Christmas Morning

This is us on Christmas morning. We had to wake up Chance and Kirstyn, but at least the littles got up on their own.

Sierra got several different books, a fact Kirstyn was pitying her for. But a few minutes later we had to remind Sierra to open her next gift because she was so engrossed in her story :)
Amazing fact: Chance and Kirstyn have always had to be woken up on Christmas morning, even as little children.

Little knights. Eli is so serious, he looks like he is ready to ride off to defend the kingdom.

Gingerbread Birthdays

Okay, I might have figured out the picture thing.

A couple of weeks ago we were invited to a birthday party where we decorated gingerbread houses. Tonya had baked mountains of gingerbread and cut them into the appropriate shapes, she made gobs of thick, white, frosting and filled gallon-size baggies with the corners clipped like pastry bags, and she set out big bowls of candy, pretzels and cereal.

Hailey set right to work, she built like a pro. Sierra had some cave-in issues, but she was diligent. Kirstyn and I were trying to help the boys. They likely would have done better on their own. No one ever accused me of being crafty, and I don't think they are going to start now. One mom was building, um helping her son build a beautiful house, and Eli looked at theirs and then at his and said, "No, mom! Build it like that one!" When Sierra asked her how she was making it stay together so well she explained that mom's just have this innate ability to craft. Well, if I got that gene in childbirth it must be dormant.

A great time was had by all, even if some of us had flat roofs instead of peaked.

Doesn't she look happy?