Gingerbread train and chocolate fountain

This year we made a gingerbread train in place of the traditional gingerbread house and it was so much fun!! Kai wants to make it again next year and a house too. Cassia had fun with the icing, but I think her favorite part was sampling all the candy decorations.





The finished train on our dessert table, but wait we're not finished. What dessert table would complete without a chocolate fountain!


Yes, Jimmy and I do think it's a bit over the top, but it's Christmas and the looks on the children's faces were priceless!

December baking

This month is usually a busy baking month for me because we always send our friends and family baked goods for Christmas. This year I've decided to reduce my stress and not test any new recipes and send out favorites like shortbread, chocolate chip, fudgy brownie bites, coconut-butterscotch pecan and peppermint bark.

This month is about having fun with the kids since they are getting older and will be able to remember our activites. I let each of them flip through my magazines and pick out a cookie they want to make. Cassia chose chocolate chip (she loves anything with chocolate) and Kai chose cut out sugar cookies with candy windows.


Here the kids are rolling out the dough.



Here Kai is cutting out the cookies, filling them with crushed Jolly Ranchers and a tray of the finished cookies. They had a great time making these and Cassia was happy she got to eat candy while Kai was busy!