Candy Galore

Today was the day we decorated our gingerbread houses.

Think we have enough candy?

We always overbuy.  We can't help ourselves.

Love these Santas.

A few years ago, Sissy got the idea of hiding a chocolate Santa inside the gingerbread house.

Brilliant.

E organized all the candy.

Not even decorating yet and D is already eating a candy cane.

Usually Sissy & I do all the assembling. And the girls do the decorating.

This year, Sissy decided it was time for Kate and the girls to get involved in the assembling.

Getting the method down.

Good thing we had 3 houses for them to practice on.

They will be pros next year.

D & K assembling.

E getting the frosting inside her house ready for her Santa.

And a couple other surprises that Sissy bought.

I just love the hidden Santa.

Can't decorate gingerbread houses without a little fun mixed in!

E is helping K empty the bottom of the decorating bag.

E loves frosting.

D, not so much.

Lots of concentration goes into decorating the M&M roof.

A little break to have a turkey sandwich for lunch.

E's house.

D's house.

J & K goofing off while Sissy was trying to take a picture of them.

Love them.

E's house.  Done.

Three beautiful gingerbread houses.

D's  house.  Came out great.

I just love the creativity that comes with decorating each year.

We may use much of the same candy, but where it's placed year to year can change.

There is nothing like a homemade gingerbread house.

So beats the kits that can be purchased.

And it's really not all that hard to do on your own.

Sissy and I found this book almost 17 years ago.

It is just what you need if you have always wanted to make your own gingerbread house from scratch.

E loves to make the log pile using pretzels.

Think she has enough spearmint leaves on her house?

Think she likes spearmint leaves?

We had a great day decorating and eating candy.

And K has decided that next year she wants to be in on the baking too.

So we will bake and decorate in 1 day.

Looking forward to it!

D took this picture of me today.  She was so cute using my camera.

I think both her & E are future photographers.

No surprise there.

Even though it's a little blurry, I love this picture of K and D.

I love that the girls have K & J.

potd #327.  Love this picture of D.  Nothing like being 9 and decorating gingerbread houses.  Good memories made today.  And as always, what happens matters.