THE Tree, Gingerbread Houses, and a New Stocking

Aaron and I have the tradition of going to Smith's Marketplace to pick out our tree each year. It holds a lot of sentimental value for us. I'm sure I've blogged about the story before, so I'll spare everyone the long read.
Smith's also has a really good selection of trees. I think ours look great each year. I love the pine smell the whole season as well. This year, we bought a Douglas Fir. It's by far the biggest and fattest tree we've ever had. I love how full it is! Aaron and I got a lot of the decorating done while Lauren was asleep, but she woke up just in time to help her daddy put the star on the top.
I love this picture of them, since they are standing on the stool and I'm on the floor.
I found a great idea for Aaron this year for something a little special. I got the idea from The Dating Divas Blog. They give good ideas on how to keep marriage fun and interesting and not so mundane. In November, I wrote out a bunch of compliments about Aaron, a few fun activities we can do together during the holiday season, and a few things I can do for Aaron (like a little service project, so to speak). He gets to open a new envelope each morning. Its been so much fun! I get really excited when its something we get to do together. For this night, we made a gingerbread house. I didn't know how Lauren would do, but she loved it! We just kept feeding her frosting and let her play with the gingerbread people that came in the kit. This picture doesn't do it justice how much frosting is all over her face. Ha ha!
I love that Aaron got in to decorating the house. I did some of the frosting and he did the rest of it and all of the decorating. Look at that focus!
I have to say, for our first attempt at gingerbread house making, we did a dang good job! I sprinkled some coconut on the roof for a "snowy" effect. We decided that it looked way better without the coconut and took it off.
Right as we finished decorating our gingerbread house, my mom stopped by with a very special surprise for Lauren... Her STOCKING! My Aunt Ilene made my stocking for me when I was born (mine is a snowman), and my mom made Aaron's stocking when we got married (his is Santa coming out of a chimney). Now, my baby girl has a stocking all her own. We decided we wanted a sugar plum fairy. My mom designed it and knitted this all her own. Holy cow! She really has such an incredible talent!
Lauren really liked the glittery jingle bells.
My mom even hand embroidered the face, hair, and tiara. I loved the way it turned out!
Its such a gorgeous stocking and I'm so happy I get to hang it on the mantle this year.
Now, we need to figure out what we are doing for Baby Girl #2! Ha ha!