The World's Smallest Gingerbread House?

This may be the world's smallest gingerbread house... 

It's approximately two and a half inches tall and long.

It's my second try ever. Below is the first one I ever made.

Johnny wanted so very much to make a gingerbread house like the one in his story book. He had a lot of fun helping with it, but even more fun later, eating it. I think my fascination with gingerbread houses probably stems from my childhood desire to make one, and my imagination of candyland, and how neat it would be if candy grew on trees, etc.  Once as a child I actually planted candy corn in hope of a harvest, and was very disappointed to dig it up days later and find it had simply gotten smeary, instead of sprouting corn!

Winter song birds

Here are just a few shot that I took today.

I tried some interesting effects on this one

"Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? Yet not one of them is forgotten by your Father. Are you not of much more value than sparrows?..."

Auntie

Reading is a window into a whole new world

It is a doorway to learning.

Early discover the joy of books, and you will not regret it.

As on Eagle's Wings

It was neat to watch them swoop for the catch. They are extremely fast, which makes them tough to follow with a lens.

 

These great birds are a bit greedy and selfish! They watch each other with "eagle's eye" and when one makes a catch, the others are after him in a flash, swooping up to grab the fish from below. Then it's freefall for a while 'til one of them loses the catch.

 

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up on wings as eagles."

"He will bear thee on eagles wings"

Surprise Kisses are Best!

Darren was adjusting his lighting and asked us to sit for him a minute. I put my arm around John. Just as Darren pushed the shutter button, John turned and kissed me. I love those kind of surprise kisses, given on impulse.

Mischief?

Sometimes my little guy just gets that look in his eye that bodes no good! And Mommy wonders what's up. It usually isn't long 'til I find out.  The joys of boys! :) Love him, but he is a handful at times!

Thank You

So often we forget how many many things we have to be thankful for. When I look into the clear blue eyes of my baby and get that urge to squeeze her tight, many times God reminds me of the multitude of things I have to be thankful for.

Here's part of an articule that I found and liked(the author is unknown):
THANK YOU LORD!
     Lord, thank you for this sink of dirty dishes; we have plenty of food  to eat.
     Thank you for this pile of dirty, stinky laundry; we have plenty of
      nice clothes to wear.
     And I would like to thank you, Lord, for those unmade beds; they were
      so warm and comfortable last night.  I know that many have no bed.
     My thanks to you, Lord, for this bathroom, complete with all the
     spattered mess, the soggy, grimy towels, and the dirty lavatory; they are so
     convenient.
     Thank you for this finger-smudged refrigerator that needs defrosting so
     badly; it has served us faithfully for many years.  It is full of cold drinks
     and enough leftovers for two or three meals.
     Thank you, Lord, for this oven that absolutely must be cleaned today;
      it has baked so many things over the years.
     The whole family is grateful for that tall grass that needs mowing and
     the lawn that needs raking;  we all enjoy the yard.
     Thank you, Lord, even for that slamming door.  My children are healthy and
     able to run and play.
     Lord, the presence of all these chores awaiting me say You have richly
     blessed my family.  I shall do them cheerfully and I shall do them gratefully.
     Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings, thank
     you Lord      that I can hear.  There are many who are deaf.
     Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as
     possible, thank you Lord that I can see.  There are many who are blind.
     Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising, thank you Lord that
     I have the strength to rise.  There are many who are bedridden.
     Even though the first hours of my day are hectic when socks are lost,
     toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are loud, thank you Lord for
     my  family; there are many who are lonely.
     Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in the
     magazines and the menu is at times not balanced, thank you Lord for the food we have; there are many who are hungry.
      Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my
     circumstances were not so modest, thank you Lord for LIFE!

The Wee Ones' at Grandma's

It was fun to see all the tiny one's together. It made our Christy look HUGE! Ann's itty bitty is so very precious, and Joyce and Becca get the fun of double cousins who are birthday twins.

 Itty Bitty Sweetness

 Do they make them any cuter?

The Double Cousin Twins

Little Model

Here's the little model that is in the running for Wee Miss America! She's already won a number of beauty contests and hopes to win some more! Go Skye! She's so good at flashing those beautiful big smiles at the camera, and really did well for the session!  Sometimes little ones can be quite contrary. But thankfully this was not the case. Below are a few favorites from this session.

How do you like her hand coquetted outfit on this shot? It was given as a baby shower present if I understand correctly

Pretty in pink - This little puss has quite the winning grin

Grandmom's costume fits the wee one. :) What an adorable little flapper!

Missy Blue Eyes

And now for Mom's two favorites! The one above we decided to catch mid changing outfits. It looks like she just had her bath. :) And below - ready for snow.