The Gingerbread house

Every year we build a Gingerbread house. Normally however I have Dad to run interference while we do it. This year we did it while he was out of town. I was surprised how well it turned out. Thanks Nettie for being my back up interference runner!! Each of the kids contributed to the house and we made quite the mess doing it. There was a lot of giggling, chasing candy that was rolling off the table, keeping Mason out of the frosting, and there was a lot of frosting smeared on each others faces! We had a lot of fun but somehow I ended up the messiest!!

Tyler's violin recital

Tyler had her first Christmas violin recital last week. She did Awesome!! It was scary for her and although she put on a very brave face I could tell she was nervous! She played 6 songs, 2 were from her lessons and 4 were Christmas songs. She played the "Twinkles" and "Lightly Row". Her Christmas songs were Jolly old Saint Nicholas, Up on the housetop, Away in a manger, and O Christmas Tree. We were so proud of her. Her brothers cheered at the top of their lungs after every song she played. After we finished at the recital we went out with my mom, my nephew, my best friend, and the kids to see Mrs Payne at her restraunt. After dinner she asked Tyler to play an impromptu violin recital. The customers and staff all cheered for her when she was finished! What a brave girl!