Last year around this time, while making these carmel filled cookies, I enlisted the help of my kids.  Not only was the process faster, it was more fun.  And so, a new Christmas tradition was born.  It's so much fun, you might want to try it with your family too.

My kids are at the age where dress up is one of their favorite activities.  So they were so thrilled to get these Santa hats this year.  It was their idea to wear them while they worked and sang their own song, "The Chocolate Factory."

The cookie recipe is from my mother-in-law, and I believe she got it from someone at church.  Coming from those sources, lets just say, these cookies are irresistible!  I've modified it for my family, so I'm replacing the chopped pecan topping with sprinkles.  And here it is...

CARMEL FILLED CHOCOLATE COOKIES

2 1/4 cups of flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup of sugar

1 cup firmly packed brown sugar

1 cup margarine or butter, softened

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 eggs

48 Rolo candies, unwrapped (9oz. package or larger)

sprinkles

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly spoon flour into a measuring cup; level off.  In a small bowl, combine flour, cocoa and baking soda; blend well.  In a large bowl, beat white and brown sugar with butter until light and fluffy.  And vanilla and eggs; beat well.  Add flour mixture; blend well.  For each cookie, with floured hands, shape about 1 tablespoonful of dough around a caramel candy, covering completely.

In a small bowl filled with sprinkles, dip ball into the sprinkles and place on ungreased cookie sheet, 2 inches apart.  Bake at 375 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes or until set and slightly cracked.  Cool 2 minutes; remove from cookie sheets.  Cool completely on wire racks.

What we love most about this recipe is that everyone has a job that is simple enough for them all, but each job really makes a difference.  (Fortunately, they all like the jobs they do or else this wouldn't be such a happy tradition.)  

A little silliness with her dad while waiting for the cookies to bake.  

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!!!

So here she is, my little, ahem, grand niece, at 6 months.  I can't believe she's already 6 months!  Here are some photos from baby's newborn shoot.  And again, the sneak peek of this shoot too.  She patiently endured many wardrobe changes, did she not?  The photo below was just for her dad. 

Baby was feeling a little tired of us all calling her name, making weird sounds at this point.  But put on the right hat, and all your worries just melt away.  Her mom said she loves this hat.  And sure enough, baby brightened right up when she noticed it was on.

I don't get to see this little lady very often, but I'm so happy for the photos.  Makes me realize all over again how important photos are to us all.  Just makes you feel a bit closer to the ones you love.

This session was done while we were in Michigan a while back.  I was so excited when my dear friend asked me to shoot her family photos in her neighbor's barn.  Where I live, there are not many barns around, so this was really a treat.  I have to say, this is the largest borrowed photo prop I ever used.  Fortunately, the neighbors use it for entertaining, not for keeping animals.  Whew!

Aren't they sweet?  This fellow did not want to cuddle up with his sister at all.  But he gave us a smile anyway.  Mature beyond his years I think.  Closeness like this might feel awkward at the time, but it's so moving when you actually see the final photo.

The mom in this family happens to be a friend I've known always.  We grew up together only a few doors away from each other.  I consider myself so blessed by her friendship growing up and now too.  This photo above reminds me of how easy it was for us to laugh as little girls together...at anything...at nothing.  Ah the bliss of childhood.  Such fun memories.

This pose of the happy couple above is a reenactment of a photo I took of them while I was starting art school taking a photography class and they were dating.  I'm not doing the math on how long ago that was.  They still look fabulous, though, don't they?

The mama of all these feet let me know about the current photo challenge at I Heart Faces.  The theme this week is feet.  Crossing fingers and toes for this one :)

Anyone can enter in their challenges.  For more details click here at i heart faces.