Gingerbread houses

As I've done in the past years, I invited my neices and their kids over to make gingerbread houses. I started this when it was just Kendra and Sydney and now it has grown to 11 kids (actually 12, but Lindsey and Kevin were in Edmonton so Gavin didn't get a house. Next year!) My mom was here this year and she made most of the houses the day before and we also had Auntie Sylvia come to lend a pair of extra hands. Karla appreciated this as her little man was only 1 week old. We were glad that she was able to make it out the door with her 4! This was also the first year for Courtney to participate with her little guy Finn. We even managed to get the end picture with all the kids and their houses! See you all next year!

Sydney and Kendra looking very serious about their creations.



Jocelyn didn't quite understand the concept of putting candies on her house when it looked like much more fun to just eat the candies!

Owen had a definite plan for his house:  Put on as much icing as it could hold and then cover all that icing with jellybeans and gummie bears - the candies that were his favourite!

Carson being quite particular about how his candies were arranged.

Hudson getting a little help from his mom.

The whole crew (L to R):  Finn, Judah, Owen, Addison, Kendra, Hudson, Sydney, Bryce, Berlin, Carson, Jocelyn.



Gingerbread houses

The making of the gingerbread houses is becoming a bit of a tradition in our house. Every year between Christmas and New Year's, my neice's bring over their kids and each child gets to decorate their own little house. As the kids get older, it is fun to watch them each decorate their own house and make it their own. They all have their favourite candies and their unique way of piling on as many candies as possible! Kendra, Owen and Sydney all did a great job of designing their houses, while Carson and Berlin did a great job of eating the candies just as fast as their mom's were putting them on the houses! It was a fun morning!







The whole crew showing off their handiwork. I wonder how long they lasted in one piece? :)

Making "gingerbread" houses

When I was little, my mom always had all the grandkids over and we each got to make our own little "gingerbread" house. (Actually there are made of Graham crackers) So, I decided to carry on this tradition with my own kids and invited my neices, Karla and Jenna and their kids, Sydney, Berlin and Carson, over to make houses. This year I pre-made the houses before they came and that worked better! The oldest 3 kids had fun icing and decorating their houses while the younger 2 were content to just play on the floor. I'm sure their houses will get eaten by someone in their home!!

Getting a little help with the icing.

Owen watching Karla very carefully!

Kendra, Sydney and Owen - talking, eating and decorating. Does life get any better? :)

Once Owen figured out what this was all about, he didn't want to stop! Pile on those candies!
Berlin and Carson, just content hangin' out on the floor together!!!