We had a really full weekend packed with lots of fun stuff to do, and it started off with these cute snowman drawings that the boys brought home from school on Friday.
I love them....I wish that they did even more fun art projects at school. These are definitely keepers.
On Saturday morning, we went to the
Younkin's annual Christmas breakfast where Santa makes a guest appearance. it was a great time, as usual. Both boys had written a letter to Santa, and Nate was very anxious because he said that all his letter said was "I hope that I get lots of toys." He knew that he should have mentioned how good he has been, or that he loves Santa, or asked about his reindeer...or something along those lines. Hopefully, Santa will look past that lack of a personal touch in his letter, and still treat Nate well. I bet that he will.
After the party we returned home and got started on making the gingerbread house.
Lovely, except for the coconut. My logical brain said, "Don't use the coconut, it will fall off and get everywhere." But the fun mom brain said, "Wow! Coconut shreds! It will look like fluffy white snow. Let's see how much of it will stick to the icing!" No coconut next year.
Then in the late afternoon/evening the Wiley's came over to have dinner, and I served my
signature dish. It was delicious as usual, if I do say so myself. We hung out and had Mary's hot buttered rum concoction into the evening, as the boys played
Wii and watched Owen smoke em' on Mario Cart. He is GOOD. It's always fun to have friends over for dinner.
On Sunday morning, it was time to can the
Wiley Kraut. It had sat and fermented for 7 weeks, and it was perfect. We got our stinky cabbage out of the closet (pew!) and started the canning process. For a first timer, I was pleased with the results. It must have been due to all of the cooks in the kitchen.
The
Moores are set in the kraut department for quite some time now.
Ah, nap time. 2 boys and 1 cat are hiding in this picture. We all needed the rest so that we could gear up for the next party.
At 3:00 we headed down the street to the McDonald's house, where we were invited to a cookie decorating party. I figured that Jenn would buy some round sugar cookies, some tubs of frosting, and the kids could make a few to eat. But no......this was serious business!
Chris had made the dough from scratch in the morning, and then spent the day rolling and cutting out an amazing array of cookies. Hundreds. It was awesome and a
huge effort!
There was every possible color of glaze frosting for the kids to paint onto the cookies, and every possible sprinkle shape that you could imagine. Pure heaven for little kids. They all worked hard, and so did the big people.
Especially this boy.
Christopher worked the hardest of all. He literally sat in the chair happily decorating cookies for about 2 1/2 hours.
Cookies!
Harry didn't know what to think about the white stuff. He was all crazy looking out the window and trying to get the snowflakes. Oh, Harry!
Since the snow came so late in the day, most of the play was done in the dark. We played at the McDonald's house, and an impromptu party ensued with neighbors coming out of the woodwork. In my experience, these types of parties are always the best....and this was no exception. We finally called it a night around 11:00!
We constructed a snow fort that was about 8' tall, and could fit about 5 kids. It was complete with a roof, and a door. 
The beginning stages of the fort.
We had a feast of Thai Noon food, then back out to the snow to gather round' the fire.
Fun night with fun people. Thanks, Mother Nature!
Family.
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We love you and wish you the happiest birthday.