Santa's Mag.ical Kingdom

Every year for the past 6 years Dave and I have been going to Santa's Mag.ical Kingdom. It started as a date night and has turned into a fun night with the kids. We try to invite my parents to go with us when we go now because we know they will enjoy it as well as it was something we would do when I was growing up, drive around and look at lights.

Note: These were all taken by my mom's point and shoot.

Should have just bought a Box

Gymnastic Awards

At the end of each term, Chloe's gymnastics class gets evaluated. It is fun to see how much Chloe has learned and where she has improved. She also gets stickers and ribbons. Each sticker she gets represents a specific skill in an area of gymnastics and to receive a ribbon, she has to receive all the stickers in that area. Right now Chloe is in the Juniors Program at Barron Gymnastics. She has three ribbons and 23 stickers. If only she would land her cartwheel on her feet she would have four ribbons and be able to move up to the Advanced Juniors level. But she still can't/won't. I am hoping within the first week or two of the next session she will land her cartwheel and be able to move back up with her friends.

Visit with Santa Claus

This was an adventurous day. It started with pictures of the girls in the Christmas outfits and it ended with Caelyn biting her lip open cause Chloe wanted to hold her hand and well Caelyn didn't for the picture. After making sure I didn't need to take her to the hospital for stitches (it was a very deep clean cut I might add), I sat down and almost passed out from the adrenalin rush. So as you can see in the picture above, Caelyn has a fat lip.Then I called Dave to ask if I could just get the girls' pictures with Santa while I was there and there was no line. Of course he is a trooper (and really didn't want to be dragged out to the mall after work to get them) and let me. But note how Santa is holding Caelyn. Does anyone know how to hold a child anymore, this is the second year Santa has done something funny while holding Caelyn. Alright, I admit I should have been looking but I was more worried about getting the picture snapped before she realized some stranger man was holding her. But the "elves" didn't notice he was exposing her skivvies either.

After our pictures we went to mail our letter to Santa. I like to mail ours at Macy's since they donate to the Make a Wish Foundation for each letter they receive. Chloe was really excited to mail our letter. We wrote it the night before, she wrote one herself and made sure she asked Santa to bring something nice for Caelyn, but of course mentioned that she really wanted a pink Mustang for Christmas. Then she asked me to write the letter just in case he couldn't read her writing. Wasn't that thoughtful of her.

Family Tree Gift

In a blog, called Sutton Grace, I read I saw a very cool family tree that was handmade. I thought it was cool and I actually could envision in my house where I would hang it. With a few weeks of her post she had emails flying into her mailbox asking for the template, so she posted it on her blog. Well once the holidays started coming up I started thinking about gifts and I thought this would be perfect for my Grandma and Grandpa Parkin.

So I got to work. I first had to start by going to Kinko's to get the files printed off since my printer could not print on a 19x16 piece of paper. Then I traced and cut it out of scrapbook paper, I bought it in the art section of Michael's, because they don't actually sell scrap booking paper big enough for the template.

Next was were I needed alittle help. I called my Uncle Tom and Aunt Bonnie since I had known their daughter Pam made my Uncle Tom a family Album with all our relatives. Uncle Tom and Aunt Bonnie also researched things Pam was unable to find. If he wouldn't have had all this information for me the present wouldn't have be able to come together. I wrote out all the names on the leaves then organized them in family groups. I was very happy with the finished product and I think my Grandparents loved it.

Playing with Mattie Marie

We were blessed with getting to play with Mattie Marie one evening while her mommy went out with some friends to see a movie. You might remember Mattie and Amy from this post and this one. While I know Mattie loves to spend time with her Aunt Carrie and Uncle Josh, they just recently added a very handsome little man names Gabe Emmatt (the "Matt" in his middle name is in honor of his Uncle Matt, Mattie's Daddy). So I got the pleasure of watching Mattie. Chloe and Caelyn love Mattie. We have had a few times we were able to get together with them this past year.

Mattie was so much fun to play with and we learned alot about Caelyn (Mattie is alittle over 3 months younger that Caelyn). Boy is she a jealous babe. She was not liking that I was holding Mattie for the first few minutes she was there. Caelyn wanted in my arms too. But luckily Daddy came home and was able to snuggle with her. Mattie quickly warmed up and was into all the toys just like our girls. She loved playing with the Fisher Price Little People Farm. I wish I would have taken more pictures but once we got to playing I set the camera down. Dave even joined in the fun ans was playing with the three girls in the toy room.

Mattie did fall in love with one toy of Caelyn's, it was alittle baby doll. She loved that baby doll so much. She would give her kisses and hug on her. It was so cute she wouldn't really put it down. She carried that baby around until she passed out. Because Mattie loved the baby so much, I did send it home with her. It was so cute when I handed her the baby too, she grabbed her and hugged her so tight.

We can't wait for Mattie to come play with us again. And of course it makes us all feel good to know that Amy is getting out of the house too.

Almost to the top of the Hill

On December 5, I turned thirty. Let me tell you I fell no different then when I turned 29 last year. But really am I suppose to feel different. The weekend of my birthday we laid low and just hung out around the house on the weekend. I did get up on my birthday to go have a 1 hour massage, a manicure, and a pedicure. It was a nice relaxing time just by myself. On Sunday we went into my mom and dad's for my birthday dinner. Each year I have one request, Chicken and Dumplings. Chloe actually went in early to my parents and helped make dinner with my mom. I think because she helped made it just a little bit better then the past years.

I did get some presents from those who were there, which was my parents, Aunt Cindy, Dave, the Girls and I. Mom and Dad gave me the normal money (which is always good this time of year for bills and Christmas presents). Cindy surprised me though. She got me the lens I have been wanting for my camera, which is the 50 mm 1.8 (really I only needed the 1.4) and some editing software, she rocks. Dave got me the best presents, the day of my birthday time to relax and get my massage and some flowers. So the picture above shows all my gifts. Even the table was a gift from my Aunt Lisa. They did a good job there.

Now the next weekend we went out to celebrate my birthday. Dave tried hard to get people to come out but as always their either had to work or with having kids they couldn't get away. I got to spend the Friday night with a lot of my girlfriends at a Cookie Swap. Then on Saturday we went to the Bottleneck Blues Bar with our friend Heavy E and my college best friend Banger and his girlfriend Christina. It was such a great time sitting around talking, drinking, and seeing a very good band rock out. I actually forgot how good the band Trixie Delight was. They really were awesome. And come to find out, we were not the only group there celebrating a 30th birthday. We actually sat next to a huge group celebrating some one's 30th. They bought us all shots and gave us cake. It was pretty cool. Hell the birthday boy's wife was hitting on my husband. It was kinda funny cause she kept telling me how awesome he is and well like I don't know that. I couldn't have asked for a better way to have celebrated my birthday!

The Cookie Swap

Cookies with Santa

Lindbergh's PAT group held their annual Cookies with Santa Wednesday Dec 9. Dave and I took the girls there to do some fun activities and visit with Santa again (the post yesterday shows how well the Santa visit went).

This is the second time we have went to it. Last year Chloe wouldn't get near the Santa either. Besides getting to visit with Santa, they always have come crafts and activities to do while there. Chloe made a jingle bell bracelet, gingerbread house, place mat, and reindeer food.

For everything else there's Master.Card

Holiday Dress: $20

Matching Holiday Hat: $10

Picture With Santa Claus: Priceless

Note: Chloe would not go near Santa this time which is fine because we got a great picture with Santa already.

So the Baking Begins

Friday night I was surrounded by some lovely ladies whom I call friends, sharing drinks and COOKIES!! I couldn't wait. This is the first time I have participated in a cookie swap. I choose my mom's no bake Haystacks and Anise Seed Cookies (they are Italian cookies that Sue Micchici would bring Grandpa).

The haystacks have got to be my favorite cookie. They literally take 10 minutes to make and you just need to let them stand 2-4 hours to set up. They are made with cocoa powder and oats. Healthy right?

Cocoa Haystacks

2 c Sugar

1/2 c milk

1/2 c butter

1/2 c cocoa

1 pinch of salt

1/2 tsp vanilla

3c rolled oats (or 4 c if you don't want the coconut)

1 c coconut flakes

~combined first 5 ingredients in a medium sized sauce pan

~ heat till a rolling boil (stirring frequently)

~ once a rolling boil has been reached cook for 5 minutes stirring constantly

~ remove from heat and add vanilla, oats, and coconut

~ drop spoonfuls onto wax paper

~ let stand for 2-4 hours

makes about 36 cookies

So the Anise Seed Cookies were not a good go. I am not sure who these people were that submitted the recipes online but I lost half of my batter because they had the baking times off. Yes I say they because they are the ones that submitted it and they should know the times correctly. While I understand every one's oven is different, the time I was given caused them to burn, that is not even close to a cooking time in my opinion. So I had to reduce it and keep trying till I got it right.

Anise Seed Cookies

4 eggs;separated

1 3/4 c Powdered Sugar;sifted

1 pinch of Salt

2 c Flour; all purpose

1/4 tsp Baking Powder

2 tsp Anise Seed; ground

Grease and flour baking sheets Beat egg yolks,l powdered sugar, and salt in a large bowl until pale and creamy. Beat egg whites until very stiff;fold into egg yolk mixture. Sift flour, baking powder, and anise into egg mixture;fold in quickly but thoroughly.

Fill pastry bag fitted with a plain nozzle with cookie mixture. Pipe in small rounds onto prepared baking sheets. Let stand over night to dry out (about 18 hours is best).

Preheat oven to 325 and bake for 20 minutes (I found I needed to bake them for about 12-15 depending on thickness to get a chewy center).

Because I felt bad since I lost the majority of my Anise Seed Cookies I made these beauties that I got from this blog called The Idea Room. I have to say they are as yummy as they are easy to make, they are Candy Cane Kissed Brownies. I have everything (with the exception of the chocolate chips) used to make them in the background of the picture. I also made a batch for Dave to take to work cause I am a good wife like that.

It's Begining to look alot like Christmas

Chloe helped my parents put up their outside Christmas decorations (and so did Cindy or well she took the pictures). Grandma and Grandpa always let Chloe and Caelyn try new things and I have to say I was totally shocked to see the picture below when I took them off Cindy's camera. My dad doesn't like heights, weird for a man who built houses for so many years, but he really doesn't like it. I mean I know I have seen him on a roof, setting trusses, climbing up ladders, but I was alittle surprised to see he let Chloe go up the ladder with him. Needless to say, no one told me cause I found out via pictures. Dave said he knew but no one decided to tell me. Not that I care though, I mean that's want Grandpa's for right. To let her do new and fun things.

Chloe's New Bike

Chloe has gotten too big for her Radio Flyer tricycle so Grandpa bought her a new Princess bike. it is so much different then riding her trike but she is learning. While these pictures were taken at my parents house, she does normally wear her helmet, I am not sure why she isn't wearing it in these pictures. So don't think she rides without one all the time. The first day she got it she wouldn't even ride it, but up until last week when it started getting colder she was riding it everyday I know she will do great next spring and I can't wait to take her and Caelyn to Grant's Trail to ride with my girls (because I got me a new cruiser bike as well).

Household Fun

They say if you give a kid a big toy that comes in a big box, they will play with the box more then the toy. Boy is that even true about the boxes you keep your Christmas decorations in. Chloe and Caelyn had so much fun playing with the Tupperware lids to the boxes. Chloe was pushing Caelyn around like she was on a sled. It was so funny. I wish there was a way you could make a flip book online so you could see them in movement but I don't know how.

I have to say the girls are too cute to watch when playing together. They do tend to fight and get on each other's nerves but they get along more then fight right now, and I know that will probably change in the future. The big thing right now is Chloe doesn't know when to quit, so she ends up either hurting Caelyn (on accident of course) or completely ticking her off.

Look who Arrived

Santa has sent some special guests to our house to make sure the girls are being good this year. I hear next year they will be a lot more comfortable at our house and will cause all kinds of mischief like what is happening at Miss Olivia and Mr. Mikey & Mr Ryan's house.

For now when Chloe wakes up it is a game to find out where Ooh and Aah are hiding in the house. Sometimes they are together and sometimes they are in different rooms to cover more ground. She thinks it is funny when they are hanging from the kitchen light and then she is curious to why they are in the stockings (of course we told her they must have been cold from traveling all the way to the north pole to report back to Santa).

Thanksgiving Day

This year we had some extra special guest at Thanksgiving. My Great Aunt Jean and Uncle Gary (Aunt Jean is my Grandpa Walker's youngest sister) came up and spent it with us. Of course my Aunt Lisa and Jennifer came down as well, but I can't remember the last time Aunt Jean and Uncle Gary were actually here for Thanksgiving. I know most years they spend it with my Uncle Gary's family so it was a treat this year. As always, Aunt Cindy, Grandma Parkin, and Grandpa Parkin were there. My mom did a fabulous job with everything too, but she always does. Look at the picture below. Jennifer took it, but I think the walker side can so claim the blond hair and blue eyes Caelyn has inherited. Don't you?
Normally we go see Dave's mom on Thanksgiving but this year we decided to spend the day after with them. It was so nice to not have to go anywhere on Thanksgiving and to only eat one huge meal. I really hope this will be a new tradition as Dave really enjoyed it as well. We were even able to go shopping and get some Christmas presents picked up.
I was so busy visiting and trying to watch the girls, I really didn't get as man pictures as I would like. Go to this link here to check out the slide show Jennifer made from Thanksgiving.

Check this out.

Check out who sent a video message to Chloe. Click here

I know, I know

Sorry for the lack of post. I will be updating with alot of back tracking from November til the present day. We have had lots going on.

Alittle preview, Caelyn can now say Polo (as in the game Marco Polo), Grandpa, Ho Ho Ho, Bye, and Thank you. No Mama, mom, or mommy yet just daddy. I am alittle bummed that I haven't gotten a mama out of her, but I know she calls me daddy out of love. =)

So Aunt Loretta, I will have lots of pictures and information about what we have been doing. I hope you are recovering from your surgery. We love you and miss you (maybe that was a sign that you should have come up for Thanksgiving)!

Riding Toys

The new nightly event that occurs at our house is playing on the riding toys. It started of with Chloe sitting on them and Caelyn pushing her. Then we brought home a smaller riding toy for Caelyn but her poor legs are still too short for her to scoot herself around. So you wanna know what that means, it means Dave gets to push her around. So each night when he walks in the door, Caelyn has begun to point at the toy and grunt, as if she is saying push me daddy. The fun then begins. Dave pushed Caelyn while Chloe closely follows. We have two riding toys, one is a train and the other is just a ride on/push toy. The girls take turns riding each toy and Dave has to push Caelyn on both before the fun ends.