Our Gingerbread House

After much anticipation, we finally made our gingerbread house. I bought a set this year that had all the cutters and directions to make one from scratch. We decided it would be fun and were up to the challenge, and set off on making our own homemade gingerbread house. It was tricky at times, but thankfully I had a few extra hands with Madison and Sam over. The candy decorating was the best part and we all had a great time making it.
Here are what all four sides looked like- it turned out great!
Check out the cute little gingerbread men we made to go with it- they even fit through the little doorways.

Pretend Library

We discovered a new playtime activity the other day that Jackson absolutely loves-
Play Library.

We set some books up on display on the fireplace

Found a lamp and an old gift card for the self-checkout and a library card

Then checked out books until his heart content!

Try it, we had a blast.

Sled Fun

With the first significant, plowable snow yesterday, we thought we had better get out and enjoy it today by testing out the sled. I pulled Jackson down to get the mail, and then we tried out our little hill. It isn't the greatest for sledding, but we had fun and that is what counts.
Jackson was so excited, he has been talking about sledding every time it snows even a little. It only took him a few times down to figure out how to keep the sled going upright by shifting his balance. Once he did, it was great fun and he didn't want to come in. We are looking forward to much more sledding as the winter continues on. I may even have to go myself this year with my new knee.

Ready to go at the top

Making it all the way to the bottom for the first time

Expression of pure delight on his face on the way down

Thanksgiving Prep

After much anticipation it was finally time to make our Thanksgiving pies. I love making pie, and make everything from scratch, from the crust to using a fresh pumpkin. Jackson was thrilled to participate in the whole process.
Here are the highlights from the last two days of our pie baking:

Prepping the pumpkin to bake in the oven

Using the pastry blender for the first time to make the crust

Time for a cookie break in between pies
(notice the cookies are decorated with a number and as a turkey)

Cutting and peeling the apples
(this is the greatest kitchen gadget)

The finished product-
Pumpkin and Apple pie
We can't wait to enjoy them for dessert on tomorrow.

Happy Thanksgiving!

A Hard Week

Please pray for this family, the dad passed away last week. The oldest daughter is about the same age I was when I lost my mom, and I am really feeling for her. They have an amazing story of strength and faith along with such a great attitude during their entire journey. You can check out their entire story at CarePages-teamgknoll.

The First Snow

Jackson was so excited when he woke up this morning, and the ground was covered in snow. He had been disappointed that the other few days when we saw flakes they didn't stick around, or even amount to enough to get a chance to play.
He made sure to list everything he needed to wear for outside. One of which was boots, and unfortunately we hadn't bought them yet, so before we could do anything we headed to Target to get some boots. While he was waiting to get out and play he made his plan of everything fun to do in the snow. As soon as we were home, and fully dressed it was time to enjoy the snow.

He had such a wonderful time and I enjoyed sharing in his excitement in playing in the season's first snow. I was thrilled that he actually wanted to keep his mittens on for the first year ever. Him staying nice and warm, meant that I had to convince him to eventually go inside, but he got plenty of playtime and had lots of fun.
Happy Snow!

His Snowball- that he eventually threw at Mommy

Making footprints

Making a snow angel- notice how quickly the snow was melting and how wet his snowpants were as a result, especially since he was sliding down the hill on his bottom.

My Amateur Cakes

Every year for Jackson's birthday, I make and decorate his cake myself. I am a total amateur, but it has been a lot of fun to come up with a plan for a fun cake to go with his theme every year.
I have an icing recipe from someone who actually decorates cakes, that is easy to work with, tastes good, and always makes more than enough, so I never have to worry about the icing.
The hardest part is always executing my plan, and trying to make to actual cake look like what I have pictured in my head. I have been very pleased with how they all have turned out, and Jackson had loved them, which really is the real test.
Here's how they all turned out:

Jackson's 1st birthday- Caterpillar from Baby Einstein

Jackson's 2nd birthday- Cars movie

Jackson's 3rd birthday- Thomas the Tank Engine
by far the most complicated and time consuming, but worth every second when I saw his face the next morning.

Jackson's 4th birthday- Word World cake