Faces of Fever

Just for fun, here's a one-minute excerpt of our Christmas day. A little mood fluctuation caused by the fever. Who knew a male could experience so many emotions within one 60 second period? By the way, Eli's fever broke and he's been fever-free all day! Praise God for answered prayers.

Christmas Pictures

Despite Eli's first fever ocurring on Christmas Eve and lasting until today, I think we all had a blessed Christmas! We missed being with the family in Wilson, but know we'll see them all soon! Here are some pictures from our family Christmas Exchange and Christmas Day! Hope your's was great, too!

Warm wishes!

Christmas Card '08

Because everyone else is doing it!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

It's been real people, but I'm outta here...

Friends, I think we're in trouble!!

Just a few things:

1. Yes, there are 3 big dogs in the video--Scout, Emma (neighbor dog), and Eva!

2. Please ignore the ghetto trash can and accompanying cardboard boxes--just keepin' it real. You never know when you need a box for wrapping those Christmas gifts!

3. Yes, that is a dog door, even though a grown man can fit through, and has on the occasion of being locked out of our home!

Cookie Exchange Time

Here we are, ready for our online cookie exchange!

Early this season, I mentioned to Matt that I'd like to host a cookie exchange. You know, just gather some of my girlfriends and family around for some chit-chat and to share some recipes. Then life happened! Nothing big, just the daily cooking, cleaning, diaper changing, playing, laundry, rocking, diaper changing, singing, baking, errand running, Christmas shopping, diaper changing, bottle feeding, homework helping, and did I mention diaper changing!! Well, with all that life happening, the cookie exchange fell through the cracks.

I was so glad when my sister-in-law reminded me of last year's recipe swap. It was great to get some new ideas to satisfy my baking urges. I can't wait to try Matt's great-grandmother Britt's orange cookies this year. You can find that recipe in the comments section of last year's recipe swap.

Now, on to this year...feel free to either leave your recipe in the comments section, or if you want, you can post your cookie exchange ideas on your own blog and just leave the link in the comments section. I'm calling it a cookie exchange, but feel free to leave any baked good recipe you love around the holiday season (brownies, bars, mixes, drops, etc)! Happy Baking!!

WHITE CHOCOLATE PARTY MIX~
1 (10 ounce) package small pretzels
5 cups Cheerios toasted oat cereal
5 cups Corn Chex
2 cups salted peanuts
1 (1 lb) bag M&Ms plain chocolate candy
2 (12 ounce) packages vanilla chips
3 tablespoons vegetable oil

In a very large bowl, combine the pretzels, Cheerios, Chex, peanuts and M&Ms. Set aside. In the microwave, heat vanilla chips and vegetable oil on a medium-high power for approximately 2 minutes, stirring once. Pour melted chips over cereal mixture and mix well. Spread on wax paper. Allow to cool completely, then break into bite-sized pieces. Store in airtight container.

MONSTER COOKIES~
3 eggs
1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups creamy peanut butter
1 stick butter, softened
3/4 cup multi-colored chocolate candies
3/4 cup raisins
2 teaspoons baking soda
4 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats (I use my baking stones). In a very large mixing bowl (I use my KitchenAid mixer as the mixture becomes quite difficult to manage), combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate candies, raisins,baking soda, and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for approximately 10 minutes. Do not overbake. Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool. When cool, store in large resealable plastic bags

ENJOY!!

Cookie Exchange (edited)

Edited to add: Please invite your friends to join us. You can even copy and paste the invite picture (I think!!) The more the merrier!!

No biz, like "Snow Biz"

Tonight was the annual Winter Concert at Jacob's school. I don't know if you've been to a Winter Concert, but nothing says, "Merry Christmas" like a big group of kiddos singing about snow while performing some choreography rivaling Paula Abdul circa 1989 and throwing the fake snow!

Since we have a little one whose bedtime routine begins around 7:00, I stayed home with Eli while Matt headed out with Jacob and our camcorder for the big event.

Videography goes a long way for a parent who has to miss a Winter Concert. I have watched both videos Matt recorded at least twice, because, unlike my hubby, concerts and/or choral singing of any kind makes my day!

So, dear readers, we are so pleased to offer you a glimpse into the Winter Concert, too!

For your viewing and listening pleasure, please enjoy Jacob Sloan (2nd row, blonde buzz cut) and the fourth graders singing "Snow Biz"!

I've gotta G-O!!

Eli's been "crolling" for a while now. For those of you who aren't privy to crolling, it is simply pivoting in a sitting position so that your body is aimed correctly, then falling over (gracefully, of course) and rolling to get to your destination. Eli is a pro and more than capable of getting anywhere and everywhere by crolling.

However, he's recently taken interest in other ways of travel. He's now mastered cruising. Given the freedom, he'll pull up on any unmoving object, then navigate it to get to any object that came with the label "keep out of the reach of children!" Here he is working his way around the end of the couch.

Another mode of transportation he's recently taken up is the walk-behind toy. On Saturday, he made the discovery that this thing that was once just a toy with spinny things, is now a tool to help him get from point A to point "keep out of the reach of children" with speed! Check out the video we captured!

And without further ado...

...CRAWLING!!! Real, true crawling!! And, just in time for the Christmas tree. I think it's time for a rewrite of the old tried and true carol "Oh, Christmas Tree!" Sing it with me...No Christmas tree, No Christmas tree; Eli stay out of the branches!