Gingerbread houses...

Yesterday we attended our neighbor's Annual Gingerbread House Decorating event. This was our FIRST. What fun! I had the insane idea that Fender and I could go over and tackle this project...I would create a masterpiece and he would play with other kids...well that is sort of what happened if you change "I" to Drew, me, and my sister creating a "times running out, let's hurry up and get-it-doner" while taking turns running after Fen to keep him out of all the neighbors cabinets, out of all the icing and sweets, and out from under all the trampling big kid and adult feet (he was the youngster by a couple of years). Drew had to fix a faulty foundation and stabilize the roof to begin with...well, I did mention it was my FIRST and I have notes now so we should be better prepared next time. :) Still...our house ROCKS! It all came together just fine in the end.

So without further ado, prepare to feast yours eyes on lots of tasty gingerbread homes, only one of which had actual gingerbread as a foundation because she found it at the store. Ah...the master revealed her secret. There were 10 total (9 houses and one spaceship). :) The first two show all the houses, and then I just posted a few close ups so you can see how different they all were.

 
 
 
 

Which one is ours you ask?????? The one with the yummy chocolate covered graham cracker and sour watermelon roof on the cardboard in the first picture. Also picture number three. Note our towering chocolate soldier keeping watch over all the sweets.

O Tannenbaum...

I finally finished decorating the tree and I love it, of course. I love all Christmas trees, especially all our Christmas trees, and as luck would have it, we have the best tree in the world, yet again. :) It was actually cold enough lately that we had the fireplace going too, and boy has it felt like Christmas! :)

Also want to say Happy Birthday to Fender's Auntie L and Great Grandmother Powell who both had birthdays this week! We love you.

 

 

 

 

Horse'in around...

 
 

14 month piano recital involvs a climbing act...
 
 

Holidays...

Continuing the holiday fun...
Drew and I at a holiday party.
 

Fen and Dad watching the local Christmas parade...
 

The fire trucks were big and loud...
 

The Grinch slid by...
 

Wouldn't be a true Texas parade without someone riding a Longhorn thru town...

Moments captured...

 
 
 

Holiday fun and haircuts...

Fender had a holiday filled weekend last week. Friday night I took him to see his Cousin and Godfather, Garrett, in the band at the High School holiday musical. Fender loved the music and the dancers and sat quietly through the entire show. The next morning, Drew and I took him for a "Breakfast with Santa" at the local Methodist Church School. He wasn't so fond of Santa or sitting alone on the sleigh and the pictures didn't pan out so well, but they do show how desperately he needed his haircut! So after the breakfast (I know...should have gone before...but it was early), he got his second hair cut with Daddy. Though Daddy said this was his first "real" haircut because he sat so well and allowed her to cut as much and as long as she needed and she got the shears out and was able to shave exactly wherever was needed. Not so much as a peep through the whole thing. Below you can see the contrast in the long hair and post haircut.

Garrett is the left most male in the back row. He plays trombone and did a great job in his solo that evening.
 

 
 
 

More florida fun...

Also in Florida, we got to take a trip to the zoo and attend a HS playoff football game.






Back at home, Auntie L left a box full of musical toys for me to play with...

Holiday fun...

Fender had a fun, family and food filled holiday in Florida. I'll just post pictures since there are quite a few. December arrives tomorrow Christmas is on the way. Happy Holidays to everyone.

Our hosts...Pop carving the turkey and Nana preparing all the fixings.
 
 

Fender loved playing with the animals...especially little Gigsy (pup that loved playing with Fender as much as Fender liked playing with him) and there was also, Dust, an old cat that actually let him hug, pet, kiss, and maul him a bit before running away up the stairs.
 

Our boy also loved playing in the kitchen drawers, Tupperware, refrigerator, pots and pans...you name it.
 




Well, with all the chaos in the pictures above, I'm sure you can understand the need for a Fender cage from time to time. :)

Happy Thanksgiving...

Before the week gets any more hectic, we wanted to be sure to wish all of you a wonderful Thanksgiving. Currently "Daddy" is in Boston for the night and due back late tomorrow. "Momma" is sick with viral bronchitis...yick, but taking meds for the symptoms, which is supposed help me rest better and heal faster. If all goes well, we're off to Florida on a super cold and early Turkey day morning. Should be fun. I love holidays with a chill in the air. It just feels right. :) And even though we're off for a warm Thanksgiving, here at home, the high is supposed to be around 48 degrees F. Get those fires crackling.