Gingerbread House of 2011

Sometimes the finished house makes for the best photo. I think we achieved curb appeal again this year. The beauty of our house kit this year is that it came pre-assembled. I thought I had won the lottery when I didn't have to bake the gingerbread or mix the icing. And, now... NOW, the house comes already put together. No more holding the roof together with my bare hands for an hour the night before for the icing to set in place. I've become a pampered diva with this Target kit! It couldn't be a "sweeter" deal.

Teamwork was the name of the game this year. Miller had to be extra patient with his little sister's hands all over his creation in the making. For the most part, EK just wanted to sample the candies. She crawled right on top of the table for a hands on approach.

Miller man did a lot of sampling too as evidenced by the red gumdrop pressed between his front teeth. We gave our teeth an extra 2 minutes of brushing time tonight, btw. I can't help but think of Leave It To Beaver in this photo of M man. The classic jammies & red and white check table cloth give it a 50's look to me.

Put on your sun glasses for this shot. Ouch, my eyes hurt with all this red. The lighting was very vibrant too. I'm still trying to figure out my lens and camera settings in manual. I didn't get it quite right with this one!

Miller was loving making patterns with the jellybeans on the front roof eaves. He had a plan just where his candies should go.

Landon had to slow our candy queen down. She was going to town sticking both hands in the toppings for the house.

She liked play cooking with the bowls too. That's a girl for ya!

"Hmm, What to eat next?"

The house construction crew had a brief meeting to decide on where in should snow coconut on the house.

It was a big decision!

It snowed everywhere on our Gingerbread House. It made for a white Christmas for our gingerbread family!

With a few finishing shake shakes of the sprinkles, our house was complete. Ta Da!

rocking around the christmas tree

We decorated our annual Gingerbread House tonight. As the tradition goes, we get all dressed up in our Christmas jammies to make it more special. Miller requested Christmas music tonight. He said, "It makes it more festive." Sounds like he's been picking up some of his momma's lingo. So, here are a few quick photos of us rocking round' our Christmas tree to Harry Connick on Pandora. We had to pass the time while we were waiting on daddy to pick up the pizza. It was a fun, rainy night at our house!

Eliza Kate leaned in for a smooch and Miller was giving her a funny look.

M&M bribery always keeps her in a sitting position! Although, she nearly cleared out our toppings bowl.

I spy a green M&M in this sweet one's mouth.

Miller made sure to point out Eliza Kate's new ornament and his too.

Thinking that he was on the nice list, Miller was dreaming of all his packages.

This was his reaction when I told him he might be on the naughty list..priceless!

white elephant

We rolled out the white elephant gift exchange at our Sunday School party this past weekend. It's always so hilarious what people stumble upon at thrift stores or in their basements to share. While I was wrapping up final party details & setting up the paper tree centerpieces Friday afternoon, I sent my little elf (aka Landon) out to our Rite Aid on the corner. Yes, they have the best "As Seen on TV" section to land a good gift. I really wanted him to purchase the jegging sweatpants that resemble jeans but they were sold out...SOLD OUT? He came away with a pepto pink snuggie instead complete with a remote control pocket feature. We were all set!

We like to play the game when you can steal and switch presents or open a new one. When our number was drawn, Landon came away with a pretty sweet Obama T. That was a hit with the crowd. With a few sprays of Fe breeze, we'll be packing that away for the white elephant hall of fame to add to the mix next year. We love it when crowd pleasers make their way back to the exchange. Notice a future hall of famer on Landon's wrist. He's sporting our white elephant gift from 2009.... a flashy gold wrist watch of the virgin Mary from Big Lots that we received. He's been saving it to wear for such an occasion as this.

Andrea set up a photo booth for some camera fun. We had lots of fun gifts to display and wear. Thought I'd share a few of my favorites from the night. We had a great party weekend with fun friends.

she finally recovered

After lots of snuggling and a reunion with lovey, Eliza Kate was in the holly jolly spirit of Christmas again. She needed the comfort of milk on her tummy too. It did take a lot of work to soothe her rattled nerves and stranger anxiety woes. Lots of twirling and hugging. It's not everyday that your momma passes you off to a stranger with a white beard.

She calmed down from her sniffles & sighs just in time for Grandmama and Poppy's Christmas card photo opportunity! We can always count on Miller man these days. It's his dramatic baby sister that needs some coaxing to smile especially after such a tramatic experience. And, with time...we got a cute shot!

She did wake up from her afternoon nap in tears and when I went in to get her 30 minutes later after she wouldn't calm back down.... she said, "santa". I think it really did scar her for life...or at least the day.  I'm hoping that she'll make many more happy Christmas memories this season to erase it from her brain!

santa visit 2011

The pictures tell the story.As you can see, our Santa session this year turned into the classic toddler "screaming session" I knew in the back of my mind that this is how Eliza Kate would react to the jolly old man. There was a glimmer of hope for a "happy visit" a few days before our appointment when Eliza Kate repeatedly requested to watch the DVD of last year's Santa session.  Her whole face lit up at the sight of Santa in line. She shouted with great excitement, "Santa" and waved. Everything was picture perfect until it came time to gently place the princess in St, Nick's lap. Her joyous greeting turned into shock as if to say, "You're leaving me with him?" She was not going to have it!
 A fully arched back and loud shrills of disappointment rang throughout the corridors of the mall. It was definitely going to be an ugly cry with no hope of recovery:) Well, us ugly as she gets in her adorable Patton leather Mary Jane's.

I must say though, that I think the hilarious part of the whole experience was that Miller sat with perfect posture, hands neatly positioned, hair combed, shirt tucked in.... grinning throughout his little sister's apocalyptic melt down. He didn't even look her direction. He kept his eyes on the camera for the photographer. I was so very proud of his disposition. I think the star struck have.to.be.good.for.Santa thing did the trick. The promise of a candy cane reward was a great incentive too!

The tantrum continued to evolve with her arms stretched out begging for, "Mommy, daddy, Grandmama, Poppy..." She went ahead and went through a whole list of names who could rescue her.. Do you feel sorry for our girly yet?

With a brief intermission to give all of our ears a break, Eliza Kate paused to look back up at Santa again. And, then the crying resumed. Not even a waving Elmo from the photographer distracted her from her misery. It was sooo entertaining!

Santa wasn't even phased one bit by the loud rings of toddler screaming in his ears. So, I swooped into rescue our girly in her Christmassy attire to the safe distance in mommy's arms before they started recording. I can only handle so much unhappiness. 

Miller was thrilled to have his own chatterbox session with Santa Claus. I'm hoping I'll get to hear their little whisper session before Christmas Eve. Last year, he threw in a few surprises that we didnt' know about. He sure did occupy a lot of time with such an important man.

So, here's to future smiley Santa visits. We'll remember this screaming session for sure, It will make a great memory in Eliza Kate's rehearsal video montage if they're still doing those when she gets married!

Counting down the days until this man lands on our roof.

kid's tree

Grandmama and Poppy always need help trimming their kid friendly tree downstairs. I happen to know two little elves with a knack for tree decorating who jumped at the chance to hang more ornaments. It's almost more fun for their momma as waves of nostalgia from my childhood & of Christmas' past flood my mind with happy memories. Every reindeer,  toy soldier, angel and glittered wreath is oohed and ahhed over by the kids like a lost treasure.

Miller has really taken off with locating hooks this year and finding just the right limb to display his ornament selection. He even loves picking out the height with expert reasoning as to why he chose that exact spot. He's so into it this year! Give him a stray ornament that's fallen off the tree and he'll get the job done.

Eliza Kate discovered a picture ornament of me as a young girl circa 1991 in my Rams Cheerleading uniform.  She kept staring inside it like she was looking at someone familiar. Growing up we always had a kid friendly tree displayed in our "Georgia Room" and my mom's designer tree in the formal living room with matching ornaments and ribbon to match her decor. It was nice to have our own real estate to claim decorating our tree with fun kid ornaments and popcorn strands. I'd love to have a play room tree one day to display our growing collection of tastefully tacky & personalized ornaments.  They're gradually taking over our red & green family room tree. The kids are enjoying their own mini trees in their rooms which serve as festive nighlights.

I love how she's peeking around Grandmama's plaid apron.

Miller truly loved discovering each new treasure from the box. Glad my friendly little elves could help you trim your tree. It needed sprucing up!  The tree will be Christmas morning ready when we open presents as a family!

Grandmama's Bake Shoppe 2011

We looove family traditions during Christmastime. Grandmama is always so sweet to invite Miller over for an afternoon of gingerbread decorating. We had to reschedule this event the weekend of the stomach bug. We weren't about to infect the grandparents with his awful sickness. Miller's patience paid off, and the reward was a candy filled decorating craft with his Grandmama. Little sister watched longingly from the observation bar. She's almost old enough to participate. It didn't take her long to figure out that there were treats involved in this project. She got to sample along with brother. That's all part of the experience!

Grandmama worked her icing magic for a cute scarf, buttons and eyes.

Sprinkles are always a big hit!

Group shot with Mr, Gingerbread Man all dressed and decorated before he met his fate.

We finally caught up with Mr. Gingerbread Man and he tasted so yummy according to Miller and Eliza Kate.

Decorating in Grandmama's kitchen is always a treat! More photos of the rest of our afternoon in Part 2....