Christmas 2012- Part 3

We had our Christmas eve tradition, once again this year.  After bathtime, Lil G and Smuchie came downstairs to look for the "Christmas pickle" ornament on the tree.  Smunchie found it first (with dada's help) and got to open her stocking first, to get her new Christmas jammies.  Lil G was excited that he and Smunchie had matching pjs!

After reading "The night before Christmas", the kids put out cookies for Santa (this was Lil G's idea, with no help from mama or dada).  Apparently, at our house, St. Nick gets a very large bowl of cookies and a teeny, tiny cup of water.

 On Christmas morning, the kids got up bright and early to open gifts.  They were both excited to see what was under the tree.

 The kiddos with their stockings

Smunchie and Lil G both got mama-made dolls.  Smunchie pulled hers out of the stocking and gave her a hug....before gnawing on her head.

Lil G carrying his superhero doll on his shoulders.

 New Leonardo puppet

Reading "Leonardo the Terrible Monster" with mama.

Christmas 2012- Part 2

 On Christmas Eve, we went over to Opa and Gogie's house, to celebrate the holidays.  It was fun and good times for all.  We enjoyed presents, food and togetherness.

Smunchie enjoyed the wrapping paper.

 Lil G helping Gogie open a gift from Uncle Andrew

 New hat for Uncle Andrew

 Mr. Potato Head pieces!

Mama and Smunchie, looking at the new gift from Uncle Andrew.

 Lil G showing off the gifts that he picked out for Smunchie- two new hats!

 Lil G and mama both got tiny tongs for Christmas!

 Aftermath of Christmas eve dinner :-)

Christmas 2012- Part 1

Today, we got to spend time with the White side of the family, in order to celebrate the holidays.  The holiday was special for two reasons: 1.) It is Smunchie's first Christmas and 2.) It is the first Christmas that Uncle Rodger is engaged! We are so happy and blessed to be welcoming Sarah into our family.  Lil G and Smunchie were pretty excited for the Christmas festivities, including the much anticipated visit from Uncle Pooh.  We had good food, good fun and PRESENTS!  What more could you ask for?

Lil G spent some time admiring the tree.  It appears he may have been plotting his attack.

Above:  The happy couple (with a baby added in for cuteness)

Left: Smunchie, with her soon-to-be-aunt Sarah

Below: Mama and Lil G, opening gifts together.

 Lil G got a Luchador mask for Christmas, from Uncle Rodger and Sarah.  He looks pretty good, huh?

 Everyone tried on the mask.  Here's Rodger.....

 And Luchador Smunchie.

 Above: Tutu and Smunchie

Below: Smunchie checking out Papa

 Stockings!

 Dada and Uncle Pooh

Sweet siblings, playing together

Smunchie is Eight Months Old

 On December 5, Smunchie turned eight months old!  How in the world did this happen?  Didn't I just give birth??

Anyway, she's as happy and bubbly as ever. She finally got a tooth and is able to do some crawling moves (though she isn't truly crawling yet).

Lil G is still absolutely in love with his little sister.  I cannot believe how much he loves her.  We are so blessed.

 Smunchie took some fun pics in front of the Christmas tree, in a chair that her daddy had when he was little.  She really enjoyed playing with her "Baby's First Christmas" ornament/rattle :-)

Wordless Wednesday

Recipe #8: Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries

I adore sweet potatoes.  So does Smunchie.  Lil G and Greg, however, are slightly indifferent.  So, I tend to try and find new ways to prepare them that are 1.)healthy and 2.)delicious.  This hit the mark on both counts, though I would decrease the salt next time.

Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries Recipe

• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 30 minutes

The baking times are approximate; it depends on how thick you cut the wedges or rounds of sweet potatoes. Try to cut them evenly so they all cook at about the same rate. For best browning results bake only one sheet at a time. Why the sugar? To help with the caramelization and to intensify the sweetness of the fries, but you can easily leave it out if you want.

Add to shopping list

• 2 pounds sweet potatoes, about 3 large ones
• 1/4 cup olive or other vegetable oil
• 1-2 Tbsp sugar (I used 1 Tablespoon)
• 1 Tbsp salt (I used 1 T but will decrease to 1/2 T next time)
• 1-2 Tbsp spice or spice combination of your choice: chipotle powder, smoked paprika, Chinese five-spice, pumpkin pie spice, garam masala, Cajun seasoning, etc. (I used 1 T pumpkin pie spice)

METHOD

1 Preheat oven to 450°F. (For more crispiness, preheat your oven to 500°F.)

2 Peel the sweet potatoes and cut off the ends. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise and then, if they are very long, in half crosswise. Cut each piece into wedges. Alternately, you can slice the peeled sweet potato into disks either with a mandoline or a sharp knife.

3 Put the sweet potatoes into a large bowl and add the oil. Mix well to combine. Sprinkle with salt, sugar and spices of your choice. Use your hands to mix well, so all pieces are coated with oil and spices.

4 Spread the sweet potatoes out in a single layer on a baking sheet; the oil they are coated with should keep them from sticking to the pan. If you are trying to cut fat, reduce the oil to 2 Tbsp and use a non-stick coating on the baking sheet.  (I baked them on our oven stone)

5 Bake for a total of 25 to 30 minutes. After the first 15 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and turn over all of the sweet potato pieces. Return to the oven and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until they are well browned. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Yield: Serves 4-6 as a side dish.

Breakfast with Santa and the Reindeer

 Today, we went to the local zoo, so that Lil G and Smunchie could have breakfast with Santa Claus and two of his reindeer.  Lil G was shy at first but really warmed up to the experience.  

Lil G got to feel reindeer antlers.  Apparently, they're either very light or "I am super strong".  It's anyone's guess.

 Lil G was so excited to meet Santa Claus.  Of course, when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas, Lil G replied, "A reindeer".  

Um....ok.

Smunchie also got to meet Santa.  She was pretty interested in what the big guy was up to.  Suspicious, even.  

She warmed up once she got to sit on Santa's lap with her big brother.  She sure loves that little man.