Our Family Christmas

Here's a look at our Christmas celebrations this  year.  We were able to celebrate twice.  Once in Wisconsin and a week later in St. Louis.  It was the best Christmas yet, mainly because we have a cute, little boy to share it with!  It was so fun to watch Kole around our families.  He also had a really great time tearing into wrapping paper and pulling ornaments off the tree.  When we got home fro St. Louis we even found two of mom and dad's ornaments in his diaper bag! 

First here's a look at our Wisconsin Christmas.

Christmas in St. Louis.

Some of December

Kole's first Christmas!  This is from a nativity set he got.  I thought this was a super cute baby Jesus.

Kole is becoming a master eater...I'm proud

We had a cookie exchange at work.  This was my contribution

This kid loves walking all over the place.

Our mini tree is high up on a table for its own protection...otherwise I'm pretty sure all the ornaments and lights would be ripped off by now.

This is my Christmas gift to Jason.  There's a heart on the cities where we lived and now live.  

I had fun painting some bows on Christmas presents.

The annual card wall.  It has grown since this picture.

My grandma made all of us cousins one of these NOEL decorations.  It's my favorite and Kole loves to touch it too.

Baking day

Spritz cookies

Creme de menthe squares

Toffee squares

more bars

sprinkles!!

Jason and I got to go on a date in Lake Geneva.  This ts the ceiling of the restaurant where we ate.

My handsome husband

Things from this fall.....in no particular order

We went with Kasey and Matt to take some engagement pictures.

I found this random drawing on one of my student's papers.  Hilarious.

This would be a flour less chocolate cake.  So so so good.  I don't know why I ever used flour. 

This is my new mixer.  It's yellow.  I'm in love.  

I broke a pie crust.  But you can bet I didn't throw it away.  I had left over pie filling and enjoyed  dipping broken up pieces into the filling.  Yum!

So yeah, one of my students flipped off the entire class!  Then he gave me this letter the next day.  I was somewhat confused by parts of it.....like we never had any issues with the computer or the park (random....), anyways it always makes me laugh!

This is what Kole does every time we go out to eat.  We get a good dinner, he eats the table.   Intelligent son I have.

One morning in Wisconsin Matt made me an egg in a frame.  What a gent!

We came outside one night to find this guy right next to our house.  He stood there for about 15 minutes before wandering away.  And to think of those hunters who sit in their tree stands all day....

I went out with Amy and Leslie.  Such a fun time and it also came with pumpkin cheese cake.  

This praying mantis was hanging out on the outside of our church wall.  What a holy insect, he came to church to pray.  And right now we are studying insects so I had to take a picture to show my students because that's just what good teachers do.  

Pumpkin Cream Pie

 It's already the middle of November.  My mom's birthday was November 2nd.  She is the greatest and I think she loved speeding her birthday watching Kole.    Jason's birthday also passed.  His parents came down for the weekend and we had such a great time with them.  We ate a lot, which I always love.  We also talked a lot and went on a nice walk while the boys played frisbee golf.

  The all anticipated date 11/11/11 has come and gone.  No big deal for me, but my students thought it was pretty much the coolest thing ever and they were writing the date any chance they got.

Report cards are done and turned in.  Huge sigh of relief.  And I've already had TWO excuses to make this pie.  It's seriously the best and easiest pumpkin pie I've made.  It's a spin on the traditional, a whole lot more creamy and best of all it's no bake!  (Well except for the crust).

I guess I forgot to take a picture of how this pie looks when it's all finished.  You will just have to make it and see for yourself!!

I found the recipe on Joy the Baker.  I wish I knew her so we could be best friends.

The way the butter melted was just kind of cool.

Graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter

A beautiful crust

Cream cheese, butter, and pumpkin make a great filling

So pretty, just refrigerate over night

I love making real whipped cream instead of using the stuff from the tub.

The story of my fantastic sister and Nutella Brownies

It's the last day of October.  November is hours away and by the time you are reading this it will be here.  One of the best things about October is my sister's birthday.  It was waaaayy back on October 7th but remember it's still October so I have every right to blog about it.

So as many of you know my sister is quite fantastic.  She is beautiful and fun and always makes me laugh.  We sported Barbie life jackets together, hot stuff.  And in this picture below, Kase is pissed because the waves came up and got her feet all wet.  It's a classic, always makes me laugh.

 I like Kasey for many reasons.  One of these reasons is that she is the very person who introduced me to Nutella.  Yes, I'm obsessed with Nutella.  Kasey taught me all about it and how to eat it on graham crackers.  It's seriously the best snack ever.

So for my little sister's birthday I decided to make her a Nutella cake.  Then things got really busy and my Nutella cake turned into Nutella brownies.  But still, they were really good.  And I made Nutella frosting from heavy whipping cream.  That was a nice little finishing touch.

So Kasey, happy late birthday on the last day of October!  My conscience told me that you are the best sister a girl could have!

By the way, Kasey started a new blog of her own.  You should really check it out.  You can do that here.

Corn Maze in St. Louis

This past weekend we were in St. Louis with our family.  There was beautiful weather, garage sales, a corn maze, a little shopping, birthday celebrations, dance parties, sleeping in until noon, and just lots of perfect family time.  

Here are just a few pictures from the weekend.  My opinion is that Kole looks 100x cuter when he is wearing plaid shirts.