Project 365: 12.31

Looking back on another GREAT year!

Project 365: 12.30

Just had to share this amazing gift our kids received from their friends at Trina's day home. Rhett & Griffin's Mom Missy put together these gifts {she should have a blog of her own to share all her crafty creations}. The bag was filled with kids bath goodies...they loved it!

Here they are discovering the treasures inside the bath bombs.

Custom M&Ms with her kids pictures on them and merry messages....so cool!

Gummie Bear soaps. Thanks Missy & the kids for the gifts!

Project 365: 12.29

Just havin' a little smoke & mirrors with my earl grey tea misto.

Project 365: 12.28

Today we...

Said good bye to Auntie Amber who headed back to Calgary

Gave Piper one of her Christmas treats, an edible card

And Scarlett climbed the walls!

Project 365: 12.27

Snider Family Reunion

In honor of my Dad's first cousin Clare coming to Canada for a 10-day visit, the family decided it would be a great opportunity to get together. It was a pleasure to meet Clare and her two children. It was impressive that almost the entire family made it! Above are all my Dad's siblings & Clare: (l to r) Mike, Clare, Janet, George, Annette, Bill & Susan. It was a fun day, absolutely wonderful to see everyone! Thank you to all who took care of organizing it.

Project 365: 12.26

Boxing Day

We got together with my side of the family to open gifts & enjoy some leftovers this morning. As you can see above, Piper go just as spoiled as the children.

Had a chance to take a few photos of my Grandfather.

Sledding party in the valley this afternoon. The kids had so much fun!

My friend Kim, her man Shane and their little one Hudson headed to Oxbow for an overnight visit.

This was Hudson's first toboggan ride!

We wrapped up the day with some hot chocolate and supper at my Mom & Dad's shop....complete with home-cooked french fries!

Project 365: 12.25

Merry Christmas from Scarlett, Ace, Cory & Starr!

Project 365: 12.24

Milk & Cookies for Santa

While I was at church tonight with the rest of my family, Cory helped the kids decorate these cookies and prepare a snack for Santa. They had everything set up so cute by the fireplace and I thought it would be a great opportunity to try a new bokeh technique I learned online {no, those aren't tiny little star lights}.

Ace & Scarlett in their matching Christmas pjs...so excited for Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas to all from our home to yours!

Santa Photos

After I was finished photographing 41 children with Santa last Friday at the Expressway Family Centre, my Mom brought Scarlett down to see Santa. She was the last one to sit on his lap, what a patient guy since she had many a toy to tell him she had wishes for. You can check out more of the photos here. I had so much fun photographing the kids, I LOVE my job!

Project 365: 12.23

This morning my sister & her kiddos met us for a skate at the local rink. The kids had fun skating around for an hour or so.

We spent a wonderful day with Auntie Amber, on the first day of her week-long holiday from Calgary.

We headed to the Country Doll House in Carnduff for lunch and then to the Christmas Store to take a peek.

Loved this photo Christa snapped of Kyra & I!

Auntie Amber made her famous sugar cookies for the kids to have fun decorating in the next couple of days.

Kyra helped too...recipe below:

SUGAR COOKIES...from Amber's kitchen

1 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

3 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cream butter & sugar in a large bowl. Beat in the egg & vanilla. In a separate bowl, combine flour & baking powder. Add flour mixture to the egg mixture one cup at a time in a large bowl, kneed with hands. The dough will be a little stiff, if too dry, then add a tsp of water at a time until the dough holds together. Roll our to 1/4" thickness and cut out with cookie cutters. Bake for 6 - 10 minutes or until edges brown. Cool on a wire rack.

Countdown to Santa

These two CANNOT WAIT for Christmas this year! They are at the perfect age to enjoy all the magic about the holiday season. Just had to share this pic of them in their Christmas pjs in front of the tree. Only 3 more sleeps (wink)!

Project 365: 12.22

It's my sister's birthday today and in honor of her, I baked this pecan/caramel cheesecake (one of her favorites) to have for dessert after we had a birthday supper for her.

Her kiddos helped blow out the candles. Happy Birthday sis!

Project 365: 12.21

Frosty Winter

Every spare moment I had today was spent capturing the beauty of these frosty days...just amazing!

Project 365: 12.20

This is the third Sunday in a row that my sister Christa & I have gotten together to bake...I've been loving it! Today we made a double batch of nuts & bolts, trail mix, scottish shortbread, & pecan bars.

Ace came in for the last little bit to watch.

Project 365: 12.19

My Starbucks Tree

Over the years I've been collecting Starbucks Christmas ornaments with my friend Kim. This year I have enough ornaments to fill a mini tree. It turned out great with red lights and a tall Christmas cup as the tree-topper. It sits on a little table at our front door and I love how it greets guests as they come to our home.

Thanks to some wonderful friends, I received a few ornaments from this years ornament collection! Check out the super-cute frappachino cup ornament...I love this one!

Starbucks usually comes out with a Barrista Bear an Reindeer also at Christmas...yep, I collect them too!

My ski-bunny Barrista Bears.

Teacup ornaments too.

Bag of beans ornaments.

I love my Starbucks Christmas Tree, it makes me :)