an exception. and cookies.

OK, so in the last post I said I couldn't stand ornaments hanging on the bottom branches of the tree. Well there's already an exception!

Sophie moved this jingle bell snowman to the bottom branch, laid down underneath it, and started meowing like a cat while batting at the bell.

Talia does it too now. It's the funniest thing ever, so jingle bell snowman ornament gets to stay on the bottom branch. And this is even on the UPSTAIRS tree. That's how much enjoyment I get out of this cat game.

Also, we had our annual Christmas cookie decorating night. We had to come with our cookies ready to go.

The recipe we all use is from here. {We add 1/2-3/4 tsp nutmeg to this dough to make these taste like my grandma's sugar cookies.} The dough is so easy to work with--makes this job much easier. You do need to roll it pretty thin or you'll have biscuit-like cookies. My husband loves this recipe because the cookies aren't very sweet, so they're perfect when you add the frosting!
I obviously should have worn an apron.

We did the cookie decorating night at my parents' house. All the men and children were there, too. We started the night with pizza, and then the guys parked it in the living room to watch the K-State basketball game while we got started on our big project! We were all burned out on decorating by the end. Burned out=some cookies just getting plain white frosting slapped on them. It was a late night--we left at 10:45, but that was partly because of the double OT game. Sophie helped with cookies the whole time. She's got pretty good skills with the frosting bags/tips for a 4 year old! She had fun making special cookies for everyone. She even did a dachshund cookie with a "G" on it for Grammy. :) {Yep, my mom really bakes a couple dachshund-shaped cookies for Christmas.}

Talia had to be carried away from the table by Nathan a few times. We kept catching her picking up cookies and taking a bite! She did get to eat lots of goodies though. {Pardon her wild Pilgrim hair. She was very busy spinning and running around.}

I love doing these special, once-a-year things with my family!