Congratulations!

My brother John and his girlfriend Bethany came over the day after Christmas for a visit. We were just finishing up a game of Life (which incidentaly, they had given us) and we were chit-chatting about this and that when out of the blue John asked Maddie and Jeni if they would like another aunt! He was so matter-of-fact about the whole think I don't think they quite knew what to think at first. But we are all excited to welcome Bethany to the family. Congratulations on your engagement you guys!!

Building houses

When I was growing up my Mom would make the most amazing gingerbread houses. She made them with windows in them that you could peek through and see Santa and Mrs. Clause sitting next to their Christmas tree in front of a fireplace (with a yellow light behind a felt fire). There were icing stockings on the fireplace and a wreath on the mirror over it. They were incredible and always smelled so wonderful as you were looking inside! It was a tradition I continued for the first few years of our marriage but sometimes life is just too busy and so - you buy a kit at Costco instead! This kit had all the gingerbread pieces already baked and cut out and came with the frosting and candy as well. There were two gingerbread men that we decorated and put inside their house to live for the Christmas season.

Gracie even helped with the decorating. Taste a piece of candy, then put the remnants on the house, taste another piece of candy...

In many ways this kit is so much more fun for the kids. I let them decorate it however they want rather than stressing out about making it look perfect. I also don't care when they pick all the candy off long before Christmas even gets here!

Good job kids, it looks great!!