You Wish You Had a Friend Like This

Ian and I had our 39th birthday last week. (I know, I know...we're ancient. I'm at peace.)

To help us appropriately celebrate the last year in our thirties Emily delivered this heavenly creation:

That's a chocolate cake with chocolate mousse & toffee filling with chocolate ganache and more toffee bits.

And that, my friends, is why I may never be satisfied with another cake again.

Gingerbread Houses

The Babcock's invited us over for a night of gingerbread-house-making madness. (This year the role of gingerbread was played by graham crackers. And, I must say, graham crackers are definitely the way to go, especially when kids are involved...much less chance of a cave-in.)

Marci had all sorts of Christmas candy goodness for the kids to stick all over their little creations.

Always one to explore his construction-worker side, Ian demonstrated the dovetail technique. This super-sturdy method made it possible to construct a tiny little chimney. It also involved a lot of tiny sawing. I've decided he'd make a great elf.

And Marci and I had some laughs of our own. (Marci's idea, of course.)

We had a great time! This might be the start of a new Christmas tradition. I can only imagine what Ian will bring to the table next year.