Gingerbread Houses - A Journey

 For the past several years, we have attempted to make gingerbread houses. It is usually a disaster and they usually cave in. This year we decided to try a new recipe that is firmer.

On Thursday, I got a call that the power was out at the middle school and they were closing. I went and got Baylie. Before long, Ava and Alexa Alsup joined us. I decided to have the girls make the houses. I should have supervised more. I told them to double the recipe, not realizing that it called for 12 cups of flour, which is way too much for my Kitchen Aid. When I walked in the kitchen, it was a bit of a disaster.

The girls tried to roll it out, but it was too try and hard as a rock.

It crumbled.

I had to throw it all away. I made a fresh batch and it turned out much better.

I love the way my house smells after making the houses. It smells good for a couple of days.

Following typical fashion, one of the houses crumbled.

I put it back together and did some roof repair. We hoped for the best.

The houses were much larger than in previous years.

We had invited the missionaries for dinner and we gave them a house to decorate.

We had our house as well.

The missionaries house was amazing!

And ours turned out pretty good too.

It was our best house ever.

We all dressed up for the ward party. We looked fabulous.

Baylie's First Middle School Chorus Concert

Baylie decided to take chorus this year and she's loved it. We were grateful that they were able to put on a concert. It is the first one in two years.

Her choir sounded so good. We were impressed with their ability to harmonize and maintain their parts. It was really beautiful.

She wants to keep taking choir, but she has to take P.E. next semester. 

Hanukkah, Saluda Shoals & Lights On Lake Murray

I always like to celebrate Hanukkah with my kids by lighting the menorah each day.

We also make latkes.

It was fun to share this with my dad, especially because his mom - my Granny - loved the Jewish culture.

While Grammy and Granddad were here, we went to see the lights on the river at Saluda Shoals. I dressed up again.

It's always an amazing show. 

This year, it had gone up to $25. It was only $5 when we first moved here and has gone up almost every year. This year the rides were free, so that made the increase worth it.

Tubing

Hay ride - it was sooooooo cold

Walking on the boardwalk

Making s'mores

We were so sad to have Grammy and Grandad go home. Our main consolation is that they'll be back in January for Jalen's ordination.

A few days later, we got a call from the Rutherfords, inviting us to see the boat parade at Lake Murray. We had never heard of it. I wish Grammy and Grandad could have been there for it. It was so fun. The Rutherfords live in a beautiful home with a boat dock and we just walked right onto their pontoon boat.

The water and sky were amazing.

Madilyn, Hamilton, Jalen - Hamilton is one of Jalen's best friends.

Madilyn, Antoinette and Carolyn

The boats are all decorated and lit up and they drive around in circles for everyone to see. Some of them went all out!

They ended the evening with a fireworks show. So cool!

It was a great kick off for the Christmas season.

Soda City Market - Thanksgiving

 My parents love to go to Soda City Market. Dad had purchased some cane toppers there and was grateful to find the same vendor there this time.

I wore my holiday best. 

I was surprised not more people were dressed up, but I did find one kindred spirit.

We had a wheelchair for Grammy, which was a huge blessing. She was very tired from our trip and there's no way she could have walked the market.

Dad liked this golf ball holder. I think he may make one in the future.

In case you need a closer view of my amazing sweater and head gear.

I can't believe I didn't take any pictures of Thanksgiving, but it was wonderful to have Grammy and Grandad here.

We wore them out.

I love my parents and I love having them in my home.