Homemade Pants for the Twins

Nicole has been shopping for pants for the twins for Christmas. She can find compfy pants and jeans but no corduroys or nice pants. So I decided to make them some.

I went to Jo-Ann Fabrics and got a pattern, elastic and black corduroy material. I was surprised on how much patterns have gone up through the years. I don't think I have bought a pattern in over 20 years.

The pattern came in five sizes - XXS, XS, S, M and L. I decided to make them XS even though it was for 1-3 months old, their weights fit in that size. Making the pants was pretty easy. The only hard part was hemming the legs as the openings are so small and I don't have a free arm sewing machine.

I was pretty happy with the finished product since I haven't made pants in like forever. I hope Nicole likes them too.

Gingerbread House Decorating

For the past six years we have decorated gingerbread houses for Christmas. My friend, Dare, makes the houses and has a decorating event at her church. She makes two different houses, one that is big and has windows and a front door, and a small one with no windows or front door. We usually pick the small one. She suggests everyone brings a bag of candy to share and a bag for yourself; however, we always just bring all of our candy that we will use. It's just easier that way.

 

let the fun begin

I don't think there was an empty spot on Kylie's house

Haylee's house

our houses, mine, Kylie's and Haylee's

the back view

top view

 

the girls and their finished houses

Dare holding Noah

A neat comparison of how the girls have grown through the years.

Kylie has been decorating houses for six years

Haylee has also been decorating houses since she was a baby

Planes, Trains and Santa!

We took Kylie and Haylee to The Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach to see the 5th-annual model train show.

The real reason we came was to see Santa Claus. He flew in from the North Pole to meet-and-greet the children of all ages.

While we waited for Kylie and Haylee's numbers to be called, to visit with Santa, we walked around and looked at the model trains and old planes. Some of the train displays had buttons for the kids to hit which made items move. The girls loved going around hitting the different buttons to see what would happen.

Then the girls got their face painted.

Time for a break for smoothies.

The girls numbers are called!

We had a fun, filled day!

Happy Thanksgiving

May you and your family

be blessed on Thanksgiving

and throughout the rest

of the year

National Gingerbread House Competition

My good friend, Dare, competes every year in the National Gingerbread House Competition in Asheville, NC at the Grove Park Inn. Last year was the first year I was able to attend and I loved it so much that I wanted to go back this year. Luckily, Haylee's birthday party was the weekend before so I was able to attend.

We left bright and early on Sunday and it started raining the closer we got to Asheville. We were so worried about unloading her piece in the pouring rain but Grove Park Inn allowed the competitors to back up their vehicle under an overhang so they wouldn't get wet. So that was nice. That evening Grove Park Inn had a Meet and Greet for the competitors and their guests.

pretty ice sculpture

On the following day the judges look at the many pieces and makes their decisions. There were more than 150 entries this year, they were judged on overall appearance, originality/creativity, difficulty, precision and consistency of theme. The entries could not be any bigger than 24x24x24 and made of 75% gingerbread. Except for the base, the entries are constructed entirely of edible materials. There were four categories: Adult, Teen (13-17 yrs), Youth (9-12 yrs) and Child (5-8 yrs). The awards ceremony was at 5:30 and competitors start lining up around 4:00. While she was in line I went outside and sat at the back of Grove Park Inn. I love looking at the mountains.

It was hard to get pictures of the mountains since it was late afternoon and the sun was in the back of the hotel. Then I went inside and sat in a rocking chair in front of the massive 14' stone fireplace. It's hard to get a rocking chair as everyone wants to sit in front of the fireplace. 

It was so nice and cozy warm. There are two fireplaces in the lobby but only one was lit.Then it was time to head back downstairs for the awards ceremony.

all the entries

the judges

Dare's piece

Grand Prize Winner from Wisconsin

Second Place from Tennessee

tied for Third Place from California

tied for Third Place from North Carolina

There were so many great pieces that I don't see how the judges make up their mind. You can see the winners in the Teen, Youth, and Child categories and all the other beautiful pieces on my Facebook page. I can't wait till next year!

Happy Birthday, Haylee!

A few words just to show, 

Just how much we love you 

And we wanted you to know. 

You may, one day, outgrow our laps,

But you'll never outgrow our hearts.

Happy Birthday, Haylee!

We love you!