Baking Gingerbread

 Baking cookies and treats is always a special activity to enjoy this time of year. The other day the boys and I made some fun gingerbread cutout cookies. We have all sorts of fun cookie cutters; including a snowman, snowflakes, a train, and even a hummingbird. I made a small batch of dough because while baking with little children is fun, it can also be quite a challenge- and a mess! I certainly didn't want to spend all day or have it take so long that everybody got grouchy. It was just right. We had enough dough to cut out a couple of each shape and we ran out just as the little fellows started getting tired of it. When the cookies were baked we set them aside to cool (and to take a break). Later in the evening we all sat down and painted them with powdered sugar icing. When I was younger and didn't have children I would have wanted them all to be artistic and perfect. Needless to say I gave that ideal up a long time ago, which is a good thing because now I can do things like this for fun and not worry about it.  David had lots of fun spreading the paint on his cookies, Matthew had one to munch on, I made mine as artistic as possible, and we even got Andrew to paint a few!

Two Happy Little Boys

A Train!

David Ready to Paint Cookies

Cookie Icing

David; Proud of his cookie!

The Gingerbread; All Done

Baking Cookies

David loved making cookies with Grandma. It was so fun to see him rolling out the dough and cutting out cookies.

Family Picture

Uncle Jonathan

Playing blocks with Uncle Jonathan.

Great Grandpa

It was special to get to go out to lunch on day with my Grandpa Nick. We all enjoyed that very much. I am so glad that David has a chance to know him at least a little bit. It makes me sad to be so far away from him not knowing how much longer he will be here.

Cousins

While in California David also had the opportunity to play with his cousins and his cousins, cousins several times. He had such a great time with all of them. These pictures were taken one Sunday after church.

Cousins- David, Justus, and Katie

Justus W. pushing David, Ben, and Katie in the wagon.

David, Ben, and Katie

Justus K. Pulling the wagon

Justus K. and Justus W. pulling and pushing the wagon

At the Cabin

Our five days at the cabin with family was full of fun times.
We had our family Thanksgiving dinner during our time there. The cabin was on a lake and only a short distance from the ocean. There were boats there and bikes to ride, a pool table, and a hot tub.
Thanksgiving pies

The pool table was almost in constant use.

Story-time with the children

We did several puzzles while there as well

Out on the lake

David and Grandpa

Grandma Kay

November 11, 1927 - February 19, 2011

My Grandmother passed away a few weeks ago. She was my grandmother on my Dad's side. We were able to fly down to California for the funeral. I was so glad we were able to come. I have many special memories of time spent with Grandma. Here are a few photos of her throughout my life.

Me as a baby with Grandma Kay. 1984

Grandma Kay and I, May 1987


Grandma collecting the eggs while visiting us in Montana.Summer 1989


Fourth of July, 1990


Grandma with Melissa and I, September 1991


Grandma and I at an Italian restaurant for my birthday. January 1992


Grandma and Grandpa. Grandma's birthday 2000


Easter 2003


Thanksgiving 2004


Christmas 2004


Thanksgiving 2010. I was so glad we had a chance to see Grandma last Thanksgiving while in California. I haven't had the chance to see my grandparents as often since getting married, so it was special to see her and to get to introduce David to her.

Great-Grandparents

We had a chance to visit both sets of my grandparents while we were in California. It was fun to see David getting to know them a little bit.

David has Fun

A few pictures of David enjoying his stay with my family.


Riding the pony

David likes Tizzy the dog.

With Grandpa

Warming up by the fire

Helping Grandma make breakfast

Wearing Aunt Melissa's boots

Playing the piano

Chocolate pudding

Beach Day With the Cousins

Andrew and Jon climbed up to a cave

Justus


Grandma Engell with Annie




David loved the water

Building sandcastles

David was cold in his wet clothes so I took them off


Annie, so cute!

Aimee with Annie and her Mom

Me and David

Me and Andrew


Sunset