New Home Construction

We started (and finished) a new home construction today. The Trimble girls came over before Libby's soccer game to make their gingerbread house. There was once a day when all three of our kids and their families gathered on the same day and we made three houses, but those days are gone, it seems. Everyone is so busy that this year we're doing each family individually. But that has its perks, too. Less chaos, no competition, more personal time with each family. So that works, too. Anyway, as soon as the girls came in the house, we got started. Eliza and Libby eagerly talked and planned what they wanted to do, while Hattie and Ellie ate candy as fast as their little hands could put it into their mouths! I'm surprised neither of them got sick. It was so funny to watch. We'd encourage them to put something on the house, but no, they'd plop it into their mouths! Eliza and Libby nibbled a bit, but they got really creative with their house. I can sure tell that they're maturing and letting their creative juices flow.

We'll be making Brian and Kamille's family house next Saturday! So it's two down, one to go! It's a tradition that we've done since Matthew was a year or two old and he's nine now, so it's been around a while. In the beginning, the parents did most of the decorating, but not any more. They mostly sit aside and the kids go to town with the houses. I'm so glad of that.

After the construction project, the Trimbles headed out to Libby's soccer game, and no, she didn't play. She won't even step a foot across the sideline into the field. She has a great time at practice, but she says that there are too many people "watching" during the games, so she's yet to play. Oh, well.

Mark and I took off for the east valley. We picked up Hattie's Christmas present from a lady I met on etsy.com. She (and her mom) make quiet books and that's what Hattie (and Erin) wanted for Christmas. It's pretty cute. Then we went looking for a few other gifts we needed to find. We had a little luck, but still have a couple more items to complete our shopping.

Jan and I worked HARD yesterday/last night on a new project that we'll be teaching at Scrap Happy Sisters in February. It's a book that could be used for Valentine's Day, an anniversary, or just because. It's about the love story of a husband and wife. It's really going to be cute. We have everything cut and planned out, but we still need to finalize pictures, embellishments, etc. I'll post some pics when we finish.

This week will be another busy one....taking Dad and Aunt Dovetta to the airport, an Enrichment Meeting, shuttling Dallin and Luke, picking up Eliza, Libby and Abigail after their early release day (we'll have to do lunch or something!!), Eliza's chorus program and gingerbread house with the Surprise Mabees. Whew! I'd better get some sleep!