Christmas Calories Don't Count!

Every year since I was one, my Grandma comes over to our house to make gingerbread houses with us. This is a tradition that started when my mom was very little and her mom would make homemade gingerbread to decorate. When we moved away from Arizona and came to Utah, my grandma flew out to keep up the tradition, until this year. My family chose to try Christmas cookies, which we usually make but on Christmas Eve. My Grammy has a special cookie and frosting recipe we use every year (twice a year now!).

My Grammy's Recipe

2 cups flour

Photo Courtesy of Northwest Church

1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup butter (softened)

1 cup sugar

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 tablespoon milk

1. 
   
2. Sift together, flour, baking powder and salt, set aside. 
3. Cream butter and sugar together. 
4. Add in egg, vanilla and milk. 
5. Slowly add in flour mixture, make sure well combined. 
6. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2-3 hours. (can also be frozen) 
7. Roll dough out on floured surface to 1/8  or 1/4 inch thickness
8. Use cookie cutters to cut into shapes. 
9. Place on parchment lined baking sheet.
10.  Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 7-8 minutes, just until edges start to turn golden.
11.  Let cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes before removing to racks to cool completely.

Photo Courtesy of Wicked Good Kitchen

Because I didn't make gingerbread houses with my grandma this year, I thought it was only necessary that I did with someone else. My friend, Sophia, invited me to her house to make some with her and her sister. We stated out well but didn't let the icing dry before putting on the toppings and it collapsed in the making. Meanwhile, Natalie and her friend took their time and didn't add random gummies and gluten free pretzels.

Sophia, Morgan and my gingerbread house vs. Natalie and Carleigh's.

You can never have enough cookies during the holidays!

My friend Gabby and I at a holiday party.
Photo Credits: My mom

Blaire covered in cookie frosting and decorations!

Christmas parties is one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. Every year my mom and I throw a mother-daughter cookie exchange and this year it was the 4th annual party with almost all the same girls. Another holiday party I attended was a cupcake decorating party for one of the clubs I'm a part of.

Recipe courtesy of Chocolate Chocolate and More with a few moderations.

O Christmas Tree

When I moved to Utah in 4th grade we were only supposed to live here for a year as an "adventure". My parents came out to Park City for their friends 40th birthday party at Deer Valley and were sitting on Main Street, eating dinner and they decided to make the move. We lived in Phoenix, Arizona for practically my whole life at that point. When they came home and told us the news I was the only one up for it.

We sold our house in the matter of weeks and found a new house in Park City. Since we were only supposed to live here for a year, we did everything to make the most of the snow and the mountains. Our first Christmas we wanted to spend here, breaking the tradition of the holidays at my grandparents. To get our Christmas tree we drove into the Unitas to cut down a tree as FFF (forced family fun) as my mom likes to call it. A new tradition was born!

Driving home with a tired dog and a Christmas tree on the roof.
My photo.

We usually went Christmas tree shopping/chopping with out family friends, the Radovans but this year we went with my parents other friends. Since my sister left for college and wasn't with us to cut down our tree, I got to bring a friend. I like to cut a small tree to put in my room and decorate to set my room up in the holiday mood. It was my job to find my tree and my dad and brother set off to find the main tree while my mom brought out the hot chocolate and toppings.

When I got home, I went upstairs and set my tree up. It had lights and ornaments and was topped with an angel. I put my six foot tall tree in the corner of my room with some water and let its smell fill the room!

The tree at my Grandparents house in Arizona featuring my cousin, Cole.

Next year if you want to cut down a tree of your own, got to this site and look under permit information.