Gingerbread Houses

Wednesday night, Matt, Ashley & Will came over for dinner and to decorate gingerbread houses.  It was fun watching MacKenzie and Will play together and try to decorate their houses.

I'm not sure if they got more candy in their mouths or on the houses...but they certainly had fun.

MacKenzie lost interest much quicker than Will and moved on to her new favorite....eating sugar cookies!

After the kids lost interest, Ashley & I finished up their houses....

MacKenzie and Will had a good time playing together after finishing their houses.

Grandmother & Granddaddy's Christmas Party

Each year, my grandparents host a Christmas party at their house with good food, Christmas carols and friends.  It was this past Saturday, so of course we went up to Tennessee to spend the weekend with them.  MacKenzie really enjoys visiting them and LOVES all the Christmas trees at their house (Aunt Sissy puts up 8 trees every year).
Saturday, we spent the day getting ready for the party and MacKenzie got to spend a little time with Aunt Marion before all the party guests arrived.

Saturday night, she was ready to party!

Every year, we take a picture of all of the women in the family who are there...

MacKenzie really enjoyed the singing and watching my cousin Brian play guitar.

Even after changing into her pajamas, she still had fun running around the house.

December Catch-Up

I just realized that I haven't blogged since Thanksgiving!  We have been busy around here getting ready for Christmas and enjoying the season.  MacKenzie has been wearing her Christmas outfits (I think we have a different one for every day in December!)

Monday night, MacKenzie, Grumps and I went and picked out a live Christmas tree.

MacKenzie enjoyed watching and "helping" Grumps put lights on the tree.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Friday morning, MacKenzie, Grumps & I headed up to my Grandparents in Tennessee.  My sweet Grandmother cooked Thanksgiving on Friday instead of Thursday so that we could be there.

We enjoyed our  traditional Thanksgiving meal with lots of family!  My cousin Carmen & her husband Luis were visiting from Nicaragua, so it was nice to have them be able to join us for Thanksgiving this year.

My cousin Christie and her son Joey joined us to eat, as well.  After we ate, MacKenzie had a great time playing with Joey.

We also celebrated Christmas with Carmen and Luis, since they will return home to Nicaragua before Christmas.  And we got a visit from leanne and the youngest Bowin boys, Reed & Brooks.  MacKenzie was not too sure about sharing her MiMi, Grandmother & Aunt Sissy with those babies.

Saturday, MacKenzie and I had Christmas pictures made at Memories Portraits and then enjoyed spending time with Grandmother, MiMi and Aunt Sissy.
Sunday, we went to a baby shower for Carmen & Baby Annabelle, who is expected to arrive in February and then headed home.