Gingerbread Mania

Growing up, my family was never too enthusiastic about making gingerbread houses, in fact, I don't ever remember making one.  If I ever did, I'm sure it was made of Nutella and marshmallows, sandwiched between two graham crackers.  Ok, wait...nope, McKay is informing me that those are actually s'mores and NOT gingerbread houses - Alright, I'd never made a gingerbread house before!  Tragic I know, but McKay fixed that tragedy pretty quick. 

The first time I visited McKay's family for Christmas, during our forever engagement, McKay and I spent three days constructing this cottage.  We enjoyed the endeavor so much that we made a tradition of it. 

To this day, I still do not know how McKay convinced his younger siblings to separate out the red fruity pebbles that we used for the roof! 

Now for 2011!

It was an exciting year for gingerbread house making indeed!  

Matt and Joanna decided to enter one into a gingerbread house contest and we were thrilled that we got to help them!  It starts with meticulous (and very serious) planning.

 Loved watching the boys all working together to draw up the designs.  At first they wanted to make the Death Star, but realized it may be a little too complex for the time that they had to make it.

Then, one must cut out hundreds of little pieces to be baked.

Also loved Joanna's gingerbread apron!  She is adorable!

Here it is all constructed without decorations yet,

And here it is all finished! YEAH!!!  

It turned out so fun.  Notice the stained-glass windows made of jolly ranchers!

We were amazed at the variety and creativity of everyones.

Inspired by all the other contestants, and in holding faithful to our holiday tradition, we then started on our gingerbread house!

And Finally - The finished product!

I love doing art projects with my baby!  Can't wait to start on next years gingerbread creation!

Could he get any more delicious?  I think not!

I just had to include this because I thought it was so funny.  While making the houses, we established that Stirling looks a lot like Kevin Bacon.  Does he not?  He didn't think so, but I still vote yea!