All cookied out, but ready for Christmas.

I started with recipes for about 8 varieties of cookies, and ended up making 4 (with extra plain-jane cookie dough waiting in the fridge, perhaps for a Christmas Eve decorating party?). And that's going to be it for now. It gets to be a lot of work, baking so may cookies with an infant around- doable, but a major workout. And its tired me out. Charles and I are going to do some cuddling tomorrow, I think, instead of baking cookies. We prepared this sampler plate for Trav, for when he gets done with work tonight. So we've got molasses, hershey kiss peanut butter (a little crumbly), a lemon-glazed white cookie, and a Christmas cookie with orange zest kneaded in the dough and a semisweet chocolate drizzle (my favorite this year). After we decorate cookies, we'll have a little more color in there.

Otherwise, we're pretty much ready, and excited to be hosting the first Christmas (of course we always get to have more than one Christmas, so that's always fun :)

Here's some more Christmassy photos from around the house (not very good quality, but like I said, I baked all day)...




And Charlie got a visit from his Grand-mummy Wiste today (and Zia KT and her friend Eveline). Fun was had by all. However, Charlie's fighting a little cold and teething perhaps? So he wasn't quite his normal self - even so, he has a hard time not smiling.

~Becky

Happy to be.

This is a picture of Charlie yesterday, shortly after he rolled over for the first time. He is generally such a happy baby- such a joy to be around. He's chatting at me right now, so I'd guess I better go...

~Becky

Now taking bets.

When do you think the first tooth will break through?




Busy, busy.

~Becky

The Holiday Season...

The snow just makes it feel more like the holidays. I'm finally excited to start decorating and Christmas shopping, baking, and making Charlie's first Christmas special. (Stockings are on the way!) Trav's holiday work party is tonight, so that should be fun.

I have several different occasions of photos to post (including baptism), but just haven't for lack of either time or motivation. Here's a few from Thanksgiving, which was fabulous because we were able to share it with so many family members and friends.

Liz and her brussel sprouts

Truman, making lefse (watch out for feisty Norwegians!)

Megan spilling secrets in Spanish to Charles

Lin, pouring the champagne

And Grandpa Wiste, showing Charlie the birds

Check out some additional lovely pics at Bill's zenfolio site (I love this one :).
Which also includes photos of Bill and Lin's farm, Meadowgate (which coincidentally is where my Grandma Wiste grew up, and is now a completely romantic hideaway complete with sheep and herding dogs).

~Becky