Levi's First Christmas

We tried to keep the Christmas gift giving simple this year since we were going on a trip, but we still wanted to make it fun for the boys. After all, it was going to be Levi's first Christmas!

We started off by telling the Christmas story and tried as best we could explain to an excited 3 year old that Jesus was our first gift.

Benjamin helped everyone take out their stocking gifts.

Here's Levi opening his first gift.

Mike's favorite gift below. ;)

Benjamin helped Levi open his gifts.

The Piano Guys have given Benjamin a love of music and hopefully this will encourage him to explore the musician he can become.

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Gingerbread Town Square

It's not Martha Stewart's, but it looked great for my skill level and tasted yum! I made the cake for the Stuy Family Christmas party. I really liked the gingerbread cookie recipes I used. There were two different recipes I made to achieve the dark molasses colored houses and the honey colored houses. I halved the recipe of both because it makes a lot of dough. I cut shape of the homes based off of dutch row houses I looked up on the web. The molasses houses had honey windows and vise-versa to give it a bit of a 3D effect. I made royal icing to make the detail on the house. I made Ben some gingerbread men that he got to help decorate after the houses were all made.

Since the cookies were so time consuming, I used a spiced cake mix. The frosting I used was made with whipped cream and cream cheese. The combination is light and fluffy and keeps the frosting from melting if it's going to be a while before it gets served. I sprinkled edible glitter on the top to give is a shimmering snow effect.

Below is detail of all the houses I decorated.

Christmas ~ Disneyland ~ Case of the Disappearing Toothbrush

We had the opportunity to spend Christmas in California. We had a great time and loved seeing Benjamin enjoying himself. We didn't know what to expect with Benjamin's reactions to the rides and huge crowds, but he did well. He was very curious and did a lot of observing. We're thankful that my parents and sister came to meet up with us in Aneheim. Benjamin loved hanging out with Nonna, Abuelo and Aunt Ariana. They would stick around with Benjamin in the park so that Mike and I could enjoy a ride together.

Below are pictures from our trip. But first I have to tell about the missing toothbrush.

Our little Benjamin plays the part of a monkey very well. This little monkey was playing on the bed. Momma was in the bathroom washing her face and daddy was trying to get little monkey to brush his teeth. One little monkey started making a pile of pillows; jumped on top and bounced right off. Monkey's toothbrush flew out of daddy's hand as he dove after the little monkey. Momma came in the room and scooped monkey off the floor. No more monkey jumping on the bed for the rest of the trip! The little guy was comforted and checked for bumps and bruises. Only one bump on the forehead and thankfully nothing else. Once everyone was calmed down a thorough search of the hotel room was done for the toothbrush. It was never recovered. That night, the little monkey got away with getting his teeth brushed. And so, the Case of the Disappearing Toothbrush goes unsolved and will forever be a mystery.

  Benjamin's expression throughout our trip...wonder and amazement.

 Mater from Cars.

 Mickey after lighting the Christmas tree at California Adventure.

 Mike's childhood home in Thousand Oaks.

 Exhausted!

 Western town at Paradise Ranch in Malibu.

 Feet in sand at Zuma Beach.

 Waiting to go to the Tiki Room. Benjamin was fascinated and danced.

 Pirates of the Caribbean.

 Dancing to the 80z All Stars.

 Space Mountain is one of our favorites.

 Benjamin loved "it's a small world"!

 After the Disneyland Christmas Fantasy Parade...it snowed!

Tow Mater's Tractor Pull.

Sunday Best

I love seeing Benjamin in his Sunday best. He looks so adorable and sweet. However, looks can be deceiving sometimes.

Benjamin Proof Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is Benjamin proof this year...at least I'm hoping! I kept everything simple. I focused on putting ornamants that Benjamin can play with on the bottom third of the tree. So far, he has plucked several of them off, snapped one of the snowflakes, broke off one of the teddy bears from an ornament and stepped on a tricycle ornament getting an ouchy.  I even caught him crawling under the tree. I'm sure there's lots more fun to come!

Santa's Arrival

Yesterday we had a great Thanksgiving day meal with a wonderful family, the Andersens. We love this time of year and have a lot to be grateful for: family, health, home and friends (and so much more).

For Black Friday, we kept things simple and went to see Santa's arrival at the University Mall in Orem. Above you might be able to make out Santa's hand waiving out of the window of the helicopter. We were a bit surprised at the force of the wind that stirred up. Benjamin was a little scared, but handled it all well.

Here are Santa and Mrs. Clause being assisted out of the helicopter and below, we got another wave.

While we waited for Santa to come round to our area, Benjamin saw the Build-a-Bear and went right up to him for a bear-hug. He was so adorable, not wanting to let go of the bear, but cuddled happily in his arms. So sweet!

When Santa arrived at our group, he picked Benjamin out of the kids around for an individual shot. Lucky Benjamin! We were happy that he didn't freak out or cry, but was curious.

We even saw Mrs. Clause. She was trailing behind Santa a bit and we heard him call out "come along Mrs. Clause". It made us chuckle. We had an overall good experience and think Benjamin enjoyed the festivities.