Reindeer Snacks

It's snack time again and we got a great idea from our friends Stacy and Cassandra. Thanks girls... doughnut reindeer!  Super easy and no cooking required.  In fact, I did one example and then Livie did these ALL BY HERSELF!

Supplies:  Chocolate "Donuts" (face)
White Icing (eyes)
Pretzels (antlers)
Red Hots (nose)
 

 

 

Some take a little imagination, but Livie had a ball and was so proud! :)
 

Deer Hunting Grandpa Goering Style

Well, deer season has come to an end... no comment.  On the last night, we all loaded up to drive around and look for deer around our ground.  Jed's Grandpa always took him hunting, and as I understand it they were mainly in the pickup... totally not legal by the way.  (we don't actually shoot anything when we do this)
 

The girls were very excited and ready with their binoculars.
 

When we got to the pasture, they were able to get out of their car seats to look for deer!
 

 

Some binoculars work better than others. :)  And actually for this age the toilet paper rolls worked perfect!
 

 

We actually ended up seeing 19 DEER!
 

Gingerbread Man Crayons

Do you need something to do with your broken crayons?  This is very fun!
Peel them, buy a mold, and melt them in the oven.
 

We have a gingerbread man mold.
I've also seen heart molds that were given as Valentines.  Very Cute as well.
 

As I said, Peel your broken crayons, break them into small pieces, and lay them in the mold.
 

 

Easy...
 

Bake them in the oven.  We did our at 350 for about 8 minutes.  We always just watch until they are all melted and turned to liquid, which as you can see is exciting. :)

 

Let them cool, and then pop them out!

Easy, Cute, and Cheap presents!

"Regifting" Books... SUPER FUN

I HAVE to share this idea... I think it is spectacular, and I'm sorry I can't give credit where credit is due... simply because I can't remember where I read it?!!
Ok if you are like us, your kids LOVE reading and LOVE opening presents, but really DON'T need a million new toys and presents, or even books for that matter.
So Here's the idea:  Put your Christmas books away with your Christmas stuff each year, which many of us already do, and then WRAP your OWN BOOKS!  Each night your children get to choose a present to open and read!!  GENIUS!! Why didn't I think of this?  So here are a few of our Christmas Books, and even though the girls have seen some of these in the basket, I wrapped them.  I labeled each book simply because I want to do Polar Express on a Special Night Etc. Etc.
I also wrapped "reading buddies."  As you can see here, we have the Christmas Olivia and we also have a stuffed Grinch.  When the girls pick those books they will also get to open the reading buddy!

 

Also, you can use up your old wrapping paper.  Claire got into it with me.  She took off her pjs and wrapped them! :)
 

Ta-Da Buddies and Books wrapped
 

I can't wait to read this evening!!
 

Gingerbread House Time

It's Gingerbread House TIME... and as some of you know... if you read this entry from last year,
I CHEAT... big time.
We buy the kit at Walmart... SHHHH
Also, if you don't have the book, The Gingerbread Baby, check it out.
 It's by Jan Brett, and has a very cute ending. (different from most gingerbread stories)
 

Yep, that's my pampered chef decorator again.  Thanks Mom!!
 

 

 

Our Motto... the more the Merrier! )
 

Seriously!   This is Claire's Gingerbread Man! :)
 

They each have their own side.
 

 

 

 

She was so excited when her candy canes stuck!
 

 

She said, "Wook, I'm the Grinch!"  (We've also been watching some Christmas Movies.)
 

 

Our final product... :)

If you need further instructions... Livie wrote this down.  I'm not sure what the paper was for... maybe writing the instructions?! :)

Minnesota Conference

So, Jed and I got to attend the CHS annual meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  A VERY COOL place.  :)  Literally.  We flew and then rode the tram, which was an experience for us farm folk.  An interesting man with his 3 legged dog got on and then immediately asked Jed, "How the ?$!* do you stop this thing?"  And of course, Jed's response was, "Uh you're asking the wrong guy."  And trust me when I say it was awkward and super funny at the same time.
 

I am eating the best lamb something or rather that I have EVER had.  Seriously Yum!
 

Our hotel had a dome on top... very Cool!  And this is the man that allowed us to attend.
 

 

I was overwhelmed with the skywalks EVERYWHERE!  You can walk almost anywhere downtown INSIDE.  You can see the next one down going over the street. 

The buildings were adorable.  I loved the architecture.
 

AND, the Christmas decorations were AMAZING.  VERY Classy!
 

Do most meetings and conferences have this type of item in the showroom?!  Just wondering... :)

 

Some of you, DAD, may know who this is.  If you watch the farm channel. :)
 

I mean really??!!

I took this opportunity to buy leg warmers and flip top mittens... and trust me both were well worth it.  It's cold in Minnesota and we walked to a restaurant this night!

 

Headed out to dinner with our group.
 

And then on to a piano bar... very fun.
 

The only downfall was we had no time to check out the city.  We were too busy with meetings.  I think we're the only people who went to Minneapolis who haven't been to the Mall of America.  But, we went with very fun people and truly appreciated the opportunity!