Christmas Eve, cookies, reindeer food and a gingerbread house?

On Christmas Eve, my mom and dad came over. Jake, Ben, my mom and I made and decorated cookies. While the cookies were baking and then cooling, we attempted to decorate a gingerbread house. I asked my mom why we never did this when I was younger. Well, after attempting to do it this year, I now know why we didn't make one. All we had to do was put it together with the icing, let it sit, and then add the candy. Sounds easy, right? WRONG!! We first forgot to let it sit so the roof started to slide. We then repaired it and let it sit for a bit before we started decoarting again. One wall then broke and the whole thing went down hill from there. Next year we will try using hot glue and then decorating it! It was fun doing something together on Christmas Eve anyway! Let's just say Ben was happy it fell apart so he could eat it.

The gingerbread house that never was

Mimi and Ben with the house.
Ben was happy he ate the gingerbread Christmas tree




Jake icing the cookies

Some of the finished ones! Martha Stewart has nothing on us!

Ben and I throwing out some reindeer food Jake's teacher sent home

Jake throwing some reindeer food out

Daddy and Jake

Our tree with all the gifts!!

Jake's Christmas Program

Last Tuesday, Jake's preschool had their Christmas program at the church. It was cute and the funniest thing I have every seen. I mean that in a good way. It takes a really special person to teach preschool kids and even a more special person to teach them songs to sing. Some moments there was quiet singing and other moments there was loud singing, or rather yelling. It was still cute. All the kids were so dressed up and looked so sweet. My pictures all turned out dark and blurry for some reason. The one below is about the best one. There is also a little video below for your enjoyment. I can't remember what song it is exactly, but Jake is in the middle bottom in the dark blue sweater with the green and white strips.

Nana, Hanukkah, and a trip to the Aquarium

The weekend before this past, Nana came for a visit. On Friday we took a trip to the Aquarium. We had a great time, especially since the boys are a little older and enjoyed it even more than last time. Hanukkah started Friday night, so we lit the Menorah and opened a few presents. Saturday was pretty cold and rainy, so we just stayed in for the day and night. Nana gave Ben and Jake an easel. Jake loves to draw and color and has enjoyed thi gift very much! We had a great weekend with Nana!!

Nana and Jake at the Aquarium

Ben taking a rest

Fish!!

Ben loved the alligators and kept saying "Hey crocodile"

Having fun!

Ben walking past the tube. He and Jake kept walking

right past it instead of looking in it

A huge turtle

Jake playing with his easel

Ben in his smock

Ben and Nana