Happy 3rd Birthday Anna.....
Wow it's hard to believe she is 3 years old already. She has been excited all day, but thinks the presents are all gone because we opened them all at Christmas. Poor little girl.

I had so much fun making this Blue's Clues cake for Anna and am very pleased in how it turned out. It is a white double layered cake with almond frosting.



Gabe enjoyed the yummy cake and ice cream just as much as his sister.

Just a few Christmas Pictures.....
Here are the two with there matching pj's.


Anna was so excited to get this Spiderman activity set, which is from Colby & Dusty. Thanks!

Here the kids are just ripping open there gifts. Gabe had a great time ripping on the paper, so cute to watch.

Gabe having a seat in his new Tonka truck from Shane & Jen. Thanks!

Well here is the big mess after all the gifts were opened, wow....

Renee's Kitchen:
Here is a great holiday or year round treat to make the kids or yourself. I usually make a double batch when I make this recipe.

Carmel Corn - Microwave Method

1/4 c. butter
1/2 c. brown sugar
1/4 c. karo syrup
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. baking soda
4 quarts popped corn

First pop 4 quarts of pop corn and put in a brown paper grocery bag. Then in glass dish cook on high the first 4 ingredients for 2 mins, stir & cook 2 more mins. Then add vanilla & soda and stir. Pour syrup mixture over the pop corn in the paper sack, fold sack & shake. Then place in the microwave on one side and cook for 30 seconds. Take out and shake and then put back in the microwave on the other side for another 30 seconds. Take out and shake well. Let it cool a bit and its ready to eat.

You can store it in the brown bag, which when its all gone you can throw the bag a way. That makes only one bowl to clean. I love easy clean up, since I don't really like to to dishes.

This caramel corn is so yummy... Enjoy:)

Merry Christmas to all our Friends and Family. We hope that you had a wonderful Christmas Day!

Also thank for all the wonderful gifts. The kids have been having so much fun playing with all there new toys.

In Christ,
Brandon & Renee

RENEE'S KITCHEN:
Here is a tasty soup recipe that I tried this last weekend and Brandon loved it... I added diced chicken to this soup and I also always thicken my soups with instant mash potato flakes instead of flour. This is a tip I learned from my mother-in-law.

Savory Cheese Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
• 1/2 cup chopped carrot
• 1/2 cup chopped celery
• 2 tablespoon chopped onion
• 2 tablespoon chopped sweet red pepper
• 2 cups diced chicken ( optional)
  
• 4 teaspoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 tablespoons cold water
• 1 package (6 ounces) cream cheese, cubed and softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup beer or additional chicken broth
• Croutons, crumbled cooked bacon and sliced green onions, optional

Directions:
In a 1-1/2-qt. slow cooker, combine the first seven ingredients. Cover and cook on low for 5 hours or you can prepare this on the stove top for faster results.
Combine the flour and water until smooth; stir into soup. Cover and cook on high for 30 minutes or until thickened or just add a some potato flakes till desired thickness. Stir in cream cheese and cheddar cheese until blended. Stir in beer or additional broth.
Cover and cook on low for 10 minutes or until heated through. Top with croutons, bacon and green onions if desired. Yield: 4 servings.

Jesus is the Gift

Jesus is the gift that perfectly fits every heart
and it is with His love that all celebration starts.
We rejoice in Him as we remember His birth
and thank God for sending His only Son to earth.
His life led from a manger to a cross on a hill
where He faithfully followed His Father’s perfect will.
He freely laid down everything so that we could live,
and there is no greater treasure anyone could give.
Like a scarlet ribbon His love wrapped around the cross
and He offered it to us all at the greatest cost.
So each time that we give we remember what He’s done
and honor the perfect Gift God’s one and only Son.

— Holley Gerth

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8 & 9

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9 & 10

Renee's Kitchen:
Here is my new favorite cookie recipe. They are so yummy and will surprise anyone who bits into them. Also instead of Rolo's you could use Mini Snicker bars or Andie Mints or any other favorite candy bar that you think would work. These are even good if you just want a plan chocolate cookie. Just make sure that the piece of candy bar you use is not any bigger then a Rolo. These cookies are so yummy:)

Caramel-Filled Chocolate Cookies
INGREDIENTS :

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup baking cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 package (13 ounces) Rolo candies

DIRECTIONS:
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, 1 cup sugar and brown sugar. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, cocoa and baking soda; gradually add to the creamed mixture, beating just until combined.
Shape a tablespoonful of dough around each candy, forming a ball. In a small bowl, use either regular sugar or colored Christmas sugar and dip each cookie halfway in. Place suager side up 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets.
Bake at 375° for 7-10 minutes or until tops are slightly cracked. Cool for 3 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely. Yield: about 5 dozen.

It's Almost Jesus' Birthday

It's almost Jesus' birthday...
So let us not forget.
To give to Him the present,
That He would like the best.
He doesn't want a stocking...
Hung upon the tree.
Or lots of toys or presents,
Like selfish you and me.

He only wants our love for Him,
To shine out to the earth.
He wants us to tell others,
About His miracle birth.
He wants us to bring all we know,
To church to worship Him.
He wants us to remember...
He died for all our sins.

Please focus on His birthday...
The sacrifice God made.
To send His Son to live and die,
So we could all be saved.
This tiny baby Jesus...
Born in a lowly stall.
He came to bring salvation...
To save us one and all.

This Christmas has more meaning...
I'm calm and have such peace.
So let us bow before Him,
And worship at His feet.
The church bells now are ringing,
For you and I to bring...
Our gifts of praise and worship...
To our Savior and our King.

Written By Valerie Rousseau
Copyright © 2000

Christmas Questions.....

A blog that I read had these Christmas questions posted and so I thought I'd join in too.

Wrapping paper or gift bags?
For the kids I like to use wrapping paper because they enjoy ripping the paper, but I don't mind using gift bags for the adults. If I am in a hurry I will also us a gift bag or if I don't happen to have a box to wrap the item in.

Real tree or artificial?
I would love to have a real tree, but it is artificial for our family. Brandon has allergies and so the pine scent would probably bother him.

When do you put up the tree?
Usually as soon as I can after Thanksgiving

When do you take the tree down?
Usually sometime soon after New Years

Favorite holiday theme?
I like snowmen and have collected quite a few over the last few years. I also have a nice nativity set that I put up each year. I don't have to much space or should I say shelf space to put item on because with the kids they would just get into it.

Favorite gift received as a child?
I got these dolls called Hot Looks and over a few Christmas's I got a total of three dolls and lots of clothes and accessories. I played with them a lot and still have them for when Anna gets old enough.

Do you have a nativity scene?
Yes, my mother gave me a nice one a few years back and I usually set it up on top of my microwave, which is in the dining room.

Hardest person to buy for?
The men in the family

Easiest person to buy for?
kids.

Mail or email cards?
Usually the mail, but this year I don't think I am going many cards out. So I am probably going to just use my blog site.

Favorite Christmas movie?
Home Alone

When do you start shopping for Christmas?
Though out the year. If I see something I know a family member would like I pick it up then I don't spend to much money at one time.

Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Caramel corn

White lights or colored on the tree?
Last year I used colored lights on the tree and this year I used white. I guess it depends on what kind of look I want.

Favorite Christmas song?
Silent Night, Oh Holy Night, The Christmas Song and so many more.

Travel for Christmas or stay at home?
We usually travel to Nebraska and Iowa, but with being pregnant this year and due Jan 24 we are staying home, which will be nice for a change.

Angel on the tree top or a star?
A angel.

Open the presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day
We may open one on Christmas Eve and then the rest of the gifts on Christmas morning.

Most annoying thing about this time of year?
How people miss the true meaning of Christmas and how they spend so much money.

What I love most about Christmas?
Decorating the house & Celebrating Jesus's birth.

I would love to hear what you love most about Christmas??????

Snow Fun.....
Well we finally got the kids all bundled up and let them head out to play in the snow.

Daddy joined them to help them make there way through the snow. They probably were only out for about 20 minutes before they were ready to come in, but that was 20 minutes of great fun.

You can see in the pictures that there was some light snow falling, but didn't accumulate to much, which is nice. We have gotten so much in the last week.

The kids when down the slide that had lots of snow on it and ended up in a big snow pile.


It was a nice Saturday of just enjoying time at home. I made some yummy Chicken Cheddar Soup for supper and am planning on sitting down here a little later to enjoy a yummy Chai Tea. Along with the tea I am going to look through my new cooking magazine. Hope you all had a nice Saturday.

The Big Box....
This is the big box that Grandma Kostman used to send the rest of our Christmas presents. The kids have had a lot of fun with it today. Anna put all her blankets and her pillow and then managed to fit herself in too. Wow... it's a lot of fun to be small! The only problem is when Gabe thinks that he can fit himself in the box too. It's so much fun to watch the two at play and to see Gabe watching his sister so closely and trying to immitate her

Anna also has been playing in the laundry basket and even took a nap in it today. It was so peaceful between 2:00 and 4:00. I even managed to get a nice nap, which was much needed as I seem to be fighting a cold.

Gabe Wearing Daddy's Hats.....

Gabe has been having a good time wearing daddy's hat's around the house. Whatever keeps him occupied and happy is a good thing these days.



Gabe has been a accident waiting to happen. He has been running into things, tripping on his own feet and the most dangerous of all is his sister.

Renee's Kitchen:
Here's a recipe I found in Quick Cooking that turned out really good so I thought I would share it with you all. It's just a variation from the regular lasagna recipe. Enjoy!

Lasagna Casserole

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 c. chopped onion
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper(divided)
1 lb small penne pasta( or any pasta of choice would work) cooked
1 1/2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 c. small curd cottage cheese
1 egg
1/4 c grated parmesan cheese
1 jar spaghetti sauce

Brown the beef & onions & sprinkle with salt and pepper. Set aside. In a large bowl combine cooked pasta, mozzarella cheese, cottage cheese, parmesan cheese, egg, & pepper. Stir together & pour into 13x9 inch pan. Top with the onions & beef mixture and spaghetti sauce. Sprinkle with some mozzarella cheese. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 mins. and 15 mins. uncovered. Serve with a salad and garlic bread.

Kostman Christmas Tree.....

Promised Pictures.....
Gabe had a good time snuggling with Katie one day while visiting Grandpa and Grandma Kostman in Nebraska.

Hello Everyone......

Here are a couple pictures of the kids sleeping in the car at the same time, which did not happen very much on this trip.


Pictures of the kids one Sunday morning. It's so hard to get any really good pictures. Those out there with kids can relate.