Christmas

Trying to add pictures for the Christmas blog, but not going so well! Sorry.

Christmas!

Christmas came and went wayyyy too fast! I so enjoyed doing so many special things with my family to celebrate Christ's birthday. We made multiple trips in the car looking at Christmas lights. Cooper loved looking at people's blow ups of Santa Claus, Frosty and Winnie the Poo. He also loved to pet our Moose in the front yard :). We made it to the Christmas Eve service at church..and there was NO nursery. So our boys attended their first service of Big Church. Cooper enjoyed the music and I laid a blanket on the floor for Cohen with some toys and he played. They were wonderful.

Cooper loved all of his toys Christmas morning. By far his favorite was his basketball goal and ball. Cohen just watched..I think his favorite was his keys (hard to tell). I baked sweets and we all ate way too much.

The day after Christmas we went to Guntersville to spend with the Grandparents! Cooper was very excited to see his Grandpa! And everyone else..but Grandpa is his buddy. Cooper wore Grandpa out and we spent lots of time with all of the family. Nana and Grandpa spoiled the boys rotton with gifts and love. Mama Pat rocked Cohen to sleep, I think that was the first time he had actually been rocked to sleep. Very sweet. We also enjoyed time with Aunt Sandy, Tony, Banning and Kelly.

More to come on Christmas.. we will be celebrating with my family this weekend. I am posting some pictures but will update the website with more soon.

Chelsea Christmas Parade

This past Saturday our small town of Chelsea had a Christmas Parade! It's the small things like this that really help me get even more into the Christmas spirit. This was the second time Cooper has attended the parade so it's also something that is becoming a Christmas "tradition" for us. We really had to bundle up for the parade it was very COLD out.
Cooper had the most fun catching candy this year. He asked us each time Yea? before he picked up a piece of candy. I better enjoy that while I can. He then thought he had to eat each piece right away when he got it.

Cohen on the other hand was bundled up in the stroller but did not want to wear his hat and did not want to sit still. So..he ended up taking a nap in the car (warm and cozy) while the parade was going. By the way..we watched the parade from the back of our car, no babies were left unattended. :).

There were lots of floats, fire trucks, bands and decorated cars and trucks. By far my favorite is always the fire truck with the "dalmation." :)

Tinkerbell DVD

So...there is now a coupon or 2 out to get the Tinkerbell BluRay combo pack for practically free!
I am going to get mine tonight. Cooper likes to watch the Tinkerbell previews but I wasn't about to spend 20 something dollars to get him a "girly" movie :). (Although I am excited to see it)
But, now there is a $10.00 off coupon at the Disney website. And..Target has a $5.00 off any Bluray purchase. You can stack those coupons. There is also a rebate (I haven't printed that one yet.) The Blu Ray is on sale at Target for $19.99. So with just those 2 coupons the most you will pay is $5.00 + tax. Anyway details at at the Stretching a Buck Blog. There is a link on the side of my blog.
FYI: BluRay combo has the bluray DVD and a DVD for regular dvd players!!

Trip to see Santa!

I wasn't sure if going to see Santa was going to happen this year! Saturdays for us are usually full and it takes a lot to get Clay into the mall. I decided if I was going to do it I better go before the weekend and before the kids were out of school. So I got them dressed and went for it! :) We went at 10:30 in the morning and I think hit it just right. There were only 6 people in front of us. I even had to pull out Coopers snack to make it with that short wait!! Cooper was excited to see "HO HO" but when we got up to him and I put him in his lap he was not happy about me leaving him there. He kept his hands out for me to come and get him. Cohen on the other hand was as happy and content as could be chewing on his fist! :) So I had to sit with Santa as well to get a decent picture! I certainly hadn't thought that would happen. Would have worn more make-up! :)
So we did that..and then went to the Disney store! This was Cooper's first trip inside of the store but he notices it every time we come to the mall! He was in baby heaven! I decided to let him pick out one of the plush babies and pick out one for Cohen. (They were Buy one get one free). Yay! It was a hard choice but he chose a Winnie the Pooh and a Eyeore for Cohen. We then went to Chic fil a and had lunch and watched the Carousel. Full and fun morning with the boys.
I wish I had taken more pictures of our trip, it was somewhat difficult. And..our scanner is
broken so i can't post the Santa picture yet.

Double Layer Peppermint Bark

I had a request for this recipe! It's yummy stuff. I got the recipe from the SouthernPlate blog.

Peppermint Bark

2 Packages Almond Bark (white candy coating)

1-2 drops peppermint oil (can be omitted)

1 box standard sized candy canes

Place almond bark in large mixing bowl and microwave for 45 seconds, stir. Repeat until completely melted. Add peppermint oil. Pour onto waxed paper lined baking sheet or countertop and spread out until approximately ¼ inch thick. Place candy canes in zipper seal bag and let kids crush them. Sprinkle over top and allow to cool. Break into small pieces and store in airtight container or place in gift bags.

Peppermint Bark

With all of the cold and rainy days lately we have been stuck in the house. With a 2 year old that's not easy! So I have had to come up with things to do. I decided to make peppermint bark with Cooper. I was reading a blog that said it was "kid friendly." And it was! I had a ziplock bag of candy canes and let Cooper use his Handy Manny hammer to break the candy canes. He couldn't believe I was letting him stand in a chair in the kitchen and hammer candy on the counter. He did a great job and loved putting the candy canes on the almond bark. We are still working on the eating of all of that candy! Not good for my figure :).