Christmas Cookies

This weekend our friend Kelly and her 8 year old daughter Lakyn came over to make Christmas cookies.
We all had lots of fun... including the boys!



We made these cute Santa cookies...


These fun little Snowmen cookies...

And these yummy ice cream Christmas ornaments...


We also made chocolate chip cookies and my childhood, family tradition...popcorn balls! I have very fond memories of making these every year with my sweet Grandma!

Bryce and Drew adore our friends Kelly and Lakyn. In fact, every time we sit down to pray, this is how it goes..."Dear Jesus, tank you fo all da nanas and da papas. Tank you for Kelly and Lakyn. Tank you fo eveyting! AMEN!" We are so thankful to have such dear friends.


Lakyn is so sweet with the boys. She's like their big sister!



If you want to make any of these recipes, click on these links.

Santa cookies
Snowmen cookies
Ice Cream Ornaments

Our Family's Popcorn Balls

4 quarts air-popped popcorn (I never measure this - just one large bowl full or one batch in the air popper)

1 cup sugar

1 cup Karo syrup

1 Tablespoon butter

1/2 teaspoon white vinegar

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

Food coloring (I do one batch of green and one batch of red)

Wax paper

Saran wrap

On low heat, combine the sugar, syrup, butter and vinegar. Stir until a soft boil. Remove from heat and stir in the soda. Add desired amount of food coloring and stir well. While this is working, spread out a large sheet of wax paper.

Pour colored syrup over the bowl of popcorn and mix well - stirring from the bottom up.

Once the popcorn is covered well and cool enough to handle start shaping small ball size amounts. Set on the wax paper. It's okay if they fall apart slightly. Keep a bowl of cold water nearby to dampen your hands after each one - they will mold easier. Once completely cooled, cover each ball with saran wrap and reshape if needed. ENJOY!