December Daily: Dec. 7

:::Insert picture of snow at my apartment, which mysteriously disappeared off my camera:::

"Snow, snow, everywhere snow!"

Few will understand that quote, as it is a Morgan family inside joke, but it brought me to out loud laughing today when I thought about it.

It snowed this morning. Yes, there was snow on the ground at my apartment in California. I too am shocked. But thrilled!

Back to the inside joke thing. We all tell stories throughout our lives, bad dates, other people's embarrassing moments which you were privilaged to witness, etc etc. Something we've talked about in our family when we tell these stories, is I wonder if I am the funny story that people tell at parties and get-togethers. It's inevitable that someone, somewhere has told a story at my expense, and I sure hope it brings their family or friends as much entertainment as the stories have done in my family. This is one thing I love about my family. When we're all together playing games or staying up late chatting, these stories seem to come out and put us all in fits of laughter.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

December Daily: Dec. 6

Today we made sugar cookies, and they were as delicious as I remember.
We had a lovely time at church today. Zoe is officially in nursery now, so Ryan and I got to enjoy our meetings without her interruption.
Ryan made hamburgers for dinner and the missionaries joined us. Zoe warmed right up to the Elders and was enjoying showing them all her books and stuffed animals.
Here's the recipe for the sugar cookies.

Mom's Awesomely Easy & Delicious Sugar Cookies
3 Cups Flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 Cup butter
2 eggs
1 Cup sugar

Sift dry ingredients except sugar. Cut in butter with pastry blender. Beat eggs in a separate bowl. Add sugar to eggs and beat well. Blend egg mixture into flour mixture. Chill well (8+ hours) Roll to 1/8 inch thick. Cut into desired shapes. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet (airbake) 6-8 minutes at 375 degrees until edges are barely golden. Cool, frost, and enjoy!

I've been wanting to get back to scrapbooking, but lately I've felt uninspired. I'm hoping the pictures I ordered will be here soon and those will inspire me.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

Decmeber Daily: Dec. 5

This is a little treasure Zoe and I picked up tonight.
There is another one that says "Carrots for Reindeer" I think I'll have to go back and get that one too.
Today has been a busy day. Ryan got up bright and early to help the scouts pass out fliers for Christmas tree pick-up. Zoe and I hung out in Pjs until he got home. We all went out to Roseville for lunch at our favorite place, Noodles. A few errands + a nap brought us to dinner. And now it's time to make cookie dough for tomorrow. Can you guess what tomorrow's picture will be?

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

December Daily: Dec. 4

"You're a mean one...Mr. Grinch"

Ah, classic Christmas. Tonight we watched "How the Grinch stole Christmas" with the Stauffers.

I snapped this picture of E & Z eating kettle corn while watching.
Zoe enjoyed watching Max the Dog and the Who's singing.

I'm really enjoying capturing little moments every day. I can't wait for them to get printed and to put them in a mini book.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

December Daily: Dec. 3

A little treat for me.

Ginger thins & Cranberry Splash Sierra Mist....mmm.

Tonight was our Ward Relief Society Christmas Party. Lots of yummy food and singing.

Not much else to say as I am tired and feel a cold coming on...Good night...back tomorrow.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

December Daily: Dec. 2

December 2: We went to go pick out our tree tonight. Zoe ate dinner on the go.

We had to stop at Target to get lights and a tree stand. And Caramel Apple Cider to keep us warm.

We attempted to take a family picture, but got just me and Ryan instead.Zoe wandered around looking for the perfect tree.

The final result.
Right now we only have lights and bows on right now.

We'll save ornaments for another night.

I'm currently making several pans of lemon bars for our Relief Society Christmas Party tomorrow. 7pm. Don't be late.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

December Daily: Dec. 1st

This year I've really tried to take more pictures, especially of Zoe doing every day things. I've caught some great moments and hope to continue to use my camera more and more. (Reading the manual and learning about all the settings helps a LOT!)

This year I decided to do a project inspired by Ali Edwards called December Daily. Basically, to document all the happenings throughout the holiday season. Ideally, I will advance to something more prestigious, like project 365, but for now, I'm just attempting one month at a time.

Yesterday, was December 1st, but it was also a crazy evening. I didn't get home to relax until after 8pm. I had grand plans to have Zoe start her advent calendar and take pictures of her opening the little box and eating the chocolate figurine, with our Christmas scented candle in the background....but life happens and Zoe was in bed by the time I got home. I decided we'll save the advent calendar picture for another day and took a picture of my Christmas present from my parents that arrived yesterday. Thanks Mom & Dad!

Isn't it pretty? This was my Big Black Friday score! We were waiting and waiting for it to be available online the night before but nothing happened, so we went to bed. Zoe woke me up at 2am, so after I got her back down, I decided to check if it was available, just in case. And it was! 3 or 4 clicks and it was mine. No standing in the cold, no long lines, no biting, fighting or scrambling.

For those of you who don't scrapbook, it's a Cricut machine, which is an electronic die cutter. (Basically, it will cut endless letters and shapes, at any size or on any paper I want) You can look it up on YouTube and watch it at work.

I barely had time to play with it, but am hoping after all the parties die down in the next couple weeks, I'll get to put it to good use.

Onto Dec. 2nd.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.