Baking Bread

Today we had to run a few errands but I think we are finally done. I was dreading having to go to Wal-mart. I just knew it would be awful, but actually aside from finding a parking place, it wasn't too bad. Caroline was such a great helper. She pushed Mattie so I could fill the cart with last minute gifts and groceries. We came home and went right to work on making Zucchini Bread (a family recipe). We then wrapped them and added ribbon. The girls took them to some of our neighbors. Tomorrow we will make round 2 and share them with more neighbors.

Zucchini Bread

3 eggs, 1 cup oil, 2 cups sugar, 2 tsp. vanilla, 2 cups shredded zucchini, 1 (8oz) crushed pineapple (drained), 3 cups flour, 2 tsp. baking soda, 1 tsp. salt, 1/4 tsp. baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 3/4 tsp. nutmeg, 1 cup raisins, and 1 c. nuts.

Beat eggs, oil, sugar, and vanilla. Add in other ingredients. Pour into 2 loaf pans (greased). Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees or until knife inserted comes out clean.

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Oh and speaking of ribbons and bows. Yesterday before church I went upstairs to finish getting ready. I put Mattie on her blanket in the middle of the living room floor. When I came downstairs, she was surrounded in bows. She had scooted all the way over to the fireplace and found the bow bag. She shook the bag till every last bow was out of the bag. It was too funny!

How will you spend your days?

I can't believe Christmas is less than a week away! Where did the time go? We finally wrapped a couple of presents and put them under the tree. Mattie spied them immediately and inched herself right over to pick hers out.

Last weekend, we took the girls....Mattie included to see Polar Express at the Imax. Oh my!!! It was wonderful. The whole movie is in 3D. It was the BEST 3D movie I have ever seen. If you get a chance, it is worth the money. You really feel like you are apart of the movie.

My goal is to relax and enjoy the rest of the week with the family....baking cookies, wrapping presents, watching Christmas specials, singing Christmas songs......

How will you spend your last few days before Christmas?

Special Exposure Wednesday

Christmas Photos

It feels so good to get some Christmas decorations out and pictures taken. Getting the girls to cooperate together......well let's say......is there a time they will never argue??? We finally settled for indivdual shots.

The girls pretty much decorated the tree themselves.... they enjoy each ornament and its meaning. I don't think they have much spatial visualization yet. You know...one ornament on top of the other and it seems all the balls have ended up in the middle of the tree. Aaaahhh.....Christmas memories. One day when the kids have grown and moved away....I will wish for my tree to look like that again.

I think we found Mattie's motivation for crawling because she is determined to take all the lights off the tree. She doesn't crawl yet, but she sure can find a way to scoot over to the tree just when you take your eyes off her! She is such a turkey!

First Dance

Abby is at her first dance tonight. She was so excited! She is really growing up and becoming a young lady. Tomorrow she will be 12 years old and looks like she is much older. Yesterday her Nana pampered her with dinner, shopping, and a haircut. What more can a girl ask for?

Abby and Mom

I'm such a shorty :-)

Abby & Daddy getting ready to leave. Caroline wanted to get in on the action too.

Special Exposure Wednesday

Special Exposure Wednesday