Gingerbread Houses

As I mentioned in my last post, I spent the two days prior to our gingerbread house party at my parents' house, which means that all the time that my mom had planned to be able to get things ready, was taken by my kids and I. I figured it was only fair that I help out a little, since she had changed her plans for me. Between my brother and I staying up later Friday night, we were able to get all the pieces of the houses made, and the next morning, I glued them all together so my mom could do other last minute preparations.

 Over the years, we have learned some things about how to make our gingerbread party better, and I think this was the smoothest so far. My mom decided a few years ago that it's easier to have all the houses already made, so all the kids have to do is decorate, and their parents can help them, rather than focusing on building the houses. My mom also has scaled back the sizes of the houses every year, because we realized that a lot of the kids are done decorating after the roof anyway. We also started saving the extra candy from one year to the next, and have grown quite a stash. Then we bring a couple new items that we know we can eat. This year, we also decided to have a couple of the siblings share a house so we didn't have to make quite so many. As I said, I would say it was a success. Everybody's house actually got finished. I felt like the parents could relax a little, and it helps that we have a few grandkids that are old enough to know what they're doing on their own now.

 Grant did decorate a bit of the house, but he contributed more in making sure that none of the good candy went to waste.

 This is my family's house. Meili stuck with it longer than she ever has before, but I finished some of the empty spaces.

 If I remember this was Ruby's.

 This is Shasta and Shelby's. Shasta definitely knew which kind of candy was her favorite. I don't blame her. That's the one I would have used too.

 Chloe was quite the decorator this year. She did her house almost entirely by herself, and she had some really cute elements.

 Nick's

and last but not least, Gigi's.

Holiday Update

Due to some computer issues, I've been behind (which I know only matters to me.) But it is already the middle of January and I haven't even started on our family scrapbook for the year which is eating me alive! (The past few years, it would have already been in the mail by now!) So, I've decided it's time to get over my fear of using our new computer, and get on it. Easier said than done. Also, there are some pictures missing between my last post, and these pictures, but they are now trapped on a computer that will no longer charge. :( So that's a problem for another day.

 

Well the holidays are long past, and we enjoyed them just about as much as possible. Beginning in October I held my breath and crossed all my fingers and toes that none of us would get sick, and spoil our plans. By some miracle, we all managed to hold it off until the week after Christmas, and then it hit all 4 of us. But, honestly, if there is a "good time to get sick," that's probably as close as it comes.

 This is our thankful tree that we made for Family Home Evening before Thanksgiving. It was more fun this year that Meili could actually contribute meaningful ideas, and she is really into writing the words for herself as well as drawing pictures.

 If I remember right, there was a weekend that I stayed at my parents house that we went to Festival of Trees on Thursday (some of the pictures on my other computer), then the lights at Temple Square on Friday, and decorated gingerbread houses on Saturday (next post.)

 The kids were a little nuts at temple square, but compared to our experience last year, I think it went fabulously, and no one lost an appendage due to frostbite-which is always in question at temple square.

Nothing quite so beautiful as the lights at Temple Square with family!

Family Pictures

 For a combined Mother's and Father's Day gift, my siblings and I decided to schedule family pictures with our family. The last time that my entire family had a professional picture taken that was not at a wedding was before my brother left on his mission-when I was 12. So I guess it was time for an update. We had the pictures taken in August, and just got them back a couple weeks ago. Based on the experience, I wouldn't be surprised if it's another 18 years before we get more taken. But for now, for your viewing pleasure...

Happy Halloween!

I pretty much love trick-or-treating at the stage that we are in right now. My kids only last for about 10 houses before they're done, so they don't get too loaded up on treats, and I don't get bored going door to door. Our neighbors are always so nice to my kids, and the neighborhood that we live in, we get just the right number of trick-or-treaters. They are not too old, and they don't come super late. Plus, we have neighbors that always have a fire with hotdogs and smores, so in Meili's mind that trumps trick-or-treating any day.

Happy Halloween from our beautiful Butterfly Fairy...

... and Marshall from Paw Patrol

Trick or Treat!

Half a Decade

 To celebrate Meili's birthday, my parents came up on Friday night the 30th. My dad was going to the football game with Josh and it didn't start until late. My mom and I stayed home with the kids. As a note, I would like to add that that was the day of Meili's friend birthday party, and a Halloween Carnival at gymnastics. But in the morning when I asked her what day it was and if she knew what was happening that day, she said, "It's Friday and Grandma and Papa are coming to stay at our house!" Also when we went to Build-a-Bear Workshop, she was more excited about staying the night at my parents' house than she was about building her animal. I'm glad that she loves her grandparents, but I need to stop planning other events apparently. 

We had a Halloween themed dinner. I provided noodles, sauce, meatballs and bug juice-which was about all I could muster after throwing a birthday party. And my mom brought a Jack-o-Lantern with carrots, olives, and cucumbers, witches' brooms with pretzels and string cheese, worms with grapes on skewers, spooky mouths with apples, marshmallows, and peanut butter, and snake bread. Needless to say, we had WAY too much food. But it was fun. Although Grant would have been content with just bug juice, and I was worried that he would always want bugs in his drinks. It obviously would have been cooler if I had taken pictures, but who thinks to do that at the time?

The next day we went with my parents and brother to Texas Roadhouse. I thought it was fitting since Meili is a cowgirl through and through.

 

She had no hesitation about sitting on the saddle and having everyone sing to her.

 Here she is telling our server that she is 5 now.

 And Meili was all-around spoiled for her birthday. She loved all of the presents from her friends and we've got Barbies galore at our house now. My mom got her this shirt-because that's got Meili written all over it.

 My mom also made a bed for her 18-inch doll, Lilly Anna. But when I say that she made her a bed, I mean that she made her a bed, a mattress, a bed skirt, a sheet, a pillow, a quilt, a unicorn blanket for Lilly Anna and a horse blanket for Lilly Anna's horse Cooper Cream. (And slippers for her new unicorn and pajamas for Meili.) Sheesh! But that's how my mom rolls! I will say it was pretty awesome to see Meili opening the present saying, "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh!"

 Then Josh's parents came over and brought a present for Meili as well. It's a Barbie and her horse. The funny thing is, that I had seen the exact same thing when I was shopping for Meili's birthday, and thought, "Oh Meili would love that!" But I couldn't justify it, with everything else we were doing for her birthday. So yes, Meili loves it! The people who love Meili sure know her well!

Words cannot describe how much I love our spunky, horse/pony/unicorn loving, pink, princess, smart, sassy, sweet 5 year old. I'm her mother, so it's okay that I think she is the most beautiful person I've ever met, and I'm pretty sure she's the smartest 5 year old on the planet, and she also knows just how to get under my skin. I'm so proud of the little person that she has become, and I'm so excited to see all she has ahead of her in her life, because I know she will do great things! Happy birthday Sweetie Pea!