A Couple of Gingerbread House Making Tips

Lick the frosting after piping to ensure a good seal.

Always have an extra pair of little hands help in applying delicate pieces.

Santa Claus Came to Town!

We had special visitors stop by on Monday night. Mr. and Mrs. Claus were in the neighborhood and were so nice to pay us a visit. At first, McKay was quite surprised and in awe to see a real-life Santa at our door, but after a few minutes he became quite shy and clingy. Santa tried to bribe him with a candy cane and marshmallows (his favorite), but it didn't work. We have a large Father Christmas figure that McKay hugs and kisses on a daily basis...McKay will even say, "Ho, ho, ho." I think it was too close to bedtime for much of a positive reaction...but it was still so much fun to have them (nicest people) stop by...we know they had a busy night making 24 stops in the neighborhood.

McKay's first time sitting on Santa's lap (different Santa) actually happened a few days earlier at our ward Christmas party. Maybe McKay knew something was fishy since the two Santas didn't look alike.

Transformation

BEFORE

AFTER

I was on a quest to find an old cheap desk to refinish for Red Mountain's (elementary school in Ivins) Jubilee of Trees entry. I searched everywhere in St. George before I enlisted the help of my fab sister, Holly. She found this beauty at the Catholic Thift Shop in Cedar. She was quite the negotiator and talked them down from $30 to $20. It was perfect! Our theme for the tree was "A Christmas Carol". It totally looked like a piece Scrooge would have.

I love the feeling of turning junk into treasure. The desk needed a lot of work and smelled yucky. After a little sanding, some hammering, adding wood putty and lots of painting I think it turned out quite nice. I was sad to part with it. I was trying to find a way to keep it, but the only way this desk could be mine would be to buy the tree....the last bid I saw tonight was at $1271! I'll always have pictures. Here is one of me saying my last goodbye:

Here's what it looked like next to the tree I helped decorate:


It looked a lot better in person. My flash kind of ruined the effect of the lighting.
Here's a closer picture:

One down with two to go!

We were invited to Alan's house for a delicious Thanksgiving feast with the Pearson family. Most of the family has other plans for Thanksgiving Day, so we were able to celebrate a little early. We missed Janet, Suzanne and their families.

Looking at it makes me hungry all over again. As good as it looked, it tasted even better!


The lineup.

Obviously it was too good to talk.

Two of my gorgeous nieces, Rachel and Katie.

McKay's favorite part was giving Maggie kisses through the window.

Best of Halloweens ever it was!

Halloween is typically my least favorite holiday. I'm not a fan of creepy stuff---spider webs, scary masks, fake blood, etc. I did have a lot of fun last year dressing my baby up for the first time, so I was looking forward to this Halloween more than usual. I really enjoyed making and searching for stuff for our costumes. I'm especially thrilled with my little Yoda. I never thought I would tear up watching my child trick-or-treat. I guess since it was something that I've waited so long for I was a little emotional. He was so cute following his big cousins. As they got to the door, they would wait for McKay to catch up. He learned what to do pretty quick. He maneuvered through the kids to get to the front and held out his bucket. He is so big!



I'm really not much of a Star Wars fan, but I know how much Nathan is. When we registered for baby gifts he made sure to put a lightsaber on the list. We got it (thanks to Misty) and it is one of McKay's favorite toys.

Han Solo, Yoda and Princess Leia

I had McKay put on a costume I got from Old Navy for $1. He wanted it off and told me so many times. He held still just long enough to get a few pictures, but if you look close you can see the tears in his eyes. (I felt like the mom from A Christmas Story.)

Happy Birthday to a Wonderful Husband and Father!!!

Last week was such a busy week that I neglected doing a birthday post dedicated to my best friend and husband, Nathan. We have been through many ups and downs together and there isn't anyone in the world more perfect for me. He is loving, patient and kind. I look forward so much to when he comes home from work each day. I love being together on the weekends and I hate it when Monday comes around and he has to go back to work. He is a great provider for our family and takes such good care of us. He is a constant example to me of goodness. I am amazed at his spirituality and his desire to do what is right. He is a great source of comfort to me and lifts my spirits when I'm down. McKay and I are so lucky to have him in our lives!

We celebrated Nathan's birthday a week early with a family birthday/Halloween party at our house. Nathan is a twin and also had a niece celebrating a birthday so we celebrated for all three.

The Great Pumpkin birthday cake.

What a bunch of cute cousins!

We celebrated again on Nathan's actual birthday (10/30) with another little party and had our friends, the Kemps, join us. We had the kids dress up to give them another opportunity to wear their costumes.

Nathan and his buddy, Indiana Jones (Kaeleb).

Yoda and Indiana

FYI: Pig ears make great Yoda ears! (Once we got past the "ick" factor they were pretty cool.)

What's wrong with this picture?

Absolutely nothing.