My family is just as diverse at the candy houses we build each year. It's a yearly family tradition (usually on Christmas Eve but this year, post-poned for my trip home. I love how each candy house reflects the individuality of my family.

Some go for colour schemes, other for candy patterns, still others for building construction. Others (*ahem, Josh*) create a gallows complete with hanging graham-cracker-bear.

Everyone gets their own paper plate with a house built out of graham crackers (4 for the walls and 2 for the sloped roof). Boiled sugar is a solid glue. An upside down ice cream cone works as a tree. Each person gets their own bowl to fill from a variety of candies and a generous helping of icing. Then we get to decorating. 

Some spend time chopping up the crackers to create a multi-story masterpiece, others crush candy canes into peppermint dust. We all laugh, munch on candy, and barter for certain colours or candies to finish our houses.

As I've spent a week with my family at home in Canada, I so enjoy each one of my many siblings and my three sisters-in-law too! Of course, my parents are awesome, and my mom is doing great!

Four months away gives me a greater appreciation for the diversity in my family. I love every single one! Read more about my family here.

2 parents, 7 brothers (3 of them with wives), and 1 sister...
missing a brother and sister-in-law from this picture.