Another Monday

Which means it's another Mamarazzi Monday!

Here's our 'Ugly Christmas Sweater Party that turned into PJ party because nowhere in San Diego can you find a sweatshirt since it's currently 80 degrees in December!'

love these girls


Snow in San Diego


T and S with Santa & Mrs. Claus

"It's snowwwwinnggg"

S

{12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge: Day 14}

Last and final day of the blog challenge. Day 14: Oprah's audience gifts

well I have never watched Oprah, seriously never. I have though heard of her giving away gifts like on the Ellen Show. Cars and such, but if I were in the audience on a 'giving' day I would like to receive money. Money so I can put it towards whatever I want. Gifts are nice, but if its not something that interests me or that I will use than it more than likely will go into the closet or the donation pile.

Shutterfly Christmas Cards

Every year I send out walmart brand Christmas cards and every year I always wish I would have quit being so lazy and taken a Christmas photo to send out in picture cards. I always get them in the mail and they're always so pretty and cute. Well this year I'M SENDING OUT PHOTO CHRISTMAS CARDS. I recently went over to www.shutterfly.com website and O. M. Gee they have some cuutteee cards! We are definetely going to be using one of the designs for our family Christmas cards this year!!! So everyone be on the lookout for our card in the mail!!

http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/holiday-cards This is all their Christmas cards they have to pick from this year. Good Luck deciding...it seriously took me about an hour.

here are some of their other products they offer as well. (not only are they just a photo site!)

desk calendars- http://www.shutterfly.com/calendars/desk-calendars
this is a great idea for upcoming deployments (cough cough to myself) what a better way to count down the days than looking at your family on the other side of the world!

so really go check them out............NOW what are you waiting for?

and don't forget to send us a family Christmas card, I'll be waiting ;)

{12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge: Day 12 & 13}

Day 12: Show off your Christmas lights/decorations

{this is still in the works. I need a splitter and another small white extension cord.}

[updated] okay here is some of my Christmas decor. Enjoy! I love looking at everything around the house. I'll post a picture of the outside when I get a chance.

baby Reese's ornament
I've always heard that every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings so as soon as I saw this I fell in love.
our new ornament to remind us of San Diego
Our tree
Storie's tree....how cute is it! Its feathers!
Tyler's tree
our Christmas mantel
$1 bin bucket at Target!

Day 13: Favorite Cookie Recipe

okay, well I already posted my Russian Teacakes recipe for the favorite Holiday recipe here so I will give out my chocolate crinkle recipe also! Yummy!

Chocolate Crinkles
4 tbsp butter
8 oz semisweet/bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder

In stainless steel bowl place over sauce pan of simmering water, melt the chocolate and butter. Remove from heat.

Beat the eggs and sugar until thick, pale, and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla extract and than stir in melted chocolate.

(Separate bowl) Whisk flour, salt, and baking powder. Add to chocolate mixture, stirring in. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm enough to shape into balls (3-4 hours/overnight)

Preheat oven to 325. Line Baking sheets with parchment paper.
Place powdered sugar in a bowl and roll small amount of chilled dough to form 1 inch ball. Roll the balls in powdered sugar. Bake cookies for 8-10 mins.

{12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge: Day 11}

Day 11: New Years Resolution

I don't usually make 'New years resolutions' because they usually never last to the end of January. Maybe I'll make one this year, but I really doubt it will be about me. Losing weight-nah, looking more styled and less mom-probably not. I guess if I have to make a resolution of sorts it would be that when Jake leaves for deployment I WILL find a job back home and save all our money (after we're debt free...soon!) to save for a down payment on a used truck. We really want to get rid of that car and get a truck where the kids will fit in the back seats in their carseats. There have been countless times where we needed our black dodge back so we're going to get another truck! I'm pretty stoked too. I loved our black dodge.

and I would like to keep the kids on their bed time routines as well. Eating dinner the same time, naps everyday! Baths, and bedtime at the same time every night. So once we leave there won't really be much of an adjustment to when we get back to San Diego.

{12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge: Day 10}

Day 10: Favorite Christmas Songs

My most favorite-est song ever is "Mary did you know" By Clay Aiken
I also love "Grandma got ran over by a reindeer"
"Run Rudolph run"
and anything by Trans-Siberian Orchestra

{12 Days of Christmas Blog Challenge: Day 9}

Day 9: Favorite Holiday Recipe

Russian Teacakes
(yum!)

1 cup softened butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/4 cups flour
3/4 cups chopped walnuts
(additional powdered sugar)

In large bowl combine first 4 ingredients on low speed mixer, mix (1 min) blend well.
Add flour at low speed until combined;
stir in nuts.
Roll dough into 1 inch balls;
Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet
Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 mins
While warm roll in additional powdered sugar