Christmas Cookies. And Some Family Shots

While home for Christmas, I got a chance to visit my brother and sister-in-law to see their new home. We did a quick family session for their Christmas Card.This one is my favorite of him. He has the cutest laugh.Addy looks a lot like my mother did as a child, and this expression reminds me of a photo I’ve seen of her in her early twenties. Kind of amazing how that happens.Love this one!There is something so peaceful and innocent about her expression here.The jewelry Quinn is wearing here was part of her mother’s outfit, but she insisted on wearing it for her shots. So fun.LOVE this face. That is all.Addy photobombing her parents.Love Tricia’s look here. As cute as the jewelry looked on Quinn, it looks fantastic on her mommy. I need to go shopping with her more often. I have had some serious anxiety lately about getting older, but I can honestly say my sister-in-law helps alleviate some of those fears. I feel like she has really come into her own over the years I have known her, and she is more beautiful now than ever. And it has taken me years to get to the point where I can say this, but I have to admit my brother is pretty handsome. I guess I can get over those years of fighting for control of the tv or the Gameboy.I was hoping to take the family outside to do some fun snow photos, but my nephew quickly informed me he had no desire to play outside. I have a rule when photographing kids, it is their world and we are just living in it. So we ended here and headed to the kitchen.
Nick is an aspiring artist (which makes me secretly very happy). It is inspiring to see him create with such passion and to have so much fun doing it.Every little girl should get to feel like a princess. I am all for that princess also being a scientist, doctor, web programmer or senator; but I think you can wear a stethoscope and a tiara.After we finished the family photos, I sat down to edit so they could make their card ASAP. While editing, Tricia started to bake some Christmas cookies. Addy asked if she could help, and I looked up to see Nick tying an apron around Addy in her dress and pearls so she could bake. I immediately stopped editing and grabbed my camera. As much as I love formal photo sessions, it’s moments like these that I really want to remember. I have talked about this before, but the beauty of being a photographer is you actually have many occupations: artist, historian, psychologist. It can be a burden to constantly feel like you are observing life, but I consider it a privilege when people invite me into their lives to share their memories, their own history. It is an amazing gift.I only get this face when I am staring at the last cookie on the plate after I have already had too many, but I think she is judging the number of chocolate chips in the dough and finding it insufficient.Little toes = cuteness.This cracks me up. Apparently, she does not enjoy the sound of the mixer.I love these mommy daughter moments.Nick jumped in to help at the end. Love these. The recipe for the yummy white chocolate peppermint m&m cookies they were making in the photos is listed below. You won’t regret adding it to your list next Christmas. Thanks again Steve & Tricia and munchkins!

White Chocolate Peppermint M&M Cookies

Yield: 2 1/2 dozen cookies

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Cookies with White Chocolate Peppermint M&M’s, candy canes, and white chocolate chips. These cookies are festive and perfect for the holiday season!

ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose Gold Medal flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 cup white chocolate chips
1/2 cup crushed candy canes
1 cup White Chocolate Peppermint M&M’s

directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a large baking sheet with a Silpat baking mat or parchment paper and set aside.

2. Combine flour, salt and baking soda in a medium bowl and set aside.

3. Cream butter and sugars together in a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment until combined. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until smooth. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients. Stir in the white chocolate chips, candy canes, and M&M’s.

4. Drop heaping tablespoonfuls of dough on prepared baking sheets, about 2 inches apart. Bake for 10-12 minutes or until cookies are golden around the edges, but still soft in the center. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to wire rack and cool completely.

Note-a few people commented that they made these cookies and they were too puffy and a little dry. You can try reducing the flour to 2 1/2 cups if you have this problem. I used 3 cups of flour though and they were just fine.