Homemade Christmas Gifts

I love it when people post recipes on their blogs, and I have definitely tried one or two of them. This year since I have been home more, and had more time on my hands, I decided to make some homemade gifts for family and friends. I went a little overboard and quadrupled my favorite granola recipe that I got from my dear friend Terra. I don't think she will mind me sharing it here with you. The granola is great as a snack and also makes great cereal.

Granola

1 cup almonds
1 cup sunflower seeds
1 cup pecans
1 cup walnuts
8 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cups what germ
1 1/2 cups oat bran

Mix all dry ingredients, set aside. (Can also add ground flax)

"Sauce"
1 1/2 tsp. salt
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 cup raisins or craisins (I used currants)
1 cup vegetable oil or applesauce
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. vanilla

In a saucepan mix sauce ingredients to a boil, coat dry ingredients. Place on baking sheet and bake for 20 min. at 320 degrees.

It's pretty easy to make, it definitely requires a trip to Henry's to pick up all the ingredients in their bins. Just a warning though, it will overtake your kitchen, and it gets a bit sticky dealing with honey and syrup. But the end result is absolutely delicious, and healthy too, so I would definitely recommend making it. Or maybe you will be one of the lucky ones to receive my gift ;)

More Photos

I originally didn't post all the pictures of Clara that my friend Kali took, because I was holding out on certain ones that I wanted to add to our Christmas card. I had them all picked out, and our Christmas cards all ready to order when I made the mistake of asking Jordan what he thought. He had lots of opinions, and in the end I changed the pictures to ones I had already posted. To make a long story short, here are some more super cute pictures, that never got posted.

I wasn't expecting Jordan to be so opinionated about the pictures. I was going to use the one above of us kissing, which is one that Jordan vetoed. He said he didn't want to send a picture of us kissing to his friends and family, because apparently that would be totally inappropriate, right? I was giving him a hard time about it, and finally the truth came out, and it boils down to the fact that he doesn't like how he looks in pictures while kissing. So look away if that is too PG-13 for you ;) My sister is the one who reminded me that I hadn't posted some of the best ones, her advice to me was to never ask the husband for opinions, lesson learned. Oh, and Alissa, speaking of opinionated. These pictures are for you, because according to her we love the boob shots way to much. But she is way too cute when we give her a bath to resist posting these of her chubbiness.

Christmas Decorating

We finally got the house all decorated yesterday. Jordan has been working like crazy, he was on a 72 hour shift, came home one day, then went back for another 24. But in the middle we managed to transform the house. Now that we have a baby we feel like we need to document every little thing we do. We never used to take pictures of decorating the tree, but this is her first Christmas and I want lasting memories of everything we do. So here is Clara's first time decorating the tree!

Here is Clara's first Christmas ornament, compliments of Pottery Barn!

3 Months Old!

Clara turned 3 months old today! In this last month she has learned how to roll onto her side from her back, she reaches out and grabs things, plays with toys, babbles a lot, and is a champ at sleeping through the night. Lately she sleeps from around 10pm to 5am, then again from around 5:30 to 8:00am. It is so nice to get such continuous sleep and to not dread nighttime. She is such a fun and mellow baby. I feel like I know her personality completely, I know what she needs when she gets fussy, and I can usually keep her happy all day. She is on a great schedule, and when we are home all day it is like clock-work, and I feel like she thrives on regularity. It sometimes makes it difficult when I go do things and she doesn't get her usual nap times and wake times. But I also really want an adaptable baby, so she is also learning to go with the flow. It has been so nice to be home with her this whole time, and I am looking forward to this next month, which is my last month home before I go back to work. Life is good, and I love being a mom!

Thanksgiving and others

I have been hanging out a lot lately with our newest San Diego resident, Jeannine. Now that her and Matt are married and are living close by, Jeannine and I have been keeping each other company. We have started to work out during the days, which has been wonderful and because I am SO over the pregnancy flab. The four of us, and Clara, headed up to Julian last weekend to enjoy the wonderful fall air and have some delicious pie and cider.

I also hosted both Jordan and my families for Thanksgiving dinner this year. It was fun having everyone over and I think the tables looked great. I am also very mindful of everything I am thankful for, including my husband, beautiful baby, my dad being able to come, my house, and all our wonderful family!

Before & After

Serving up yummy food! Jesse & Holly (our newest couple!)

Clara's first Thanksgiving!

Clara Pics!

My friend Kali did it again! She took some amazing pictures of Clara last Saturday and has already posted them on her blog. I am in love with them, I think they are so cute and she captured Clara's little personality so well.

C.J. & P.J.

Today Clara and I went to the park for this cute little girl's birthday party...

Happy Birthday Sophia!

While we were there we got to meet Penelope Jane for the first time. If you remember, she is my cousin Monica's daughter, and Penelope and Clara are only two days apart. It was fun seeing them together, they are so cute! It is funny how babies have such similar expressions and movements. Monica, we have to get them together more often, they are going to be good friends/second cousins!

Two Months Old!

Clara is two months old today! She is getting more alert, active and fun every day. She started to smile a couple weeks ago and has been trying to talk to us with baby talk. We had her eight week appointment recently and she weighs 10lbs 5oz., and is 22.5 inches long. We love her so much and are so happy to have her in our lives!

The Professional Ones

Here are the pictures taken in Minnesota by my brother-in-law Taylor Abeel. I couldn't mix them in with the ones we took, because they put our photos to shame. I love these pictures so much, especially with all the beautiful fall colors. I don't think I have never seen such amazing fall landscapes!

These pictures were taken at the Seaver's house in Le Sueur, Minnesota.

The cousins playing some football.

Emma, Taylor, & Elle

These were taken hiking in the woods near the Seaver's family cabin in Northern Minnesota.


The whole group.





Uncle Curt &
Aunt Amber Seaver