Herry Christmas

Here are a few snapshots from our very "Herry Christmas" (as Luke calls it). Luke got a train table, but I think the chips and juice box he got in his stocking drew even better reactions. We went sledding after we opened presents, and Luke absolutely loved it. He even went down the "baby hill" all by himself.

Pie Feast

Our pie feast was a great success! We discovered that Luke can eat peach pie for breakfast, lunch, and dinner - it's his favorite! Here are a couple pictures. The winning pie was a black- bottom peanut butter mousse. Here's the recipe:

1 graham cracker pie crust
1 1/3 cups bittersweet or semisweet chocolate chips (about
8 ounces)
2/3 cup plus 1 3/4 cups chilled whipping cream, divided
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
6 ounces (1 cup) peanut butter chips
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter (do not use old-fashioned style or freshly ground)
cool whip or whipped cream topping

Combine chocolate chips, 2/3 cup cream, corn syrup, and 1 teaspoon vanilla in microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on medium heat until chocolate softens, about 3 minutes. Whisk until melted and smooth. Spread chocolate mixture over bottom of crust. Freeze 10 minutes.

Microwave peanut butter chips and 3/4 cup cream in large microwave-safe bowl on medium heat at 15-second intervals just until chips soften, stirring often. Whisk in peanut butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cool to barely lukewarm. Beat remaining 1 cup cream and 2 tablespoons sugar in medium bowl until very thick but not yet holding peaks; fold into peanut butter mixture in 3 additions. Spoon mousse over chocolate layer. Spread whipped cream on top. Chill at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.

Christmas Kitchen

One of my favorite things each year is to have a "Christmas Kitchen". It's basically where I turn on the Christmas music, and make mass amounts of my favorite Christmas treats. Sometimes I go overboard and it overtakes the kitchen so there are chocolates, pretzels, caramels, or cookies everywhere. Like canning, it can be slightly annoying to Travis, but for the sake of tradition, I do it anyway. This year I made caramel apples - only slightly better than the funny reindeer heads made of coco crispies - ask Travis. They were delicious, and I'm not counting how many I had to eat to make sure they were OK.

my new bee

Since my new "bee" is my new camera (correction - OUR new camera), I thought I would post some pictures of the winter wonderland we have in our backyard, and the snowman we made. While Everett was here, he kept complaining about the cold, but he kept saying "maybe it will snow", like a little kid. Well, Everett, you left a little early, but you are probably glad you did. First, because I would have wasted you in a snowball fight. Mom gave me this nifty little snowball maker that can make a perfect snowball in 1.2 seconds flat. Second, you would have froze to death working on the house. All the hot chocolate and clothes from Walmart can't keep that California boy warm. Merry Christmas, California crew!

Santa...I can explain.

Right now Luke is in time out for being super naughty. Lately, when he gets in trouble, he has an excuse soon to follow (smart boy). He says "I'm sad", "I'm tired" or my personal favorite "I'm hungry", knowing that I can understand irrational behavior due to an empty stomach (just ask Travis what I'm like at 4:30 pm on fast Sunday). After battling with him to take a Christmas picture, this is what I got - somehow he looks naughty and nice. If Luke got the chance to talk to Santa, I'm sure he would try to explain... And Santa would probably laugh with her bowl full of jelly (and growing fetus) and give him his presents anyway.
PS - I love my new camera!