Gingerbread houses

Today was our annual gingerbread house decorating party and it was AWESOME!  Here was the setup....I only got 4 b/c we didn't expect Ellie to participate (and Eli had to leave early so it all worked out anyway).

 The Zatelli boys are ready to go!

 We had so much fun!

 The kids actually did it all themselves this year!  Last year, us moms had to do all the work after the kids got bored in like 10 minutes.

 There were plenty of breaks for candy but they rocked it.

 LOOK....Ellie participating and having fun!

 Ellie smiling for me intentionally!  Who is this new Ellie??

 CHEEEEEEESE

 Vince's train...

 I tried so hard to get them all to cooperate (in their matching red aprons) for a picture....there were a ton of outtakes...

 Love Hannah's laugh here...

 But I actually managed to get 4 kids jacked up on sugar and icing to look at the camera at the same time.  SUCCESS!!

 The finished products (Hannah and Ellie's, Dom's in the middle, Vince's on the right).  Vince took this train very seriously and stayed at the table to decorate after every one else went to play.

I can't believe what a difference a year makes!  These kids were amazing and we had lots of fun!  Loving this time of year!

Instagram Upload

It's only been 2 weeks since my last post...I'm doing much better lately!  Go me!  

Holy crap!  That's a lot of pictures!  Sadly, I don't know how to back up my computer so lets pray nothing happens to them until I figure something out.  

 Took the boys to the Model Train Show at the Science Museum a few weeks ago.  It was pretty cool!

 They were NOT feeling the big tree though.

 We stopped and got a tree on the way home....also got a little one just for picture purposes....and they turned out adorable!

 Here's our tree this year!

 Me and Dommy

 I left regency the other day and noticed there was a Sugar Shack opened up across the street.  I'd heard how good their donuts were....and they did NOT disappoint.  I knew these would be my inspiration for Elfie's donuts.

 This may have been my lunch that day.

 OMG I love this kid.

 At the mall, waiting for Santa!

They were so freaking excited!  Another great Santa picture!  

 I gave Vince money for the school store to get all of us presents.  He couldn't wait till Christmas to give them to us.  Here are my "real diamond" earrings.

 Oh yeah baby.

 Vince and I snuck away after school one day for a Starbucks coffee and hot chocolate.

 YUMMY.

 Crazy family!

 On the way to Tuckaway's Christmas show....yes, I got a matching shirt with Dom.

 Losing one of my great techs :(  She requested my brownie strawberry cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and chocolate chips...smart girl!

 Somehow my nephew grew up!  I still don't know how that happened.  Him and Ashley had their baby today!  Parker was 8lb 1 oz, 21 inches.  Everyone is doing great!  Love that kid....well, both of them!

 Welcome to the family, Parker!  Yes, we are crazy....good luck with us!