The Christmas Photo

You know me.. I love holiday traditions! The year was 2007. We were newlyweds and had just moved into the house a few months earlier. Pete was working the night shift and I was enjoying some Christmas movies and having some wine when I came up with this idea to put Bela in antlers just like Max on the Grinch Who Stole Christmas! She did not want to participate but I managed to get her to pose long enough in front of the tree to get a picture(not a great one). She was 6 months old.

Year 2, Bela was not amused but if you dangle some cheese in front of her.......... clearly, she'll do anything :) 

Year 3 brought along the birth of Peter and for December of 2009 I had 2 year old Bela and 8 month old Peter. That year, I remember taking it while Pete got called into work  for a snowstorm to plow... at this point he didn't know I had even made Bela pose for the past 2 years, LOL!

2010 got a little harder! Peter decided he wanted to wear the antlers, so I put Bela in the Santa hat!

2011.. The birth of Jack in March only adds fun to the photo! However, do you know how hard it was to get all three looking at me!! Trying to make silly noises, ring a bell and tell Bela to stay all at the same time! I was sweating by the end of this photo shoot!! How many years will I be able to convince them all to pose!

Merry Christmas from the Wescott's!!!

Menu Plan Monday

Another great weekend! I love to have weekends that felt relaxing but also are productive, we got so much stuff done! Trying some new recipes this week from my Taste of Home magazine and enjoying 25 cent wing night. We went last week for the first time in months, you can't beat feeding a family of four for under $20! Busy week ahead, present wrapping, last minute shopping and our Christmas celebrations start on Saturday! Can't wait! Have a great week!
Monday: Potato Latkes
Tuesday:  Wing Night at Stockhouse
Wednesday: Orange Ginger Chicken
Thursday: Pot Roast
Friday: We've got a babysitter! Dinner out!

In Search for the Perfect Christmas Tree

For the past 5 years, Pete and I have gone and cut our Christmas tree down. It has been on the blog before. This year, Ben & Bethany were able to join us. The group has grown thanks to Mackenna and Jack. We were excited for the tradtion to start for them!

After searching for a tree for a bit, we found one!!

Peter cut down the tree while the boys watched!

Guess what Peter's favorite part was? Your right, the tractor!

Group Shot.. the best we could get!

He had a great time :)

College buddies and now Dad's :)

We then headed over to the Siemen's house, Jack was excited to see Mackenna's toys!

Bethany getting our Christmas cocktail ready! Another great holiday tradition!

Chicken & Rice

1. 

4 Chicken Breasts
1 box long grain and wild rice mix with seasonings
1 can of golden mushroom or cream of mushroom soup
Parmesan Cheese

Empty rice and seasoning packet into baking dish. Mix soup with can of water. Put chicken on top of rice and pour soup mixture over all. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

If your like my family, we love rice! Sometimes I add another box if rice. If I do, I use a can of each soup. I will add cream of mushroom soup with a can of water and pour into dish, then pour the can of golden mushroom over it all.

Menu Plan Monday

What a busy weekend! A weekend filled with family, friends and Christmas activities! Although we never slowed down, it was a great weekend! Love this time of year, enjoy your week!

Monday: Meatball SubsTuesday: Wing Night at Stockhouse (Thanks Bethany!)
Wednesday: Alfredo, Salad & garlic bread
Thursday: Chicken Fajita's
Friday: Takeout :)

Breakfast with Santa!

Last year, Peter and I enjoyed the Festival of Trees. I was looking forward to it again this year. Each boy brought a friend with them. Peter was excited to have Landon Babineau join us and Jack brought along his friend Ethan Brewer. Us adults had a nice time as well, I hope they all join us again next year :)

Peter and Landon enjoying breakfast, Jack loved the mini muffins!

We had a great time with Santa! Jack has no fear and was happy to sit on Santa's lap! Ethan like trying to grab Santa's beard and after a little apprehension, Landon and Peter were giving high fives to Santa. Here are some of the photos we captured from our time with him!



Peter really liked this tree!

Camp Sunshine Tree

We headed downstairs, where once again, they had a great train display. This year's theme was Old West!

Peter and Landon loved watching the trains!

Jack trying to catch a peek of the trains :)

Christmas Cookies...

and holiday hearts, that's the way the holiday starts! I LOVE Christmas! I know I say that about a lot of holidays... Halloween, Cinco de Mayo, etc.  Last Christmas, I really wasn't in the decorating spirit. I had a 20 month old that kept trying to grab breakables and was 7 months pregnant and still getting sick! I basically put up the tree and stockings. This year, I was super excited to decorate! Peter has seen Santa a couple of times and has been excited about Christmas. He even wanted to help decorate! Thanks to my friend Kelli's Mom, I got a great idea for my pictures!

All wrapped for Christmas!

I also wrapped the one in the kitchen!

LOVE my big wreath, I got at Storey's Garden Center. I also got another wreath for the front door, fresh berries on sticks that I put in a vase for decoration and we put lights up on the front of the house!

The boys in their Christmas PJ's in front of our stockings. My grandmother made me my stocking when I was a little girl, I then had Pete's grand mother make one for him and Peter. Jack is getting one also! I love their Christmas PJ's. I got them at The Children's Place and they say Best Gift Ever!

There are a lot more decorations around the house, and we are going to cut down our tree on Sunday, so stayed tuned!