Gingerbread House

Every year we are amazed at how much Emma is learning and doing, and every year we are so thankful that the Lord gave us another year w/ our special girl. This year our little family all sat down together to construct our annual gingerbread house. Yes, it is a pre-fab house, and some day Mommy might attempt to make a homemade one. But at this point, it's pre-fab for us!
Daddy put the house together and the icing on the cookies, and Emma picked out which candy she wanted on each piece. She and Mommy put the candy on all the cookies and house. We only had a couple of instances where she wanted to eat the candy, and she didn't understand why Mommy and Daddy wouldn't let her. Try explaining to a five year old that the candy in question has probably been sitting in some warehouse for the past twenty years before it was boxed up and shipped out in this package. Yuck! Okay, maybe that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it still seems yucky to eat.
The Holbrook house wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!!!

Christmas presents

Passing out presents

Our Mzungu Papaw :-)

Emma received a LeapFrog laptop, and she has loved it ever since. She sits on the couch every day after school and "types" e-mails out to her friends.

My parents got us a Wii for Christmas. They wanted to get us something that we would never get for ourselves.

Gramma received an angel that Mommy had bought for her while in Africa.

The looks says: "do NOT touch my buckeyes!"

Even Bailey got a present!

While Gramma and Papaw Savage were here for Thanksgiving, we decided to exchange presents since they would not be able to come for Christmas. This is always an enjoyable time because I really love giving gifts no matter how big or small. The time passed quickly and soon the holiday was over. It was nice having my parents here to celebrate with us.

Christmas Tree

On the wagon, ready to head up the hill

Our tree

My Love!!!!

Emma really enjoys riding the horse

On the day after Thanksgiving, we took our annual trip to Lil Grandfather Mountain to get our Christmas tree. This year was a little different because Mom and I went out early for Black Friday, so we left later than normal. Usually when we get home we put the tree up and decorate it, but this year I was so tired from being up so early we put off decorating the tree until the next day. It was nice to put the lights on the tree and hang the ornaments the next day because there wasn't a feel of being rushed due to bedtime or supper time or anything else. Emma has finally reached the stage where she really enjoys decorating the tree. Although it is very cute because she wanted to place all the ornaments on the same branch, so now the bottom part of the tree kind of sags. So sweet. I love this time of year!

Thanksgiving

Starting the cooking process

Even though it's hard to see, notice the look on Papaw's face

In her Papaw's shoes

Grandma and Papaw Savage came to visit for Thanksgiving this year. Emma always enjoys when she gets to see either set of grandparents. Daddy was even able to take the day off before Thanksgiving. It was nice to have everyone at home.
Being the cook didn't allow me to take any pictures on Thanksgiving day, but the day went well overall. Emma had a rough morning because she wanted to watch Mickey Mouse; instead of, the Macy's parade. But she really enjoyed the dinner and playing games in the afternoon.