Happy 2011!

Winter Snow

First snow of the winter season.

Also brings the first shoveling of the season

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas.

We did. Kind of sad it is over.

We spent Christmas Eve with the family for dinner.

Christmas day we hung out in pjs.

Very relaxing.

Gingerbread house

Tonight was house making.

This year there was only one.

Trip to Cali

This last week Gavin and I took a trip to California to visit,

do a little shopping (and I mean little),

and have a fun day at Disneyland with Grandpa and the cousins.

I love Disneyland, especially at Christmas time when everything is decorated.

My favorite treats are the fritters in New Orleans square. Heaven!

We took a trip down memory lane and visited old friends.

Tis the season!

Luminaries

Gavin and I braved the cold to go walk the college and check out the luminaries.

It wasn't as cold as last year and there were tons more people.

But it was a lot of fun.

Christmas Craft

Gavin helped me cut up some felt to make these flowers. I thought they were very cute. Different color combinations are very festive.

Maybe for a tree decoration?

No Ordinary Track

Gavin spent Saturday setting up the train under the tree. It was pretty much an oval, flat on the floor. But that wasn't good enough for my boy. He has taken stuff from all over the house, even part of the train, to make a "cooler" track that is off the ground and has ups and downs.

Deck the Halls!

Did you deck your halls? I did. And the rest of the house. I love Christmas! It is getting pretty cold here and is snowing as I type this.

I did over do on the vinyl, maybe. But I got lots of cute Christmas ones form here.

Brrrrrr

too early for Christmas?

I am really excited for the Christmas season. It reminds me of happy times. I bought some supplies to make some Christmas pillows. I do not know how to sew except for a straight stitch. So, I watched a youtube video on putting in a zipper. It is amazing what you can learn on the internet.

I think it's over

The All Star game has come and gone

East vs. West

Gavin was #93 on the West

The morning game was a bitter cold one but the players were pumped up

Blankets and hot chocolate were a must

The West prevailed 13 to 7

Gavin #93 as a co captain

Gavin and his four other teammates

The West All Star team

............And the fat lady sung

Old to New(er)

I found these antique folding chairs on ebay for 10 bucks and thought I needed(wanted) them. With a little TLC and new covers they turned out great. The fabric is an oilcloth so spills will just wipe away.

Dessert Night

Tonight Gavin and I made some pumpkin bars to stay in the tradition of the season. They were really easy and I have to say quite yummy.

The fat lady didn't sing

It's not over yet. Gavin got picked up for the all star team.

So we pulled out the equipment from the closet that I thought was put away for the season. They practice today and have their game next Saturday.

I'm sure there'll be highlights.

Stay tuned....

Thankful Month

This morning I allotted myself 2 hours to put away Halloween decorations and put out my Thanksgiving ones. I just about made it.

One of my favorite decorations is our Thankful tree. Everyday we put a leaf on the tree that states what we are thankful for.

By Thanksgiving we should have a big leafy tree.

Raking

Our poor tree. It has discarded most of its leaves. (see full tree pic below) Gavin's task was to collect as many leaves as he could. Gotta have some fun in raking, right?

Chocolate Molten Cakes

This Sunday dessert was a winner. Gavin and I made these cakes and devoured them.

Or at least I did.

We were just missing one ingredient(cookie), but they were still divine.

Good thing it was portion control. Here is the recipie.

You should try it.

Pumpkin Patch

Took a trip to Sutherland Farms with Gavin and a couple friends. The weather was good, but dark clouds were headed our way. Of course they wanted the biggest pumpkins, but they had to be able to carry them. After paying we borrowed the wagon to get them to the car.

More Fall

Is there a thing as too many fall pictures? That is like having too many shoes, right?

Not possible.

I love our tree out front (probably until it starts shedding). Gavin loves to collect the leaves.

Should I tell him to wait until they all fall?