Twas' the night before Christmas...

This year we spent the night at my parents house and opened presents all together Christmas morn. We actually all slept in until about 9, which was unexpected but not unappreciated. THE kids..even slept in.mmm it was nice! OK, not ALL of us slept in. My dear mother didn't even go to bed to begin with. She didn't sleep at all. She just stayed up ALL night christmas-ing, then all day and didn't go to sleep until Christmas was almost over. That there would have most certainly killed an average bean. But not Jewels Bateman. .. . I love you mom, but you worry me.



It was a blast to sleep over and the kids loved every minute of it. They were spoiled rotten and so were we. Thankyou mom and dad for a great time as always.

Winter Wonderland.

Lynne's tree along with the presents are always so picture perfect. It makes it hard to see them get ripped apart.



Grandma's and Grandpa's are so special and I'm glad that my kids are able to have them! Especially the Great grandparents! What a treat.! I absolutely Love this picture of g.grandpa Carter and Roma. So sweet.


I have to give a shout out to Ann and Chris because we unfortunately didn't get to see them this Christmas. Because of the MAD weather Chris was called out to work. (he's a linesman for the power company) He ended up working through christmas night and into the morning. Big bummer! We were snowed into Ogden and ended up spending another night away from home and this time at Dave's parents. It was definitely a white Christmas and kind of a long one.

Santa came to our house early..

Due to a big snow storm approaching we're taking off tonight to spend the eve safe and sound with the folks.

Bike trainer for Bre

Thomas mat, gator golf,toy story..

Binkies, books, baby doll.

Shoes and stuff for big D.
See ya on the Morrow. With more family and another Christmas! Drive safe.

Let's go Ballistic!

Dave helped me dip these babies! We got 3 trays full of sticks..

..and a tray of these lil guys. I'm loving the candy creations this year. But up till 1 am is not happening again. Cheers.

Poor Pilsbury Doughboy....died.

A day of mourning
A sad passing indeed:

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

Just a little something that made me giggle. . Don't be a Crusty buns this Holiday.

My winter music

This year I bought some great winter/Christmas songs on Itunes and made CD's for aunts and uncles, cousins, Gram and Gramps, My Fam and some random friends. I am loving the CD myself so I thought I would share the Track list. You should definitely check them out.

*Winter Song 4:27 Sara Bareilles & Ingrid Michaelson
*I Heard the Bells On Christmas Day3:37 Sarah McLachlan
*Frosty the Snowman 2:11 Fiona Apple
*No Christmas for Me 2:41 Zee Avi
*Song for a winter night 3:49 Sarah Mclachlan
*O Come, O Come Emmanuel 3:40 Enya
*A Holly Jolly Christmas 2:16 Burl Ives
*Happy Xmas (War Is Over) 3:31 Sarah McLachlan
*Someday At Christmas 2:11 Jack Johnson
*Twelve Days of Christmas 4:24 John Denver & The Muppets
*Track 14 5:10 Ray Charles ??
*We Three Kings 3:48 Royce
*Be Still My Soul 4:57 Kalai

Of course Sarah McLachlan is a champ but my favorite song on the list is the 1st-Winter Song.
Merry Christmas to you!

Tis the Season...for sweets!

December is busy for everyone I'm sure! Just the thinking that goes into parties, gifts, cards, postage, decorations and staying warm is A LOT to handle. This past week I have been baking with one of my friends here in town that is also from Centerville. We have good times talking about crazy small town living and the things we miss. But that is beyond the point.. back to the treats.
We dipped pretzels in homemade caramel and chocolate

Then she taught me how to make butter mints, which was so fun. They are very temperamental, in that the consistency is very hard to get right. You pull them like taffy, add flavoring and cut them with scissors then they have to "cure". It's interesting. If they turn out..they are "melt in your mouth" addicting.


I made some Pretzel munchies at home and then spent time putting all of this in cute little bags to share.



Like I said, Tis the Season!