Christmas Recap and NYE

I am realizing lately that I am behind on my blog updates and have a harder time sitting down at the computer. We had a very sweet little Christmas at home with the kids. Santa came and spoiled them rotten, and by rotten I mean, they were little angels most of the day and then started suffering from the "I got too many presents" meltdowns that always seem to occur with little kids on holidays and their birthdays.

It was a pretty laid back day as I had been gone the days prior and wasn't around to meal plan or have the house in tip top condition. It was nice though. We just hung out in our jammies all day and played with the new toys. A very relaxing day overall.

Christmas was on a Wednesday this year and Tim had the whole week off. On Friday we loaded up the car to celebrate Christmas with Tim's family at the cabin. Grandma Sue and Papa Wayne had the cabin all decorated for Christmas with a fun all white Christmas tree dressed up as a snowman. The kids decorated cookies with Grandma Sue and we celebrated by opening lots and lots of presents and having a "French" meal. Tim's family does a different theme meal every Christmas and lots of planning go into the menu. It was quite a success this year I think. I'm kicking myself for not taking more pictures. Must get better at that!!! Another thing to add to my 2014 list.

Evie and Cousin Mara

Grandma Sue and the grandkids frosting cookies.

For New Year's Eve we rung in the new year with what is becoming a new little family tradition of ours and made our own pizza from scratch. I broke out the bread machine and made a fresh batch of dough, then we topped it with sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, spinach, olives and mushrooms. It was pretty delicious. The kids helped with the toppings of course. We had movie night and watched Despicable Me 2 (which Miles LOVES right now). Kids were in bed by 8:30 and Tim and I were both lights out by 10:30. I love being old, married with kids. It is quite nice. 2104 is going to be a good year.

Ringing in 2014 with a home made pizza!

It's that time of year again....Cranberry Apple Walnut Bread

One of my all time favorite things to make around the holiday season is a recipe out of The Moosewood Cookbook that my Mom used to make when we were growing up.  Anytime I make it for a group, I get rave reviews and everyone wants the recipe.  It is so yummy and packed with healthy cranberries and apples you don't even feel guilty eating it. I usually leave out the walnuts so my kids can enjoy and when making it for a group (Tim's office requests it every year for their holiday potluck). You just never know with nut allergies these days. Either way it is delicious.

Cranberry, Apple, Walnut Bread (adapted from The Moosewood Cookbook)

Ingredients:

1 cup flour
1 cup pastry flour (I use whole wheat)
1 3/4 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup veg oil
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups apples, peeled and diced
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9x13" glass pan.

In a large bowl, mix together the oil and sugar until creamy, then add the eggs and vanilla and beat well.  Sift flour and all dry ingredients (minus the nuts, cranberries and apples) in a separate bowl and mix well.

Add dry mix to oil mixture and beat well (I use a handheld mixer as it is kind of a tough consistency). Add cranberries, apples, and walnuts. Spread into well greased 9x13" glass pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 40-45 minutes.  

Holly Trolley

This year we decided to go see Santa on the Lake Harriet Trolley that is near our house. We went on a super cold afternoon but had fun riding the trolley and visiting with Santa who actually took time with each and every kid on the trolley. Evie loved the trolley ride but didn't like Santa at all. Though she did tell him she wanted a baby doll for Christmas, then screamed in his face. He must be used to this kind of thing and still tried to get him to warm up to him by moving a couple of seats away. That helped her stop crying but she kept saying "I do not like that Santa, I don't like him." 

Miles on the other hand was content sitting on Santa's lap and listing all the toys he wants him to bring. 

Telling Santa everything on his Christmas list, including Monster's University stuffed animals and a car just like his friend William has.

Enjoying the trolley ride.

I think this will go down as another new holiday tradition. We all enjoyed the very cold ride....brrrrrrrrr!

Someone was not too fond of Santa.

Miles' Thanksgiving Feast

Miles and his best buddy at school Charlie.

The week before Thanksgiving Miles' preschool puts on a big Thanksgiving feast for the kids. They set up this long table and the kids make their own little place mats and turkey hats.

The kids all walk out in a line behind their teachers to be seated at the table and Miles came out walking with his buddy Henry. It was pretty cute!! He said it was Henry's idea :)

Every kid is assigned a food item to prepare and bring for the feast. The younger, first year students just have to bring one piece of fruit for a big fruit salad they prepare. That was us last year, while the older second year students bring a dish to pass for the feast. We were assigned our pumpkin chocolate chip muffins since I had just made them for the Halloween day snack and all the kids loved them. So I put my mini muffin pan to use once again, found some mini turkey liners and made a double batch for Miles to pass around to his classmates. He did a fantastic job giving each kid at the table a muffin and then finding his seat and waiting for the rest of the food to be passed out. Their little plates get pretty full of goodies and this year Miles actually did a good job of trying most of the food on his plate (last year he didn't eat a thing). The kids are so cute to watch and the teachers do such a good job preparing the kids for the event.

Waiting to be served.

 The kids take a break to gather by the piano and teachers to sing some Thanksgiving day songs and a little act where they are turkeys. Miles got chosen to be a turkey to run away and hide behind the piano. I'm also so proud of him for getting up in front of so many people and participating.

I love how Evie is trying to be part of the show. She loves trying to get right in there.

Evie sneaks a bite of cheese.

Miles as a little turkey going to 'hide' behind the piano.

Still hiding....