Snow-klahoma

Yes, I know.  The title is cheesy but on February 1st, it was snow-klahoma around here.  It was too cold to play outside for long but JJ wanted to go out so badly so we bundled him up and sent him out with Daddy and the dogs for a bit.  He had such a great time!

January Randomness

I've got too much catching up to do to post a blog for each individual thing that happened in January so this one will be filled with lots of randomness.

JJ and Daddy playing in the tent.


JJ's first bowling trip. Our Light Brigade had a Saturday field trip to the bowling alley so we brought JJ along.



Wearing Daddy's bowling shoes.



I love this sign in his room.


JJ's first NBA game. At a Thunder game!



I love his sweet profile. I took this one morning while he was still half asleep.

Sunday School

Oh my goodness it has been a while since I've posted anything.  I've been without a computer for the last couple of months so I wasn't able to post.  I still don't have a computer so who knows when then next chance I have to post will be!

I'm not sure how I forgot this but JJ's first time to go to Sunday School was January 2nd.  What a great way to start out the year!  I think it's a momentous occasion and worth remembering so here are a few pictures from that day.

He wasn't too excited about it at first. We stood outside the classroom door for awhile.


Still not so sure about this whole Sunday School thing.


He finally made it into the classroom. It took a bit for him to warm up but his teacher said he did great!


JJ hasn't had a problem going to Sunday School since then. In fact, he looks forward to it!

Later that day JJ found a party hat and had some fun with it.

His "Wady"

It all started a couple weeks ago.  When I talk to JJ about I'll say things like:  Say hi to the nice lady!  We're taking a lady some food.  and The lady's foot hurts.  One day he asked about his "wady" and I asked him who she was.  He said, "You my wady!" and that's what I've been since then.  Many times thoughout the day he'll remind me that I'm his "wady" and every time I hear it it's like the first time.  I know my little man won't be this sweet forever so I cherish these moments we have and will always remember the days he called me his "wady".

Eggnog

I have never been a fan of eggnog.  I try drinking it every year thinking that maybe I'll like it but my dislike of eggnog has always remained the same.  Until now.  I used eggnog in the Eggnog Cheesecake I made for Christmas and have had quite a bit left.  I hated to throw it away but certainly didn't want to drink it so I hung on to it hoping to find something to do with it.  I looked at it the other day and noticed that the expiration date was coming up.  That lit a fire under me and I searched for some good eggnog recipes. 

I started with Eggnog Cupcakes.  The recipe I used is from Annie's Eats.  I remembered reading about it and decided to give it a try.  I'm  so glad I did!  These cupcakes are delicious.  If you love the flavor and spices of eggnog, you'll love these cupcakes.




I made 2 batches of the cupcakes and still had some eggnog left.  After finding such a great recipe I knew I couldn't throw the rest of the eggnog away.  I had to put it to good use!  Next are Eggnog Cookies.  I found the recipe HERE.  The only change I made to the recipe was to use 3 1/2 cups of flour instead of 4.  These cookies are wonderful and addicting and I highly recommend them!



After these 2 recipes, I will never snub my nose at eggnog again. In fact, I plan on buying it every year so I can add these fabulous recipes to my Christmas baking!

The Season of...

FOOD!  You thought I was going to say giving, didn't ya?  Well, Christmas is definitely the season for giving and for remembering Christ's birth (first and foremost) but I believe it is also fair to say that the Christmas season is also a season of food.  Tons and tons of food.  Yay for me!  Anyway, it's been awile since I've posted about things I've made (gasp!) so here's an update.

The appetizer we had for our Christmas Eve dinner at my parents house was Festive Crab Cups.  A new recipe for us.  Mini phyllo cups are filled with a cream cheese crab mixture and topped with cranberries.  Great combination!


One Christmas Eve dessert was Chocolaty Peppermint Cupcakes.  They were rich but good.  I'm not a fan of frosting (you're in shock, I know) so I didn't care for the frosting but I liked the peppermint and chocolate together.


Our other Christmas Eve dessert was this Eggnog Cheesecake.  Another new recipe.  It's a no-bake cheesecake and the texture is between a cheesecake and a pudding.  Very good.  Hubby LOVED it.


I took this Coffee Cheesecake to our Sunday School Christmas party.  Coffee flavored cheesecake topped with ganache and chocolate covered espresso beans.  Hello!  You'll stay awake all night on that one!  It was very good though and I got rave reviews.


My most favoritest (yes, I know that's not a word!) cookie.  Orange Cranberry Cookies.  So good, people.  I can't even tell you.  You have to taste them for yourselves.  And everyone I've ever given them to loves them as well.  I made these last Christmas too.  Oh, I've never bothered with the glaze that the recipe calls for.  They totally don't need it!


Lastly is another new recipe (surprised, anyone?).  Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes with Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Frosting.  You can thank Amanda for this one.  I saw it on her blog and knew I had to try it.  I've never been a cookie dough eater but this. is. good.  And I know I said I'm not a frosting person but I love this one!  You must try it!

Christmas Day

We had a sweet Christmas morning, just the 3 of us, and then went to Hubby's parents house later that afternoon.  Another fun day!

Our Christmas tree before the damage was done.  :)


Being so patient!


And his favorite gift was (surprise, surprise) the guitar!




Another favorite was the snow/leaf blower.


Opening the gift Uncle Joey and Uncle Nilo got him.  Dinosaurs!


The gift he got from Mimi and Papa.  Jungle animals!


Just being cute.



Playing on the floor with Uncle Nilo.



We, of course, had to bring his guitar with us.  The picture doesn't show it but Uncle Joey is playing his guitar and singing and Uncle Nilo is singing as well.  JJ joined in the jam session!




We were blessed with another good Christmas!