Zoie loves Santa....ho ho ho!!

Its tradition...we anticipate every year visiting Santa at Silver Dollar City!! We head to the theme park for a special photo with Santa....for the past 15 years its been the same jolly, merry, blue eyed Claus. Its enough to make *me* believe. The line is always long & several elves entertain to keep the crowd happy.

Last year, I got in a little verbal scuffle with a grumpy elf who had the gall to point to me & announce I was the cut-off & to come back next year. I tried to explain that this was our 14th year in a row & I NEEDED the pic with Santa (last day the park was open!!) The elf was not going to budge, so I tried negotiating with a sprinkle of Christmas spirit a win/win plan. That elf meant business....go home- the big C was heading back to the North Pole!!! Santa's not-so-jolly helper pushed my button & we loudly agreed to disagree!! I really wanted to pull on her pointed ears & tell HER to come back next year, but instead a kind, sweet reindeer came to our rescue. All was safe & photo#14 is hanging on the tree. This year, the family made me promise to be nice or I would have to miss out on the mountain cookie, bag of kettle corn & the famous SDC "the works" hot cocoa!! I was a good girl....we had plenty of time to spare and only stood in line an hour.

The best part, Zoie met Santa for the 1st time. How did she do.....Zoie HATED him!! She cried & reached out for a rescue mission. Can I say it was totally adorable & we have the pics to prove it:)
Thank you Nanny & Grandpa G for enduring the thousands of tourists to help us get photo ornament #15!! We love you & miss you already!

Do you have a funny Christmas memory?

Happy 11 months Zoie!!!

Five months & 3 days ago we met our beautiful daughter, Zoie Senait for the first time!! She weighed only 8 lbs....just like a newborn!! At rapid speed, she has blossomed & thrived in our family. She weighs 20 lbs, cut 5 teeth, jabbers baby talk non-stop, smiles constantly, waves hello, giggles, GI Jane crawls everywhere, adores her big bro & sis....just to name a few!! Are we proud or what!!!! :)
Happy 11 months Zoie!! Enjoy your 1st snow day!

Santa's Toffee (Thanks Aunti Erin:)

Do you need an easy, yummy-curl your toes recipe for your cookie party??? Do you need a treat that your kids will BEG for you to make daily (but you can't!!)
Well, thanks to Aunti Erin....here you go!!!

Santa's Toffee
Ingredients:
40 Saltine or club crackers
2 sticks of butter
1 cup of sugar
12 oz bag of chocolate chips

Heat oven to 375, place foil over a cookie sheet. Layer crackers in a row. Melt butter & sugar in saucepan until it boils.
Pour melted butter/sugar over crackers. Bake in oven for 12 min. or until golden brown. Take out & pour chocolate chips over the crackers. Place back in the over for ONLY 10 seconds. Take out & spread chocolate evenly. Place in fridge or freezer until cooled or chocolate is firm:))))
Enjoy Santa's favorite treat!!!! Let me know how it turns out....