cookie baking and gingerbread decorating

We had a terrific time baking cookies at Kelly's on Saturday.  It started off rough because we thought we left the gingerbread parts at home so Ray drove all the way back home, only to realize we did bring them and they were sitting on the dining room table under the aprons we brought.  UGH!  We then started putting the gingerbread houses together, unsuccessfully...  I wasn't letting the icing dry long enough.  Once I figured that out, we had it made.  While they were drying, we started making cookies.  The girls lasted for a little bit - adding the ingredients, stirring, and licking the beaters.  Kate was a pro with putting eggs in the bowl.  Olivia was hysterical when she was keeping extra chocolate chips when dumping them in the bowl.  She kept a secret stash for herself!  Then they played while we dropped them and put them in the oven.  We made sugar cutout cookies, chocolate chip cookies, lemon cake cookies, oatmeal raisin cookies, and chocolate chip pretzel cookies.  We finally got to decorate the houses.  What a blast!  Our first gingerbread houses.

Kate invited Hannah over on Sunday night to decorate gingerbread houses.  They had so much fun.  She's a sweet kid.

Kate's gingerbread house

Hannah's gingerbread house

Kate had a basketball game vs. Oley on Tuesday.  She played GREAT!!  She was rebounding and making really great plays.  She even had a few baskets.  They won 33-5.

Kate and I went shopping tonight for her Christmas gifts.  We both hate shopping, but we had a great mother/daughter bonding time.  She was so cute with checking to see if certain clothes were in style.  My little girl is growing up!!

Christmas time

I haven't been in much of a Christmas spirit lately... but things are turning around.  The tree is up and decorated (just missing the angel).  I do get a bit nostalgic looking at all the old ornaments that we have gotten the kids over the years.  I can't believe how old the kids have gotten and how fast it has flown by.  Aunt Sherri just gave me fresh greens and holly.  I will put them up tomorrow.  Kate and I just made gingerbread house pieces to decorate at our girls' baking day tomorrow with Mom, Kelly, and Olivia.  Should be a lot of fun!

Kate made the J-Stroke volleyball U13 Jive team.  She is so excited!!  I am thrilled!!  I absolutely love volleyball and I am so happy she loves it too.  The practices start in January and the tournaments start in February.

Kate's been keeping busy with junior high basketball.  They had their first scrimmage yesterday and they looked pretty good for their first time playing together.  There are a few of the same girls playing from last year's travel team.  There are a few who are new and need to get caught up with the existing travel team.

I have started scrapping again and it feels so good to be creative again.  I am making Mom and Olivia mini albums for Christmas.  I have been able to get together with my scrap friends lately and it's been so nice to catch up. 

new stuff...

well, it's been a while!  i have been inspired by ali edwards to start documenting more of my life.  (with my memory the way it is, it will help me remember too!!! :)   i would have loved to have had this information about my grandparents and other relatives, so now is as good a time as any.  i will be taking more pictures...i know, how can i take more pictures... i will be taking more pictures of everyday life and of myself (in my journal of self improvement).  now that i am 40, i am starting to take a look at my life and trying to "get it right".  i want to be a better wife, mother, friend, and person.  what i have realized is that i will not allow people to treat me poorly.  i am still trying to find the fine line between not being friends and just being acquaintances.  i also have to not take things so personally.  people won't change unless they want to... BIG LIFE LESSON! 

we are in the process of trying to relocate to Florida.  anyone who knows me, knows this is a HUGE life changing decision.  i have never lived outside of Berks County, PA!  (well, i actually did before i was 2, but i don't remember it)  i can't wait to start this new journey!  as soon as ray finds a job, we will be putting our house up for sale.  i already have homes in Florida that i like, so that should be no problem.  we have scouted out the schools and soccer programs for kate.  she is excited as well!  she will get to play soccer year round outside.

 i haven't had a chance to scrap as much as i would like... we changed my scraproom into a spare bedroom to prep the house to sell.  most of my supplies are in storage and the rest are on my dining room table right now.  i have a few crops coming up in the next few months that i am REALLY looking forward to!

as part of my new beginning, we decided to go camping (in a tent...).  kate had never been camping before and it's been years since ray and i had gone.  we had a fantastic time!  we found (thanks to michelle) a really cute campground close to home called lake-in-wood camping resort.  kate got to build a fire, fish, hike, roast marshmallows, and sleep in a tent.

updates

Well, we lucked out and only got 8 inches of snow. Our streets are already plowed and clear! We cleared out our cars so now we can really enjoy this snow. Katie was out for most of the day yesterday and today playing with friends in the snow. I hope to get some good pictures today ~ no luck... I did get all the presents wrapped!!! I am ready for Christmas!!

We were supposed to spend yesterday with Kelly to celebrate her birthday, but because of the snow we cancelled. We ended up chilling out all day and watching movies. I got some cute shots of Sean and Brianna.

Ray just got a new shop vac which has a detachable motor for blowing leaves. Well... he decided to try it on the snow. It worked pretty well!

We are almost ready for Christmas. All the shopping is done, the cards are out. We have to bake cookies but the wrapping is done. It's not that same having no little ones in the house (if you know what I mean... HO HO HO), but it is nice being able to wrap ahead of time. No more 2 am Christmas Eves!!!! I think everyone will be pleased this year with their gifts. I have been using mine for a few months already... my new camera!!!

We spent last Saturday with Mike, Michele, Nicole, and Tyler. We had a great time, as usual! The girls made chocolate caramel chex mix. We chilled out watching Christmas movies all day. The kids made puppets out of pom poms and put on a play.

We decorated our tree last weekend. I always get so sentimental when decorating the tree. We get the kids ornaments every year, so when we get them out, it's like taking a trip down Memory Lane. I really can't believe how fast the time has gone.

We went down to the zoo with Kelly, Patrick, and Olivia at the end of November. We finally got to see Batu, the baby orangutan, who was born on October 2nd. They were finally able to examine the baby and find out it's a GIRL!!!! She is absolutely adorable. Tua has really taken well to being a mom.

Katie and I went to see Olivia in her Little Kickers Soccer Program. She was more adorable than ever!!! Katie really got a "kick" out of seeing Olivia playing soccer. She can't wait until she can show her some tricks.

It was a rare occasion, but the 4 of us went to Philly for the day on Nov. 13th. We just walked around for a while seeing some of the sites. If you go down, don't forget to get tickets to see Independence Hall at the Constitution Center. Our guide was absolutely FANTASTIC! He was a small man, but had an extremely booming voice and he was extremely knowledgeable! It was a great day.

We have been VERY busy with Katie's soccer and basketball. She usually has practices 4-5 nights a week. I haven't been scrapping as much I would like, but I figure I will have plenty of time to do that when the kids are older and out of the house. Right now I am just trying to enjoy having them home.

congratulations seth & christina!!!

My cousin Seth married his soul mate on Saturday. Welcome to the family Christina!! They are so perfect for each other! The day was gorgeous. They couldn't have asked for nicer weather in November. I think I was most impressed by how calm they both were and how much they each seemed to really enjoy every minute of the day.

The reception lasted well into the night. The music was great! We were all dancing throughout the night. Katie and Sean were really cutting a rug! It was so nice to have so much of the family together for such a beautiful occasion.

Travel Basketball

We are so proud of Katie. She made the 5th grade travel basketball team!!!! YEAH KATIE!!!