Ginger bread house contest, family in town & December in general

I really can't believe Christmas is here in just a few days..

Becca had a little dance performance the other night, It was fun to see her big smile up on stage. She enjoyed every minute of it! Can't wait for the next performance in May I think?

My niece and nephew came into town for Christmas! Last night we made gingerbread homes....or technically I guess we made gram cracker homes  (which are so much better by the way). I think there was at least 30 LBS of sugar at the table. My laundry room is currently storing the houses....it smells so incredibly good in there!! Anyway it was seriously a lot of fun, we were all in it to win it. I was too, until my house came crashing down....I was pretty much devastated to say the least. At that point I joined my dad on the couch who was watching "It's a wonder life" to forget about my gingerbread house troubles :). Thanks again mom for making who knows how many batches of frosting! 

Tonight I think we are going to go see the Elves at Gardner Village, such a magical place :)

 At the dance performance. And the egg nog I have been enjoying :)

 I had to totally exaggerate the exposure for these 2 pictures as you can see. It was still so dark out before church, and I forgot to take a picture later that day. They looked so cute, just like sugar plum fairies!

 Making sugar cookies at Nana's house

 Mine just after it crashed, It even had little bows on the wreathe.

 I had to document Nathan, who was working hard the entire time we were playing

 This is how the girls looked when they woke us up this morning, they were reindeer :)

 Livy playing the in bathroom

Candy Cane Cookie Night At Nana Lords

On Sunday we were invited to come make candy cane cookies with Nana and Grandpa Lord. It was such a fun festive night, just what we seriously needed to get us in the Christmas spirit! I was feeling a little grinchy due to lack of snow...(it is snowing right as we speak FYI, which is pretty great)! I am happy to report that I'm feeling a lot less grinchy now.

 I caught Grandpa sneaking some dough..Can't say that I blame him :)

December thus far....

This month has been pretty mellow thus far, and I think I like it that way :). Livy is finally recovering from a cold, virus that that really took a toll on her :(. But she is back to her mostly happy self, Becca is still plugging away at school and dance. Rachel has been my little sidekick these days. This morning she was singing deck the halls to herself while putting together a puzzle right by me...one of those mommy memories that will hopefully never fade. The last few days we have been enjoying wood burning fires morning and night...seriously the best thing! It makes everything cozy, warm and wonderful. I love to just sit and listen to the fire cracking away, such a fabulous sound. A few pictures from our week.....Remember that I still don't have a real camera so forgive the quality :)

 A potted tree thanks to home depot :) Can't wait to plant it! Bow and twigs gathered from our yard

 Beccas letter to Santa :)

Our dancing tea light candles we like to light up at dinner time, they are so magical!