7:00 AM Christmas Morning

We told the kids they could come upstairs on Christmas morning at 7 am. At 6:55 Garrett and Devein were wanting to come upstairs up they were told to they had to wait for Livvy and Andi to come up too. So it wasn't until 7:15 that they got to come up. And the first thing they got to do is open up stockings.  After stockings we have cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate for breakfast then open the presents.

Devin was so excited about his 1000 dollars (of fluffy money) in his stocking.

Andi was not sure what to do with her stocking. 

Christmas Eve

So we all know that Christmas Eve is time for new pajamas so that the pictures on Christmas Day look cute! Then I ask myself every year why do I buy pajamas again? My kids don't like to sleep in pajamas. They just want to sleep in there normal clothes. Then I remember that it is a tradition and I do want cute pictures on Christmas morning.

Devin reading Andi a story.

Olivia wanted a Onesie pajama of Cookie Monster.  Which looks really silly but she was cookie monster for Halloween and this is all she really asked for.  So being the good mother I am, I went on hunt for them.  I found them on Walmart.com on Sale for 13 dollars.  Score!  I purchased them.  They were supposed to arrive on Dec. 7.  They didn't arrive.  I waited a whole week then contacted walmart.  They said that they went out of Stock on Dec. 5.  So my order was back ordered.   I told them I didn't understand since I ordered mine on Nov. 24.  But apparently since mine weren't supposed to arrive until the 7th mine were back ordered.  Now it was getting even closer to Christmas.  All of them were backordered or would not arrive until after Christmas.  I found one on Amazon after much searching and found another one that was prime available meaning it would get here in 2 days.  But now the price was more than double then what I paid for them.  But I know that she really wanted them, so being the good mother I am, I sucked it up and paid the higher price for them.  She was so excited about them and has worn them a lot since.

Another problem with buying pajamas or clothes in general is that  I never seem to get the sizes right.  I ordered a size 8 for Devin.  I debated about getting a size 10 but then remembered that I bought him a size 10 for his Halloween Costume and it was way too big.  So I got a size 8 glow in the dark pair of pajamas.  As you can see....I nailed it!  They are way to small!  He wore them the one day and will never wear them again.  You know super small pajamas are super cute and make extra cute pictures!

Andi and Garrett's pajamas fit great!

Livvy wanted her hair braided and then Andi wanted her hair combed at the same time!

Here is the picture of the tree with all the presents put out waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Livvy and Andi

These two are so Silly!

This is Livvy's Permit.

This tired girl loves to sleep with pillows and blankets.

Livvy with her friends being cookie monsters!

Christmas in Color

I saw that they had a Light Display in Salt Lake from the creators of the Ice Castle. I bought tickets and added this to the advent calendar. We loved the lights. It was pretty amazing and the lights were synced to music! It was pretty amazing.  Jere didn't come with us but we may go back!  We put a short video at the bottom of the post.  You can see how cool it is and hear Andi's excitement!

Andi was so excited! She kept yelling, "Tree, Star, Wow!"  It was fun to listen to her.

Sock Snowmen

Today's Advent calendar activity was making sock snowman.  We haven't made these in a long time.  The kids still liked making them and Andi was was interested.  She wanted to help pour the rice in the socks. When they were done she hugged them and said, Snowman over and over!   

I am really liking these family activities that we are doing this year for the Christmas season.

Blocks in a Box

Andi dumped out the the things in the recycle box and then climbed in with her blocks and played in that box for about 15 minutes. 

Who is that Santa

I was looking at facebook today and I saw that one of my friends from West Virginia posted this picture.   I took a closer and realized, "Hey that's my DAD!" 

He dresses up as Santa every year for church and school parties.  I miss him a lot.  It was fun the year we were there for Christmas and he dressed up for our kids.

Youth at Temple Square

For a young women's activity, they went to temple square to see the lights.  They got home really late but I think she had a good time.

Christams Crafts

Jeremy and I decided to do an activity Advent Calendar this year. The first activity was putting up the tree. I have had a few crafts that they have already opened.  There will be a few more crafts and lots of other fun activities as a family.

We made an stain glass art project and hung them in our window in the kitchen.

We also made ornaments.  We made beaded wreaths. Jenn also brought over some wooden ornaments and the kids got to paint them.   Olivia made the snowman, Garrett made the reindeer, Devin made the penguin, and Jenn painted the bear for Andi.

Jumbo Cookies

For a fun family home evening treat, I decided to make JUMBO chocolate chip cookies. I had Andi sitting on the counter "helping" she got to dump in the flour. And she dumped in the chocolate chips. She enjoyed watching the mixer and she kept wanted me to make it go faster.  As I getting ready to form the cookies I tried to get her to try the batter.  She said, "No Try"

But as soon as the cookies were out of the oven, she couldn't wait to try these huge cookies.  She kept yelling "Cookie, Cookie" and climbing on the table to see them.

They were so good and chocolaty!  Which they were extra chocolaty, Andi dumped in extra 1/2 bag of chocolate chips.  But boy were they so good.   I might keep this recipe, even if I don't make them jumbo each time. 

You only bake 3 at time.  Each cookie has 1/2 c batter

INGREDIENTS 2 1/4 cups flour 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup butter, room temperature 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips Need to convert the measurements? Click here! DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350° and line 2 sheet trays with parchment paper. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Stir and set aside. In a large bowl, combine butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until fully combined. Add in the egg and vanilla and mix well. Stir in the flour mixture and mix until no dry pockets remain. Fold in the chocolate chips. Measure dough into 1/2 cup portions using a measuring cup. It should make 6 large cookies. Roll balls so they are smooth and place 3 on each sheet. Bake 1 tray at a time, for 17-18 minutes. They will still be soft when they come out so let them cool on the sheet tray for 5-10 minutes. Servings: 6

Recipe: http://www.centercutcook.com/jumbo-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies

Prep Time: 5mn

Cook Time: 17mn

Total Time: 40mn

INGREDIENTS

• 2 1/4 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup butter, room temperature
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350° and line 2 sheet trays with parchment paper. Set aside.
2. In a small bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Stir and set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until fully combined.
4. Add in the egg and vanilla and mix well.
5. Stir in the flour mixture and mix until no dry pockets remain.
6. Fold in the chocolate chips.
7. Measure dough into 1/2 cup portions using a measuring cup. It should make 6 large cookies. Roll balls so they are smooth and place 3 on each sheet.
8. Bake 1 tray at a time, for 17-18 minutes. They will still be soft when they come out so let them cool on the sheet tray for 5-10 minutes.

Servings: 6

Printed from: http://www.centercutcook.com
Recipe URL: http://www.centercutcook.com/jumbo-chocolate-chip-cookies/

Recipe: http://www.centercutcook.com/jumbo-chocolate-chip-cookies/

INGREDIENTS 2 1/4 cups flour 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup butter, room temperature 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Recipe: http://www.centercutcook.com/jumbo-chocolate-chip-cookies/

INGREDIENTS 2 1/4 cups flour 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup butter, room temperature 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Recipe: http://www.centercutcook.com/jumbo-chocolate-chip-cookies/

INGREDIENTS 2 1/4 cups flour 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup butter, room temperature 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips Need to convert the measurements? Click here! DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350° and line 2 sheet trays with parchment paper. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Stir and set aside. In a large bowl, combine butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until fully combined. Add in the egg and vanilla and mix well. Stir in the flour mixture and mix until no dry pockets remain. Fold in the chocolate chips. Measure dough into 1/2 cup portions using a measuring cup. It should make 6 large cookies. Roll balls so they are smooth and place 3 on each sheet. Bake 1 tray at a time, for 17-18 minutes. They will still be soft when they come out so let them cool on the sheet tray for 5-10 minutes. Servings: 6

Recipe: http://www.centercutcook.com/jumbo-chocolate-chip-cookies/

INGREDIENTS 2 1/4 cups flour 2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup butter, room temperature 3/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips Need to convert the measurements? Click here! DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350° and line 2 sheet trays with parchment paper. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and salt. Stir and set aside. In a large bowl, combine butter, brown sugar and granulated sugar. Mix until fully combined. Add in the egg and vanilla and mix well. Stir in the flour mixture and mix until no dry pockets remain. Fold in the chocolate chips. Measure dough into 1/2 cup portions using a measuring cup. It should make 6 large cookies. Roll balls so they are smooth and place 3 on each sheet. Bake 1 tray at a time, for 17-18 minutes. They will still be soft when they come out so let them cool on the sheet tray for 5-10 minutes. Servings: 6

Recipe: http://www.centercutcook.com/jumbo-chocolate-chip-cookies/