Wolfe Family Christmas 2011

Every year we look forward to our Wolfe family Christmas gathering. During this past year, we had several new additions to the family.

Our newest addition, Ella Mae

Our second youngest addition, Elias, with auntie Laura

Elias with mommy, Selah and uncle Ryan

Sumin and Kathleen

Great grandpa enjoying Ella and Wiley unwrapping a chocolate

Ivan keeping his first-cousins-once-removed, entertained while unwrapping a chocolate

Gathering for appetizers

Kevin and auntie Cheryl

Cousins Clark, Laura, Betsy and Vinny

Grandma Dorothy and Christy

Vinny, Matt, Greg and Holly

David and Kelsey

Wiley getting to know his second cousin

Sweet baby

Wiley

Wiley and Ivan flashed several chocolatey smiles throughout the evening

Cheryl and Dorothy

Misty

Cousins Vinny and Christy

Lori, our hostess for the evening

Dear hubby

Gary

Lexi working the floor

Great grandma visiting with Ella

Vinny and Christy

Jeff and Holly

Misty and Cheryl - daughter and mom

Betsy checking out a new outfit for Ella

Natalie, Wiley, Grant, Davis, CJ, Madi, Larry, Gary

Lexi waiting for falling food

Jeff, Holly and Dorothy

Lori and Jeff taking a breather

Larry cleaning up

Lexi is a very patient girl

Merry Christmas

Have a very 

Merry Christmas

with the ones you love!

Split Pea Soup with Garlic Croutons

As the holidays are upon us with parties and gatherings, I find it harder to be in control of my diet. I decided that my best choice is to make sure our meals at home are healthy, low fat and lower calories. Also keeping plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits available helps. It leaves a little more wiggle room when we are eating away from home.

So, we will be eating a lot of soup, mostly bean soups with a little meat. It needs to be hearty so dear hubby doesn't miss that meat! Here is a recipe I developed today that turned out really good. Dear hubby loved it and so did I. We will enjoy it for a couple of nights this week. 



Enjoy!

Our Family Baking Day

Baking is so much more fun when you do it with somebody. Especially special somebodies, like sisters and nieces at Christmas. We all met at my sister Lori's house to bake this past weekend. The week before, she suggested we send her the recipes we wanted to make and she would have all of the ingredients available for us. How great is that! This will give you a peak at what it's like to bake at Lori's house.

This basket and table had all the baking necessities

A closer look

This table had utensils, cookie cutters, flavorings and decorating items

Bowls and measuring cups and spoons

Baking pans, parchment paper and other wrapping material

Our niece Misty

 Our sister Lori

Our sister Kathleen

Oatmeal Scotchies

Peanut Butter Bars

Italian Anise Cookies with Icing

Coal for the naughty kids

I didn't get pictures of everything. We also made peanut butter balls, rice crispy treats, sugar cookies. We almost had peanut brittle, but there was a little problem with the cook time which produced smoke coming out of the microwave and resulted in the "coal" you see above. I'm sure I'm forgetting a couple of things that were made. It was all fun! Especially the time spent with family! I love them all! 

Thanks Lori, for everything! Especially the memories!

Here is the link for the Italian Anise Cookies with Icing and Sprinkles.

Here is the link for Granny's Sugar Cookies.

Enjoy!

All Warm and Cozy

I know at least two squirrels that aren't going to be cold this winter! They have been busy stashing food in the ground, flower pots and trees. They have also been very busy making there nest very comfy.

The new squirrel nest is overflowing with cotton

And so are the trees

I think the squirrels raided one of our neighbors pillow stash. It has been very entertaining to watch them travel through the neighborhood trees and fences as they are rushing to their nest with cotton in their mouths. It would be very interesting to know where they found all of this batting. I predict lots of new squirrels by spring!


Happy Birthday to my brother Gary! 
Have a very special day!
I love you!