The Spirit of Christmas

I think we all need a reminder every now and then of what we truly are celebrating at this time of year. The life, ministry and atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ.

'May we live in the Spirit of Christmas. May we live in the Spirit of Christ."

He Sees You When You're Sleeping...

This is Noah's first Christmas...and what a special Christmas it will be. We are so excited to spend the holiday with Andy and the Stockhoff clan. It will be one of our most memorable Christmases ever, and we can't wait.

Last weekend we had a Christmas party at our Church...a breakfast Christmas party that is. It was delish...egg and hash brown casserole, ham, fruit and a special treat we Idahoans like to call - Mrs. Powell’s cinnamon twists (give me a shout out if you know what I'm sayin!!). The cinnamon twists were by far my favorite part - aside from watching Noah sit on Santa's lap. I fully anticipated him to cry when I handed him to Santa...but he didn't. Here's the play by play.....

"Noah, Look, its Santa"
Place Noah on Santa’s lap.
Noah stares
and stares
and stares.
"Is he one?" asks Santa
"10 Months." I respond.
"Oh my! He is mal-nourished isn't he?!" jokes Santa (Yeah Santa, like I've never heard that one before)
"What would you like for Christmas?" Santa asks Noah (as Noah continues to gaze at him)
"OH," says Santa "you would like a..." and rambles off this detailed name of what seems to be a muscle car, or truck of some sort.
Nice. Not that I would even know what it was, even if I could remember it.
Click click...snap a few shots of the pair of them and then steal my child back.

Overall I think Noah did swell. He was well behaved and aside from the fact that he was too distracted by Santa and his white beard to pose for my pictures...I think he made a real impression on the big guy. Good times, good times.  Can't wait to see what happens next Christmas. 

 I got Noah this cute little onesie at the Gap.  I didn't want anyone to get confused,  he's not an elf.  (He sort of looks like a Grumpy elf in this picture though, haha)

Not an elf, and not a thumb sucker either.

Chillin with Uncle Mike.

Whitney and her awesome roommates Barbara and Mary.

Awe, Santa and Noah....buddies at 'Hello'.

As a parting gift Santa attemted to give Noah a bag of treats, but when I kindly told him that Noah couldn't eat those treats he said, "Ahh, but his Mom can!"  Sigh.  You are right Santa, I can, and I did!

Lastly. This one's for Mary.  The only person over the age of 8 brave enough to sit on Santa's lap. 

I bet she gets what's on her Christmas list!!

Up Past my Bed Time...

I have this habit.  It's not a great habit, but I can't seem to break it.  Every night I say to my mom "Oh, I am so tired.  I am definitely going to bed early tonight."  I think at this point she rolls her eyes at me, because to this day I don't think it has actually happened once.  Tonight is like any other.  I am up past my bed time.  Oh well, maybe tomorrow night. 

Noah has been quite a cutie lately, and he is definitely keeping me busy.   I think he may be coming down with a little cold or something, but he still remains in good spirits (most of the time).

We are getting really close to Christmas Eve, which also means we are getting really close to seeing Andy-  and we are so excited, to say the least.  Tomorrow will be 16 days.  Some days tend to drag, and others fly, but all in all time seems to be going by fairly quickly - and I couldn't be more grateful for that.  Thanks to all of you for your love and prayers.  We can't tell you enough.

Just a fun little video for all of you to enjoy.  Noah has mastered several talents.  Some of these include:  clap clap/patty cake, putting his hand over his mouth to make an Indian sound, Shaking his head back and forth when anyone says "Crazy" and Peek-a-boo (he is still learning this one - sometimes he tries peek-a-boo and claws his eyes instead...it's a work in progress).  Anyway...I will have to do a run through of all his talents and post that later...but this video is also a gem.  My sister Whit has a unique talent for making Noah laugh hysterically.  See Exhibit A.  (ps.  Don't mind Whitney's comment about boogers - I didn't see any). 

Recipe Swap: Cookies

Each month the ladies from church get together and have a little recipe swap/exchange.  I thought this may be something fun to start on my blog.  Once a month I will post a recipe I enjoy and you can share with me (or everyone) a recipe you love, of a similar nature.

December Recipe:  Peanut Butter Chocolate-Chip Oatmeal Cookies 

These cookies are not for the faint of heart.  They are packed with a delicious (and dangerous) combination of ingredients - that mix perfectly.  A great treat to share with neighbors, or just to enjoy yourself. 

Peanut Butter-Chocolate-Chip-Oatmeal Cookies
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temp.
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
2 large eggs
1 tea vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tea baking powder
1/2 tea salt
2 cups chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups quick-cooking rolled oats
1 cup unsalted roasted peanuts, chopped

1. In a bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until well blended.  Beat in eggs and vanilla until smooth, scraping down sides of bowl as needed.

2. In another bowl, mix flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt.  Stir or beat into butter mixture until well incorporated.  Stir in chocolate chips, oats and peanuts. 

3. Drop dough in rounded 2-tablespoon portions, 3 inches apart on cookie sheet with cooking spray.  with a lightly floured fork, flatten slightly into 2 - 1/2 inch rounds about 1/2 inch thick.

4. Bake at 350 degrees until cookies are golden and tops feel set when lightly pressed.  12 to 14 minutes (they will feel underdone but will firm up as they cool).

5. Let stand 5 minutes on sheets, then, with a wide spatula, transfer cookies to racks to cool.

Now it's your turn!  Leave a comment with one of your favorite cookie recipes, or send me an email at cinderellasews@gmail.com