Top 13 in 2013

As I flipped through all the images I took in 2013, I found it difficult to narrow my selection down to 13.  This year has been incredibly challenging and incredibly amazing.  We had the opportunity to travel to Vancouver, Hawaii and Drumheller.  Ben started preschool in February.  His thirst for knowledge never seizes to amaze me.  Kate went from a baby who was pretty attached to her mama to this spunky, sweet toddler.  I really feel like I got to know and fall so much more in love with her over the past year.  As we bid farewell to 2013, I'm looking forward to the coming year and all that it will bring.  

Earlier in December, at Ski Lessons

On Christmas Morning...

Moments to Remember - The Best Gifts Ever

Boris and I don’t typically exchange gifts for Christmas.  We feel like we get so much throughout the year that it seems silly to buy each other something just for the sake of having a present to open on Christmas morning.  That’s just how we role as a couple.  

A few days before Christmas, Ben noticed there wasn’t anything under the tree for Boris and I.  Over breakfast, he asked why there weren’t any presents for Mommy and Daddy and Boris cleverly replied, “We don’t need anything.  You and Kate are the best gifts ever”.  

Not a day goes by that I don’t think about how blessed we are.  And although we are grateful for the gifts our children and we received over the holidays, some of the best things in life don’t come wrapped in a box...

Kate Thinks Santa is Scary

This morning, I pulled out all of our Santa pictures (2010, 2011 & 2012) and when Kate saw them she cried.  So it was no surprise when she bawled her eyes out on Santa's knee this afternoon...

Ben's Four Minute Christmas Concert

Yesterday was a pretty cute morning.  Ben's preschool classes sang a few Christmas songs before being dismissed for the holidays.  When he first walked into the gym, his eyes welled up with tears but his nerves faded as soon as they began to sing.  Ben may need a little coaching on hand placement in between songs, but otherwise he did a fantastic job.  I'm so proud of my little man!

My Little Lady

Kate has grown up a lot too over the last year.  This little lady is too much fun.  She's full of spunk and sweetness.  I fall more and more in love with her each day...

My Big, Little Man

I feel like Ben has grown up a lot since last year.  Here's my almost four year old little man...

Siblings - December 2013

I die laughing every time I look at these photos I took of Ben and Kate together last year in their Christmas outfits.  This new series, taken yesterday melts my heart.  I love these two so much (and I'm glad, at least for now, they love each other).

Molasses Crackle Cookies

A few years ago, I acquired this recipe from one of the parents at my mom’s school.  It’s been one of my favorite cookie recipes ever since.  They disappear quickly around our house (or anywhere else I take them, for that matter).  Seriously...try them...they're amazing!

Molasses Crackle Cookies (Makes 3 Dozen Cookies)

3/4 cup butter

3/4 cup granulated sugar + more sugar to coat cookie dough

1 egg

1/4 cup molasses

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

1/3 tsp. ground ginger 

Preheat oven to 350F.

Cream butter and sugar.  Add egg and beat thoroughly.  Mix in molasses.

Add flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ground cloves and ground ginger.  Mix well. 

Roll dough into balls and coat with granulated sugar.  Place cookies on a baking sheet.

Bake for 8 – 9 minutes (watch carefully, these cookies burn easily).  Leave cookies on baking sheet for a few minutes before moving them to a rack to cool.

November in 16 Squares

November was a month of adjustment for us.  Adjusting to the time change.  Adjusting to the cooler weather.  Adjusting to the snow.  We spent a lot of time cuddling on the couch.  We watched a little extra TV, made pillow forts, baked and read.  We hung out in my mom's kindergarten class a few times.  We got together with friends.  Ben started gymnastics and ski lessons.  All in all, a good month...

Kate at Gymnastics

While Ben is at gymnastics, Kate is in the stands doing her own little version of the class!  Maybe it's time to sign her up too...

Yesterday, We Walked

Drumheller - Royal Tyrrell Museum

I finally got around to finishing up our photo's from our trip to Drumheller last month.  Here we are at the Royal Tyrrell Museum.

Mini Pizza Muffins

Yesterday I made these pizza muffins (alongside salad and raw vegetables) for a play date.  They were a hit!  The kids ate them, my friend and I loved them and Boris came home and finished off the rest.  They were quick and easy to make and will definitely be added to the rotation in our house from now on. 

Mini Pizza Muffins

3/4 cup whole wheat flour

3/4 tsp. baking powder

1 Tbsp. Italian seasoning  

1/4 tsp. salt

3/4 cup milk

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated

1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

2/3 cup ham, cubed

1/2 cup pizza sauce, for dipping 

Preheat oven to 375F.

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, Italian seasoning and salt.  Whisk in the milk and egg.  Stir in mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese and ham.  Let stand for 10 minutes.

Divide among 24 greased mini-muffin cups.  Bake until puffed and golden, 20 – 25 minutes.

Heat pizza sauce and serve.