Gingerbread Houses

My family's here for Christmas. It's a bit crowded in our little townhouse, but only in the best way. We're taking our old Bird Family traditions and mixing them with a few newer Mann Family traditions and ending up with a super fun holiday so far. When I was 3 years old our family started making authentic German gingerbread houses. It's a big deal. It's an all-day ordeal starting with making the gingerbread, cutting out the pieces, letting it cool, constructing the homes, and then decorating them to our hearts content. By far, it's my favorite tradition growing up. This is the first year I've done it in my own home (I felt the overwhelming need to start this since Makenna is finally "of age").
Brief recap: Makenna impressed us all with her mad decorating skills; she has an acute sense for detail. I needed to overcook the bread in order for it to stand up to the harsh conditions it would undergo with all the candy/icing (I instinctively went for taste and texture, rather than for practicality); lesson learned. Addison scored big time in her high chair with a boat load of gingerbread scraps to keep her happy. Nothing much has changed over the last 27 years (more candy and icing is always consumed than used in the decorating of the houses).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love this time of year. Love my family. Love traditions.

O Tannenbaum

A couple of weekends ago we embarked on the all-American Christmas activity...chopping down your own Christmas tree.

Some words to the wise:
1. If it says it's 35 degrees outside, it will feel like 35 degrees outside, no matter how warm it is inside your house before you leave. (Don't forget gloves/mittens/scarves.)
2. Not all trees are created equal. The cheap ones are cheap for a reason. Splurge a little and get a Christmas-tree-looking-tree.
3. Your children will probably not appreciate the momentous occasion you and your spouse are pumping it up to be.
4. Just make sure you have your camera so you can show them when they're fifteen that it was, in fact, a memorable Christmas memory. Also, don't forget your tripod. There isn't a soul in sight when you've tramped through acres and acres of trees to find the perfect pine.
5. The hay ride at the end is not just for kicks- get on, that tree is heavy.
6. You'll know you've found a great tree farm if people are walking away with steaming cups of hot mulled cider. Don't be shy- they EXPECT you to go back for seconds (and thirds and fourths).







Also, pictured below is Makenna's favorite fashion accessory as of late- the monster flashlight. It's a must-have at all times.


Now we're just waiting for Grandma, Grandpa and Uncles Daniel and Eric to get here in a week! So excited.

A Child's Prayer

Makenna's prayer last night at dinner (and just about every other night):

"Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this day. Thank you that we went to Thanksgiving at Neve's house. Thank you that Gavin's mouth is feeling better. Please bless this food it nursh and strengf our bodies. In name of Jesus... and I love you...In name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Turkey and House Projects

A couple of pictures from Thanksgiving dinner. We spent it with Makenna's little friend, Neve, and her family. Everything was delicious and I kind of liked not having it at my house (less stress- eat and run:). Friday we went to go see Tangled- totally cute; Makenna loved it and I loved watching her laugh at some of the funny parts in the movie. Addison wasn't so much a fan of the movie.

But here you can see her sporting a very stylish Pocahontas-chic head dress.





In other news, Drew put up recessed lighting in our kitchen this weekend, (which looks fabulous, if I can say so) and Makenna was front and center for the show, (singing "Handy Manny" the entire time).

GO COUGS!

Just because we live 2,100 miles away from our beloved Alma Mater, doesn't mean we don't get amped up for Game Day any less than the next super fan. Spirit of the Y, baby, Spirit of the Y.

Role Play = Foul Play

I'm completely open in the fact that Makenna watches Disney movies on a regular basis. I love them. I can make dinner in peace and quiet. She loves them. They have all her favorite princesses. It's a win, win.
Except when she's intent on role playing.

Take 1: Mama, you're Scar and I be Simba, okay?

Take 2: You be all the dwarfs and I am Snow White.

Take 3: I'm Penny and you have to be Medusa. (The Rescuers)

Take 4: I be Ariel, okay Mama? And you be Ursula, or her daddy, King Tritan. Okay?

Take 5: (Makenna) Hey Mama, you are the Beast.
(Me) Well who are you then?
(Makenna) Belle, silly Mama. I am Belle and you are the Beast.


What even is that? Should I be worried in the slightest that my daughter thinks of me as the villain in her little 3-year-old mind? Or complimented that I have been given the second most important role in her movie? I suppose I'll settle on the latter.

p.s. We're at Target tonight and she looks up from the cart and states:
"Mama, your eyes are red. You drank too much Diet Coke. That's why you have red eyes." Thanks kid. Nothing like a pick-me-up after a long hard day.

This is at her Thanksgiving Feast at preschool this week. I got to help serve her class. So fun to watch her with her little friends.

Snow White and the Dwarf (a.k.a. Little Ladybug)

I had a whole fairy tale story planned for this post, but I'm being lazy and taking the easy way out (which I can't stand). All you need to know is...

*Halloween got off to a rocky start, but finished with a bang.

*Makenna was insistent on being Snow White this year after spotting the get-up at Costco back in September. We urged her to reconsider, being that Snow White has rich dark hair. "Don't you want to be Cinderella, who has beautiful blond hair all done up so pretty?" "No, I be Snow White. I like that princess best. She is my favorite princess." And so it was. Every single day for the month preceding Halloween, my little girl pranced around the house looking like a lovely little fair-haired version of "her favorite princess."

*Waiting all the way until 5 days before Halloween, I finally bought my candy stash for the big night, only to have to return to Costco 4 days later to buy yet another bag to replenish our stash (I'm not explaining, just admitting).

*All 4 Manns were sick with the "Cold of the Century" (no, I'm not being dramatic; show a little love) on Halloween night, but fortunately took advantage of our ward's Trunk-or-Treat the night before. So candy was obtained.

*Thank heavens for two kids in a row sharing the same gender. I guess this means Makenna will get her pick of the litter for costumes every year while Addison gets to dig through the recycled ones from years past. Let it be known I'm apologizing for this now.

*Last but not least, I was able to snap a few shots of my lovelies before we headed out Saturday night. I think I fall in love a little more each day with these two little souls.

Why?

These are my conversations as of late with my eldest:

(Driving home today from a play date)
Makenna: I help you with the groceries Mama?
Me: We don't have any groceries today.
Makenna: Why?
Me: Because we didn't go to the store.
Makenna: Why?
Me: Because we went to the store yesterday.
Makenna: Why?
Me: Because we went to go play instead.
Makenna: Why?
Me: Because we have friends we like to play with.
Makenna: (I'll let you guess what came next.)


(In the car, driving past an over-turned car)
Makenna: What's wrong Mama?
Me: That car flipped over.
Makenna: Why?
Me: Because he wasn't paying attention and crashed.
Makenna: Why?
Me: Because maybe he was driving too fast.
Makenna: Why?
Me: Because his 3-year-old was in the back seat asking him 'Why' every 2 seconds and he needed to get out of his flippin' car.
Makenna: Why?


I was warned of this stage. I knew it was on its way. I was actually surprised it hadn't started until now. Please tell me it's over in a week. Please?
When is it okay to just stop answering the devilish question? Give me an out here, people. Quick.

Grandpa and Ba ngoai Come to Visit!

Last week Drew's dad and step mom came to visit from Seattle and we had so much fun catching up with them. It was the first time Addison met them but she warmed immediately to both of them. We kidnapped Grandpa for the weekend and drove down to Lynchburg to visit Drew's aunt and uncle and then do Skyline Drive over the Shenandoah Valley. Beautiful! Leaves were gorgeous; girls were fantastic; car company was phenomenal. Thank you Grandpa and Ba ngoai for coming all the way to see us!





(Trying out my tripod using the timer.)

Some Funnies...

*(Walking by a neighbor's decked-out Halloween house)
Me: Whoa! Look at all these decorations Makenna!
Makenna: That's not cool. That's scary.

*(Randomly one afternoon)
Makenna: I need to feed my baby with my milk. You have big milks Mama. I have tiny milks.

*(Just after running over my sunglasses with our car)
Makenna: You broke your sunglasses Mama?
Me: Yep. They're all smashed up.
Makenna: Maybe you ask Jesus, 'Please have my sunglasses? Please, PLEASE?'

*(I accidentally stepped on her foot)
Makenna: Ouch. That hurt me. You can't hurt me. I'm precious to you.

*(Me bumming a TicTac off of her...Grandma bought her a pack of them on our trip)
Me: Can I please have another mint?
Makenna: Fine. Just one. But then no more because we're having dinner.


Is it scary that I hear myself in 50% of what comes out of her mouth? Maybe, but it's mostly endearing. Does any stage even compare to this one? It's hard to conceive of one coming close. I feel like every day I'm trying desperately to take snap shots of her in my mind, so that I'll never forget who she is in this moment in time. Sometimes she takes my breath away.

Come to think of it, they both do.

New England

We went to New England this past weekend for a wedding of one of my cousins. Ahhh...where to start.

I suppose I should start with our drive up there, starting at 4:00am, Thursday. It's downpouring. We got a new cartop carrier for our trip (the cool, new kind that looks like a duffle bag; not the X-Cargo gray and white shell that we all had growing up). Before leaving, Drew wraps all our luggage in Hefty bags just in case our "Weather-proof bag" isn't so weather-proof. We were worried about our luggage getting wet. Not 8 minutes into our 7 hour drive, a drop of water flies into my face. Then two. Then three. By Baltimore, the straps holding it down (we have a sedan, thus no luggage rack, thus the bag strapped in through our doors) are soaking wet and providing a steady stream of rain water on all 4 of the Manns. I was literally cupping water above my shoulder and shucking it down around my feet. Addison's carseat was soaked. Makenna had one soggy pillow. Drew and I were completely drenched.

Drew (an hour into our drive): Should we turn back home and repack the car?
Me: NO!!! We didn't pay all that money to NOT use this car top carrier. We'll survive, as soon as it stops raining. (Sidenote: "Torrential Downpour" is in the forecast for the next 36 hours.)
Drew (in his infinite wisdom): Let's pull over at the next exit. I think I can fit everything in the trunk. We can use the bag on our next road trip.
Me (deflated, but humble enough to know when The Mann is right: Fine.

We finally dried off by the time we reached NYC. By Vermont, it was still pouring with no clear sky in sight. We meet Mom and Dad there to start our soggy Covered-Bridges/Fall Colors driving tour. It let up a little for me to get some pretty shots, but began quickly thereafter.










(Last but not least, how cool is this old building in Bennington, VT? I wish I would have taken more pictures of it, but it started to downpour again.)

Onto Boston, where we visit with my Aunt and Uncle. More rain. But they live on a lake, which is gorgeous and home to three swans.



Saturday was the wedding in Connecticut and was amazingly, the ONLY day without any rain. Miracles do happen on conference weekend...
The bride, the flowers, the music, the food, the view...all were amazing.












Wow. That was a ton of pictures. More than usual, but so pretty up in New England. How do people not carry their cameras with them every time they step outside their house? Gorgeous. Such a fun weekend. So happy to have spent the extra days up there with my parents. Oh, how I love Autumn.