making houses

We made gingerbread houses today.

The kids (Ame especially) have been anxious to make them

all week.

Today was finally a day we didn't have a million other things going,

so we could devote our morning to some more holiday fun!

(PLEASE ignore the messy house)

Ame's work in progress
Kaipo in between in candy eating
And the finished products...one will stay and one will go
(for our 12 days of Christmas treat tonight)

Luckily they both didn't cave in!

This mom is definitely NO EXPERT in the

house building area.

The kids don't seem to care.

It just means they can eat away

at the poor little house,

without feeling the least bit guilty!

(as if they would anyway)

It was fun while it lasted!

Isn't it all about the moment anyway?!

decoration favorites

I've been meaning to do this for a while for my mom,

who wanted to see our Christmas Decor.

It is hard to get a look at the whole house, so here is a glimpse mom,

of some of my favorites around our Holiday home.

The wreath (as you know) I made last year, but the little tree is NEW.

It has different settings that allow for various lighting and songs.

It is s fun addition.

I have had this picture

(which has a beautiful thought on the opposite side)

for years, given to us by my always inspiring Mom.
I got this nativity last year, which I LOVE!

Here's is my wanna-be Hawaiian addition
to the tree, made last year as well.
Can never get enough of this reminder!

I didn't make a lot of new additions this year

...just didn't have the motivation.

although I do have some ideas for next year-

which could very well change in a year from now!

But I have TRIED to fill our home with the

Spirit of Christmas,

and hope that my family is enjoying it

...because I surely am!

Cousin exchange...missing a few

We got together last night with my brother Jason's family & my sister Karli's family, for some present exchanges and some good Holiday cheer! My brother Jason and his family are going to Oregon for Christmas so we got to have an early Christmas with everyone (minus my brother, Aaron and his family-who we really missed, AND my parents of course).

Here's all the munchkins doing their VERY best picture posing!

This is what you get with mutliple parents taking pics-feet & other cameras in the way, and no eyes on you while YOU are trying to get a picture. But they were good picture takers, anyway! (LeAnne and Karli must have been the place where the kids focus was)
Each of the kids got their turn on the LITTLE Christmas chair, to open THEIR present.
(youngest to oldest of course)
Ash got a beginners art/doodle set...just right for him

Kaipo got a Batman Chopper

(which as you can tell he LOVED)

And Ame got a design your own flip flops/slippers set and more art supplies

(which SHE can NEVER get enough of)

Thanks to our great friends the Robinson's for their gift in the mail,

which supplied great entertainment.

After presents, we had several roaring game of

DON'T EAT PETE...the kids had a blast with this one!

Thanks to all our family for their love and generosity.

We are overflowing with gratitude!

LeAnne, thanks for the yummy dinner too!
Our Christmas Season just keeps getting more and more Merry & Bright!
**************************

I just had to throw this picture in there.

Have a seen a cuter reindeer than this one???
Our little Ashy boy is growing up WAY TOO FAST.