A New *Sweet* Tradition

Hello!!! Look who is on Christmas break (only 2 days left) and is now blogging. I'm so sorry for all of you who check my blog every day, only to see a post from November 15th :( Quite honestly, my job takes up so much of my time and energy that by the time I get home, the last thing (besides working out) and that I feel like doing is blogging. I'm sorry.

Here is an attempt to update you on the last month and the fun Christmas things we did.

A new tradition that we have started since moving to North Carolina is going to see the National Gingerbread House Competition that takes place at the Grove Park Inn here in Asheville, NC. The first two years, we would go see the houses when we were in this part of the state visiting Justin's family for the holidays. Now that we live in Asheville, we are able to see the exhibition whenever we want! In fact, I saw the houses two times this year :)

My first visit was the week that the houses were officially on display. It is so fun to go at this time because you can still smell the gingerbread, frosting and sugary goodness in the air! It is also early on enough that the houses are still in pristine condition and have not fallen apart. Justin's friend, Collin, was in town so we took him and I invited my mom and sisters to come along :)

Here are some pictures from our first trip!

Photo-Op at the Grove Park Inn

Steph and Jess with the 'Despicable Me' house- so cute!

Grand Prize Winner- There was an Old Lady who Lived in a Shoe

Amazing- so much detail in the horse

My favorite- the ornaments look so real!

Jessica's favorite part ;)

My second visit was on Thanksgiving evening with the ladies in Justin's family. After Thanksgiving dinner and the annual going to the movies, the ladies headed over to the Grove Park Inn to check out the houses. It was packed that night but it was fun to see lots of people dressed up and enjoying the beautiful atmosphere at the Grove Park Inn.

Thanksgiving Night

One of my lifetime goals on my 'bucket' list is to make a house to be on display here. It is not a goal to win, just to have it displayed :) My mom, Steph and I had some practice by making gingerbread houses this year. Looks like I need A LOT of practice before I can go to the Grove Park Inn!

Front
Left- Mine
Right- Mom and Steph

Back
Left: Mom and Steph
Right: Mine