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."