Almost Christmas....last year

The holiday season (last year) was yet again, full of fun! This is just a smattering of pictures, maybe some words to accompany. The above picture was taken at a neighborhood not too far away. We walked around a lake (in the dark with disobedient kids) surrounded by trees with beautiful lights. Arlo was rockin' that three year old fake smile. Ha! 

I will begin with saying that around Thanksgiving last year, my mom asked if there was anything I would enjoy receiving for Christmas. My answer was "mama, all I would love is for you to make me an apron." Her creativity & skills are just over the moon & within a week of my request, this adorable Christmas cookie apron was on my doorstep! And then, a few weeks after that, she surprised me with a year round one! That girl, I just love her : ) 

Our past gingerbread house experiences have been ANYTHING but successful due to many factors.
Because of that history, I was reluctant to try again. Rob encouraged me to attempt real gingerbread this year & it worked! The best part was that it was actually fun with 10 little helping hands.  I baked it all & Robby helped me assemble the night before and sadly, we were one house short. Poor Arlo ended up with a small shack. We took the kiddos to Central Market & everyone got to choose a couple candies.  We were all set up & ready to go! Let the decorating begin!

Arlo didn't mind the shack as long as he could cover it in sugar!

Just before December I discovered the option for a live photo.  The live version of the following picture is one of my favorites. The amount of squealing & laughing makes your eardrums feel like they may burst BUT the picture sure turned out cute!

Instead of choosing an official winner, Robby names each one. The kids love it! 

The names for 2018 Gingerbread Baking Extravaganza:

Charlotte- Quintessential Martha
Eloise- "There's no place like home" as she swirled it up in the air to take a bite
Owen- Rooty Tooty, fresh & fruity
Anson- Type 2...as in diabetes
Arlo- Lights up all year round

Onward & upward in the gingerbread world!

Another serious Arlo smile....

Little Lolo-bird got to put the star on the tree. It has made it through every Christmas since the year we got married while the broken ornament pile grows larger & larger. Small price to pay to have a house full of little ones!

Advent season was kicked off once again with a beautiful performance by the Children's Chorus. 

Just a few days before Christmas the kids & I had a "leapover" in Arlo language at Auntie Deb's & Uncle Joe's house.  It was full of Twister, tire swings & tons of sugar!

 It was all part of a plan to surprise the kids with their very own playground in the backyard. The plan went off without a hitch & they were SO excited when we arrived home! To be honest, I was more excited than they were!

They couldn't believe it & were so quick to express their gratefulness. We have all enjoyed having it in the yard especially with our school days. It's a popular place for lessons or read-alouds. Not so much in this 105 degree heat index day after day but the fall is a comin!

Well, this gets us to just before Christmas : )