Cookie baking 2010

Monday was the night for our annual Christmas cookie baking festivities.

We included cousin Braeden in the mix this year.

Which made things a little difficult for a couple little peeps.

They would much rather play together than make cookies.

If I remember correctly, Tess sat out last year and watched from her high chair.

This year, she joined right in.

They all disappeared for a bit before the cookies were done, but returned eager to jump into the decorating.

With a little bit of mixing...

Whoops, some one's got the wrong idea...

They all got busy with the decorating....

At least for a cookie or two.

And then boredom set in and they were off again.

But looking at some of their creations, can you blame us for letting them go?

The rest were finished by us grown-ups.

I'll let you guess which ones the kids made.

After a very draining experience baking and decorating all those cookies, the kids snuggled together to watch Polar Express (for Braeden's 37th time).

I swear that kid could retell the entire movie in its entirety as it is playing, including his most favorite parts,

all 98 of them.

Next year should be an even bigger adventure when we add Mia to the mix.

White Christmas

After a couple "warm" 40 degree days, the snow returned.

Where did he go?

No words needed.

Meanwhile.....

While I was finishing up the Christmas tree the other night,

I noticed that the littlest T was nowhere to be seen.

And then we noticed the water.

Dripping from the dining room ceiling.

Tess the Mess strikes again!

Yep, that's shredded toilet paper stuck to her dress, and stuffed down the sink.

It's up

After standing in the corner all forlorn and woefully undecorated for days, the tree is finally decorated.

While Tanner was way too cool to participate, the rest of the kids all joined in, at least for a little while.

Only one glass ornament had to be sacrificed this year.

I think this was Tess's favorite spot. 

After a little rearranging, it's plenty good enough. 

A trip to the mill

Not the mall, the mill.

It's a bit of a drive to this old mill, but we haven't made the trek in a few years, so we ventured out on a balmy 50 degree night. Not only was it not cold enough to freeze your toes, but it was not crowded. At all.

There is a very cool miniature village which the little kids loved.

And some of the big kids too.

There were trains, planes, trucks and dragsters.

And a very cool little drive in that was playing Rebel Without a Cause. 

Can you tell what's happening here?

The kids sneaking out of the trunks were caught by the police!

Can you tell who's house this is? 

After ogling the miniatures for what seemed like forever, we headed over to Santa's workshop, where the big man himself pops out of the chimney. Every 20 minutes, convenient, eh?

This was Tess's first experience with jolly old St. Nick. After tearing her eyes away from the animatronic reindeer on the roof, she finally caught sight of him and gave him a wave.

Speaking of Santa, we popped into the Santa museum next to see Santas in every size.

 

My wild bunch

Two smiling boys, one girl who didn't think to bring her own coat despite being told to wear a sweatshirt and not to forget her hat and gloves because it would be cold, one moody teen who refuses to smile, and a toddler who's all about the candy canes. 

This really is a site to see. I'm glad we made the trip before it got too cold, or crowded.

They've added a very cool new light show set to music. I don't remember it the last time we came.

Of course, it was crowded, and cold.

You can't tell here but the white lights twinkle, like a waterfall.

Over the river.....

and turning for one last look......

If you're ever in this neck of the woods, you should definitely make plans to stop by the Clifton Mill.

Welcome winter

The snow is coming down.

December in Ohio.

It's beginning to look alot like.....

On Monday afternoon, before we headed out to this place

we took advantage of what will probably be the last semi warm day to throw some lights up on the house.

This one wasn't helpful, at all. In fact, she made it just a bit more tedious.

This one didn't want his picture taken so this is all I got, before I had to chase that one down there

back into the house because she took off her coat and hat and gloves.

What's up with the grin?

I mean really, is she related to Popeye?

Anyway, this is the end result. Not the greatest pics but I took them from the car.

Remember, we were on our way out to see much fancier lights.

This pic is probably a better depiction of the true colors. We went with LED lights for the first time.

I'm not sure how I'm liking them.

I mean, yeah, they use less energy, they shouldn't have to be replaced before I die, and you can string a gazillion together without blowing them up, but the blue is just really, well, BLUE!

I suppose next year when I don't have to pull out and replace several dozen burnt out bulbs I'll be glad I splurged. And even with an after turkey day sale, they were still a splurge.