Thanksgiving at my Sister's

Because my parents winter in Florida, we had Thanksgiving AND Christmas last Sunday at my sister's house. We don't do a lot for presents since there are so many of us, and times are tough. I passed out my yummy cookies and candies that Jacob and I made. My sisters each had little gifts for us as well.

The kids make out okay, but Doug's mom and dad spoil Jacob rotten, because he is their only grandchild. So between Doug and I and his folks, yikes. Too much stuff! We actually did scale it down this year though, and asked them to do the same. Trying to get away from all the commercialism of Christmas.

So here are a few snapshots of my holiday.

My niece Jessica, and her baby girl Haylee.

We brought homemade coleslaw. Doug makes the BEST. This is the biggest carrot on the planet. Doug has a normal sized head of cabbage in his hand!

Proud Grandma (my sister Lori) with her very first grand baby.

Mom, Dad and Doug at the end of the Thanksgiving table, in front of the tree. Yes, we're confused on this side of the family.

My little boy is SO big! Here I am with Jacob, and tiny baby Haylee. {Sigh}.

Busy Baking and Candy Making

Jacob and I were busy, busy, busy yesterday! We baked the cookies last week, but everything else we made TODAY. Yikes! We're celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas tomorrow at my sister's house.

I've never made candy before. It's really not that hard, but there are a couple of things you MUST do. Like tap the trays after you pour the melted chocolate in them...get's the bubbles out. Didn't do that on my first ones, and you can tell.



This was my first batch. The red and green ones I didn't tap the bubbles out, so they're kind of melty looking. These are mint. I'm so impressed with myself! (well, kind of!)

Cherry candy! SO SO good!

Peanut-butter-Chocolate and Chocolate coated pretzels.

Red Velvet Cookies dipped in white chocolate and sprinkles! Doug made the spritz cookies in the middle. Then, white chocolate dipped pretzels. Yummy!

Peanut butter-chocolate and Chocolate candy. I'm gettin' the hang of this!

Peppermint Bark. YUM!!!

Jacob and I started about 1:30 yesterday afternoon, and got done about 8:00PM. I didn't really stop either! Just to make Jacob lunch....I didn't even eat lunch! I was in the zone. Felt good. I was way too keyed up though, because I didn't fall asleep until about 2:30 AM. Ug.