Christmas day

I started the day with a little time to myself, which is rare in the morning. Kelwyn slept until almost 9 o'clock and Adeline went back to sleep after her 6 am breakfast! I had time to watch the sun come up in a dark, Christmas tree lit room, put the breakfast casserole in the oven and make fresh squeezed orange juice. I just could not wait until Kelwyn woke up! Christmas day was so magical to witness the joy and wonder from my little ones. That was the best gift I got all day. Kelwyn walked in with Slater and I saw the spark in his eyes. His jaw dropped and he just kept giggling and laughing.
He got a new tricycle, which he danced around and around many times. He also got a big red barn with some wooden farm animals he has enjoyed too.
Kelwyn brought Adeline her new dolls all throughout the day. It was very sweet. She enjoyed watching him running around playing with his new toys. I think she felt the excitement in the air.
What a magical day with my loved ones and we missed the ones who were not here. We enjoyed a delicious meal, wonderful eggnog, a laughing smiling baby and a giggling and dancing toddler. Merry Christmas!

Chocolate kisses

Kelwyn and I made peanut butter chocolate kiss cookies today. I think Kelwyn's favorite part was unwrapping the kisses and placing them to the side for me to place on top of the hot baked cookies.
The chocolate kiss melted a little bit at the base, and my where they tasty warm! I have to make sure to save some for Santa tomorrow night!
This little one got lots of kisses today too.

Winter Solstice

We are celebrating bringing light into our home this evening on the Winter Solstice and the return of light and spring to come. I love all the beautiful lights that bring warmth and peace to our lives this time of year; especially today with the longest night.
Kelwyn's Solstice Stars
Bless the sun, stars and the moon for light all through out the year. We welcome back the light and I wish you all light, love and warmth. Happy Winter Solstice!

Magical snow play

We all had a blast out in the snow. It was so beautiful and we took a peaceful walk with our snowshoes down our road and up (well not all the way) a mountain. Slater put Kelwyn on his back and I carried Adeline all bundled up in a sling. She fell asleep soon after we started our hike and Kelwyn was having a wonderful time seeing everything covered in snow.
Kelwyn had just a wonderful time and he loves the snow. He was asking to got outside first thing in the morning. He also enjoyed running around the snow and picking up large blocks of snow/ice and throwing it as it smashed in many pieces. I do not think he knew what to think of sledding quite yet.
We came inside with red noses, cold fingers and toes to enjoy a nice warm cup of cocoa and freshly baked gingerbread chocolate brownies.
Happy fourth week of Advent.
The fourth light of Advent is the light of humankind.
The light of love, the light of thought, to give and to understand.

Winter Wonderland

The snow came tumbling down pretty much all day. It is just beautiful as it clings to the bare branches and pine trees. I love seeing everything covered in the Earth's white blanket as all the little seeds and plants are sleeping underneath. So magical and serene! What a wonderful way to bring in Christmas.
Slater took Kelwyn outside to play in the Winter Wonderland while I stayed warm inside with my precious little bundle. It was heart warming to see them playing, giggling and I think I saw Slater making a snow angel.
Little light snowflakes
Whirl around.
Little light snowflakes
Fall to the ground.
Fall on the tree
And fall on me;
Make the earth white,
Make the earth bright.

Gingerbread cookies

My dear friend Kelcey and her little girl Lili came over for Christmas cookie baking today. We made gingerbread cookies with icing. The kids had so much fun making the dough and cutting shapes with the cookie cutters.

They were running around the house playing, screaming and giggling in between cooling the dough for cookies, cutting and baking. Before the cookies went in the oven Kelcey helped Kelwyn and Lili sprinkle yummy toppings on.
The cookies were a hit and looked quite nice sprinkled by Kelwyn and Lili.

Baking with craberries

Kelwyn and I made a cranberry upside down cake today for our baking day. We had a bunch of cranberries left over from our cranberry/popcorn garland and I did not want them to go bad. So, I found this fantastic recipe from the Artful Parent. The recipe called for blending the items in the food processor, which Kelwyn enjoyed doing by pressing the button.
I did not have cake flour, which was needed in the recipe, so I had to adjust the ingredients with flour, baking powder and salt. I was a little nervous how it would turn out, but it turned our wonderful. Quite delicious I may add. Also, very festive and pretty with the cranberries on top. Yum!