Happy New Year 2012! (Another Really Late Post)

Please excuse my morning ugliness. This is New Years morning 2012 and as you can see I just threw on my robe and started making our traditional Niesh Cocas (don't remember how to spell them). Since I was a little kid we have made these "new years cookies" each new years day. They are more like doughnuts. They are traditional Mennonite treats that have been passed down generations. We enjoy them. My mom makes them every year and sticks strictly to the recipe. I have begun to experiment. This year instead of just putting raisins in we added craisins and dried blueberries. We also covered them with a mixture of granulated sugar, powdered sugar, and cinnamon. They turned out wonderful. The batch made so much that I brought a plate around to the ladies I visit teach and some others in the ward. It is such a fun tradition that I plan on continuing. As you can see, for each year of Matthew's life he had been a part of it. He loves to be in the kitchen with his parents.

Here they are in the fryer. They turn on the their own when they are done. It is fun to watch.

The finished product!

This year for new years eve was on Saturday. My family decided to get together and had a fun sleepover on Friday night instead. We all "slept" at my parents house. The kids went to bed late while the rest of us stayed up putting together puzzles and talking. It was fun. Just before going to bed a huge storm came in and some of my siblings went outside with sheets tied to their ankles and hands to ride the wind. It was so fun to watch. I didn't go out because it was FREEZING but it was really fun to watch. I loved doing that as a kid. Jamie again had to work so he didn't get to participate in the fun. We missed him. We at least got to spend a nice evening at home New Years Eve after he got home from work and I got my new year's kiss.

I look forward to this year being a great year. There is a lot to look forward to. Jamie is close to getting his business up and running. Matthew is growing so fast and is speaking more. Maybe if we are blessed this year we will be able to welcome a new little one into our lives, I sure hope so. I am excited to have a wonderful happy 2012!