FHE/Birthday Party/Gingerbread Houses

We had a little FHE party for Rebecca for her Birthday. We had a wonderful lasagna Dinner. Jer made his famous lasagna. Stephanie made all the side. We had a fun little party. We played Christmas Bing, Balloon wars, and had Cake and Ice Cream. We also attempted to make gingerbread houses. I said Attempted. I failed miserably. Story to come at end of post. Here we are all ready for our balloon war. Who is going to win???

Playing Christmas bingo, The winner gets a yummy candy bar.

I know you are all jealous of this picture. I can't believe Jer took it. Oh my gosh this just sums up the whole Gingerbread house night. We planned on making 2 Gingerbread houses and one Christmas tree. Kayden, put the Christmas tree together. He did a fantastic job. I was so proud of him. He just put the icing on and made the cutest tree. I forgot to take a picture of the finished project. We sent it home with the Birthday Girl.

Okay so Stephanie made the icing and lets just say it was super runny,(She followed the directions.)but it made the icing sooo runny. The icing ran down Stephanie's shirt all over her hands. We were laughing so hard. The silly walls and roof wouldn't stay on. It was crazy. I wanted to throw in the towel. The kids were being so patient waiting for their Gingerbread house. Rebecca started reading them a story to keep them busy while we tired to get the house to stick. Yeah no such luck, I was so frustrated!!! GRRRRR

oh this is so funny!!! The icing is going everywhere. But man we are having a blast.

Maybe this way will work, then again maybe not!!!

Okay we called in our Birthday girl for some help. Yeah still no luck. GRRR These darn Gingerbread houses. They have never been this difficult. We put one together every year. What is the problem????

So tonight Stephanie brings me a little treat. My very own Gingerbread House.check out Stephanie's master piece. She stayed up until 2am finishing This Gingerbread House. It's amazing, look at all the detail, can you see the gummy tree? She worked so hard on this Gingerbread house. She would/could win any competition out there. Can you believe she gave it to me? I was so finished with the gingerbread houses. They were not working, it was almost 9pm. My kids should have been in be an hour ago. I was so frazzled and ready to go home. I just left all the candy and all the supplies and houses at her house. I was like have fun.

She built it, decorated it, and gave it to me.

Wow Stephanie you are amazing.!!! I would have been like you snooze you loose.

I love my Gingerbread house. Thanks so much...

This is the back end wow does it ever end. It's so beautiful.

The side. Look at all the detail.

Lights of the South

Jeremy and I got home late on Monday night from Florida so we wanted to surprise our kids with something fun. I picked the kids up early from school. I know I know I missed them sooo much. I took them out of school at noon. We did lots of hugs and kisses. Then we picked Chandler up from School. More hugs and kisses. We picked Daddy up early, went to dinner and then our big adventure. We went to Lights of the South for the second year, wow they have added a lot of new things and changed a couple old things. We had so much fun on the hay ride. The kids loved talking to Santa and telling him we wanted a Wii for Christmas. Please Santa We have been good. I love my family so much. It was so nice to be a family again. I loved being with my husband for the weekend. But I loved hanging out as a family. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.

Guess what's missing?

Our Children are what's missing. Jeremy and I moved Sister Carol Brown down to Florida. We had the best time. We took a four day weekend. We left on Friday and came home late Monday. One of our dear friends Ashely and her family took our kids for the whole weekend. (Thanks again Ashley)

We had the opportunity to go to Universal Studios & Adventure Island. Oh my gosh we had so much fun. I know my kids are sooo jealous. We got to meet Sponge Bob, Cat in the Hat, Shrek, Spider Man, and various other characters. We had the best time, it felt like a second honey moon. It was also nice to spend some time with Sister Brown. We love her so much and she is going to be missed. Carol Brown & Tina

Jer Sponge Bob Square Pants and Tina. (Just for my kids)

We rode a Dinosaur ride I can't remember the name. We were sitting in the front seat and let's just say the water went over our heads. We were so wet. The only dry place on me is my bum. Jeremy was wearing his jacket so when he took that off he was dry. His Jacket is dripping wet. What a fun ride!

Tina The Cat in the Hat and Jeremy

Grinchmas started today with live showings of
How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Jeremy and I even got to meet The Grinch.
(Our pictures didn't turn out, and I didn't want to pay the $20 some odd Dollars for their picture.)

We came on opening day for the Macy's Holiday Parade.
It was so amazing to see all the balloons.

We got to attend a live one hour concert of
Mannheim Steamroller by Chip Davis.

Hear is the Mannheim steamroller in action. So cool

Our Tree

Branch by branch we put our tree up. Don't forget your "Santa Hat"

We have a tradition i our family that Jeremy and I started 10 years ago. You are not

aloud to set up anything related to Christmas unless you have a Santa hat. We love this tradition. Even the Dogs have their own Santa hats. Jer and the kids fluffing the tree branches

Mom Helping Chandler and Brooklyn flare out our branches.
Chandler's Got the hang of it now. He is so cute!!!!
Look even Mom is helping,

Dad is helping decorate the top of the tree

Cute kids and their Santa hats.

Look at our cute tree.

2008