Houses Sweet Enough to Eat

Here are our annual gingerbread houses! We meet up with the Drakes and the Carters every year at grandma and grandpa's house and the kids each make a candy-filled creation. Seven houses take a lot of frosting, candy and graham crackers, and make a BIG mess. (Grandma says she doesn't mind though.) We started this tradition several years ago and the kids look forward to it every year. It really is lots of fun. I have always added some of my touches to the youngest kid's house. Emma really wasn't wanting my help this year, so next year I may have to make one of my very own! Drake, Emma and Jack with their "sweet" houses.
Drake working on his roof.

Jack ate more than he decorated.

Emma did not want any help this year!

Winter Wonderland

Every year since Drake was little we have gone to Winter Wonderland to see Santa. It is one of our favorite Christmas Countdown activities. The scenes are wonderful and remind me of when I was a little girl and my mom took us to a place in Toledo every year. Just like my kids it was one of my favorite things at Christmas. We love the different scenes and have fun finding the hidden mouse in each one. We really love Mrs. Claus baking cookies in the kitchen, Santa's workshop and the Christmas train.

The kids also get to visit with Santa each year. They tell him what they want for Christmas and he tells them stories about the reindeer and what kind of cookies to leave him. Several times "Santa" has known our family personally so he calls the kids by their names and talks to them about people they know. The boys still talk about the year that Santa asked them all about their grandpa. He even knew his name!

It is a wonderful place to see the magic of Christmas in your children's eyes.

Drake, Jack and Emma in front of Canyland.
The kids with Santa.

The Christmas Parade

Adam, Jack and Emma enjoying the parade.

Drake and his friend Carson drank about three cups of cocoa each.Last Thursday night was the Jonesboro Christmas Parade. It was our Christmas countdown activity for the day so, despite the cold, we headed out to enjoy the parade! Drake met his friend Carson there and they enjoyed A LOT of free (thank you to a local boy scout troop) cocoa. Our favorites in the parade were the Grinch float, the Jonesboro High School marching band, and of course, Santa, who came at the very end. It was really cold, but we were glad we went. We had a great time!