365Project.2014 | Weeks 51-52

Life is always an adventure around here, and 2015 bodes to take that to a new level. But, more about that in my next post. For now, let me finish out 2014. :)

Day 348. A Christmas selfie for Mommy and Abby ♥

Day 349. Abby loves the elephant on her playmat! It's the first toy she plays with every. single. time.

Day 350. This is currently my favorite picture of our little girl. (But already she's starting to look so much bigger!!!)

School happened today. :)

Day 351. Enjoying fun times with big brother!

Day 352. Peter created lots of artwork this month. He loves drawing on big paper and created many, many scenes of the nativity this December.

Day 353. What a blessing for this mommy to have such a big helper! ♥

Day 354. If you're wondering about Abby's bows ... nearly all of them have been gifted to her by a dear, creative friend. What a special blessing! (And now post-Christmas, we have three ribbons full!)

Day 355. I've been working on a baby blanket for Abby since about July ... but the caveat is that I only ever work on it in the van--usually on the way to/from church. The Sunday before Christmas I suddenly realized that I was really close to finishing it ... and over the next couple days, finish it I did! :)

Isn't she the cutest Christmas present ever?!? :)

 Another big helper! ♥

Day 356. Abby's first present ... she loved the paper!

Hannah made her very first cake, icing and all, completely from scratch.

Loving the matching PJ's from G&G! ♥

Day 357. Kids definitely enjoyed the start of Christmas vacation, with the special blessing of gifts from our Michigan family a few days before Christmas.

Daddy and the boys worked on refinishing our dining room table over Christmas break ...

We improvised for a while. :)

Mommy's big project the few days before Christmas was sewing matching outfits for the girls. :)

And in between helping Daddy, Peter thoroughly enjoyed putting together his new Lego kit! Thanks, G&G!

Day 358. G&G arrived Christmas Eve!! Grandpa lost no time in getting some baby snuggles. ♥

Our tradition continues on ... an annual Christmas Eve photo of just the two of us. ♥

Day 359. The stockings were hung 'round the window with care ...

Merry Christmas! ♥

Thank you for the beautiful baby quilt, Great Grandma!!

 ♥

The kids were excited to find new bikes at the end of their scavenger hunt!! Thank you, G&G!

Some flat ground later that afternoon made it easier to get used to their bigger sizes. :)

Day 360. Daddy, Grandpa, and the big kids enjoyed biking about seven miles the next day! Mommy and Grandma enjoyed some quiet time at home with Abby. ;)

Day 361. We love games around here, and Spot It! is a new favorite! :)

Saturday's big activity, though, was tree removal.

Peter's already learning to drive! :)

We also enjoyed seeing an animated light show! :)

Day 361. Here's the girls in their matching outfits! :)

Day 362. Happy 5 months, Miss Abby! 

Where has the time gone?!? Our little girl is happy and alert, spends most of her floor time with both head and legs raised, likes to eat every 2 hours, sleeps about 5-6 hours at night, makes lots of happy baby chatter, is starting to sit up independently, strongly prefers Mommy, Daddy, and siblings over anyone else on the planet, and weighs 15 lbs. :) We love you, Sweet Pea! ♥

Mommy and Daddy (plus Abby) enjoyed a special afternoon together while G&G watched the older munchkins. ♥

Day 363. The men took the kids biking, the ladies took the kids to see gingerbread houses. :) Abby said it was time for lunch. NOW. :)

Peter received a Jr. Archery set for Christmas and is enjoying learning to shoot. This was the first time all five arrows made the target! :)

Day 365. So glad that G&G could come visit! ♥

And this little lady seems to be a good finale for 2014. ♥

Thus ends the third year of my 365Project ... it's been fun. :) Looking forward to what 2015 will bring. Thanks for joining us!

Jenny's Christmas Popcorn

My gift to you this Christmas season ...

my recipe for simple yet special teacher and neighbor gifts. :)

Jenny's Christmas Popcorn

Ingredients:

• Orville Redenbacher's white popcorn
• canola oil (for popping the corn)
• Aldi's Vanilla Almond Bark ($2.69 for 1.5 lbs)
• salt
• sprinkles
• treat bags (if gifting)

Here's the easy directions ... it's just three steps. 

1. Pop the popcorn.
2. Melt the chocolate.
3. Mix. 

However, every time I give that recipe, people ask for more details. So here they be ...
(And remember ... you didn't come here for my food photography skills!) ;)

1. Pop the popcorn. 

I use a Stir Crazy popcorn maker like this one. I use about 1/2 to 2/3 cup kernels per batch. 

2. Melt the chocolate. 

I use about 5-6 cubes for one batch of popcorn. Drop the cubes in a glass bowl and microwave in 30-second increments, stirring after each round. It usually takes about two minutes for the chocolate to become smooth. 

3. Mix. 

I usually work with half the batch at a time. I lightly salt the popcorn at this point.

Then drizzle with melted chocolate and stir until evenly coated. Add a little more chocolate if necessary. :)

Spread the coated popcorn on wax paper and while the chocolate is still warm, add colored sprinkles. Just for fun. :)

Once the chocolate has cooled, gently break it apart and put it in pretty treat bags. I get about 5-6 bags from each batch of popcorn. Dollar Tree has a nice selection of treat bags--25 for $1.

And that's it! :) 

Enjoy. :)