~Christmas cookie baking~

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When you look at your life,

the greatest happinesses are family happinesses. 

~J. Brothers

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My sister Amanda came over today with her three children and we made Christmas cookies together.  I know I’ve said this before, but with all the rest of my family living in NY, I am continually thankful that Amanda and her family live here in CT and we can see each other whenever we want to.  Just like Rich is the perfect husband for me, Amanda is the perfect sister for me….for example, one of the things I love about the two of us is that she is extroverted and I am introverted.  She gets me going and moving and having adventures when I would most likely be home in my own little world. 

Today was spent at home, yes, but it was her idea to get together to make cookies (and lunch, and snacks, and taking care of eight children, *including a 3 year old, 2 year old, and baby*) and it was quite something.  I think we were both exhausted when she left after four hours in the kitchen….but how fun it was and how wonderful it will be to look at these pictures a year from now and sigh over how much the children have grown! 

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Okay, I admit it, Jacob does seem to be growing…….it’s just awful seeing him the same height as his Aunt, even if she is petite!

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And my handsome Ethan Gregory, if you think of it, say a little prayer for him.  He’s feeling a bit under the weather today, and will be sooooo disappointed if he can’t perform his guitar pieces in his recital tomorrow.

I love my sweet E.

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Naomi is such a joy…she’s two and my little friend already.  She was so happy to come to Aunt Shanda’s and did NOT want to go home.  Part of me does want to keep her.

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And here is little Weston.  Some of you may remember praying for him last January, when he was born a month early and had to spend time in the NICU.  He’s a fine and dandy healthy little man now, and all too happy to eat any cookie that might come his way.  He looks just like his Daddy, Jason.

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I love this next picture, because of lil’ Naomi…looking up with that bright little girl face.

Ethan and I were mixing up the dough for Russian teacakes and Amanda took the picture.  I have my elbow resting on the Crisco container and was leaning on my hand as we watched the dough go around, in case you’re wondering what’s up with the pose.

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Grace helped form the Russian teacakes into balls.

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And I love this next one, because of lil’ Weston crawling around under the table, never far from his Mama.

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The kids all got to roll out sugar cookie dough and cut out the proper Christmassy shapes.

Here are Grace and Abbie, who are like two peas in a pod.  I thought I would take lots more pictures of the two of them together, but they were so busy playing that we rarely saw them.  Their favorite thing to do today?  Eat ice off the pond and jump on the trampoline!  And no, they did not call each other to coordinate their outfits, it just happened that way…..

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Just some of our finished cookies:

My Russian Teacakes

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And Amanda’s awesome Pea
nut Butter cookies, with mini Hershey Kisses on top.  They taste good warm from the oven, and at room temperature….I know, because I just ate *another* one.

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Cookie(s), anyone?  With tea?  Or coffee?

 

0 thoughts on “~Christmas cookie baking~”

  2. Yum, I will have a few of those with some coffee mam! I love the pictures. You and Amanda’s kids are growing like weeds too. And tall too. Before you know we will be looking up at our oldest kiddos. Have a great weekend.

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  3. I am tired but I would do it again 🙂 Well have a great evening with the family I am getting dinner ready then off to church for more Christmas decorating! Love ya

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  4. Your teacakes look so yummy, but being a chocoholic I am craving Amanda’s cookies with the Hershey’s Kisses on top. What a SWEET time with your sister and all those kiddos making cookies – YES, you definitely made some wonderful memories!!!

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  6. I have GOT to get going on my baking, or I will have no cookies to give away, and I always deliver plates to all the families who live in our building. You are making such sweet memories. I do pray that Ethan will feel completely well and do a great job with his guitar pieces. Blessings to all you cookie bakers and eaters!

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  11. I’ll take some Russian teacakes with coffee, please!  Are you allowed to eat “tea”cakes with coffee?  Wonderful memories with all the kiddos and with your sister.  My sis just called me with a cookie question.  She is making spritz and she didn’t even know that I had just made the same recipe last night.  I love being in the kitchen with my sissy too!  I will pray for Ethan to feel better so that he can perform.  Love, Hannah

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  18. Since I ate eight cookies for breakfast yesterday (yes, I know – oink! oink!), I probably should pass. But anything with chocolate in it is mighty tempting! I’m envious of you having someone “familiy-ish” close by. I have no one. (sniff! sniff!) I’ll take that cookie, now!

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  22. Hehe I love the pics, I got to hear all about it tonight from Amanda…sounds like it was quite a fun day over there. 🙂  I love the pic of Wes crawling toward her…I want to pinch his chubby legs.  Well you guys did a great job on the cookies, I sampled some tonight. 🙂  Hope you have a nice evening, Shan.  Love you!

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  24. Yes, please, cookies please, with coffee!! and right now would be good, even though i should be in bed!!This really makes me miss my family, especially my sisters!! I could really go for a cookie making adventure with any of them right now!!

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  27. Coffee with my cookie please! David says he would like tea and cookies. Such a warm delightful post…I can almost smell the cookies and hear the giggles. My favorite picture of the day is Grace and Abbie. So very cute!

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  28. How fun and the cookies look delicious!  I love Russian tea cakes with hot Earl Grey tea. 🙂  My sister and I use to bake together when we lived in the same state.  I miss that, but we still share recipes over the phone.  Glad you were able to make memories with your sister and children. -Maria

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  32. What a lovely day.  Sisters, and nieces and nephews are wonderful!
    I love your new header, it is beautiful.  I have a green platter much like yours there that came from my grandmother.  It was my first fiesta peice, but my husband recently bought plates and bowls for our family (red, green and yellow) so I think I could do something like your decoration there.  Though I don’t have all those other neat peices that make it so pretty and festive!  So I’m telling you all of this because it was one of your colorful fiesta posts that moved our collection past my one heirloom peice.  I showed your pictures to my husband one day several months ago when he was telling me about one of his customers who sells fiesta in their shop and he asked if I was interested in it.  Ooooh yes, please!  We now have a butter dish, spoon rest, crock and our plates and bowls.  So thank you for the fiesta inspiration, sweet Shanda!:)

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  35. It looks like you had a lovely time.I really need to get together with my sisters and do some Christmas/New Years baking.We usually have some sort of get together with family friends on New Years and we always have tons of snacks to share.Those cookies look amazing.

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