JAMSquared

The title of this post could be interpreted two different ways. One: Wow, baby! Or two: World of Warcraft baby. The  following pictures make the second choice more correct. Will, our friend and former guildie, gave Jessica this adorable onesie for Christmas. In World of Warcraft, BOP stands for bind on pick-up. It refers to gear or items that drop and bind to you on pick-up, meaning you cannot sell it to another player in the game. I think it is rather fitting onesie, because Jessica is definitely bound to us as we are to her. Thanks Will for giving two gamers untold amount of laughter as we watched Jessica in her little onesie on Saturday.

BOP Jessica

BOP Jessica

Being a WoW Baby is Tiring

WoW Family

This year’s Christmas party occurred on the afternoon of the 20th, a little later than years past. I thought I might need some extra time to prepare. It worked out great, since the cookie baking extravaganza was the weekend before our party and the girls let me take more of the cookies than they did, so I could stock the party buffet. And boy was it a well-stocked party buffet. Besides the 7 different kinds of cookies, we had steak and cheese empanadas (Costco), cocktail franks in a blanket (Costco), spinach florentine dip, queso, chips, veggie/fruit tray, cheese/cracker/summer sausage tray, rolls (Aric), Valdosta Nut Blend (snack mix containing pecans with sweet cranberrieds, black pepper and orange zest from Costco), pecan brittle (Kristy), and a Chocolate Mint Torte. Aric and Kristy came over early so Kristy could help me set up the buffet. We are truly blessed to have such good friends.

Party Buffet

The turn out was really great. We had 23 adults and 9 kids, not counting ourselves, join us for the come-and-go festivities. It is so nice to get together and visit with family and friends. Jessica enjoyed the party, even though she was asleep for most of it; first on Stephanie’s shoulder and then on Evalyn’s shoulder. She wore her Christmas outfit and it was probably a bit warm, so that combined with the comfy shoulders made for a sleepy Jessica.

Jason and Julia

Aspen Enjoying Jessica's Bouncer

Jessica Sleeping in Stephanie's Arms

Aric and Kristy

Stephen Playing with Jessica

Ranger, Phap and James

On Saturday the 12th (the same day we did our Christmas photo shoot), Kristy, Stephanie, Paramjit, and I baked cookies in Kristy’s kitchen. Kristy made us each a neat apron with our initial on the top. We each picked two recipes to bake, although we only ended up baking 7 cookie recipes. We were there for about 10 hours, although that time did include lunch, dinner, and a photo shoot. Next year, we will not pick 5 recipes that require rolling out.

Jennifer, Stephanie, Kristy and Paramjit

The two recipes I picked were Chocolate Mint Wafers and Confetti Cookies. The Chocolate Mint Wafers were tasty, but I’m not sure I will make them again. The recipe for the Confetti Cookies came out of my Nanny’s recipe box. They were extremely tasty and I will have to make them again soon.

Confetti Cookies

Confetti Cookies

Source: Nanny’s recipe box

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup shortening (I used butter-flavored)
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 cup cut-up small gum-drops (technically, I used spice drops)
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans

Directions:

In large bowl, cream sugars, shortening, eggs and vanilla. In separate bowl, combine flour, salt and baking soda (do not sift). Add to creamed mixture. Stir in gum drops and pecans; mix well. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheet. If desired, dot tops with additional cut-up gum drops. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Yield: 5-6 dozen

Future Baker

Jessica observed our mad baking skills from her spot on the bar in her bouncer. Thanks Nick for providing the pictures.

On the 12th, my best friend Kristy hosted a baby shower for me at her house. It was a lot of fun. I enjoyed getting to see everyone.

Lori, Jennifer, Heather, and Amy

Sarah, Cameron, Jennifer, Aspen, Mary Ann and Julia

Kristy and Jennifer

Evalyn made a beautiful cake that had all the baby animals that are found in the bedding we picked out for the nursery. She is so talented.

Rainforest Animal Cake

We played three games. For the first game, we were given about 24 animals and what their babies are called and we had to match them up. Did you know that a baby turkey is called a poult? My sister won that game. Then we played a game with 10 diapers that had different kitchen condiments in them and you had to guess the condiment. Kristy used such condiments as vanilla, apricot jelly, soy sauce, minced garlic. It was definitely a game for your sense of smell. The final game was guess the pregnant woman’s girth. I stood in center of the room and everyone cut ribbon from a spool to indicate how big around I was. My co-worker Caroline guessed the closest. I think my Mom was the furthest off.

Diaper Condiment Game

Guess the Girth Game

Last Sunday, we went and saw Wicked, a Broadway Across America production at the Bass Concert Hall. It was really good. James enjoyed it too. Prior to the show, we went out to eat at BJ’s Restaurant, where Aric joined us (he didn’t go see the musical with us). It was a nice evening with friends.

Ranger and Clarisse

Kristy and Aric

Jennifer and James

Lori and Jennifer