Christmas Season Festivities

This past week was busy, but very fun. It's such a joy to me to have a cozy home full of Christmas decorations and lights. I've been working away on Christmas presents, and taking time to show Ryan all the excitement that comes with the season. Daddy reads him a different Christmas story every night, and Mommy sings Christmas songs all day long.

This week we made 2D gingerbread houses with my best friend Laura and her date, Jeff. We also made Christmas cookies (my mom's classic and delicious recipe) and decorated them with our dear friend, Ethan. Lots of yummy treats and lots of love! It was fun to start our own traditions as a family, and remember that the season is about sharing joy with those that we love so much.

Jeff and Laura decorate their house. It was Laura's idea to make them 2D so that we wouldn't have to focus so much on trying to keep the house from falling apart, and could just spend the time decorating. She's a smart lady!

Poor Brenton! The bag broke while he was trying to squeeze out frosting for the windows. It was pretty funny.

Our finished house

Jeff and Laura's finished house

We had a really fun time, and ended up chatting for several hours after we finished decorating our houses. It helped me realize that the reason we do these little get-togethers is for the pleasant company with dear friends more than anything else.

Making cookies on Saturday. I prided myself in the fact that I made them taste just like Mama's.

Brenton was a great help and made all the frosting

Ethan helped us with the decorating

Ethan and Ryan having some playtime

Our finished cookies!!

So here's to many more fun Christmas traditions in the Hoyos' home. Thanks to our wonderful friends and our sweet baby who keep making this season such a joyful time for us.

Gingerbread Boy

The Christmas season's here! I'm so excited that we get to spend it as a family, just the three of us. I've been enjoying getting all the decorations out, putting up the tree and placing gifts under it. One of the new Christmas projects I've been doing this year has been to make little crocheted Christmas toys for Ryan. They look so cute, and I'm happy that he's starting to get into toys to keep him entertained. Lately his favorite has been the little Gingerbread Man. When I finished making it, I handed it over to him and he immediately hugged it close. It was so darling. Here are a few snapshots of our little guy with his new toy.

Since the Christmas toys have turned out so cute, I've decided to start selling other ones after the first of the year. I'll be making little dolls, snugglies, baby dolls, and stuffed animals. I'd start selling them sooner, but I need to build up a stock first, and I just don't have time during the Christmas season. If you're interested, I'll be making a Facebook page about it in a few more weeks so feel free to spread the word. I've decided to call it "Hooked on Toys." Clever, huh? I know. I know. Get excited!!