O Christmas Time!

Who doesn't love this time of the year?? I, for one, absolutely love it! Now that my kids are a little older, I have started to introduce some new Christmas traditions. We have been busy decorating, shopping, and watching all the Christmas specials and movies we can get in. I also showed my children that Christmas is not just about getting presents. I let them earn a dollar each and they donated it to the Salvation Army. It is very important that they learn that some people need help to put food on the table or clothes on their backs. I could tell by the looks on their faces that they felt good about helping others. Now that is what the season is all about. Helping one another.

My kids and I are also going to take a little 5 day trip to my hometown. I am sooo excited because both of them have never witnessed snow. I have a lot in store for them on this little trip...it might be excitement overload for them!

I want to share some pictures with you.


Matthew putting his ornament on the tree


Julianna putting her ornament on the tree.

Daddy putting on the angel



Our Christmas Tree


Kids watching the Charlie Brown Christmas


My beautiful children!!


Our Advent calendar. The kids love participating with this new tradition everyday!!

I will have another post this weekend after we join our best family to a Christmas celebration and another huge post after we get home from our trip. My friend, Libby, also did a family letter on her blog this year instead of sending them with the cards this year. I think it is a great idea and I may just follow her lead and do our family letter on here. Stay tuned!!

Wednesday Recipe: Cinnamon Chicken with Garlic Rosemary and Dill Roasted Potatoes

Cinnamon Chicken

Ingredients:

1 Pkg Boneless Skinless chicken breasts
1 Tablespoon Cinnamon
1 1/2 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1/4 Cup Olive oil
2 Tablespoons Worchestershire Sauce
BBQ Sauce for grilling (optional)

Rinse chicken breasts and pat dry. I like to butterly my chicken breasts for better marniade coverage. You also yield more portions that way. In a gallon zip lock bag, combine cinnamon, garlic, olive oil and worchestershire sauce. Add the chicken pieces into the bag. Close the bag and mix well. Put in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours.

I choose to grill my chicken for better flavor. I also brush on a little of my favorite BBQ sauce at the end of grilling.


Garlic Rosemary and Dill Roasted Potatoes.

Ingredients

Baby Red Potatoes (Amount depends on family size. I usually use 1-2 lbs)
1/4 cup Olive Oil.
2 Tablespoons Dill Weed
1 Tablespoon dried Rosemary
2 cloves of Garlic (finely chopped)
1 Tablespoon Kosher salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Rinse and cut potatoes in bite size pieces. This ensures quick cooking.
Put potatoes on a cookie sheet and mix them with the oil. Add all the herbs and salt and combine. Put them in the preheated oven. Stir often. Cook for 15-20 minutes.

I would normally serve this with carmelized onions, garlic bread and maybe a salad. Enjoy!

A cute children's book

Help Me, Mr. Mutt! Expert Answers for Dogs with People Problems is written by Janet Stevens and Susan Stevens Crummel.

This is a really cute book the Julianna brought home from the school library. We laughed the whole way through this book. Basically, it is about Mr. Mutt who is a canine counselor. He gets all these letters from dogs who are under fed, over dressed or under played. He answers back every letter with doggy logic. You better watch out though, for Queen the Cat. She is Mr. Mutt's room mate and does not like when he puts cats down.

You should really rent this book from the library to read with your children. I recommend it for children of all ages and dog lovers alike!!

Impromptu Park Fun

Julie had no school since it was Veterans Day today. So this afternoon I decided to take the kids to one of the local parks. They had fun despite all the interference of very rude kids that love to push around the smaller kids. I just do not get it. The whole time parents just watch their kids be bullies.

I did manage to get some pictures of them as I fought the wind and very grey skies. It is so amazing to see them grow right in front of your eyes. Julie was so timid and shy and in the same park trip got very brave. Matthew thought he was big enough for the monkey bars. I am so glad I changed his mind, when he realized that he couldn't even reach them! I just saw a broken arm coming our way...LOL!

The rain held off right until I was ready to go. I was very happy about that. I cherish the times I get with both of my kids at the same time. Happy Fall everyone!

Testing Testing...this is my 1st attempt at blogging. Lets see how this goes. My main goal with this blog is to document the life of my family and keep up with all that is happening with my friends.