Christmas In A Nutshell

We do gingerbread houses every year...it's a tradition.

Usually I bake the gingerbread, whip the royal frosting and separate the candy in  little bowls for easy access.

I'm ashamed to say that this year we did store-bought!!

I think Addi's tired, almost bedraggled look sums up our gingerbread experience this year.

Perhaps we'll have more energy and motivation next year.

On Christmas Eve we had our stolen Jerusalem Dinner Tradition.

Here are the kids:

There were 3 Mary's, 2 shepherds, 1 wise girl, and 1 Donkey

 Loving Ryan, Rhi, and Maeva's outfits.

 Here's everyone, that lone chair in the front is not for Elijah, it's for Maeva who liked her Mom's arms better...go figure.

 Kid's Table

 We ate delicious middle-eastern fare on the ground lounging on cushions.

 Not Pictured:  Nativity re-enactment with 3 Mary's

Cousin gift exchange

Sibling THEMED gift exchange (I was worried that people wouldn't get into their themes but I was pleasantly proven dead wrong!)

"Santa"

(She knows, yes by choice)

Left a Teddy Bear, Sewing Machine and Notions.

 Christmas morning stitching.

 First 2 projects:

Skirt (she wore it to church the next day)

And a pillow for her Dad.