Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my peeps! We had such an amazing holiday experience with lots of family and food to go around. I have been in awe of the real meaning of Christmas all season long. What a miracle we have been given! Dave mentioned that he's happy I don't go all nuts over buying gifts for the girls. I want them to know the true meaning of Christmas as well, it's not all about getting lots and lots of toys that eventually end up at Goodwill. I did the 4 gift thing for Sarah; a want, need, wear and read. And little Katie Rose got one little 'ol gift from Santa...shhh don't tell her that there should have been more I don't think she noticed.
I loved Christmas this year with our family of four and to think this time next year there will be 5!!

Moser family Christmas dinner at our home

McIntyre Christmas Eve celebration with a surprise visit from the CT gang

Leone family Christmas breakfast fun

Mamah visit

Hoping you and yours had as much fun and love as we did! 

Cheers!!

And the baking needs to stop

I have been on a baking kick lately, Dave likes it but I'm afraid the scale will notice at my next doctor's appointment. I am so loving picking out a recipe from the cook book and going at it, it's become my therapy.

I made these muffins for Dave's Academic team, they were practicing at school on a Saturday--muffins deserved!

Cake cookies are amazing! If you haven't tried them, you should. I made two kinds; white cake with Christmas sprinkles and chocolate cake with crushed peppermints. I found the recipe on Laura's blog, check out the recipe and follow her work.

My grandmother sent me a box of baking supplies for a housewarming gift. The box included a Taste of Home cookbook...amazing!! This recipe for chocolate marshmallow cookies was in the book and I found it here for you to try.

And oh me word! This banana bread is by far the best I've ever tasted. Again, this was from the taste of home cookbook but you can check it out here. Seriously, go try it. I made the bread yesterday and there are only 4 slices left.

OK, so I can't lead you to believe that I've become some Betty Crocker who doesn't make any baking mistakes. I attempted these thumbprint cookies and by the end of 3 hours I was cursing Ina Garten's name! Not sure what the problem was but every batch I baked stuck to the pan, no matter what I tried. Dave salvaged what he could and said they were his new favorite cookie, so I encourage you to try the recipe. Maybe you can get them to not stick and you can enjoy them.

Hope you can try one, or all of the recipe's I've shared. I promise you'll love them, if not, give them away for Christmas :) Would love to hear what your favorite holiday baking recipe is.

Thanks for stopping by...

Snapped this shot today. Sarah is home sick today so her and Katie camped out in dad's office. I'm so happy they have each other.

The day after

Yesterday was full of pity parties. The guest of honor was me and the host was me.
It's funny how things happen at the time they do. I'm reading a book with some other fine ladies titled You're Already Amazing. Yesterday morning I read a few pages and the author talks about not having to do more to be liked by people. Well a few hours later those exact words were coming out of my mouth, in the opposite though! I had come to the conclusion that maybe I have not done enough to/for other people. It was a very lonely day!
I haven't figured much out since yesterday but today I'm feeling a little less pity party-ish. It could be because of another book that I'm reading titled One Thousand Gifts. I know I've mentioned it here before but seriously, if you haven't read it you really need to. In the chapter I read last night, the author talks about thanksgiving (not the holiday). One phrase stuck to me...thanksgiving raises the dead! If you read the story of Lazarus (John 11) you will see what she is referring to--Jesus gave thanks and Lazarus rose from the dead.
How can I feel so alone and want to hide under the covers when I am able to experience Jesus just by giving thanks?! I'm making my way through this "gifts" book for the second time, after I plan to write my own list of thanks, hoping to catch glimpses of God and honor Him at the same time.

By the way, Sarah and Katie will have a little brother to pick on in a few months. We're all so excited!

Katie Rose and I spent the day outside!