We had our annual cookie baking marathon last night. Last year we made 136 dozen cookies. This year we had a goal of 150. I thought this was insane, it is really hard to add that many more cookies.

Well, not only did we meet that goal - we SHATTERED it.

This year, we made 2085 cookies. Um, that is over 173 dozen cookies. Now, a lot of those were the "spritz" cookies, which makes a lot. But, still - so many!

At the end of the day, we made 17 trays, 11 square boxes, 8 small plastic buckets, and 5 large buckets. Plus, of course just what each of us grabs to bring home to our own houses. And, and the end of the night - there were still tons of cookies that had not made it onto a plate or tray.

I will add the ingrediant list soon - just easier to have everything in one place. But, for now - here is what we made. No real order, just how they were made. We made a lot of varieties of chocolate chip. Each count may include several batches. Feel free to check my math :)

They get counted as they come out of the oven. So, things jump all over the place lol

Cherry Chocolate Chip - 88
Red Sugar Cookies - 30
Chocolate Cherry White Chip - 55
White Chip Peacan Chocolate Cookie - 26
Non-Pariel Sugar Cookie - 64
Peanut Butter Cup/ Peanut Butter Cookie - 53
Sugar Cookie - 30
Reeces Pieces Chocolate Cookie - 72
PB&J Cookie - 44
Thumbprint Cookie - 87
Peanut Butter Blossom - 39
Oatmeal Raisinette - 116
Peanut Butter Cookie - 48
Chocolate Chip - 75
Butterscotch Chocolate Chip - 63
Green Sugar Cookies - 39
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookie - 77
Chocolate Chip Rice Crispy - 170
M&M Chocolate Chip - 63
Spritz Cookie - 106
Andes Candies Cookies - 40
Chocolate Chip - 24
Green Sugar Cookie - 34
Green / Red Spirial - 30
Spritz - 108
Flower Spritz - 22
Chocolate Chip Raisinette - 24
Cranberry Shortbread - 12
Chocolate Chip - 47
Chocolate Peanut Butter - 7
Oatmeal - 60
Chocolate Chip - 63
Chocolate Chip - 9
Cranberry Shortbread - 36
Spritz - 67
Chocolate Peanute Butter Chip - 15
Sugar Cookie - 12
Oatmeal - 14
Thumbprint - 48
Cinnamon Spirial - 36
Cream Cheese Spirial - 32

Like I said - I will add the list of all the supplies soon - just waiting to get a full list from everyone.

And, here are just some notes for myself for reference:

~ I got there at 8am, the sisters were already there (arrived around 7:30)
~ The last batch of dough was made at 3:30 (LOTS in the fridge, lots of backup)
~ The last batch went in the oven at 7:00
~ I started making baskets at 5:00 - did not finish until almost 8

I want to share craftiness

I want to share what I have been working on, but can't LOL

I wanted to make a bunch of gifts this year, in addition to any gifts that I purchase. I have been busy!

I still have lots to do, and it seems like I am running out of time.

Can't wait to share

Allergic to Peanuts

Elsie has had reactions to eggs and to peanut butter. Obviously, after she had the first reaction, I didn't give it to her anymore. But, I really wanted to know for sure if she was actually allergic to them.

We changed insurance, and bla bla bla, but we finally went. I was actually surprised that they did not test for many things - ONLY what we already knew she had reactions to.

Anyway, this pic was taken about 1 minute after the start of the scratch test. She had a mild reaction to the egg, but a large reaction to the peanuts.

The reaction got much worse - but she would not sit still for a second for me to get a non-blurry pic.

We went and got additional blood work to check levels and were given an Rx for an epipen. Fun times.

gotta love the back rolls lol

Yo Yo Christmas Tree Ornament

How cute is this - I made a Christmas Tree Ornament out of fabric Yo Yos. It was time consuming, but the end result came out really cute.

I will post a tutorial soon!

Getting a special visitor tonight

Justin lost his first tooth. Guess the tooth fairy will be coming tonight. I hope she doesn't wake up the rest of the kids when she walks on the super creaky floor lol.

This tooth has been loose for a LONG time. I really thought for sure it would have been out weeks ago. I told him that if it was still there that I would have my dad pop it out.

Casual Christmas Outfits

I made some casual outfits for the girls. They will wear them to see Santa, and then some of our christmas parties.

I will share a tutorial soon. The skirts are really easy and the shirts are just an applique, which I will also do a turorial soon.

i hope to see the jolly man this week. So, I will post action shots in the outfits soon :)

Measurements for Girls Skirts and Pants

I have googled the measurements for girls skirts so many times that I figured I would just add it here so it is easier for me to find.

These are the averages of measurements that I found over and over.  I have used many sources and my own experience to create this chart.  The waist is the actual waist size, I cut my elastic about 1/2 inch smaller, and then overlap to sew about 1-1.5 inches.  The waist is not too tight but totally not falling down.  Plus, it gives it a lot of room to grow.  The length is to the knee.  Remember, this is the FINISHED length - so depending on how you make your seams, you will have to add inches to your pattern for the bottom hem, and the top casing for the elastic.

For me, I like to cut my fabric about 1.5-2 times the waist size.  This makes a size full skirt without being too poofy.



I can tell you that these sizes are pretty accurate based on my girls.

*Actual waist size, I cut elastic 1/2 inch shorted than the listed size, then overlap about an inch

** FINISHED length - add additional inches for bottom hem, and top casing for elastic.

Here are some skirts using these measurements

And, when making a tiered skirt - I like to use this calculator to figure out the measurements for each tier. But, you can also just use a multiplier of 1.5 for each row.

What a difference 2.5 years makes

There is a small Zoo "near" our home. Justin didn't have school for a few days last week, so I figured we would take a drive to the zoo. Cora loved it. But, I am not sure if she loved the animals or just the fact that I let her walk instead of being in the stroller.

Anyway, we went in June 2009, and took the first pic. So, when I saw what I thought was the same wolf, I just HAD to take another picture. Turns out, not the same wolf. But, you get the idea. He is so much bigger than 2.5 years ago. Excuse the lack of a "hairdo" in the second pic. His hair is usually much cuter.

Family Pics

We had family pictures taken on Sat. In fact, the WHOLE family. I gave photo sessions as birthday gifts to my niece and nephew. So, we had a session, my sisters each had a family session, and then we had a big group session with all my sisters, all the husbands, and all the kids. Oh, boy - it was CRAZY.

I was so excited that she got some really great shots, even if at the time I thought there was NO WAY that she got anything great.

I am so excited to be able to show Justin's face, and not have to blur him out. Yipee!!!

Great News - JUSTIN was adopted today!!!

You read right. My son, Justin Clarence N was adopted today. We are so thrilled that the day is finally here. He was my son from day one, but it was so great to hear a judge declare him MINE!!!!!

Of course, I HAVE to share a picture.

Nothing new

I feel like such a bad blogger. But, I guess when your life is pretty boring, then there is just not much to blog about.

I have been planning Lil J's adoption party - superhero style. Why? Because Superman, Batman, and Spiderman were all adopted.

He will be adopted sometime this month!!!!

Some B-Day Party Pics

Here are some pics of the party. If you are looking for tutorials for any of the crafty items, I added them in one blog post HERE.

We hired someone to take pictures during the party. I really just wanted to enjoy the party, and not have to worry about trying to take pics as well. It seems like I either take lots of pics, but don't really "enjoy" the party like I should. OR, I really enjoy the party, and then realize that I have just have a handful of pics. And, those pics are usually not of the "important" stuff.

He was inexpensive, and I am very happy I did it. I am not saying that they are the most beautiful pics ever, or that every single one is frame worthy - but his candid shots are a million times better than what my camera could take, and to be honest, there are quite a few of really great pics.

I just love this first one! This post is very picture heavy :)

Party Tutorials

I figured I would make one post and link to all the tutorials that I did for the birthday party. That way everything is on one spot.

Tissue Paper Pom Poms
Melted Crayons - Shaped like Butterflies
Decorated Cupcake Stand - DIY Cupcake Stand
Paint Chip Globe
Paint Chip Mobile
Buttercream Frosting
Super Sugar Cookies

I love my beautiful family

We went apple picking today - we picked about 8 apples lol. It is not far from our house, so it is not like we drove for hours. The little kids were more interested in the playground than then apples, oh well :)

Was able to get a great family pic. Not too bad since it was a perfect stranger that took it.

Birthday Party Goodies

We had the girls party today. It was supposed to be outside, but the weather reports were NOT looking good. As of 7:30 last night, we had a 70% chance of rain. So, we did plan B, and decided to have it inside. Not the best option, since my house is not really big enough for the amount of people we were having.

We decorated the house, and boy did it look so pretty and so girly!

Well, wouldn't you know if, not ONE drop of rain. Oh well. It worked out well though - some people inside, some out. I was so super excited that that weather held out, it was CROWDED for a bit in the house.

By the end of the day, most people were outside and the kids were having a blast.

The facepainter cancelled at the very last minute, but since no one even knew about that, it was not like people missed it.

Let me tell you - hiring that guy to take pics (at $25 an hour!!!!) was the BEST thing I did. I really got to enjoy the party! I have no idea what the pics look like yet though lol

So I guess my complaint letter to Mother Nature actually worked. I did take some of my own pics of all the decor,etc - so I figured I would share some of them :) I worked so hard on all my DIY crafts!

Tissue Paper Pom Pom Tutorial

I am making tissue paper pom poms for the girls party - which is this coming weekend. I quickly wrote about it a few weeks ago. But, I figured I would do a step by step tutorial as well.