The Nativity w/ Breath of Heaven

Ho,Ho, Ho Houston Has Snow!!

You wouldn't think that two kids (yes, Jed and I) from Utah would get so excited about a little snow. But I must say, I felt like a kid again. I haven't been this excited for a very long time. We bundled up Elle and Z (this was his FIRST experience with snow) and took them outside to run around in the beautiful white frozen winterland. I just kept saying, "This just doesn't happen. This is so Awesome!" The last time it snowed here was Christmas Eve 2004 and we weren't living here yet. So I guess this unusual event does occur, but rarely. We stayed out until midnight building snowmen--one in the front and one in the back.
This morning the snow was still on the ground and on the roof tops, but as the day warmed up it slowly vanished. But we enjoyed it while it lasted. This has offically put the whole family in the Christmas mood. Oh, Mark we did turn on the heater!

The House That Elle Built

We have had this little gingerbread house kit for about 5 years or so. Every year we just seem to not have time for it. This year while we were getting the house decorated for Christmas Elle found it. Every day she would ask if we could make the gingerbread house. So for Family Night we made this cute little gingerbread house. Note a few things about this house that are my favorite:
the pink "bow" aka gumball hat on the gingerbread girl
they go very well with her yellow eyes (a liver problem maybe:)
the porch lights
the stone chimney
and the paved porch in the back. (this must be a zero lot line house)
After we were all done, Elle said, "Thank you for making my gingerbread house. That was so very sweet of you!"