Holiday decorating!

We have been very busy this past week making and decorating many holiday treats. The first was the gingerbread houses. I decided to make my own house this year so they would be edible. They were fairly easy to do except the putting together part. I had to hold them together for a while to let them dry. Anyway, this is what they looked like before the kids started decorating.

Aidan placing the candy in just the right spot, while Peyton is eating the icing.
That was her favorite part, the icing. She licked the bowl clean and then asked for more.
We also made a couple of gingerbread men to go along with the houses.
The finished product. Peyton's is on the left and Aidan's on the right.
Next were the sugar cookies, and once again the icing was her favorite.
Aidan didn't think it was too bad either!
Working very hard.
The kids picked the icing colors they wanted to use. We used purple and pink (Peyton's choices), and blue and yellow (Aidan's choices).
Adding the sprinkles was a ton of fun. Of course to the kids the more the better!
Peyton's finished cookies.
Aidan's finished cookies.
The kids had a great time decorating, and we had a great time watching them have so much fun!

Making Christmas cookies

Today Sara and Nick came over to make cookies. The kids liked helping for a little while, but Sara and I did most of the baking.


One of their favorite thing to do is stir. Peyton helping Aunt Sara stir her cranberry cookies.
Aidan and Peyton helping Aunt Sara again!
Helping roll the thumbprints in nuts, and then making the print.
Peyton really liked putting the cinnamon candies on the rice crispy wreaths.
One of the cookies the kids really did help with were the nutter butter snowmen. I dipped them in white chocolate, and then the kids decorated them to make a snowman.
The finished product!
Rice crispy wreaths.
Cherry nut balls.
Thumb prints and mexican wedding balls.
I had a good time making the cookies and watching the kids decorate. Thank you Sara for helping! Now I just have sugar cookies and a gingerbread house to make!

NC snow day #2

It is snowing again here in NC. Very unusual for this early, but we may actually get more snow on Saturday as well.



Unfortunately, it is not the nice, fluffy snow you can play in. It is the wet, rainy kind. The kids were not very happy that they could not play in it.
So this is what they did instead. Snuggled together to watch a movie!

Disney on ice-Toy story 3

On Wednesday night, we went to see Disney on ice-Toy story 3. The kids enjoyed the show, but by the end they were ready to go. Peyton danced a lot, and her favorite part were the barbies.
Aidan's favorite part were the toy soldiers.


Everybody waiting for the show to start.





After we found our seats we decided to go get some snacks. Aidan is being a nice big brother by helping Peyton down the stairs.

The kids each decided on ice cream dipping dots.
Peyton enjoying chocolate,
while Aidan is enjoying rainbow ice.
YUM!
We were in the first row of the second level, which was great because the kids could stand up to see without bothering anyone.
Alien claw game part.
Woody and Jesse.





It was hard to get pictures because it was so dark, but the videos turned out pretty good, so here is one of everyone.

Riding in wagons with friends and planting flowers

Just a few fun things we have been up to lately.


Riding in the wagon with friends!
Going to IHOP for the free scary face pancake on Halloween weekend!
Building huge block towers!

Planting and watering new flowers and seeds!

Smores

A couple of weeks ago, since the nights started getting cooler, we decided to break out the fire pit. Of course when there is a fire, you have to roast marshmallows. And when there is marshmallows, there must be smores. So that is exactly what we did.


The kids with the neighbors waiting for the fire to settle a little, so they can get started roasting.


The kids had a great time roasting the marshmallows, but didn't like eating them. I know, crazy! The adults took care of the eating part,no problem! The kids did decide it was a good idea to steel all of the chocolate and eat it.







So we were left with only marshmallows, which was not problem, as you can see!

Halloween 2010

We had a great Halloween! We started out with a chili and beer bread dinner. We met up with neighbors and friends outside for a little playtime before heading out.

Peyton the kitty cat all dressed and ready to go.

Aidan met up with some friends, Simon the storm trooper, and Blake as wolverine. Aidan was spider-man of course!
August the chicken also made an appearance.
Peyton with her friend Jack the panda.
Nicholas dressed as a scary skeleton.
Elliot, the cutest pirate that you ever did see!
An attempt to get a picture of all the kids.
Emily as an awesome witch.
After all the playing and the pictures, it was time to actually go trick or treating.
Peyton had a great time and was not scared or shy at all. She heard the word candy and was all in!
It was hard work though so Jack and Peyton decided to rest when we got back.
Just a funny note: As we got farther down the street Peyton was concerned that she could not see our house. She kept saying " we're getting to far! I can't see my house,mommy!"

Also Jon and I had ti split up. He went with Aidan and the big kids, and went with Peyton the Jack, the little ones. Aidan made it around the whole block, while Peyton and I only made it up the street and back. Needless to say Aidan had a lot more candy.

We played a little more with friends and called it a night. Peyton is still wearing her costume, she loved it so much!