Here then gone

December is a very busy time around the house. Not just because of the holidays. It is cookie month (that is holiday caused). We have 2 birthdays. It is my busiest time at work. And this year we decided to add a cousin Christmas party. So here are the thing of the month (at least the fun parts)!

Every year after Thanksgiving my mom and I make our cookie list. This year the list was 14 types of cookies. Among the regulars, grandma's cookies, and spritz, we had some new ones, and fun kid cookies. We used 25 pounds of flour almost 25 pounds of sugar, 10 pounds of powder sugar and who knows how much butter

These cookies were my favorite:

They taste like chocolate turtles!

Favorite number 2:

We made so many I couldnt take pictures of them all. I also loved a coconut cookie with a chocolate bottom. They taste like a mounds candy bar

Next was Derek's birthday. It was pretty low key. We went out to dinner at Ruby Tuesday's, which is a family favorite. After dinner we came home for a delicious triple chocolate cake.

The camera died so no more pictures. The kids got him some pjs and a sweet depth fishing line. He went to Wendover with Brady, to return shortly. I'm guessing they didnt do so well

My sister made a last minute trip to Salt Lake. We decided to have a cousin Christmas party. I'm pretty sure we will do it every year now.

We started by frosting Grandma Carnell's Christmas cookies.

Then we decorated reindeer cookies, while enjoying hot coco and egg nog.

I just love that Nicky. He is so chubby and has the bluest eyes!

The cookies were so fun for the kids. They are heart shaped sugar cookies made to look like Rudolf

After cookies the cousins got to participate in their own gift exchange. They were all so very excited

Kayann had Sal, which fit perfectly. She so very carefully picked out a present for him, with some guidance. I kept reminder her it was a surprise and not to tell Sal. When Sal started opening his present she yelled "I got you jammie pants!" It was so funny. She almost kept it a surprise.

Raymond thought his rubber band gun was the coolest! Sal may be getting one in the future!

JoEllen made a "go fishing" game. She loves it. Not so much to fish but to cook the fish. She takes them to the toy grill, cooks them, and then feeds us. It is so cute

Pickled herring is a Carnell favorite. Ask any of us they will tell you they love it, as their spouse gags and tries not to vomit. I took advantage of JoEllen's visit and bought a jar. We tried to get Ashlynn to eat some. She seriously eats everything but she would not eat it

We had such a great party and first few weeks of December. It made the kids all that more excited for Christmas!