Monday, December 29, 2008

FREE photo album from HOORRAY

So I tried out the Free photo album that HOORRAY is offering. I got the 34.95 album for free. Just enter THANKUALBUM and FREESHIP in the promotion code. You will have to enter one at a time. You might also have to enter in your billing and address information 2x even though they are the same. I'm not sure how long the promotion lasts, but my guess is it is through January 1. You should give it a try. Just be prepared to spend a bit of time. It took me about 4 hours to complete my album with pictures and text. You can change the layout and colors on the right hand side. Just go to www.hoorray.com

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas

Hannah was a shepherd for her school program.
 


Santa's Personal Visit
Santa (Grandpa Lovejoy) made a visit on Sunday. The girls were very excited to see him, but wouldn't normally be interested in visiting with a stranger Santa. Madison wasn't quite so sure who the jolly man was.
 

 

 
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Monday, December 15, 2008

Nuts

I don't seem to have much luck with nuts- One of Peter's classmates in dental school often came to our house for dinner in Ohio. Once I forgot that he had a nut allergy and I made something with nuts, I think they were muffins, but now I can't remember. He went home a little itchy that night. My dad is the same way, so I really am sympathetic to nut allergies, but since I have none of my own I often forget. Just yesterday I fed a peanut M&M to a child at church who had a nut allergy and I even had been told he had allergies to them. Thank heavens it was not life threatening.

The new suggestion is to not give peanuts/peanut butter to your child until they are 2. Katie gave Madison a great head start in that department by giving her a Reese's peanut butter cup when she was 5 months old. I tried to keep peanut butter away from her until she was one, but I gave up after that. She loves peanut butter sandwiches. Today she cried for about 2 hours. Whenever I can't figure out what is wrong with my little ones I always blame it on teeth, which maybe she is getting a few new ones. Nothing would pacify her until I gave her a big spoon of peanut butter. It did the trick! Personally I am a big fan of peanut butter. I think I ate more peanut butter sandwiches when I was pregnant with Katie than I had my entire life. I usually ate 2 or 3 before noon. It was the only way to keep from feeling super sick.

So, if you ever leave your kids with me or we invite you over for treats or dinner and anyone is allergic to something, remind me every time. I won't be offended.

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Thin Mint Cookies



Yesterday we made homemade thin mint cookies. They remind me of the girlscout cookies. You just take Ritz crackers-or the cheaper store brand version and dip them in melted bark chocolate that has a few drops of mint extract (It is not an exact science. You'll just have to taste it.) One year I tried to get fancy and drizzle some white chocolate in stripes over it. I thought it was way too much work. This year we tried sprinkles on top, but we needed different sprinkles-ours were too see through. These are definitely a favorite.

We also made peanut butter balls but all of them were eaten before I took a picture. I have some of the balls that are not dipped in chocolate yet, so I'll take a picture when we get around to dipping them. Here is the recipe for those. What a great way to use some of those Rice Krispies we are stocked up on.

RICE KRISPIES PEANUT BUTTER BALLS 
2 c. peanut butter
1 stick butter, melted
1 (1 lb.) powdered sugar
3 c. Rice Krispies
1 lb. chocolate, melted (suggested Nestle's semi-sweet chocolate bits)
Mix first 4 ingredients; roll into balls; dip into chocolate.

We had a great morning before church today. Everyone was very cooperative. Hannah even picked out her own Matching Outfit. Yeahh!!!

Friday, December 12, 2008

Today


Today we made one of our favorite treats that we traditionally only make around the holidays because they are sooooo good, you can eat soooo many, and then feel soooo sick.
Just unwrap Rolo candy and place on top of a twisted pretzel. Place in 200 degree oven for a couple of minutes until chocolates are soft, but not totally melted. Then place a pecan on top and smash the rolo slightly. YUM YUM and soooo easy


CANDYBREAD HOUSES
So that is Hannah's name for Gingerbread Houses, which she got to make at school today. Here she is with her good friend, Allie from school.


SAFEWAY CEREAL for $.29-$.50

Until Tuesday Safeway is having a deal on Kellogg's cereal. When you buy 5 you get $5 off your purchase. If you combine it with recent coupons from the paper (I believe there were 4 coupons in one paper for $1 off plus you can print 2 coupons out from the Kellogg's website-print one and then press the back button on your web browser.
The cheapest are the cornflakes that will be $.29 and then up $.50 for mini wheats, rice krispies, etc. I actually managed to get my hands on 25 coupons for the cereal, so we stockpiled 25 boxes of cereal for $12.50. Sweet Deal! You'll have to ask me if we have any left in a couple of weeks.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Santa's Sweeties



Here are a few pictures of Santa's sweeties that live in our house. I couldn't believe that the girls would actually put on dresses for the Church Christmas party, but it was Hannah's idea.