Who has time for sleep in December?

I don't!  I seriously live on about 4 hours each night and here is why....by the way...I am NOT complaining! I love this month, but boy does it sure get busy!

 We officially started one of the kids favorite traditions the countdown to Christmas! They love those little chocolate advent calendars more than any other cute thing I have bought or tried...so we are keeping it simple!

 I love my house at Christmas time!  We finally pulled out the Christmas decorations and eight huge rubber maid totes later...we had the place decorated!

Before Bart left for Australia, he got the Christmas tree up. My kids love when the house is decorated and the tree is trimmed. So do I!

Our great friends the Moberly's came to town and so we loved seeing them and getting together.

My kids would be a whole lot happier if they were back in San Diego.

I have been trying to get our Christmas card out this year before Valentine's Day and I still have so many addresses to find. My favorite part of each day in December is heading to the mailbox to collect Christmas cards - the best!!!

This really speaks for itself but when you have all five sisters together with their mother and a shopping spree {Thanks Mom} this is what the back of that mother's car looks like.

I just wish I would have gotten a picture with all of us together holding those bags!

If anyone knows me, baking is a must during the holidays and these little Candy Cane Thumbprints are Delish!

Here is the recipe:

Candy Cane Thumbprints

2/3 C. Butter, softened

½ C. Sugar

¼ Tsp. salt

1 Egg

1 Tsp. Vanilla

1 ½ C. Flour

Peppermint Filling:

¼ C. butter, softened

¼ Tsp. Peppermint extract

1 ½ C. Powdered Sugar

2-3 Tsp. Milk

Crushed candy Canes

Beat butter for 30 seconds. Beat in sugar and salt until combined; scrape bowl. Beat in egg and vanilla. Beat in flour. Cover; chill for at least 1 hour or until dough is firm enough to handle. Preheat oven to 375 and shape dough into 1 inch balls. Place balls 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until cookies are lightly browned around the edges. Remove from oven and make a small indentation in the center of each cookie using the bowl of a small measuring spoon.  Transfer cookies to a wire rack and let cool. Just before serving, fit a decorating bag with peppermint filling into the center of each cookie. Sprinkle the top with crushed candy canes. Makes about 3 dozen.

For peppermint filling, Beat the butter for 30 seconds. Beat in peppermint extract. Gradually beat in powdered sugar. Beat in enough milk to create piping consistency.

Optional to add a touch of red food coloring to color the peppermint filling.

I also found these darling little baking bread trays and made yummy banana bread 

to pass out to the neighbors!

I am still teaching choir at the elementary school and the big night time performance is creeping up. I love working with the kids and teaching them music and I really love decorating and transforming the school for our musical.

My other great love is getting the chance to photograph so many cute families and help them prepare for the Christmas card craziness! But, that leaves many sleepless nights! Again, not complaining as it truly is a passion of mine!

I just keep thinking of what still has to happen that I haven't 

even mentioned - maybe I will sleep in January?