Another Christmas In The Books
Christmas is such a magical time of year; especially with kids. As each year goes by as a mom, I find so much happiness coming up with new family traditions and seeing the glisten in my girls eyes. I knew it would be a good year as soon as Tess screamed out "Look! It's Christmas!" seeing all the holiday decor in Target the day after Thanksgiving. It was really a cute moment seeing her excitement.
Over the years we've incorporated new holiday activities and traditions. Here are some sweet captures from this holiday season.
Finding the Right Tree
We've always gone as a family to pick out our Christmas tree, but this year we ventured to a tree farm to find the perfect tree for our new home. This was honestly so much fun. The tree farm was less than an hour away, and had a great selection of trees, hot cocoa, Santa and Mrs Claus, a train ride, and a shop with treats.
Baking
Every year, I make brickle for the girls school teachers and to bring to any holiday parties. It's always a huge hit! This year, the girls helped me out in the kitchen and made great taste testers since Joe and I aren't eating sweets. They also made Christmas cookies with my mom to leave out for Santa.
Here's how to make it!
1 sleeve saltines
1 cup salted butter (two sticks)
1 cup brown sugar
chocolate chips
candy topping of choice
1. line baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and preheat oven to 350
2. fill tray with saltines, not allowing them to overlap at all (should be rows)
3. In a saucepan, bring butter and brown sugar to a boil
4. Lower heat to low and continually stir for about 5 minutes (mixture should be getting thicker)
5. Spread butter/sugar mixture over saltines, carefully use a spatula to spread evenly over crackers
6. Place baking sheet in oven for 5 minutes, or until top begins to bubble
7. Take baking sheet out, and spread chocolate chips all over. Let sit for a few minutes
8. Spread melted chocolate chips with spatula, covering crackers
9. Cover in candy topping (our favorite is crumbled heath bar, or mini m&ms)
10. Place cookie sheet in freezer for one hour +
11. Once hard, break brickle with hands into individual pieces
Neighborhood Little Blue Choo and Santa
Just another reason to love our new 'hood. Early in December, a little blue train came and took the kids on a fun ride thru the streets. It wasn't a slow chug either - think, whipping corners and running in circles. Tess proclaimed "this is so exciting!". Santa also came to the 'hood and for the first year we had no tears on Santa's lap.
Christmas Morning
We realized Christmas Eve that we were stocking-less. How that happened, I have no idea! Joe thinks I trashed our old ones after last Christmas because I didn't like them, but I have no recollection of that. Regardless, on Christmas Even Joe and I ran out to Marshall's and Target on a quest for new stockings. We found cute, simple ones at Target, with the letters T, S and M...but no luck finding a D (dad) or even a J (Joe). We did find a miniature sized D that Joe thought would be hilarious for him, so here's how our mantle ended up :)
Tess proclaimed "there are too many presents!" when she got downstairs and saw the loot under the tree Christmas morning. I asked her if we should give some to other kids and she immediately said "YES! We should!" Gosh she's the sweetest. The girls quickly spotted their new riders from Nannie and Pop Pop and took to them right away; riding around and opening presents. Sienna moved fast opening her gifts and Tess was so overwhelmed we had to open the last few for her. Maybe we over did it this year...
Now that Christmas is over, we are gearing up for the new year! What are some of your holiday traditions?
Over the years we've incorporated new holiday activities and traditions. Here are some sweet captures from this holiday season.
Finding the Right Tree
Baking
Every year, I make brickle for the girls school teachers and to bring to any holiday parties. It's always a huge hit! This year, the girls helped me out in the kitchen and made great taste testers since Joe and I aren't eating sweets. They also made Christmas cookies with my mom to leave out for Santa.
Here's how to make it!
1 sleeve saltines
1 cup salted butter (two sticks)
1 cup brown sugar
chocolate chips
candy topping of choice
1. line baking sheet with foil or parchment paper and preheat oven to 350
2. fill tray with saltines, not allowing them to overlap at all (should be rows)
3. In a saucepan, bring butter and brown sugar to a boil
4. Lower heat to low and continually stir for about 5 minutes (mixture should be getting thicker)
5. Spread butter/sugar mixture over saltines, carefully use a spatula to spread evenly over crackers
6. Place baking sheet in oven for 5 minutes, or until top begins to bubble
7. Take baking sheet out, and spread chocolate chips all over. Let sit for a few minutes
8. Spread melted chocolate chips with spatula, covering crackers
9. Cover in candy topping (our favorite is crumbled heath bar, or mini m&ms)
10. Place cookie sheet in freezer for one hour +
11. Once hard, break brickle with hands into individual pieces
Neighborhood Little Blue Choo and Santa
Just another reason to love our new 'hood. Early in December, a little blue train came and took the kids on a fun ride thru the streets. It wasn't a slow chug either - think, whipping corners and running in circles. Tess proclaimed "this is so exciting!". Santa also came to the 'hood and for the first year we had no tears on Santa's lap.
Christmas Morning
We realized Christmas Eve that we were stocking-less. How that happened, I have no idea! Joe thinks I trashed our old ones after last Christmas because I didn't like them, but I have no recollection of that. Regardless, on Christmas Even Joe and I ran out to Marshall's and Target on a quest for new stockings. We found cute, simple ones at Target, with the letters T, S and M...but no luck finding a D (dad) or even a J (Joe). We did find a miniature sized D that Joe thought would be hilarious for him, so here's how our mantle ended up :)
Tess proclaimed "there are too many presents!" when she got downstairs and saw the loot under the tree Christmas morning. I asked her if we should give some to other kids and she immediately said "YES! We should!" Gosh she's the sweetest. The girls quickly spotted their new riders from Nannie and Pop Pop and took to them right away; riding around and opening presents. Sienna moved fast opening her gifts and Tess was so overwhelmed we had to open the last few for her. Maybe we over did it this year...
Now that Christmas is over, we are gearing up for the new year! What are some of your holiday traditions?
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