December Fun--Part 1

It's been a whirlwind of fun around here! We've been so busy that I haven't had the time to sit down and actually blog about it all. So here it goes--catch up time.
Of course December was filled with shopping for Christmas gifts. Only once did I take out both boys on my own. After that, I realized that either people just weren't going to get gifts, or I would wait for the days when Kevin could come with us. I'm happy to say that we were able to buy a gift for everyone on our list, even if we were last minute shoppers. These shopping days wore us all out--the boys fell asleep on the way home.
And of course we had to make sugar cookies to help us get in the holiday mood. Rylan had a ball with the sprinkles. I think half the bottle ended up on the first cookie.
I LOVE sugar cookies. I've made them twice this month. But for some reason I really really do not like making sugar cookies. And here's why...I don't have a standing mixer. I had a very powerful hand mixer that did a fantastic job, but mixing in even the largest bowl I have creates a big mess. Dough flies everywhere and we don't have any pets to clean it up. Okay, so I thought I had a good hand mixer. Last time I made sugar cookies my mixer broke. I was seriously thinking to myself "This mixer has lasted me a long time and it's a cheap brand (sunbeam). What would I do if this mixer broke?" And then it broke. And it seriously was just at the moment I was thinking what a great mixer it was. (I got it for my wedding almost 6 years ago and it really was very powerful. My next hand mixer (which I need to get soon) will be another Sunbeam. I just have to find where they are sold.) Good thing my mom lives close. I called her up and borrowed her mixer. I think now's a good time to talk my husband into getting me a Kitchen Aid! But back to the sugar cookies which I so love to eat. Another reason I don't like making them--they take too long! Not only do you have to make the dough, but then you have to roll them out and bake them. But it doesn't stop there because I like my sugar cookies frosted. So then I have to make frosting and frost them. But I admit. It's all worth it in the end because I sure do love sugar cookies. (Can you tell I'm a very simple person? I'm not one to put too much effort into my cooking and baking. Is that bad?)

I bought Rylan's snowsuit a little big this year, hoping that maybe he can wear it again next year. He hasn't gotten much use out of it so far this year. It took so long for the big snow storms to come. And then when they all hit at once it was so cold I didn't want to take him outside! He played in the snow while daddy shoveled the driveway and hopefully we'll get to go sledding some day soon (maybe this weekend when we get another storm).

Rylan loves bulldozers, tractors, cranes, whatever. Kevin thought it would be fun to put Ry on this bulldozer. Rylan was so excited but he doesn't show much emotion so you'll just have to trust me.