Fashion Fabulous Friday

For your eyes only:

Express Post

We made the trek up to the North Pole on Christmas Eve.

The Polar Express is always so much fun, as you can see by the happy faces.

There was some serious concern (on JR and Kyle's part) that Kyle was going to be on the naughty list for his treatment of Sam the Elf.

Everybody took a big sigh of relief when Kyle received his bell!

The others were pretty sure they were on the nice list, but it's always good to have Santa confirmation.

The Fast and (not so) Furious

It seems we've turned snowmobiling on Christmas Eve morning into a tradition.

It really does seem to be the best activity to get some of that Santa-Comes-Tonight excitement out of them.

We do the same trail every year, but it's gorgeous, so it's not like you can bored of views like this.

(Jason and his mom and dad with the kids.)

The kids did a great job driving!

Just kidding, the little people didn't really drive.

(Although they thought they did.)

And I had a snowmobile all to myself the entire trip.

Moms don't catch enough air for small riders' liking, ya know.

But the Fire is so Delightful

We went up to Telluride last week to go skiing with The Waylands.

Some of us did a lot of skiing.

Others, not so much.

What can I say?

It was warm, cozy, and there was fabulous conversation in the lodge.

Outside it was 10 degrees.

That's not to say Liz and I were total ski bunnies.

We made a few runs.

See, I took this picture of Jason and Steven.

I don't have a picture of the kids skiing since they got on the mountain and we never saw them again.

They couldn't possibly slow down enough for us  "old folks" to keep up.

I did, however, get a picture of JR the only time he wasn't a blur whizzing past me...while riding the gondola.

Just an Old Fashioned Christmas



"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."

Luke 2:14

Fashion Fabulous Friday

Short sleeves and no coat to shovel snow?

Texas, I think we've lost him.

I'm Pretty Sure I Lost My Mind

Since the JR crafting was going so well, I figured tonight was as good a night as any to get the gingerbread train and the 3 year old friendly Christmas ornaments made.

I opened up the Wilton version of the gingerbread train (BIG mistake, I shoulda picked a generic) and began reading the instructions. 

It only took me about 2 seconds into the "You Will Also Need" list to change my game plan.

You Will Also Need:

rolling pin, granulated sugar, small angled spatula, paring knife, cornstarch, ruler

I told the boys we'd just decorate the premade train pieces, no need to put it together in 3-D form cause...I'd let them eat it right away!

Had they known the Bill Cosby "dad is great, he gives us chocolate cake" song, they'd have been rewriting it starring me.

And I totally let them do the whole thing. 

And I mean, everything.

Not only did I let a 3 year old squeeze their own icing

I let twin 3 year olds do it. 

At the same time!

And they were so busy, they were actually polite. 

This is a picture taken after the words "please pass" were said!

Piano, biking, or cookie decorating...the tongue will come out.

And then things took a turn for the not so Christmas card worthy.

And I was totally fine with it.

While Kyle was in the bathroom cleaning up from making a cookie that looks like this

I turned around to find Reed doing this

And if you're wondering if I own those fancy Wilton frosting bags, naw, they came with the kit.

After finishing "the train" (the last cookies of the row are the pieces we should have cut into threes to "brace" the other train pieces together (uhhh, okay)

I figured they were jacked-up on frosting and candy enough to whip up some ornaments.

Which they did.

Red frosting face and all.

Yep, it's missing an eye. 

Small things get lost in small hands.

And I am now declaring that my mom Christmas crafting/baking/merry-ment making duties are officially completed.