Decorating a Gingerbread Tree

Lots of my friends have been decorating Gingerbread Houses and I felt like a bad mama not getting one to do with Sophia.  With Jax, we just never got around to getting one.  Of course, when I went to Target yesterday, 5 days before Christmas, they only had 2 left and of course BOTH were VERY broken!  I saw this tree kit and thought, hey, it could be fun!  Honestly, for this age (days away from 3), I felt like I like the tree better!  It took less time (great for the short attention span) and was VERY easy to assemble!  There were minimal choices for decorations which is always a good thing too!!

Notice when you see our creation below it looks NOTHING like the example on the box!  

She did a great job assembling it herself (with only a little help from me!)

She begged me to eat some ... I told her it was only for decorating, but caved with the 1/2 inch size  star that should have been at the top! :) 

Putting on the little balls, aka light bulbs!

Laughing at Aunt Sarah and Hannah!  

Yes, I know you are all coveting this BEAUTIFUL creation right now!  Be inspired to decorate now ... :)

 Jackson was sleeping during all this Christmas tree decorating fun, so that meant that Mommy and Jackson got some quiet time alone while sis was napping!  Isn't my little boy just adorable?  I got his little onesie at the Hendricks County Craft Fair!  I just love it so much!! :)  My little man with his lil' ho-ho-ho tie!!

Sweet, sweet boy!

Do you have any fun decorating traditions you like to do with your kids or while you were growing up?

Making Fun Memories Together!

Wow, what a whirlwind of a month!  Can't believe December is almost over!!!

Last week Sophia brought home Christmas Presents from preschool!  I asked her, "did you make these for mommy and daddy?"  She said, "No, my teachers did!"  Ha!  I had to laugh ... brutally honest huh?  At least I know those are her hand prints!

Sophia's Christmas Gift to Mommy! Thanks DD teachers!

Sophia's Christmas Present for Daddy!

The past two years in MOPS we have done a Christmas Craft!  I LOVED this one!  So easy to make, looks so pretty!!  Even has a string of lights on it!!  Sweet!

My 2011 MOPS Christmas Craft!  LOVE IT!!

 Friday night we drove through the light display at Ellis Park!  This is as close as she got to Santa ... yep, all the way across the room!!  Santa looks better from the distance huh?

Christmas in Ellis Park

 Saturday evening we headed to Hummel Park for the First Annual Christmas Experience.  We got to see a live Nativity Scene, live animals, Mary, Joseph, and "pretend" baby Jesus because it was way too cold for a real baby!  There were donkey and pony rides and a HUGE camel!!  They had cookies and hot chocolate as well as The Grinch playing!  Sophia's favorite part ... the 10 min train ride ... it was so cold outside and she waited patiently for 45 min.  The girl can be patient when she is getting something she really wants!  Guess we are all like that ... just don't like to admit it, huh?

Waiting for the train at Hummel Park

Finally our turn ... so excited!  A very patient girl waited 45 min!

Here we go!!

 I have been attempting to keep the camera close by so I can get more pictures of my sweet boy!  I can see why my mom had double or triple the pictures of me compared to my sister!  The second born just doesn't get the camera time of the first born!  Look at my boy ... good neck control and enjoying the Bumbo!  Too bad it is pink! HA!

Daddy's Little Elf!

 I hardly have any pictures of me and THE BOY!  Love the tree in the background!

Having fun with the camera!

Ummm ... wait a minute mom!!

This boy is all smiles most of the time (well, after a diaper change, eating, and a nap!)  He just melts my heart!

All smiles with a full tummy!  Love my mommy's milk!

Looking forward to wonderful CHRISTmas memories as a family of FOUR on Sunday!!

Sneak Peek ...

 ... of our Holiday Weekend Pictures!!

One Very Happy Turkey (and Her Aunt Sarah!)

Watching the Train! All Smiles! :)

More pictures to come once they are edited!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas ....

... usually I am less than excited to get out Christmas Decorations before Thanksgiving!  Actually, I *typically* refuse to decorate till 12/1!  This year something seems different!  Don't know why, but I am in the Christmas mood extra early!  I was super ambitious today and got down all my decorations from the attic and EVEN put them up!!  Here are a few shots of my hard work!  Thank heavens for super glue ... Sophia and breakable ornaments don't seem to mix well! HA!!

Do you have any favorite holiday decorating traditions?