uploaded are from 2007 and 2009 (the rest are on the computer at home). I will warn you, this post is picture heavy. So, here they are:

Cutting down our tree in 2007





Our Maddy in 2007!









Daddy and Maddy on Christmas Eve morning 2007!





 

Us in front of our tree after Christmas Eve Mass 2007









She is trying to guilt us into more gifts! That adorable face gets us every time!









This is during our gift exchange at our party.



Some of the gang at our house for our annual Christmas party.

 



Hubby and me before Christmas Eve Mass.

 

The 2008 cruise group at our Christmas party!







My brother's girlfriend Maria, me and my sister Kayla at my parents' house after Christmas Eve Mass.




My brother Derek and me at my parents' house on Christmas Eve.






My husband and me at Grandma's on Christmas.

 

Gift time at my other grandma's house on Christmas Day!

The hubby back at our house at the end of a long Christmas Day.

Aunt Renee snuggling with Hannah at my in-laws' house the day after Christmas.





We host a movie day after Christmas Day at our house. Everyone lays around ALL DAY, eats and watches Christmas movies. We all wear pajamas and are so lazy. It is wonderful!

Mom and her gang at grandma's house.

My sister and I with Dad at Grandma's house.

Halloween Cuties!

Yesterday was a pretty boring day, until lunch that is. My mom babysits a handful of adorable kids, and since she lives three doors down from me, I stop by her house several days each week to sneak a peak at them.

Some days are better than others, but let me tell you, yesterday was a great day. It was Halloween party for the brood, and they were all decked out for the festivities. We had a Dorothy, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Charlie Brown and a fairy.

My adorable cousin Karlie as Dorothy. She is such a doll!

And we have Mr. Angelo starring as Woody!

And what's Woody without Buzz Lightyear. Michael looks good!

I told my mom I would stop by and take a few photos. Um, I took 89. What can I say? I love those kiddos, and it is quite the challenge to get the attention of little ones while they are checking out each others' costumes and the room full of fun and toys.

The kids had pizza for lunch and got snack bags of course. I believe they were going to watch "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown," after I left. They were having a ball.

Little Liam looks like Charlie Brown.

The gorgeous Khloe Rose as a fairy. I love that little pixie baby! LOVE her!

Happy Halloween from the clan: