COOKIE TIME

Wow...I've blogged 3 days in a row.

Shocked?

Me too!

This is actually just a quick recipe post.

Remember the recipe I talked about HERE ?

It has only taken me 2 years to get the recipe to you!

I just made them for the ward Christmas party and had a few requests for the recipe.

Here goes...

Candy Cane Cookies

from a Southern Living Cookie Cookbook

1 cup butter

2/3 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp peppermint extract

1/8 tsp salt

2 1/2 cups flour

Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, extract, salt. Gradually add flour. Mix. Chill dough for at least 30 min.

Roll out 1/4 inch thick and use cookie cutters for desired shape.

You could also roll them into 2" logs and curve the end down like a candy cane.

Bake 325 for 18 minutes.

Glaze:

2 cups powdered sugar

2 1/2 Tbsp milk

1/4 tsp peppermint extract

As soon as they come out of the oven, I roll them in powdered sugar and put a little glaze on top and let it melt. Then sprinkle crushed peppermint candy canes on top.

I also usually double the recipe. A doubled recipe will use about 1 box of candy canes.

Mmmmmm.

My mouth is watering.

ENJOY!

Christmas lists

Our neighbors have a Christmas count down on their front lawn. I was looking at it as I pulled in the driveway this morning.

only 16 days 'till Christmas!

Wow, it's really sneaking up on me.

Here are some of the Christmas wishes at our house this year:

Lincoln wants a green zhuzhu pet.

All of my children are wishing and hoping for a PillowPet.

Does anyone else's children think they can't live without these darn things?!
All I can say is someone is making a KILLING off of these.
I must say...they really are genius.

Maggie is leaving hints all around the house for Santa.

Just making sure that there is no mistaking what she wants for Christmas.

So fun.

I am wishing and hoping for good weather...

and clear roads. So we can travel to Nevada to spend some time with my fam.

Dan's countdown is a little different.

Only 20 days until they hand over the Matthew Knight Arena keys.

It's a little stressful...but what a fun time to be working on the U of O campus.

GO DUCKS!!

Getting into the Spirit

We spent the weekend getting into the Holiday Spirit.

We attended the Creche Exhibit (very COOL!)

We also had the Ward Christmas party.

Ikey looking dapper.

Santa's lap.

We also let the kids FINALLY put up the Christmas tree.
They have been begging for weeks.

Here we are trimmin the tree.

Attempting to put the Angel on top (a group effort).

Poor Dad is taking one for the team here.


Finished product.

We decided on another FRESH tree this year.

I actually was pushing to save some cash and put up our artificial one.

I'm so glad Dan talked me out of it.

The smell is HEAVEN. Smells like Christmas!

Pumpkin patch

Here are a couple of pictures from Maggie's class pumpkin patch trip.

Maggie and her buddy Kaeley.

Maggs & Mom

We also went to the farm in Portland with the fam.

The boys.

Pony ride.

What a cute little sheep.

First Birthday

We love this guy.

He loves balls and cars...and he will laugh at just about anything.

In August we celebrated his first Birthday.

He gets to share his special day with Grandpa Johnston.

The party was fan-tas-tic.

Here is a slideshow that sums it all up.

Free photo slideshow created with Smilebox

catch up

We have a LOT to catch up on!

August was pretty swell.

We got to spend some time with the Johnston clan.

A visit from Megan, Matt, Ness, & Tommy.

Then a visit from the Black clan.

We spent a day on the Sand dunes by the Coast.

Uncle Craig is pretty awesome for sharing his toys.

Here we are camped out and picnicing in the middle of the parking lot.
(We are pretty Classy).

Here is Ike being corralled in.
His face is priceless.

more to come...

summer

I keep seeing Back to School sales everywhere.

BACK TO SCHOOL...already?!

The summer is really flying by.

Good thing we've been taking advantage of the beautiful weather with:

Some trips to the beach

(you can't go to the beach without a trip to BJ's Ice cream).

mmm...

and camping with friends.

Hopefully we can get some more in before it really is back to school.