EAT DESSERT FIRST

Gingerbread Houses - Christmas 2009

I have learned that one must be very very careful before instituting a new holiday activity lest one's children construe it to be a tradition and henceforth and forever insist upon the yearly continuation of self-same activity no matter the time crunch. Such it is with gingerbread houses, a very time-consuming activity which the children insist has become a tradition. And I don't mean graham cracker on milk carton fake gingerbread houses. Either we bake (from sctatch), construct and decorate gingerbread houses each December or there is mutiny in the ranks. Thus, I give you, the gingerbread creations of December 2009.
Aria

Miri

Jackson

Jairin

Kamri

Joelle

Lana

GBTB in the pool -- priceless!

We spent Christmas day 2009 (after opening gifts) at the condo. GBTB is not fond of swimming, so to have him in the pool playing with everyone was a rare treat.
GBTB, Rob, Lana (on the dragon)

Kamri, Kai

Kai's first time swimming

GBTB -- "Look at me, I'm even snorkeling!"

Eimi, Grandma Nette and Chiquita Banana

Eimi (getting ready to try to board Chiquita Banana -- not easy!)

Kai, Miri

Grandma Nette and dragon

Mardi, GBTB (falling off of Chiquita Banana)

Mardi, GBTB (compromising by floating under rather than atop Chiquita Banana)

GBTB and Chiquita Banana

Kai

GBTB, Lana

Grandma Nette on dragon

Grandpa Bob on dragon

Playing giant croquet on the beach (GBTB and Joelle)

Miri (kicking), Aria, Kamri

GBTB, Eimi

Jairin's New Hobby

Jairin has a new hobby -- but it's not counting his freckles.

Christmas morning 2009

This is my last post to catch me up!!! Even though it is almost Christmas again, I am still going to post last Christmas morning's photos.
Lana emptying her stocking

Aria

Joelle with Wee Sing CD's

Grandma Nette, Miri, Aria

Lana with a stocking as big as she is

Lana, Jairin, Joelle, Grandma Nette, Miri

Lana with fairies

Kai

Aria and loot

Aria with new American girl doll Chrissa

Kai with his new toy

Joelle with new American girl doll, Kit

Lana with new American girl doll, Emily

Nativity

GBTB, Grandma Nette, Eimi and Jackson joined us for Christmas (2009). On Christmas Eve, we acted out the Nativity as the Narrator (Rob) read the story from the Bible. These are pictures of the cast. Mary (Joelle), Baby Jesus (Kai), Joseph (GBTB), donkey (Jairin)