It's Time To Get Merry!

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it's time to really focus on the BEST time of the year! I mean, besides Summer...

I LOVE the holiday season. Not just Christmas per se, but the whole season. The lights. The decorations. The cheer. Everyone is just happier.

And let's be honest. This is the year that we need more happy.

The girls worked on gingerbread houses - those are always a hit. We usually do several each season because it keeps them busy for a solid hour at least. ;)

I helped get the structure up and then let her go to town.

Thankfully, even with all her allergies, the candies and frosting that come with the kit are usually ok for her. Figures. 

I'm trying to get Mila to be more independent when it comes to these things. She sees me help Ava and gets...lazy. She wants me to do it because "it's easier." So of course, I gave her a hand, but also pushed her to try to do it herself. Almost 9! 

They last about a week and then I toss them. By then they've picked all the good candy off anyway.

I added another small Christmas tree and put up that wreath I bought. 

We spent Saturday at my mom's house (have I mentioned lately how much I love having my mom home? I easily see her 1-3 times per week).

We make Christmas cookies!

We legit used the same cookie cutters that I used when I was a kid. 30 years ago. 

Holy shit. 

Steve loves my homemade chocolate chip cookies so I always make a couple of batches during the holidays

The girls love raspberry thumbprint cookies. Well, Ava likes the jelly part. 

Into the oven they go! 

Delicious.

My sister made royal icing - two kids. LOL we need to practice. But it's so fun! 

I love how the icing dries hard and shiny. 

And THEN! 

Sunday we went and got our tree. 

We hit up a different tree place this year - you know, wanting to support local!

The girls loved how "Dr. Seuss" this tree looked at the tippy top. 

This guy was about 16 ft tall! Too big for where we want to put our tree. But it was gorgeous! 

And she's up! We need to straighten her out a bit. And we also realized all our lights are dead, broken, whatever, so we don't have enough. So decorating will be another day. At least it's in the house. 

Merry Christmas, folks! I'll be sure to post a pic of the finished tree.