Cookie Contest 2010

Lauren making the cookies

Our finished cookies.

The group with our new aprons.

oops , Blaire and her friends were outside, this is the whole group (not including the judges.)

We won most festive.

Last year we were Grand Champions so this year we tried to repeat but we came up short. We did win most festive.

A few years ago we started a family and friends cookie cook off. It has grown with each year. This year there was 17 people making cookies. Diane and I decided to make aprons for everyone . We got most of them done and they look so cute. We plan to make patches for the award we won. It was a fun night and now we have a ton of cookies for Christmas Eve and Christmas.

Cindy gave us the recipe for the cookies we did. They were good and the judges really likes them but we lost to a really good shortbread cookie. We will get them next year.

Breakfast with Santa

Lauren riding the camel at the zoo.

Lauren, Sammie and Jacob
Jacob
Lauren and Sammie. Wonderful cousins.

Santa and Mrs. Claus at Breakfast
Lauren's third trip to see Santa. (Breakfast with Santa.)

Lauren and I joined Brian, Sammie and Jacob for Breakfast with Santa. This year we went to the zoo. The Breakfast was nice and they brought animals in for the kids to see and touch. Since we were at the zoo went spent a few hours walking around and enjoying the day.

Helping Packing??

I don't think this helped too much, but it is a cute picture.

Ice Castles

Lauren and some of her classmates making Ice Castles

Lauren's classmates after a fun time of making ice castles.

Ice Castles
Lauren in front of her Ice Castle.

The second grade at Lauren's school has a annual event, Ice Castle building. This is the 16th year that the second grade has done this activity. For the past few weeks Lauren and I have been making ice blocks to bring to the Ice Castle building day. This morning all the kids brought their ice blocks and the classes had fun building castles. They used rock salt to keep the blocks together. The kids had a great time. They came out and looked at the castles throughout the day to see what happens.

Lauren and I had a great time making the ice blocks. We added a lot of coloring and some other items. These other items included marshmallows, pasta, ribbons, gold fish and etc. It was fun to see what we could come up with and how it would turn out. Lauren and at great time with this activity and it was fun for me to watch.

Happy Birthday Jacob and Blaire!!

Jacob enjoying the cake.

Blaire and Jacob about ready to blow out their candles.

The Birthday Kids, Blaire (14) and Jacob (2)

Lauren and Jacob.

Tonight we celebrated Jacob's 2nd birthday and Blaire's 14th birthday. Blaire's birthday is next week and Jacob's birthday was a few weeks ago. It was a great time spending time together and celebrating the birthdays.

Blaire had a rough year with her back surgery but she is doing great and had pretty much recovered. She looks great and she is such a pretty young lady. She has a big heart and cares so much for everyone. Lauren loves Blaire so much. She is a great role model for Lauren.

Jacob is 2 years old. That in itself is a miracle. Without the therapy that Jacob receives we would not be celebrating his birthday. He is a sweetie and such a fighter. I am amazed had how far he has come. He is starting to walk and he talks more and more with sign language.

Church Christmas Program

Lauren and Elaine after the last performance.

Lauren ready to go on stage.

Our church has a large Christmas program every year. This year they asked any of the kids in grades 1-6 to be part of the show. Lauren wanted to do it. It was a lot of practices but she had a great time. It took up our weekend, with a dress rehearsal on Thursday and then shows on Friday night, Saturday afternoon and Saturday night. She was so happy that her cousin, Elaine and her aunt Janine came to watch on Saturday night.

End of Soccer Season

The team with their trophies and enjoying the fun.

The team enjoying some treats after the game.

Playing her last game of the season.

Lauren just finished her first soccer season. She really had fun and learned a lot. It was a fun experience for her. The season ended with a small party and of course handing out the trophies. Lauren was excited to put it with the rest of the trophies that she has received. In January she starts softball again.