Leann's First Communion

After months of planning and preparation Great-niece, Leann, made her First Holy Communion today.

She wore a dress adorned with flowers and her Godmother/Aunt Heather's veil.

Sisters .  .  .  Mary Grace, Megan and Leann .  .  .

Leann Rose, requested rose cookies for her party. . .

. . . doves, hearts and edible butterflies were added to the collection for this special day.

 Leann with her Godparents, Great-Uncle Matt and Aunt Heather.

Leann, Dad and Mom  .  .  .

It doesn't matter if she's all dressed up or wearing her casual clothes, Leann is one special girl!  Uncle Matt and I are so proud of you.

Love, Hugs and Cookies

for 

a very, special girl!

Christmas 2015

The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.

I've been feeling like the Grinch this season, so I made him into a cookie just for me.

This year the shopping, planning, decorating, and chasing, just seemed to take away from the true meaning of Christmas rather than helping me celebrate the season.  Fortunately, taking the time to decorate cookies for family and friends allowed me to think about the special people who I have in my life, they are the true gifts of this magical season.

The 2015 holiday collection included:

Pink for Payton's first Christmas, with Angel Grandma Kathy, peeking in.

More pastels for various friends .  .  .  I like the new Snowman family and deer ornaments that joined my ever growing cutter collection this year!

Same designs, different colors for the family.

Peace Doves for the Women's Club party.  I always love the elegance of white cookies.

The truck with trees was inspired by my brother-in law, Bill, who has always chopped down the tree for his family and is now growing his own trees in Wisconsin. 

Tree designs dominated the cookie platter for Christmas Day.

With a few snow people and some minis to complete the collection.

Personalized letters to Santa for the younger generation (ages 5-20). . .

 

 

.  .  . and a grown up Christmas wish inspired by the song.

Finally, in memory of my Dad, dear friend Kathy, sweet, young Grace and Jim D.  .  .  forever in our hearts and in the stars.

Welcome Christmas. Bring your cheer,
Cheer to all Whos, far and near.

Christmas Day is in our grasp
So long as we have hands to grasp.

Christmas Day will always be
Just as long as we have we. 

                                                          Dr. Seuss

 

Mary Grace's First Communion

Great-niece, Mary Grace, has spent many months planning for her First Communion.  She has studied hard, selected her dress, pierced her ears so she could wear "grown up" jewelry on the big day, and helped her Mom plan the party (we know how much MG enjoys her parties).

My beautiful niece, Jody and her daughter

Mary Grace chose a dress with a floral bodice and wore a veil that has been worn by both her Mom and big sister, Megan.

Throughout all the preparation, this sweet, little girl managed to keep a secret from everyone except her Dad! Mary Grace was asked to bring one of the gifts to the altar during the Mass and didn't tell anyone because she wanted it to be "a special surprise for Mother's Day."








 We packaged some cookies for Mary Grace's teacher with a tag that said, "Thank you for helping me grow in God's love."



After church, Mary Grace was ready to party with family and friends.  Mary Grace has a large extended family on her Dad's side of the family, 19 first cousins and counting. . .  so Jody and Mike hosted a family party for the 3 cousins who celebrated their First Communion this month.

Sisters--MaryGrace, Megan and Leann--just want to have fun!

Mary Grace with her Dad

It doesn't matter if she's all dressed up or wearing her casual clothes, Mary Grace is one special girl! Uncle Matt and I are so proud of you.

Love and Hugs!

Mary Grace, Uncle Matt and me