Ringing In The New Year!

It is no secret that I am anxious to wave goodbye to 2016!

If you're like me, and surrounded by littles on New Year's Eve

{my favorite place to be!},

you'll love these super easy, kid-friendly, party treats.

Jello Dessert Cups:

We pick up "fancy" champagne glasses at the Dollar Store.

Make up your favorite flavor of Jello, but instead of using the full amount of water, replace 1/2 with Sprite or Ginger Ale.

Pour into cups, let set, and decorate with whipped cream and sprinkles.

Remember Oreo Cakesters??  

I can't find them anymore, but they were delish!

I melted white chocolate chips, and dipped the cakesters in the melted chocolate.

Then decorate with sprinkles and more frosting.

You could change it up a bit with any hostess dessert :)

My girls love these Orangesicles.

Contrary to what the photo would have you believe, there is no actual orange in it.

I fill a glass with ice, splash in a small amount of cream or half and half, then fill the rest of the way with orange soda.  Top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

More of these delicious Jello Dessert Cups!

Pepperoni and Cheese Stuffed Pretzel Bites.

This year we will be making super yummy individual layered dip cups &

turkey, bacon, cheddar, and chive roll ups!

I'd better get busy!

Merry Christmas Eve!

Countdown to Christmas 2016 ~ Week 3

Shortly after my last post, it started snowing.

And snowing.

And snowing.

And that causes a lot of excitement around here, 

because the last time we got a snow like this was years ago!

So, what did we do for our Countdown week 3???

We bundled up and went sledding.

And we pretty much stayed in the fluffy, white stuff the whole time it stuck around.

Which was several days!

Now it's gone :(

And we're hustling our bustle to get last minute things done before Christmas Day.

Only three days away. Holy smokes!

What do you still have left to do?

Countdown to Christmas 2016 ~ Week 2

I'm not gonna lie, we've had a rough December so far.

Emotions are running high, and it's such a crazy-busy time of year anyway.  

The two combined aren't always so pretty.

But, we've been trying to find time each day to really appreciate this magical season,

and celebrate the real meaning behind it ~ the birth of our Lord and Savior ~ Jesus Christ.

Our countdown this last week:

Day 7

Read Christmas Stories.

Each of the girls picked out their favorite, we snuggled on the couch, and read.

Day 8

Dental Appointments.

Ha! What a fun countdown activity, right?

But after a couple of hours in the dental chairs, and five check-ups behind us,

we celebrated with donuts at the local bakery ;)

Day 8 also found us decorating Nana and Grandpa's tree.

Day 9

Make Christmas Gift Tags

Day 10

Pedicures at Home.

I had thought how fun it would be to gather up Nana and Grandma and head to the salon with the girls.  But after calculating the cost of 7 pedicures, I thought it wise to just buy a mini spa tub!

Day 11

Baking Gingerbread Cookies . . .

. . . and decorate at Grandma's

And yesterday, Day 12

We went to see Moana!

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful movie!  I absolutely loved it!!

It didn't hurt that our theater has recliners *and* we were the only ones in the whole theater!

What has been keeping you busy?

Are you all done shopping?

Countdown to Christmas ~ Week 1

Whew! We've had a busy first week of December, how about you?

December 1st started off with a North Pole Breakfast.

December 2nd we got our tree!!!!

December 3rd was a little hectic, as I had already scheduled a photo session out of town, and had errands to run before Jeremy and I headed off to an Ugly Christmas Sweater Party.  So the girls' activity that day was Movie Night with Nana and Gramps.

December 4th we hurried home right after Church because Mama was goin' on day 3 of a migraine. Bleh.  We still managed a quick craft.

December 5th we had hoped to wake up to snow, as was forecast. We were a little disappointed at first . . . until it started snowing later that morning.  And continued the rest of the day!! We made these adorable little paper houses while watching the snow fall outside.  It would have been the best day ever had our dog, Kate, not gotten sick.  A short stay at the vet, and overnight in the house snuggled up to us seemed to work magic!  She's feeling much better now.

December 6th we got to see friends we hadn't visited in ETERNITY, and decorate sugar cookies to boot!

Today is another busy one, with a photo shoot at the home studio this morning, followed by the big girls volunteering at the preschool.  But the goal is to snuggle together and read some Christmas stories as well.

What have you been up to???

The Giveaway Winner!

Oh my goodness, y'all.  Yesterday was crazy. The day before that was crazy.

We have a lot of crazy days around here.

So. I didn't get to choose the Giveaway winner last night, but I got my booty moving this morning, so that I could be sure to announce it first thing.

The winner of the the cookie plate, cutter, sprinkles, and Starbucks Gift card is . . . 

{And please pay no attention to the kitty paw that sneaks in at the end.

Silly girl always has to be doing what I'm doing :)

Have a great day! And I'll be back later to chat about more Countdown to Christmas activities!

CONGRATULATIONS CHRISTY!!!!!

Countdown to Christmas 2016 ~ DAY 1 ~ North Pole Breakfast!

It is DECEMBER!

Oh goodness, THIS is my favorite time of year!

Time to count on down to Christmas Day!!

Our first day of December started with a visit from our elf, Holly, and a 

North Pole Breakfast of Berry Crepes.

I'm pretty sure they were a hit because Tay had EIGHT!

Are YOU counting down?

What have you been up to? I'd love to see, so be sure to leave a link in the comments!

ALSO . . . Be sure to enter our Countdown Giveaway if you haven't yet!!

https://sugarplumcreations.blogspot.com/2016/11/countdown-to-christmas-is-near-and.html

Countdown to Christmas is NEAR . . . And a Giveaway!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Jeremy had to work this year, so we were missing him something fierce.

But we enjoyed time spent with family, and lots of delicious food!

And it doesn't hurt that he has most of the rest of the year off work! 

Woooohoooo!

So.

The turkey is gone.

The pie plates are empty.

We've brought the Christmas decor up from the basement.

It is time, y'all!

Countdown to Christmas is right around the corner.

If you've been here long {or ever}, you know that this is our FAVORITE time of year.

Many moons ago I made an advent tree for the girls.

Each day in December they pull out a card indicating the activity, outing, craft, etc. for the day.

We have so much fun!

And I would LOVE it if you'd join in as well.

Plan your own crafts, outings, activities, and post them in the links.

I'm always in need of fresh ideas; let's share!

Here are a few posts from previous years:

Countdown 2015

Countdown 2014

Countdown 2013

Countdown 2012

And to kick off the season, how about a Giveaway?!

What Countdown is complete without a cookie-baking day??

*Cookie Plate

*Snowman Cookie Cutter

*Snowflake Sprinkles

*$15 Starbucks Gift Card

To Enter:

Comment on this Blog Post your FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TRADITION :)

I will pick a winner on Sunday night, December 4th.

Well, Hey There!

Welllllll, hey there!  

It has been awhile; holy smokes!

Since I was last here:

*Summer ended

*School started

*Hunting seasons commenced

*We traveled across the United States to visit friends in Maine

*I've been blessed with 4 million photography sessions

*And so much MORE!

Seriously, y'all, it has been BUSY.

But we're coming upon my favorite time of year.

And that deserves documentation.

I mean, all of it *deserves* documentation.

But often there just is no time for all that.

So {hopefully} I'll be here more often in the coming months.

I'm going to leave a few photos of our Maine trip here.

{Those blog posts will likely come in January, as I am *still* going through hundreds of pictures}

And I'll be back SOON, with a giveaway, and chitty chat about . . .

**** COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS ****

Until then . . .

Happy Birthday, Sierra Elizabeth

 Holy smokes, this tiny little chub muffin is 14 years old today.

 

 And I can't even tell myself, "Don't worry, Mama. She's not *quite* 14 yet, you still have ~insert number~ hours left before the clock strikes that magic number in which your baby is one.year.older."

 Nope. 
Can't even say that to myself, because she was born at 5:50 am, and as I type this, at 6:30 in the morning, she is *already* 14.
It's already done.


 

{2009 ~ 7 years old}


 

{2010 ~ 8 years old}

 

 {2011 ~ 9 years old}
 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

{2012 ~ 10 years old}



 

{2013 ~ 11 years old}

 

 

 

 {2014 ~ 12 years old}

 

 

 

 

 {2015 ~ 13 years old}



Miss Sierra, it truly seems like a minute ago that you were my little girl ~ losing your first tooth, learning how to ride a bike.

And now, here we are, two blinks later, and you are about to start high school, taller than your mama!
It seems I am constantly caught between sadness that you are growing older, and complete joy: marveling at the young woman you have become, enjoying the time we have together, excited for your future.

You are:

Strong and determined ~ you know exactly what you want, and often how to go about getting it.

Organized and detailed ~ you will run a mighty tight ship one day! You expect a lot of others, but I suspect it's because you expect a lot of yourself.  You have a love of all things organizational.  Pretty bins, storage containers, papers, and pens. 
Everything has its place, and there's a place for everything.
Your favorite tool is your checklist.


Poised and mature ~ You've always seemed beyond your years. You are a born leader, and your sisters look up to you.

Thoughtful and giving ~ You love giving gifts ~ Picking out treasures for others.  And you are the first to get your Thank You notes done!

You love:

Summer days spent by the creek.
Reading a good book.
Taking care of animals.
Dinner out.
Hunting with Daddy.
Crafting with Mama.
Camp-outs.
Time in the kitchen.
Dreaming of vacation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are so very proud of the young lady you are becoming.
Happy Birthday, Darlin'!
We love you to the moon!