Trans Siberian Orchestra

This year the Trans Siberian Orchestra was in town and Dean's parents were SUPER nice and made arrangements for us to go. Dad stayed home with the boys and so that Dean and I, and Mom and Eric could all go. It was awesome! They had lasers, fire, smoke, and all sorts of different colored lights and special effects. And their hair flinging just tops it all off. Ha! They really are talented and it was really fun to get out and see them.

All of us pre-performance

Their drummer had over 20 cymbals.  Crazy!

Cookies for Santa

Dean finished up school on Thursday, December 22nd. On Friday we whipped up some yummy sugar cookies for Santa. . .

Tanner helped roll them out

And then cut them out

Then we all got in on the decorating

Landon's classic "CHEESE!"

The finished product.  Can you guess who decorated what??

And I etched this plate from the dollar store for Santa's cookies to go on.  I LOVE how it turned out.

Festive Pancakes

Tanner had been begging for pancakes all day so the other night we told him we'd fix some for dinner. Dean took on the challenge and this is one of the many reasons I love him so much. He went all out and made red and green Christmas pancakes with a car and a smiley face thrown in at Tanner's request.

The pancake artist in action

A Christmas Bell and Holly Berries

A Christmas Tree

And one happy boy

P.S. Sometimes I just love having a meal that no one complains about eating.  Thank heavens for pancakes and french toast! ;)

Christmas Lights

Every year we try to make it out to see these 3.5 miles of drive-thru Christmas lights. This year Eric was here so he tagged along. The boys sure loved having him come with us. Hopefully, after hours of them pestering him in the back seat, he was still glad he came. Ha!

Merry Christmas

Neighbor Gift Idea

This year I found some cute soap dispensers at Big Lots for cheap and I remembered seeing a cute idea a year or two ago that I thought would work. So I whipped up some tags of my own to go with them and had these . . .

They were super easy, really cute, and I love that they aren't edible. We end up with SO many treats around here we don't even know what to do with it all.  Don't get me wrong I love a good treat, but it's nice to give them something they can use that won't add to their waistline.

Meeting Santa

Last weekend was our Ward Christmas Party and there was an appearance from Santa. Tanner said he'd stand by him, but he certainly wouldn't sit on his lap. Compared to Landon though, that was super! Landon was screaming bloody murder when I got within 10 feet of the jolly guy and I was still holding him. We're just hoping Santa forgives him enough to still bring him presents next week!

Tanner telling Santa what he wants for Christmas.

A pretty good shot considering. Ha!  There's always next year.

Even though Landon was terrified, he loves to point Santa out on the TV, decorations, etc.  And he even says, "Ho, Ho, Ho!"  It's pretty cute.

Gingerbread Houses 2011

Well, Eric got here this week so we decided to all get together for our annual Gingerbread House making. Earlier I had Tanner convinced that we should all work together to make a gingerbread train this year but of course once we got started he insisted he make a house. Nothing's ever easy with that kid. But he made his all by himself and actually pulled off a building that stands on it's own. We were a bit surprised and rather impressed.

Eric helped Janna build her house and then Janna did the decorating.  They made a pretty good team.

Tanner's house before he did the decorating.

Love Landon's little face peaking through.

Dean made the Engine.

I made the train cars.

Grandma and Grandpa were lifesavers keeping Landon entertained while we built and decorated.

Eric and Janna's Gingerbread Barn

Dean and Andrea's Gingerbread Train

Tanner's Gingerbread House

Reindeer Cake Pops

Tonight I whipped up some Reindeer Cake Pops for my Nursery kids for their little Christmas gift from their Nursery Leaders. They might not be quite as perfect as Bakerella's but I still think they're pretty cute and tasty to boot . . .

I love how this guy ended up with that little bubble that makes a perfect mouth.

We {HEART} December

Caught this candid cutie last night as we were doing our Christmas Countdown for the evening.  There's nothing I love more than these three boys!

Christmas Lights

Today we put up Christmas lights on our house for the first time EVER!  I was pretty excited.  Probably far more excited than anyone else, but Dean was a good sport and helped me string them up in the FREEZING cold.  Ultimately I want lights on the bushes and stuff too, but this year I'm just happy to have some up on the house.

Dean braving the cold to string lights for his wife.

Tanner decided it would we way more fun to help put up lights than to take a nap like his mom had asked.

Helping out was a little too boring so Tanner decided to chew on some sticks like a beaver.

I even got in on the ladder climbing action.

We're not super at taking Christmas light shots, but here they are all lit up tonight.

Painted Mugs

I tried something new and now I think I might have an obsession.  Just think of all the possibilities, and it makes such a cute, personalized gift.  Next I want to try something like this.  I'll give you a quick little how-to so you can become obsessed too . . .

FIRST, snag a couple mugs from the Dollar Store, a thrift store, or pull out some you already have.  Make a stencil out of vinyl or contact paper using whatever font you like.  I suggest you keep it simple.

SECOND, apply the stencil directly on the front of the mug.  It can be a little tricky because of the curve of the mug, but try to make the bottom of the letter parallel to the bottom of the cup.

THIRD, pick up some Enamel paint made for glass and ceramics at your local craft store.  It will be with all the other craft paint.

FOURTH, apply the paint being careful not to get it outside of the stencil area.  Then remove the stencil carefully while the paint is STILL WET.  I learned this one the hard way.  If you let it dry the paint will peel off with the stencil.

FIFTH, let them air dry for an hour and then pop them in your incredibly old and dirty oven.  Yes, the old and dirty part is necessary.  Ok not really.  Turn your oven on to 350 and let them bake for 30 minutes.  Then turn off the oven and leave them in there to cool.

Once they're cool, pull them out and you have some cute, monogrammed mugs that are perfect for sipping hot cocoa on a cold winter's day. . .