Christmas Tradition: Making Ornaments for the Family!

When I was just five, my mom started a tradition.......making ornaments for my family - grandparents, aunts, uncles, and family friends!  Year after year.  These ornaments are now hanging on our family tree.  So, I started this tradition with my own kiddos.

Cailynn made wreath and candy cane ornaments with pom poms......

I cut out the wreath and candy cane shape on cardboard and Cailynn glued on the pom-poms.  All you need is some scrap cardboard, 1 inch pom-poms, glue, a hole punch, and some string or ribbon.  And while she was waiting for them to dry........

Do you make ornaments with your kiddos?

Playing Playdake with Our Snapper and Our Snissors

If only I had caught this on video because it would be so much cuter to hear it from Ellie!  As you reread the title, think of an adorable 2 year old telling you this.

Playing Playdake (or playdoh)........

With our snapper (not sure I know another name for it)......

and our snissors (aka scissors).

Seriously, imagine a 2 year old saying snissors. I hope she says it likes this forever :)

Just Ordered Our Christmas Cards......

Can you tell I love that picture of the girls walking together!?  Of course, I had to include it on the Christmas card!  I took advantage of this SeeHere photo card deal for just $1.49 shipped!!  

Happy Halloween!!

Apple Picking......

Have you been apple picking yet this year?



My mom and I took the girls yesterday to Crane's Orchard in Fennville to pick some apples.  They didn't have MacInstosh so we didn't buy as many as I had planned but I grabbed some Gala for us to eat and to make some applesauce for the girls! I'll go back in a week or head over to another orchard to get some MacIntosh apples in a week or two!

And my favorite picture (I just can't stop taking this one)

Stay tuned for some apple themed recipes - Apple Turnovers with the Kiddos, Yummy Cinnamon Applesauce........

My Preschooler!!

When Did She Become a Teenager?!?!?

We Made Freezer Corn.....Year Two!!

Over the weekend, I got together with my mom and grandma and made some freezer corn!
Last year we had a little help from Cailynn but this year...........

Papa was home and the girls wanted nothing to do with freezer corn!


So we went to work....just the three of us!  And we stepped it up a bit this year with 115 ears of corn (just 48 ears last year)!!  It took us all day but we ended up with around 40 bags of freezer corn!

Here's the recipe in case you are interested:
*8 cups raw corn
*1 cup water
*1 Tbsp salt
*1 Tbsp sugar
*1 stick (1/2 cup) margarine

Use large, heavy sauce pan and cook on high until it boils. Once it boils, cook for about 3 minutes. Make sure you are stirring the entire time. Cool quickly.

Can you believe that this is just one year apart!
We did make quite a bit more corn this year but I didn't want to drag it all out for the picture!

What to do with your FREE Toothpaste......

Strawberry Picking in the Rain!

My husband and I took the girls strawberry picking this morning!  This was a first for us and, even though it was raining, we had a great time! 

And the price was just $1.50/lb.  Sure, strawberries go on sale for $1 from time to time but these strawberries are so fresh and tasty!  If you live in Michigan and are looking for a place nearby, check out this great website. 

Happy Birthday to My Sweet Girl!!

Can't believe it has been four years since we became a family of three! 

Two years old

Three years old

Almost 4 - Decorating Easter eggs

Happy 4th birthday sweet girl!!

Happy Birthday to My Sweet Girl!!

It's hard to believe that my baby is turning 2 today!!

Just 2 days old!!

1 year old (with coupons in her hand)

At Easter last weekend - almost 2!!

Happy birthday sweet girl!!

Easter Grass = Easter Mess

How long did it take the girls to make this mess? 

The time it took me to unload my groceries from Meijer!!

Budding Artist?

Fun in the Snow!

One of Cailynn and Ellie's Christmas presents this year was a sled and we were finally able to use it over the weekend!  It was the first time on a sled for both girls and they loved it!  Well, for the most part.  Ellie loved it as long as the snow didn't touch her!


All bundled up and ready to go!

Down the hill

Snow Angels

What is your favorite thing to do in the snow?

My Little Chefs!

We had fun playing with one of Cailynn's Christmas presents this morning!  I think I'm going to have to get more of these occupational dress up outfits!!  Or make my own!  They had so much fun!

What are your Christmas Traditions?

Trimming our Christmas tree, baking Christmas cookies with grandma, making ornaments for the family, reading "The Christmas Story" before bed on Christmas Eve.  These are just a few of the traditions that we celebrate during the holidays in our house!  Some are traditions that we've continued from our own childhood and others are new traditions that we've started since becoming a family. 

What are some of your favorite traditions?

Mmm....Christmas Cookies!!

What is your favorite kind of Christmas cookie or treat?
I love, love, love my mom's fudge.  It's a good thing I don't live there anymore because I could eat the entire tin of fudge on my own! 

Oh, and if your favorite is something you bake, feel free to share the recipe!!

Attempting to Capture a Picture for the Christmas Cards

I'm not sure why I try it but every year I try to get pictures of the girls together and in front of the tree.  I dress them up, I give them stockings or gifts.  Anything to make it look a little like the holidays are here.  And every year, our Christmas card has everyday, candid shots because these ones never turn out!

Crayons and Naptime Don't Mix!

She had Mommy fooled.....I thought she was sleeping.  I went to peak in on her and found Snow White looking like Mel Gibson in Braveheart.