Christmas Tree Time!

Make a Smilebox greeting

It's time to get the Christmas Tree! I love this tradition! Each year, the day after Thanksgiving, Mike and I go to Menards (of all places) and pick out our REAL Christmas tree. We've always had a real Christmas tree and we talked about getting a fake one this year since Taylor is now here but we want him to enjoy a real tree and we didn't want to change the tradition so instead we have a fire extinguisher right next to the tree which in turn creates an even more magical feeling! :)
This year was more special because we got to share it with Taylor and I know that he enjoyed it because he loved smiling for the camera! I love when we can capture those moments! It wasn't too cold either and Mike loved that because he didn't freeze to death while he was tying the tree to the roof of the truck. And we were able to set up the camera to get a picture of all of us together! I can't wait to decorate it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Just wanted to let everyone know how thankful we are for each and every one of you

and the important and precious role you play in our daily lives.

We wouldn't be the characters that we are :) if it weren't for you all!

I especially am thankful for my sisters and Mom.....

they are important to me in more ways than one

and I can't begin to think of all the ways that they continually bless and encourage me. Especially with me being a new mom and needing all the advice and help I can get!

They are always so willing to encourage and support and I am so very thankful for them!

I love you, Mom, Heather and Jess!

Chocolate Covered Cherries

The Christmas traditions are already here! I can't believe it's already that time of year!

Today we went to my Grandma's to make chocolate covered cherries......yes, making them in the middle of November for Christmas seems to be a little ahead of schedule but we always make them at this time because the close to Christmas the more hectic the schedule and also, they need time for the insides to soften......so.......we start now!!! ;)

The day started early since it takes quite a while for all the steps and this year we are going to try to make almost 600. Our first step is to make all the nougat that surrounds each cherry so I worked on that while my sisters took all the stems off the cherries. My Grandma is really just there to "supervise", taste test, :) and wrap a few cherries......

The nougat has to harden before we can start wrapping it around the cherries

so we try to get at least one going and then go in stages.

Once the first batch of cherries is wrapped they go into the cold garage to harden in order for us to be able to dip them in chocolate. Once the dipping starts, we are close to being done. But today, the dipping didn't start until around 4pm which got us home later than we expected.

It was a good day though - 560 cherries wrapped and dipped and ready to eat!

My favorite way? FROZEN!!! :)