Grandma's Cookies

Grandma Knodel was always known for baking too many cookies at Christmas time and for giving everyone socks for Christmas.  We miss grandma very much this year and will also miss her cookie and socks traditions.  In rememberence of Grandma Knodel her cookie recipes live on... ;-)

Here is one of my FAVORITE cookie recipes from Grandma Knodel.

Kiss Cookies
1 1/4 cup softened butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
3 1/4 cups flour

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix all ingredients together until nice and creamy.  
Use a small or medium scoop and form cookie balls.  Dip or roll in colored sugar sprinkles, or cinnamon and sugar mixture.  Put on cookie sheet and bake for 9-10 minutes.  Place pure chocolate kiss on top of cookie - press into the cookie just a little bit - then put back in oven for about 2 minutes.

Simple and delicious!  Thanks Grandma Knodel!

A-Team! You Go Girl!

Mariah has a new found love of throwing herself through the air.. yup, you guessed it.  She's a cheerleader.  This is her second year in cheerleading and she made the A-Team for both girls and boys season!  She had try-outs on Friday night and came home about 6pm with a smile from ear to ear.  Her and her good friend Paige will both be flippin' around with the 8th graders on the A-Team!  Great job Mariah! 

Merry Christmas!

Voge Christmas 2009

Every year a member of the Voge Family hosts the annual Christmas Party on the Saturday before Christmas.  This year it was our turn.  This was the second time that we hosted this large party.  Anyone that is a Voge somehow in relation is invited to this party.  We had an awesome turn out and everyone had a great time.  We spent many hours socializing and catching up with one another and enjoying delicious food and drinks.  The kids played video games and some of the adults played card games.  I learned how to play Speed and tied with Shannon on my very first game.  I posted a couple pictures on flickr, but here is one of Mariah and I acting goofy around midnight after the last couple people went home. 

Merry Christmas! :-)

What a Great Weekend!

This was a wonderful weekend.  We had so much fun with family and friends, the weather was wonderful for playing outside, the family was healthy... definitely a great time. 

On Friday I took a half vacation day and met up with my friend Lindsay (in town from Iowa).  We toured around Burlington and had a very nice lunch at Charcoal Grill.  After our lunch we did some shopping at Kohl's,  then found a nice coffee shop in downtown Burlington, and then went and got pedicures!  It was a very relaxing and much needed ladies-only adventure. 

On Saturday we went to Menards and bought some of the trim pieces for our basement.  Cory has been working hard putting up the drink ledge and trying to get it ready for our big Voge Family Christmas Party this coming Saturday!  Cory also bought a motion light projector for the front our our house... I am not a big fan, but Mariah and Cory were so excited about it and I couldn't tell them no.  It is a machine (small) that is in our front yard and projects images on our house (moving images).  Right now it is set to project large snowflakes that fall down the front of our house.  It is pretty, but I don't think we live in the right location for something like this.  People drive past our house too fast to be able to see the moving snowflakes.  Cory and Mariah seem to like it though, so I am sure it will be staying. 

On Sunday Cory went to church to continue getting the powerpoint and tvs working during the church services.  While he was at church, the kids and I got ready for the Bears v. Packers party at my brother's house.  The party started around 11:30am.  Scotty and Shannon had tons of people over and lots of great food and drinks.  We had a great time - even though the Bears lost - and some of the people even did some sledding after the game. 

Definitely a great weekend... now on to my week... :-)

Busy Night with the Kiddos!

Last night was Parent's Night at Mariah's school and Cowboy Christmas at Ethan's daycare!

First we went to Mariah's school and watched her cheer for the girls basketball game.  I know that people like to brag up their kids, but Mariah is AWESOME with cheerleading.  She seriously has talent!  I think I might have to look into getting her more involved in gymnastics and competitive cheerleading instead of soccer.  She definitely found something she is wonderful at and that she loves.  Great job Mariah. :-)

As soon as Mariah was done cheering we rushed over to Ethan's daycare for his Cowboy Christmas musical.  Cory and Ethan had to leave Mariah's game a little early so that Ethan could get ready for his big event.  Mariah and I met Cory and Grandpa Karl at the church (daycare) to watch Ethan.  Ethan did so good and sat so well in front of the church.  There were so many people and a couple kids were crying, but Ethan did fabulous!  He looked so handsome as a little cowboy. ;-)

Things That Scare Me!

Crazy drivers and Woodman’s!


Last night I was driving down to Hwy 50 after picking up Ethan from daycare. I was in a 55mph zone and going the speed limit. Out of nowhere a older car appeared behind me and was literally driving on my bumper. I was terrified that he was going to hit me. He was driving so close that I couldn't see him in my side view mirrors and when looking out my rear view mirror I could see right into his front window. He was pushing me to the point that I couldn't slow down and I had to drive about 70mph for fear that he would hit me. I couldn't pull over, couldn't turn... nothing... I was stuck! Ethan was in the back seat and I was so worried that this guy was going to cause us an accident. So.... "hello 911... there is a guy driving on the bumper of my car and he is swerving back and forth over the yellow and white lines on the road..." finally we got to an area of the road where there were two lanes. The guy quickly changed lanes and I was able to get (and report) his license plate number. I continued watching him swerve all over the road... I hope the police caught up with him!

After my frightening driving situation I continued to head to Woodman's grocery store/super scary large warehouse full of giant items... I know there are people that love Woodman's, but I have to admit that I am not one of them. The place scares me! I walk in and I have no idea where I am going. It is so huge and there are way too many items to chose from. Seriously it is a scary place. I told Cory that he has to go in there with me to protect me if I ever go back. It is overwhelming! I guess I am truly a small town girl.... I think I will continue to shop at the local Piggly Wiggly... the one and only grocery store in Union Grove. ;-)