The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

I have grown to love gingerbread. Seriously. I love it. Not to eat, but to make houses with. I may have gone overboard this year, but it was worth every minute of it. I made 6 houses and 1 biplane (my boy is spoiled, what can I say). We had a gingerbread house decorating event at our house last Saturday with some of Ashton's pharmacy friends. Emily couldn't make it unfortunatley, but we saved her a house that she decorated on her own time. We had soup, Christmas music, Christmas decor (yes, decor), Christmas movies, and the wonderful aroma of gingerbread. It was a great way to kick off the holidays!

The houses were supposed to all have chimneys but I couldn't decide where to put them and Dexter kept eating the pieces. He has octopus arms, I swear. He would reach on the table and grab a piece, then run to the living room and start munching. All I would hear was "mmmmmm". Such a silly boy.

When we took the houses in to be set up, we asked if they could stay together and be a village. I hope it worked out. Ashton called it Keefner's Fantasy Pharmacy Land Creighton Pharmacy Class of 2013. I don't get it, but Ashton assured me it was funny.

All my hard work drying out.

Karen and Ashton

Julie, Ashlee, and Bailey

Ashton's house "Attempt #6"

Our candy supplyKaren and Ethan
Alex and Dexter enjoying all the candy they could sneak

Hard at workKevin and Alex
The girls' finished products
Me working on my plane
Ta da!
The plane is named "I'll Be Home for Christmas"

I can't wait for the display. When we delivered all of them, we got a sneak peak, and let me tell you, there are some amazing and crazy talented people.

*Sorry it isn't a competition Ashlee. Maybe we can figure something out for next year ;)

Gingerbread Display

Last night we went and hosted the gingerbread display at the Kanesville Tabernacle.  It was amazing.  There are some very talented people in our stake!  The tabernacle was decorated beautifully and it smelled so good with all the gingerbread.  We had fun.  Some of Ashton's friends from school even came to see everything.  Dexter was in awe and his cute little "Oh, Oh!"  was heard.  They had a mock fire in the fireplace and Dexter loved watching it.  Here are some pictures.  I hope you enjoy it!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

"A Christmas to Remember", Gingerbread Style

Every year, the wards and stakes get together and put on a gingerbread house show. The display is held at the Mormon Trail Center, and has grown so much that it is been extended to the Kanesville Tabernacle.  As you know, Ashton served his mission here and has always wanted to submit one.  They take any and all, good or bad, and put them on display.   Well, we did it!  This year we submitted 3.  The theme was "A Christmas to Remember" so pretty much anything goes. I decorated a house at Super Saturday for Relief Society (I forgot to take a picture of it), and I made a house and a train at home.  I have never made gingerbread, cut out the pieces, then baked them, and assembled them until this year.  It was a long week and quite a mess, but in the end, very rewarding.  Ours are on display at the Kanesville Tabernacle and we can't wait to see them and all the others submitted in a couple of weeks! 

Here is the decorating mess

Our sweet little helper:  "Here Mom and Dad, I think you need this!"

Ali's Train:  The Polar Express

The Gingerbread Man hopped a ride.

The Front

Ashton's House:  "Attempt #4"

and his beautiful roof