Gingerbread House

They have had this idea for two years.  They were just waiting for Austin to come home.  So I worked hard and got the house put together while Austin was home, so he could help in this plan.  The family loved the idea at first, but then they lost interest.  It was like pulling teeth to get the job done.  I know we decorated during the Alabama / Auburn game, but it was half-time!!!  Aubrey had Alex there, so he helped out!

The plan was to have a giant gummy bear attacking the house.  The problem was, we couldn't get the giant gummy bear to stand up.  Try what we could, it just wouldn't stand up.  So plan B.  The giant gummy bear was laying down because the army guys shot it.

It came out cute.  I hope the kids are pleased.  I think this might be the last one I do with them.  They are just not into it.  I might have to wait until I have little ones around.  They might enjoy it.  At least we went out with a bang!

Deck The Halls Part 1

Day after Thanksgiving is spent shopping and putting up the Christmas decorations.  Well, the ones in the house!  It is a huge job, but once it is done, it is wonderful.  The kids love it when it is up too.  At least I think they do.  We got some cute pictures.  Why is Ian putting a light saber up his nose???  I don't even want to ask!

It was hard to keep the family focused on the task at hand.  It took a lot of prompting.  Finally, I just asked Austin to take some pictures of all of us putting up the decorations.  Oh that went over well!  We got some interesting shots.  I had so many pictures, I deleted most of them.  Don't worry Austin, just the blurry ones!

Then I took some of the trees all finished.  I am a little obsessed with the star filter.  Too much maybe, but I think it looks pretty!  Well, not the picture that has too many stars!

So every year I get ornaments for the kids.  This year Ian wanted one from the new Star Wars movie that is about to come out.  We are super excited!

Zach had a couple of ideas, but we finally decided on a Star Trek one.  I think he likes it!

Austin started college.

Aubrey's ornament was a nightmare.  The company I ordered it from said they sent it to us, but when we went through the box, (and we went through it) we couldn't find it!  So after going back and forth and them calling me a liar, they sent one to me!  Aubrey is graduating this year, so she got this one.

We ordered the family one from the same company we ordered Aubrey's.  It didn't even come with a place to put a hook in it!  Well, I am never going to use that company again.  It came out great, but I think I will use another one.

The inside is done, not it is on to Don!!!

Thanksgiving!

Austin came in from college on Tuesday night.  We were all excited to see him.  Zachery decided to spend Thanksgiving with his girlfriend.  I totally understand that.  I am sure he is having a good time!  We haven't had Austin home for Thanksgiving in years, so this was a special treat.  We didn't do a race today. Instead the night before the guys went to play dodge ball at the stake center.  They loved that.  Then they woke up and went to go and play football.  I went for a long run.  I decided to run on this new trail around Lone Mountain.  I really like it. It is a great way to add miles on to my runs.  Then I spent the day watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and cooking.  I think everything came out good.  The family seemed pleased.

After we ate we ran off to see a movie. We went to see the last Hunger Games movie, Mockingjay.  Aubrey and I already saw it opening night, but it was fun to relax and see it again.  When we got home, we broke into the pies!!!  Those were awesome.  I was pretty proud of myself this year.  The dinner and desserts came out great

A Few Of Our Favorite Things....Fall Edition!

Fall is almost over, or is it?  The leaves have just started to turn here in Vegas.  Yes, we have a couple of trees in the desert that turn pretty fall colors!  I do miss Connecticut during this time of year.  I have lived here for a while now, and I have learned to incorporate the fall in my home so I feel like I am back east!  My family does have some favorite things that we use or do during the fall!  They are a must!  So here it goes.

We love Pumpkin Spice Salt City Candles!  Oh my gosh, they smell heavenly!  They are strong too.  I have a two story house and the whole house will smell wonderful from this candle.  You can get tiles too if you don't want to light a candle.  I always buy these candles from Aubrey for her dance team fund raiser.  Next year I will have to buy some from another girl!  My supplier is graduating!

 

I love these bags!  Honestly, how do you cook a turkey without them.  Every time I cook a turkey with these bags they come out perfect!!!  I love them.

Ok, I am kind of slow on the uptake!  I never really went into Trader Joes, but then one was built by our house and I had to check it out.  Good for me, all the pumpkin stuff was out.  I am hooked!!!  Aubrey and I love that place!

These pumpkin pancakes were amazing!

We took these cookies to Salt Lake with us in October and let me tell you....they are amazing!!!  We were hooked!  Note to self.....make sure you buy a couple of boxes when you first see them to last you the season.  They sell out pretty quick and when they are gone...they're gone!

We loved this too.  Yummy!

Last year my husband got me a Gelish gel nail system. Yep the one that is used in salons.  I love it.  I don't have time to go and get my nails done every two weeks, but I love those gel nails.  My sister-in-law got one for her birthday and I tried it.  I loved it!  So Don got me one.  My manicure lasts up to 3 weeks.  It is so worth it!!!  My daughter and her friends love it too.  They come over when they want their nails done for major dances!  This fall I love the color, Dancer, Prancer and Cranberry Vixen.  It's a great fall color!

I love Bath and Body!  I love it when they have their pumpkin lotions out.  I love the soap too!

Of course we love Alabama football.  Thank heavens they are doing good this year.  It is so fun to watch Don and Ian sit down together and watch the game.  I love hearing them yell at the TV.  Like the team can hear them!!!

One of our favorite traditions is the Thankful tree.  Everyday (or almost everyday) the kids put a leaf on the tree with what they are thankful for.  This year we made everyone who came in the house do it.  It was fun to see what everyone wrote.