New Christmas Traditions

Since we celebrated Christmas here in Biloxi this year and it was just the 3 of us, we had the chance to start a few Christmas traditions for our little family. Shelby is still pretty young, but she was starting to "get" the excitement of Christmas this year. So we started a few simple traditions, and they were so fun! Can't wait to continue these traditions next year with both of our sweet girls :)

First up was decorating Christmas cookies for Santa Claus!

Shelby of course sneaked a few bites of icing throughout the process ;)

Excuse our squinty smiles! We opted to decorate our cookies
outside (for obvious reasons!), and it was super sunny!

We also decided to decorate gingerbread houses with Shelby this year :)  She helped us decorate 3 mini houses, and then Derek & I did one together just the two of us when Shelby was already in bed one night. It was so much fun!

Shelby helping Daddy assemble the houses

Daddy showing off his hard work!

Shelby sneaking a few bites of candy ;)

Intense concentration! Derek & I were both really surprised & impressed
how much she got into this activity! By the time we got to work on the 3rd
house, we could really tell that she "got" the concept and was starting to get
her creative juices flowing. We were both cracking up b/c we suggested for
her to a put a red M&M in a certain spot, and she quickly replied "No, red
one up top!" :)

Shelby's houses :)

Mommy & Daddy's gingerbread house

Hopefully you're not sick of Christmas posts from me yet...I still have to share our Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and our belated Christmas celebration with Granddad & Grandma!