Tis the season

 

Finally!! We got our family picture up! It makes our house feel so much more complete for some odd reason.

 

Tis the season! I love making fudge for Jim's work. It smells great, is pretty basic to make, and for just a few weeks I can live the dream of being a confectioner.

 

Scraps from round one! Brandon Jr. really likes fudge so we brought it over to share the good stuff.

 

Jim took a half day Friday since he had work on Saturday and he was working with the cage while Katy played in the pack n play and Jacob was creating things with tape and amazon boxes.

 

Finished!

 

I took the kids to Home Depot for their free workshop while Jim was at work. Experiences like these are good growing experiences. The kids have to take on more responsibility and are eager to help since they know we'll just leave if it becomes too much. I usually only stress out for a short period of time, and when the situation includes Diana and a hammer or Diana and a paintbrush. :)

They REALLY liked that Santa was there and giving out candy canes! Diana even sat on his lap without freaking out although it took a while for her to actually look at the camera instead of the furry white beard on a strange man.

 

We nailed together and painted three yard stakes for each kid. My thumb was never hit by a hammer (a first) and we didn't get any paint on the car driving home. Victory!

 

My old programmer days have done me some good. I got dosbox on our computer and downloaded some of my oldtime favorites: Number Munchers, Castle and Island of Dr. Brain, Incredible Machine, Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego, Oregon Trail, Civilization. Some good times! I love how the kids have to really use their brains in these games!

 

We finished decorating for Christmas finally! Daniel did the lights while he was here over Thanksgiving, Jim added the wreaths and I did the greenery around the door and rails. And of course the kids are very proud of their stakes lining the front walk.