my sweets

We were surrounded with sweetness this week, my little sister kara...

In the kitchen with Kara!  I truly wish i had her talent in the kitchen - she's so creative!

Although she admits she enjoys cooking rather than baking. 

I know - the things i let him do!  Look how happy they are -completely aware that they are

doing something they're not supposed to.  Those babies are smart as whips!

This is them being very sweet while we baked all day....they really were perfect

Every year it seems Kara and I have special time together right before Christmas!  This year, she stayed with us for a few days and we just hung out with no agenda - so we baked cookies, shopped a little, wrapped gifts, played with the babies, and enjoyed the nice 75 degree weather we are having here this time of year!!  We had a great time.  I'm so thankful for my special little baby sister :)  By the way - we took this picture of her posing with the peg-leg gingerbread cookie.  All the gingerbread men were perfect, except this one - it had a peg leg, so we gave it special treatment.    I love decorating christmas cookies...but talk about time consuming!!!!  We were totally over it by about the 5th one, but we had also made spritz christmas cookies and triple chocolate oatmeal with cranberries - which were my personal fav.   I must say there is nothing better than to me this time of year than sitting by the fire with a cup of hot chocolate, a christmas cookie, and a great magazine!!!  What a treat!!  Like i always say - i enjoy the simple things in life :)  Merry Christmas!!!!!