Gingerbread Houses

The kids love making gingerbread houses, but I don't want to buy a $10 kit for each of them and I'm not too good at the graham cracker houses. I came across this pan this year that is in the shape of a gingerbread house and I thought it would be perfect. Nobody else was quite as excited as I was about but I still had faith that it would turn out well.
I mixed together a gingerbread cookie mix (I'm going with simplicity right now) and Miles and Carter each got to press it in the pan. We cooked them one day and decorated the next day.

Carter going to town with the frosting.

Miles is more focused and has a definite idea in mind of how he wants his to turn out.

Carter is so proud of his creation. He even has frosting on his shoulder.

Miles masterpiece.

Despite some skepticism they turned out great. Miles and Carter both had a good time decorating and it was a whole heck of a lot easier than putting an entire house together. Here is to a new and easy tradition!

A visit to see Santa!

Christmas is fast approaching and I realized we hadn't had the chance to visit with Santa yet. We usually run into him somewhere along the way and since we hadn't we decided we needed to make a trip to see him. We headed to our nearest mall which happened to be Valley Fair mall. We got there at 4:00 right before Santa got back from lunch or something. There wasn't a very long line but there was a line and Carter does not like to wait. Poor kid.

Miles so excited. His front teeth are a little big for his smile right now.

Carter is excited too. His teeth are another story in and of themselves.

Getting close to Santa.

They were so glad they got to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. As we were driving there Miles was going down his list and Quinn and I were listening thinking, well it sounds like Santa will be prepared for you. Then Carter started on his list for Santa and Quinn and I started panicking. Nothing sounded familiar. It is a good thing we went and saw Santa when we did. As we were walking away from Santa he stopped them and said, now you need to stop any fighting. It was awesome. We keep reminding them that Santa knows when they are fighting.

There was a little train there and two little boys had their hearts set on riding it. I went to see how much it was and came back and said it is $3 per person. So, one of you can go. The Christmas spirit was gone as they were not ready to give up their ride for the love of their brother. I only let that last for a few seconds before I told them they could both ride it. Carter looks more excited about the train than he did for Santa. Oh little boys.

What a cool train!

They wanted to sit in the coal car. They took a little trip outside and then back inside. Someday these boys are going to grow up and it breaks my heart.