Gingerbread Houses

We finally had a few hours that we were all home so we could put together our Gingerbread houses. This year I got a little village that way everyone had their own house to put together. It worked out really well there was not fighting.

No worries Alyse is not bleeding she had been eating the frosting. Mike and Alyse teamed up and did a house together.

Ella and I worked on a house together.

Nyah and Adelynn were on their own.

We decided to make it into a competition. When the houses were all complete Mike called our neighbor Gary to come over and judge the houses. We put them all in the center of the table and didn't tell the Gunns who's house was who's. Adelynn won! They said that hers was the most unique.

Dec. 23, 2011

Sugar Cookies

There is one thing about Christmas that is a must have and that's my Mom's sugar cookies. I did so good I put the crazy Keri away and let Nyah and her friend Halle make the sugar cookies. I normally don't ever let the kids roll the dough out and cut out the shapes and most of all I never let them frost them. I just hate the mess. But look at me this year I just got out all the stuff and left the room.

The kids had a blast making their own cookies.

It really wasn't to bad of a mess either.

I'm glad that I just chilled and let the kids make and decorate cookies. They all had such a great time.

Christmas Parties

Tis the season for all the Christmas parties. We kicked it off this year with a family party with my side. My Dad came down from Idaho to join us and Eric's family. We had a great evening. We started the night with a yummy lasagna dinner. This was really a stretch for me not having turkey or ham but I promised Mike I wouldn't become crazy stressed out women if I could have the parties. When I went to the store to get the ham which was on sale they were out. I didn't want to have to go to another store my little ones are usually only good for one store. So I didn't freak out I just picked a new menu. It turned out great.

After dinner we started playing all the tradition games you play for Christmas one of my favorite the white elephant gift exchange.

When we all had sore checks and stomachs from all the laughing we moved on to the next game. You sit in a circle and pass dice around if you rolled a 4 you would go to the middle put on a hat, scarf, and gloves and begin to open the gift. The gift was wrapped a few time. The person who ends up opening it gets to keep it. Mike and Kristina were hot for rolling 4's. Mike ended up opening the leg lamp from Christmas Vacation. Love the show so I thought it was a funny gift. We visited for the remaining evening. We had such a nice night.

My Dad told the little girls that right before bed they could open the gifts from him and my Mom. The girls all loved everything they got. Alyse is by far the cutest when she opens gifts she stands up and dances around with her gift then runs and kisses and hugs the person who gave her the gift.

I love this picture!

My parents got Ella a puzzle which she loves! When I say loves I mean that's all she does all day is put together puzzles. She is pretty good at them too. Ella really enjoyed putting her Micky puzzle together with Grandpa. She gives a high five for every piece you get into place!

Dec. 16, 2011

A few days latter we had Mikes family Christmas party! This was the first year ever in a long time maybe since all the kids lived at home that everyone was together. Jason and his kids were here. Mechelle and her family was here from California, Tiffany and her kids, Mark and his family, and Mike parents. We had a full house with lots of fun. Mikes cousin Chy and her family even joined in on the fun. We played all the same fun Christmas games and ate appetizers tell we couldn't eat any more.

Mike won the best white elephant gift! It just goes to show he can make anything look good.

Just like Mike his twin sister Mechelle can make anything look good as well. We had such a good time with all the parties this year. Family and the holidays go hand and hand.

Dec. 20, 2011