Family Christmas party

Every year Rodney's family has an extended family Christmas party.  Each sibling, Rod's Aunts and Uncles take turns hosting the party.  This year it was in Peoa, UT near Park City.  It ended up snowing that Saturday, so not everyone made the trip but some of us were able to forge through the snow.

  Rodney's Grandparents are from Germany so we usually have Goolash, which consists of roast and spetzle noodles.  The roast is chopped into bite size pieces and cooked in gravy, and the spetzle is a homemade noodle.  (Rodney and I try and make them but his Grandmother is the BEST, she's an amazing cook, at it.)  I unfortunately didn't get a picture of it.  But all you need to know is that it was delicious.

The other tradition is to have a nativity.  Landon was one of the three kings and Lincoln was a sheep. 

We had such a fun time, just like we do every year. 

fyi...Lincoln's costume was provided by Shanna, Rod's Aunt.  If you think for one minute I can sew you are crazy.

Finally the PERFECT Chocolate Chip cookie

Rodney loves Chocolate Chip cookies.  And ever since we moved into our home I have been making cookies that look like this....

Let's be honest, nothing to write home about.  I was trying every recipe that I could find, and time after time they turned out like this.

One night we were having dinner at a friends house and she made these amazing Chocolate Chip cookies for dessert.  I told her my sad cookie story and she told me that this recipe is fool proof.   Well it's been a few months and I must tell you she's right.  I love this recipe and the cookies turn out amazing every time. 

Here's the recipe for those who want to try them:

1 Cup packed brown sugar
1 Cup sugar
2/3 Cup butter
2/3 Cup shortening
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
3 Cups flour
2 Cups chocolate chips (I think this is too many, I just add in what looks like it's enough)

Mix sugars, butter and shortening until smooth.  Add eggs and vanilla.  Mix dry ingredients together and then add to the wet mixture.  Add the chocolate chips and you are ready to bake them.

375 degrees for 9-10 min. (I think the time varies depending on your oven)

If you try them I hope that you enjoy them as much as we do.

Night Out

A week ago today Lincoln was diagnosed with RSV.  Rodney and I were both worried about what the next week had in store for us.  So we prepared to spend a lazy weekend at home, again.  And that's exactly what we did, I left the house once to get pizza.  But by Monday we were ready for a little break, and luckily for us my work offers Jazz tickets once a year.  Just by chance our game was Monday.

At first I was worried about leaving Lincoln, but my good friend Tawny and my Mom both offered to help.  Tawny watched the boys for about an hour before Grandma could arrive.  We are so blessed to have such good friends and family so close to be able to help us out.  Rodney and I had a great time, the Jazz lost, but we always have fun. 

A week later Lincoln has made great improvements.  We are only at the beginning of the RSV season, so here's hoping and praying that we are done with being sick this year.  (A girl can dream can't she?)