We went with our good friends to go see the temple lights last night.  It was so beautiful seeing everything lit up!!  I think the highlight of the evening was seeing Sam’s reaction to Jesus Christ.  He couldn’t stop staring, pointing, and oohing over him–as it should be.  Of course I forgot my real camera, but luckily the iphone does a great job…

..however I am a bit disappointed Jesus got cut off, cause these pics are just beautiful.  He loved His hands.  He loved His feet.

I hope he learns early that he can always turn to Jesus Christ.  He is our rock, our constant, our best friend.  He will always be there for us.

And the instagram pic of the night…

I’d go for Bieber, but that’d be a little too cougar-ish.  Mr. Micky would be way more fun to meet up with under the mistletoe anyway.

Sam has really gotten into guitars.  His golf clubs are now used more as guitars, and the other day he threw a fit over a clothes pin cause he wanted to strum it.  And the tupperware as headwear, I’ve got no explanation for…

I made these for a cookie exchange I never made it to.  The cookies are unusually soft for gingerbread cookies, and the dip will keep you double-dipping.  Trust me, this is an amazing combo!!

Soft Gingerbread Cookies

3 cups flour
2 tsp. Ginger, Ground
1 tsp. Cinnamon, Ground
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
1/4 tap salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup molasses
1 egg
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract

Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.
Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
Add molasses, egg and vanilla; beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown.

Spiced Pumpkin Dip

1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin puree
1/2 peeled orange
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tbs pumpkin pie spice
1/4 teaspoon fresh ginger
2 tbs brown sugar

Place all ingredients in blender in order listed.  Blend until smooth.  Viola!  The most deliciously sweet dip!
(I also like to use this with sliced apples or as a spread on fruit quick breads)

The other night a few girls went over to my good friends’ house to help her set up Christmas.  Alma is a single mother fighting cancer right now.  Her courage, strength, and outlook are truly inspiring and contagious.  We arrived with cookies, hot coco, and Christmas music and were busy little elves trying to bring the Christmas spirit to their home!

We had a great weekend with the perfect amount of activities and relaxing.  Finding babysitters here in the city is a hard task; and when it’s December it’s even harder!  I was lucky to reserve one for Friday night.  I had this nice date planned with Mick and I, but some friends invited us to a show so we opted for that instead.  We had a lovely evening catching up with friends and laughing our heads off at the comedy show.

Saturday we had another party with a Santa encounter that went as expected.  I’m hoping next year Sam will be excited?! And later in the afternoon we relaxed with football watching and fort building.  Kind of perfect.

Thank you all for sweet congratulations.  We are really excited for our little girl to come.  We’ve agreed on the name and once Christmas is over the bow making and dress shopping will begin. :)  Wahoo!!

I realized I may have come across as a scrooge when it comes to decorating for Christmas.  While we don’t have a real tree, I do like to get something fresh so I can bring the smell of Christmas into our home.  Depending on the year it’s either a wreath, garland, centerpiece, or all. :)  This year it’s a fresh evergreen garland that sits awkwardly upon our mantel.  I’ve always dreamed of having a fireplace…and we’re slowing getting to one.  This year Santa will be coming down our furnace and stuffing the stockings.  Let me tell you, there’s nothing more romantic and festive than cuddling up in front of a decorative fireplace listening to the roar of a furnace…

Sam woke up to a newly decorated fireplace and some serious bedhead.  I think this is the one time he’s actually worn a hat.  Perhaps it was the new decor that distracted him (hand-me-down stockings from my mom.  Mick thinks their too old school.  I love the beautiful needlepoint work)…

or perhaps it was the oatmeal cookies…

Just don’t try and take them away.

At twelve weeks we were told our baby is a boy…with 95% certainty.  Six weeks later we come to learn our baby is actually a GIRL!!  It’s a pretty big twist when you’re mentally preparing for two little boys and then all of a sudden be told it’s a girl.  Little Sammy is going to have a sister, I get my girl!!!

Thanks Nicole for the cute idea.