Holiday Goodies

Last weekend, MomaBrown (my grandmother) came over and we baked lots of goodies! We had a really good time and I think we will make this a yearly thing since I live so much closer to her now. We baked tons of cookies and candies for neighbors, friends, and relatives. When I say we baked a lot of cookies, I am not exaggerating. My counters were full.

A long time ago there was a bakery in Demopolis that used to have cookies called Turtleback cookies. They were my favorite. I can remember sometimes Mom taking me after school to get a cookie. Instead of picking out the cute little decorated ones, I always would choose the turtlebacks. So that is what MomaBrown and I made and they turned out really good. All of my neighbors have loved them.
Here is the recipe that we used (I doubled the recipe):
1 box Duncan Hines spice cake
2 eggs
1/2 cup Wesson oil
2 T. water
Mix these ingredients together for 2 minutes. Add 1 cup chopped pecans. Drop by spoonfuls onto cookie sheet and bake 12 minutes at 350 degrees.
For the icing on top:
1 stick butter
1/2 cup brown sugar (I used both light & dark)
3 cups confectioners sugar, sifted
5 T. whipping cream (or milk...I used a can of evaporated milk because I had that on hand)
Bring butter and brown sugar to a boil and then simmer 2 minutes. Add confectioners sugar and cream and blend with wire whisk or blender. As you ice cookies, keep stove eye on lowest temperature to keep icing from setting.

The finished product ready for delivery!

Picture Fun

I saw some people doing this on their blogs and thought it was quite funny. Actually I am doing this b/c I want to see what our friends will post as their picture. I know I have some random pics some on my computer from forever ago that are pretty funny.

The object of the picture tag is to:

1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer

2) Select the 4th picture in the folder

3) Explain the picture

4) Tag 4 people to do the same

NO CHEATING!

HAHA! This pic is Honey (Lee's mom) with a cute little pup the day I went to pick up Dolly from the breeder in Tuscaloosa. Honey fell in LOVE with this little man so I had to take a pic. He was sold but his new family had not come to pick him up yet. If he would not have been sold, who knows we may have had another little weenie dog running around!
Now I tag - KINSEY, MEREDITH, LAUREN, & MORGAN!! Remember no cheating!
And since I was looking through that picture folder I could not resist posting a pic of Dolly from that same day. Look how little she was!!

The Gingerbread Man

Every year I have always wanted to purchase a gingerbread house kit or train kit to decorate. But have always saved that $10 b/c I figured it would just fall apart. Well this year, I gave in and bought one. Last night I decide to get it out and give it a try. Next year I think I will have to buy 2 houses b/c someone took over decorating for me :)



His audience

The finished product...don't laugh :)

Counting down till Christmas...only 15 days

We are so excited about Christmas this year. This year is extra special to us with it being Kylie's 1st Christmas, now having 4 new nieces and nephews to share the holiday with, not having to travel so far to see everyone, and so on and so on. We are getting READY! We are having Christmas with Lee's family next weekend in Tuscaloosa so this week/weekend is the last chance I will have to get everything done. Surprisingly, I do not have much left to do and that is kind of driving me crazy. I always want more to wrap, decorate, bake, etc. haha.
-Christmas Cards are in the mail as of today (let me know what you think, I think they turned out really cute!!!)
-Only have two things left to purchase (stocking stuffers for Lee and a little something for my mom) Any stocking stuffer ideas for hubbies?
-Everything that I have purchased so far is wrapped and under the tree, wrapping is my favorite part!
-Purchased goodies for Kylie's babysitter and nursery workers
-House is decorated
I guess the only thing left to do is enjoy!!

5 months!

Kylie turned 5 months on Sunday. She is doing great. So far she has tried sweet potatoes, bananas, carrots, squash, peaches, applesauce (her fav), pears, and even sweet peas. She does wonderful with food, in fact she would rather have food any day over her bottle. Honey says Lee was this same way when he was a baby. SHe is still on the Nutramigen formula, but we are hopeful Dr. Hammad will put us on regular formular at her 6 month check-up next month. She is really responsive these days and LOVES for us to talk to her, make funny noises, and goofy faces. She discovered her feet a few weeks ago and diaper changes are not as easy as they used to be b/c she always has her feet up by her head. She is such a smiley little girl and everyone at nursery loves her. She is infatuated with all of the other babies and children. And when she is at home she is in constant search of Dolly. Our biggest challenge is that we are still not sleeping through the night and in fact she gets up more times than ever. I am not sure what to do about that???? Suggestions? I let her cry it out but 30 minutes or more will pass and she will still scream. How long do you let them cry it out?? We are desperately hoping for sleep at our house for Christmas. haha. Any ideas on sleeping would be appreciated. I have tried bathing during the day, bathing right before bed time, rice cereal in her last bottle, etc. Kylie does not want to miss out on anything and sleep is not on the agenda. We have been to see Santa twice this month and both times she giggled and stared. She really liked him, I doubt it will be this easy next year. She is still pretty long and lean. She is in 6 month clothes, but bottoms still seem to fall off her waist and one-piece rompers will barely snap in the length. We are all excited about her 1st Christmas and cannot wait to wake up Christmas Day with this cutie!

Belated Thanksgiving

Although Christmas is in FULL swing at our house, I could not forget to do my Thanksgiving post once I finally got my camera to work again. Ugh, that camera is going to be the death of me. hehe. Anyway, we had a great Thanksgiving and it was extra special this year since it was Kylie's first Thanksgiving. We spent the day in Demop with both my mom's parents and siblings and my dad's parents and brother. We hated we missed the Calame Thanksgiving at Amanda's!! Since Lee and I both had to work on Wednesday and Friday, it would have been too much driving to be in both places. Anyway a little about how our day started out although it may be too much info, I think it is funny. I had a super cute, nice outfit picked out for Kylie to wear Thanksgiving. It was her 1st time to meet some of my aunts and uncles and given that there was going to be lots of picture taking I wanted her to look super cute. Kylie spent the night with Wen-Wen the Wednesday before Thanksgiving b/c Lee and I had to work and daycare was closed. Well when we got to Demop on Thursday morning Kylie was super happy but my mom said she had not gone to the bathroom (#2 for Lee's friends who like to call Lee and when he says he is changing a diaper, they ask "#1 or #2?" haha). I knew from our horrid newborn days that when she doesn't go, even if it is only for one day, it is no fun for any one. So I figured before she got really upset we should stop by Wal-Mart and pick up some prunes for her before heading to my grandparents. That way she would do her business and be a perfect little angel at Thanksgiving dinner. We pull in Wal-Mart parking lot and just as I am unfastening my seat belt we hear a loud noise come from the backseat. Lee and I look at each other and realize the trip to Wal-Mart is now unnecessary. And it indeed it was...my backseat proved it. After 30 minutes of cleaning, a least 20 wipes, a couple of sympathy stares, and of course changing out of the outfit of choice :( we finally make our way to my grandmothers for Thanksgiving dinner. And guess what??? She was a perfect little angel! haha.
Kylie and Tina, my mom's youngest sister whom Kylie was named after

Daddy and his girl


Bath-time in the sink @ Wen-Wens

Another 5 generations picture this time with my Granny (my grandfathers mom)
Dad, PapaFred, Granny, Kylie, & Me

COTR 2008

This weekend was a blast. Lee had a guys weekend planned with his college buddies in Boligee @ the Barton's camphouse, so we all packed up and headed to Demopolis (Boligee is right outside of Demop so Lee dropped me off). It was Christmas on the River weekend in Demop which is always so much fun. Before the boys headed to the camp Friday night, Lee and Kyle came to the COTR BBQ cook-off. It was fun and as always great to see so many friends from home that I do not get see often. We were in a great tent with food and drinks and even better, a small band and most importantly heaters!! After the cook-off the boys dropped me off at my parents and they headed on to Boligee. Saturday, Mary Grace came to Demop and we went to Art in the Park and the COTR day parade. We wanted to take Kylie, but it was too cold so I left her with my grandparents. Anyway, I picked up a few Christmas presents and as always enjoyed the parade. After the parade, MG and I headed to Tuscaloosa to meet up with friends and watch the Bama game at Gallettes. I had sooo much fun with the gals and can't wait until our next get together! Kylie stayed in Demop and spent the night with Wen-Wen and Papa K. Sunday morning, Lee picked me up from MG and Kyle's house and we came back home to do more decorating!

Lee & Kyle freezing at the BBQ

Katie and I also freezing :)

Day Parade(I missed the COTR night parade to watch the football game, but definitely will be there next year)

Mary Grace and I with Santa

@ Temerson Square after the game
Kylie and one of her most favorites!