Vlogging

Currently: December 2018

Here were are, somehow in the last month of 2018. Crazy! Do you have any big goals for 2019? I hope December is treating everyone well! Here’s what’s currently going on in my life 🙂

Current book This cute Christmas-themed novel. Also, the beginning of Matthew and Luke as Christmas is approaching. The story of Jesus’ birth never. gets. old.

Current joy Meeting our new cousin, Hunter! What an adorable, sweet bundle of joy. Also, when we visited the hospital, one of the nurses was cracking up at the face Sadie is making in the picture below and said she had a very judge-y look on her face, haha. When she makes that face we call her “Stone Cold Sadie.”

Current food Balsamic pork loin. I love cooking up a pork loin with balsamic vinegar, garlic, rosemary, and oregano.

Current beauty product This mascara. My mom said it won an award on Good Morning America for being the best drugstore mascara, so I had to try it. I like that it has primer and mascara all in one product. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now and think it’s great.

Current baked good I baked gingersnaps last night, but I really want to bake a loaf of bread. I’m dreaming of kneading and braiding some good ol’ challah dough.

Current obsession Matching outfits with Sadie. Yup, I’m one of those moms. I got her dressed for a church ladies lunch on Saturday and realized I had an outfit that kind of matched! A new obsession was officially born that day.

Current blessing On the topic of the ladies lunch, Sadie was super fussy for about half of it. My sister, mother-in-law, and friend all helped hold Sadie, entertain her, and even coaxed her into a solid nap. It was a huge blessing to have such loving women helping me out!

Current indulgence Sleeping in whenever Sadie allows 🙂

Current need Still in need of a good haircut. I did a quick trim myself since I last mentioned needing a cut, but I still have yet to get to a salon.

Current craving Another outing in Pittsburgh. Jimmy, Sadie, and I had a little staycation earlier this month and visited the National Aviary, and now I want to head to all of the attractions in the ‘Burgh.

The workers at the Aviary took our picture by the Christmas display!

Current excitement My sister has her anatomy scan on Christmas Eve! Praying all is well with Baby Rowe and can’t wait to find out if Hannah and Josh are having a boy or girl!

Current mood Emotional. Watched this video and cried my eyes out. Jimmy asked why I was crying, so I showed him the video and cried again!

Current drink Still loving smoothies.

Current fun Filming vlogs. Below is the latest!

Current confession I got a pedicure a few days before Sadie was born and I still have the polish on my toes three months later.

Current goal To use our grill as much as possible this winter. Jimmy and I love to grill during the warm months, and we want to keep it up during the winter!

Tell me something current from your life!

Fourth Annual Christmas Cookie Baking Day

What started as a new tradition for my mom and I in 2015 has now become such a special holiday event for our family!

The past three years, my mom and I have baked cookies together to give to our neighbors for Christmas. This year, my daughter (<–it still feels so weird/amazing saying that!) and sister joined in on the fun!

Sisters with baby daughterMother and daughters

My sister, Sadie, and I slept over my parents’ house on Friday night last week and spent Saturday baking, laughing, snuggling Sadie, and listening to Christmas music. Oh, and thinking about how next year, Hannah’s son or daughter can join in on the fun!

Here’s what we baked this year:
-Gingersnaps
-Cornflake Wreaths
-Pretzel Hugs
-Sugar Cookies
-Chocolate Crinkles
-Cranberry Bars
-Peanut Butter Blossoms
-Jam Thumbprints
-Turtle Thumbprints

Cornflake wreathsChristmas snowflake and peppermint sugar cookies decorated

While us girls were baking, Jimmy and Hannah’s husband, Josh, went hunting. It was Jimmy’s first time hunting and said he loved it! He saw a doe and already can’t wait to hunt with Josh again soon.

Aunt Hannah and Grandma Lisa took great care of Sadie. It was really nice to have extra hands to help out with my little chicka. Sadie thoroughly enjoyed all the attention and snuggles.

Baby on girls lapChristmas cookie baking

We stopped baking mid-day to run out and grab a few cookie tins (and coffee!) and got right back to work, rolling dough, decorating, and baking until dinnertime.

The boys showed up with pizza and we all enjoyed our evening together, packaged up our creations, and headed home all sorts of tired and happy from such a fun day.

The treats that were the biggest hits this year (we haaaad to test everything, you know 😉 ) were the pretzel hugs, cornflake wreaths, and gingersnaps!

Christmas cookies in a tin

After church on Sunday, Jimmy, Sadie, and I bundled up and gave the cookie tins to our neighbors. It was so fun bringing Sadie with us this year and our neighbors enjoyed seeing her in her Sunday best!

I just love this tradition. From spending the day baking with family, to giving to our neighbors, it’s a special day I really look forward to each holiday season.

I even filmed a video (not quite a vlog, it just has music and no talking for once, lol) of the day to remember it and I’ve already re-watched it a few times to relive the day again.

And for old times sake, here’s links to the past few years of Christmas cookie baking:
Cookie Day 2015
Cookie Day 2016
Cookie Day 2017

What’s your favorite Christmas cookie?