Christmas-Time in Chicago

We were able to make it this year for a quick day trip into downtown Chicago.  I LOVE Chicago at Christmas!  I remember as a child seeing the Marshall Fields (Now Macy's), windows outside.  So fun.  Matthew really got into them this year.  I wouldn't say it was the most stellar year for their windows, but when a 3 year old keeps running to the next one and says "Wooooowww!", it makes it worth it!  We also were finally able to eat at XOCO, and loved that too!

My Carnitas Caldos at XOCO...so good!

Starting to tour the windows outside of Macy's...

A couple of Matthew enjoying the windows...

The tree in the Walnut Room was beautiful as always...

It was a great time!

Merry Christmas!!

Teacher Gifts

I have now entered the era of "teacher gifts".  Matthew and I (well really me!) had so much fun making his teachers their gifts this year.  He has too wonderful teachers in his room.  Mrs. Hanna and her assistant Mrs. Domberg are just the best!  I really wanted to make something fun for them.  Here is what we did:

Peppermint Stick Cocoa... (I made a few extra for some family gifts...)

Here is a link to the recipe...

Also these cute "personal" hand sanitizers!  Thanks to my friend Elaine who helped with the transparency paper printing!!

Here is a link to the tutorial on these...

I also made some homemade "snowflake" marshmallows to go with the cocoa mix!

Here is a link for this recipe...

All wrapped up and ready to give...

I even found a great deal on some cute "peppermint" candy mugs...

Matthew was so happy to give Mrs. Hanna and Mrs. Domberg their gifts!

Christmas In GA

We had a super great time celebrating Christmas with my family in GA earlier this month.  It was a whirlwind trip, but the family time was priceless.  As usually we had fun cooking great food, went fly fishing (Chris and I), and the kids loved playing outdoors in December!  My brother's family came up for a long day and a half to celebrate, and the cousins had a ball together.  Can't wait to go back!

Grammy and Papaw with their grand kiddos...

Proof I went fishing!

2 lb. trout!

Sweet Haylie giving Jacob a bottle...

Crazy "twin" cousins, Matthew and Hope!

I LOVE cooking in my parents kitchen...

Yummy dinner of grilled filet steaks, roasted garlic-ranch mashed potatoes, and a spinach salad with apples and candied pecans...

Ready to feast...

Playing the "bell" gift...

Jacob's Dedication

To top off the Thanksgiving/Birthday Party weekend, we had Jacob Dedicated at church that Sunday!  We were so blessed to have family and friends share with us this event.  Here are a few pics from the occasion...

Pastor John praying...

Family pics...

Matthew is so hysterical in this one...

1st Birthday Party!

Jacob's 1st birthday party was so fun, and the birthday boy had a great time.  We had all the family over, and even my parents were able to make it from out of state!  Jacob DEMOLISHED his cake when he got a hold of it.  It was so funny to watch.  Good thing we got a "smash" cake for him!  We thank all our family for celebrating with us, and for all the cute gifts...

The Birthday Boy!

Papaw and Grammy with Jacob...

 

Family pic...

We got him to wear his hat for a few seconds...

Family at the party...

Ready for cake!

Woah!  What's this!?!

Who me?

Attack the cake!

Opening gifts...

A couple collages I did of me on my 1st birthday and J on his...;)

Singing "Happy Birthday"...



Jacob and his cake...


Opening gifts...

1st Birthday Decor

Well, I feel silly dedicating an entire post to the decorations for Jacob's party, but if I didn't break all these post up (cake/decor/party), it would be one HUGE post.  So in light of that fact, here are the cute decorations for his party.  I went with again, the same theme I used for Matthew's 1st birthday, a blue and green polka dot theme.  It was fun, and everything turned out great!

The table...

Polka dots everywhere!

The high chair decorated for the guest of honor...

More decor...

I found these cute polka dotted straws on etsy...

Birthday Cake and Cake Pops!

Here are the adorable cakes my friend Kynda made for Jacob's 1st birthday.  They were made to match the invitation, and Matthew also had his 1st birthday cake just like it.  The cake pops were a fun addition.  So yummy!

The cakes...

This is a vanilla cake with raspberry cream filling, fluffy buttercream frosting, and marshmallow fondant accents...

Side view...

The "smash" cake...

The cake pops!

These were made out of chocolate cake mixed with fluffy buttercream frosting, covered in white chocolate with matching polka dot sprinkles!