This One's For AMIE...

So I am a Sugar Cookie Nut. I absolutely love them! I am always looking for the perfect cookie and there is none in my opinion that is better than Great Harvest on 2300 East. Now not all locations of Great Harvest sugar cookies are equal. But because they only offer these divine cookies a few times a year, i have been in search of a great recipe. This one is pretty darn GOOD. Amie, You must try!

1 1/2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Cup Butter softened
1/2 tsp. Almond extract
1 Egg
2 1/2 Cups Flour
1 tsp. Baking Powder
1 tsp. Cream of Tarter

Mix together, cover, and refridgerate for 3 hours. Roll out thick (they don't puff up much but they are incredibly soft) Bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes. I took them out of the oven even before they browned. Once cooled and frosted they were delicious!

McKinley with her plate that she decorated. She went a little heavy on the sprinkles. I had to practically rip the shaker from her hand. I think that she would have used them all.

McCall with her decorated cookies. It was a fun after school activity/snack!

I decided to toss this picture in for Katie. She bought McCall these skinny jeans. This picture does not do them justice. They looked SOOO cute on her and fit perfectly. Thanks Aunt Katie!

A day at Ballet...

McCall's ballet studio has a parents day, where we come and see what they are learning. McCall was very excited. They just started using the "bar."
The girls did a creative dance where they could do their own choreography. It was very sweet to watch. They all did such a good job.

McCall's ballet class. She loves the girls in her class and her teacher Miss Stacy.

FRIDAY MORNING ITCH...

It is Friday and I have the cleaning bug. I get it often and just can't sit still until things are done. By 9:00 this morning the floors had been mopped, counters disinfected, the house dusted, baseboards all wiped down, a little magic eraser action on everything, and the laudry completed. All I have left is the the bathroom and a few odds and ends. Yeah! Maybe I can sit and read for a minute during naptime this afternoon.

ARH Matey!

We had a fantastic birthday WEEK for McKinley. I don't suggest dragging out birthday's for that long. It is rather exhausting. But for McKinley it was birthday bliss. She decided that she wanted a Pirate birthday. (I never imagined for my little girls first birthday party we would be having a Captain Jack cake) But it turned out fabulous. We had family over on Wednesday night for cake and ice cream and presents. It was a lot of fun. Then on Thursday we had just our little family celebrate, along with treats to school, etc. Friday topped off the celebrations with her friends party. This was a hit. All of the kids were adorable and had a great time.

We got McKinley this pirate ship for her birthday. She LOVES it. The best was yesterday when I walked downstairs to the family room and she had her Pirate Ship out with her sleeping beauty Barbie doll attached at the top directing the ship.

Mateys!

OOPS! Sorry this picture is sideways. McKinley walking the Plank and her party. We had a big treasure hunt with activities that they had to complete before they got the next clue. The kids loved the plank.

Needless to say Iwas tired after last week, but it was fun.
Yesterday (monday, Martin Luther King day) we awoke to over a foot of snow. It was gorgeous. We had some friends rent out Bounce aRound for the afternoon, so the whole neighborhood went and had a blast on our day off. Then we all went and got some late lunch together. Then the girls headed to grandma Midges last night for a "Tea Party" They even had dinner and milkshakes at their tea party. They came home wanting to do it again tomorrow. I think we will give grandma a little rest.
We are busy but having fun. We hope everyone had a fabulous Holiday!

Happy Birthday to my Little Princess!

McKinley Last Winter. She loves to feel a little freedom!

McKinley turning 3 years old. She had a princess party and was soooo excited to be a "Big" girl. The novelty has definately worn off!

Waterskiing this summer. This was McKinley's second summer waterskiing. She is so light that it doesn't take much to get her up.

McKinley this October.

I can't believe how old my "baby" girl is. She is so fun and spontaneous. She loves to cuddle and tell me that she loves me. She loves playing with McCall and is very creative and imaginative. She makes our lives so happy. Every day I think how blessed that I am. I love my sweet McKinley. Happy 4th Birthday!

Back to NORMAL...

Today is the first day of normalcy- Yeah!!! I love the holidays, but I cannot live without a good routine for long. Today we were back to our usual of ballet and school. The baby is finally napping twice a day again. Our house is clean and I don't have one piece of laundry to do (well for now). It feels so refreshing to be normal.