All I want for Christmas...

...is my ONE front tooth. Kristen lost a tooth yesterday while she was eating lunch at school and she was SOOOO excited. So she's been singing that little song over and over :) Her other front tooth is loose but I don't think it'll be out by Christmas. This was tooth #4 and the tooth fairy visited her last night and left her a little surprise. Happy girl!!!

Playdate and Cheering

We sure have had a lot going on lately, and are having a lot of fun. About a week ago we got to have a playdate with Abby, Hannah and Landis. The kids worked on a gingerbread train, but I think they had more fun sneaking bites of the candy and the icing :) It had been way too long since these precious girls had seen each other. Aren't they beautiful.

Kristen also went to a cheerleading clinic for 3 hours on a Saturday morning, and they got to perform their cheer and a dance at the freshmen girls and boys basketball games. She had a blast!! And it was pretty fun for mom to watch, too :)

Recipe for Holiday Appetizer Dip

Here's a recipe that we've had in our family for many years. I love to have it any time, but it just seems to taste better at Christmas, so I make it more this time of year. The dried beef in it is the kind that's in a jar that is used for chipped beef on toast...the brand I think I get here is Armour. (Hormel also makes it)

Holiday Appetizer Dip

8 oz. pkg cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp milk
2 1/2 oz. jar sliced dried beef, finely snipped (about 3/4 cup)
2 Tbsp instant minced onion
2 Tbsp finely chopped green pepper
1/8 tsp pepper
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Blend cream cheese and milk. Stir in dried beef, onion, green pepper and pepper. Mix well. Stir in sour cream. Spoon into 8-inch pie plate or small shallow baking dish. Sprinkle walnuts over top. Bake in 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Serve hot with assorted crackers.

Thanksgiving

Last week we spent Thanksgiving in Texas. We went to my parents for a few days, and had Thanksgiving dinner at my cousin's house. It was so fun to see lots of family. We actually went to the mall for a few hours on black Friday...but not at 5 am :) I think I only took one or two pictures, then Kristen took charge of the camera. Here are just a few pics of our day.

Grandpa can't stay out of the shrimp.

My sister and nephew.

Calling Australia

Last night Kristen's 1st grade class had an exciting opportunity...they set up TV's and cameras and the kids got to have a video conference with kids in Australia. Our kids were able to ask them questions, they asked our kids questions, sang songs for each other, and it was great for them to see how many things they have in common. Kristen loved hearing their accents (and so did I). Kristen asked them what their favorite food is...and was so excited that so many of them wanted to answer her question. Fun times!!

Recipe for Cranberry Salad

So Thanksgiving and Christmas are almost here and this is my favorite time to cook. Well, I love cooking any time of year, but this is the best. Maybe it's because I love to eat all the great food we have for the holidays :) Here's a recipe I LOVE to make. I can't handle the jellied cranberry stuff in the can...this cranberry salad is good enough to actually be a dessert. I actually have passed up dessert before to have another helping of this!

Cranberry Salad

1 bag cranberries
2 c. sugar
1 large can crushed pineapple (optional)
2 c. mini marshmallows
Cool Whip or 1/2 pt. whipping cream
1 c. chopped pecans

Grind cranberries in food processor. Add sugar and let stand overnight (I put in refrigerator). Next morning - Strain and keep juice. Strain pineapple. Add pineapple, marshmallows and Cool Whip to cranberry mixture. Mix well. If too dry add cranberry juice to the right consistency. Add pecans. Refrigerate.

I know the recipe says pineapple is optional but I wouldn't dream of leaving it out. I'll see what other yummy recipes I can post before Thanksgiving.

Halloween 2009

We had a fun-filled weekend. A boy from Kristen's 1st grade class had a Halloween party Friday night. They had games, food, a scavenger hunt, crafts, and running around just being silly. Then Saturday night she went trick-or-treating with her cousin, Landon. He was a werewolf and Kristen was a Cheetah. Lots of fun but I'm glad it's over.