Smilebox Cookie Exchange

Make a Smilebox slideshow

2nd Annual Cookie Exchange

This past Friday, I hosted the 2nd Annual cookie exchange with a bunch of my girlfriends. It was a huge turnout with 12 adults and 21 kids! We had a huge spread of sweet breads and muffins, crescent roll bites with artichokes and cheese, dips and chips and I could go on and on.....

The special treat this year was to decorate graham cracker houses. I pre-assembled the roofs and the houses and the moms had to frost the houses and make sure their kids didn't eat all the decorations. I failed miserably at the second part. I think Emmett had about 10 gumdrops before I realized what was going on. Next year I will think of a different craft. or use hot glue. The roofs all collapsed and most moms wound up tossing them cause they no longer resembled a house, but were a large pile of frosted graham crackers with half eaten candy on them. It was a great time none the less and look forward to many years of cookie exchanges!!!

More Jolene photos!!!

Who can resist having the camera out all the time!? I love taking pictures of these kids!!!

No swim lessons today!

I have made the executive decision to not attempt swim lessons today in the 10 below weather with gusty winds and snow. Emmett is disappointed but was promised movies all day. I think he's over it already.

Last night, Emmett and I went and had storytime with Santa at the library. One of his elves read us a few stories and then the big guy himself came in and gave books to all the good little boys and girls. Emmett had a wonderful time and couldn't wait to get home to read his new books. (It's also nice that "Santa" is the same guy all over town. What a time commitment, but Emmett said "hey mommy! It's the Santa from the museum!" Unlike the Walmart santa with the black mustach under his white beard. Such a nice touch and one more reason we love the small town life!)

Photos with Santa

We have started celebrating the season. Last night, Luke and I had the neighbors watch the kids and went to the Childrens Resource Center Holiday Party. It was drink and food with an auction to follow. It was really fun and we got to hang out with our friends Jessica and Jeff. We bailed out on the party when the auction was about to start ($$$) and went to have another drink and play some pool. It's been awhile since we've been out on the town. We had a great time.

Today we went to the museum to see Santa. It was tons of fun and we got some great photos. We stayed just long enough to see our friend's daughter's dance recital. Nothing greater than seeing a bunch of cute girls dancing to their own beat. None of them were on time with each other and it was pretty darn adorable.