Gingerbread Houses

Our Christmas season would not be complete if we didn't decorate a gingerbread house so, as in past years, we headed over to the Worsley's house for our annual tradition. This year our houses were pre-built which made it much easier and they didn't fall apart on our drive home. The kids had a great time decorating (and eating lots and lots of candy). I think at least half of Abi's candy made it in her mouth instead of on her house!

All the girls hard at work

Jami and Claire

Working double duty

Thoroughly enjoying a frosted gingerbread man

The girls and their houses

Christmas Sing-Along

Today was Abi's Christmas Sing-Along. It was so cute and fun to see the kids perform the Christmas songs that they have been practicing all month long.

Waving to all of her 'fans' in the audience

Great Wolf Lodge

For Christmas this year, Ferryboat Grandma and Great Grandpa gave us a stay at Great Wolf Lodge. Ferryboat Grandma joined us for our overnight stay and we all had a great time exploring the waterpark, playing games and relaxing. Abi loved the wave pool and even went down the big slides all by herself. Brady also had fun, despite getting a cold while we were there. He had absolutely no fear and headed straight for the kiddie pools and slides - thank goodness for life jackets!

One of Abi's favorite parts of Great Wolf Lodge - the sweet shop!

Exploring the waterpark

Abi LOVED the "bunky bed" in our room

...and B loved the mouse!

Giving the mouse a kiss!

Playing the Magic Wand game

Thanks again Ferryboat Grandma and Great Grandpa for the great Christmas present - we had a wonderful time!

My Little Ralphie

My version of Ralphie from Christmas Story

This can't be my daughter...

I absolutely HATE going to the dentist, yet Abi colored this beautiful picture, adorned with stickers and all, to give to her dentist at her appointment this afternoon.

Well, at least my fear has not rubbed off on her yet. We'll see how she feels after a few rounds of braces! :)

Christmas Cookies

Five years ago, Josh and I started a tradition of making Christmas cookies and delivering them to friends and family. Even with the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we have managed to stay true to our annual tradition and 2010 was no different.

A few friends have commented that they wish they could be a fly on the wall during one of our Christmas cookie weekends so this year I decided to take a few pictures to document our craziness.

Josh, or as I like to call him, The Cookie Nazi. He is nothing but business on these weekends.

The chaos of our kitchen

And the final product...banana bread, jeweled oatmeal cookies, homemade oreos, chocolate-dipped peppermint meringues, butter cookies, mexican wedding cookies, rum balls and peanut butter munchies!

Someone is happy about the abundance of cookies around the house!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

Yesterday we headed to Seattle with Ferryboat Grandma to enjoy some of the downtown Christmas festivities. We started at the Teddy Bear Suite at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel. Then headed to the Sheraton to see the gingerbread houses. Finally, we went to Westlake to see the Christmas lights and ride the carousel. We ended the day by decorating the Christmas tree. It was a great start to the holiday season!

-The Teddy Bear Suite-

The bed of bears

I think Santa is having a tough time finding Brady's name on his list :)

-Gingerbread Houses-

Although it is hard to see from these pictures, the details on each of these "houses" is so impressive!

Another great picture taken by Abi with Josh's Nikon camera

-The Carousel-

Of course, Abi had to have the purple horse!

-Decorating the Tree-

Brady wasn't sure what to make of the big tree that appeared in our family room