Our Christmas

Our Christmas season was great!
Well... let me say that we were ALL sick as dogs the week before. Sam missed 4 out of 5 days of school and slid back into the last day before break but barely made it through.. It was the cold that never ended... again.. But by the weekend we were all feeling better, thank goodness.. and it was on with Christmas!!!

It was nice and warm... well... not 10 degrees this year, but in the 50's!

We didnt have any snow, and I was never more happy!

I made some homemade crafty gifts as I always do.

Pepperimint & Mistletoe Soaps all fancy with ribbon and tinsel.

I sold a few batches as well, it was a hot item!

As part of the teacher gifts this year I made homemade marshmallows, they turned out so good. See the previous post for the recipe

One of my favorite parts of making gifts is spending crafty time on the tags and decorating them with wrapping and ribbon and pretty things.

I really think Samantha enjoyed giving her gifts to her teachers and bus drivers

We made cookies, ginger, cutouts, and crescents. And fudge and marshmallows... I couldnt stop.

I think that 

Sweets were everywhere this season.

Our annual family round robin party was so much fun. 

The dessert house is always my favorite.

Cannoli Dip ... OMG.. We all just stood there and couldnt stop eating it!

It was such a wonderful and mild Christmas season.

Cousins 

The few days before Christmas I attempted the Pioneer Woman's Cinnamon Rolls

They were quite a feat, but so so worth it.

My little helper made sure we got the icing just right.

He loves pulling up his little chair to help Mama 

I froze two pans.. and gave away about 5.

Just something yummy for us and our friends and neighbors to warm up on Christmas Day or whenever..  I think Samantha really understood the whole "season of giving" as I tried to explain that it is just nice to do things just because ... and the reason we celebrate Christmas .... and its not all about the presents.. hopefully some of what I was rambling set in.. but i know, she's only 5.. ha!

Samantha got to have a little sleepover at Grammy's house the night before Christmas Eve. 

So Daddy and I got to treat this little guy to a fruit whip and a date with just us.

Santa delivered this year.

He was generous.

Before Christmas, I went up to Ikea Canada, and got the kids a ton of stuff to make their rooms more cozy.. (not pictured).. and Samantha got one of her big gifts.. a new big girl desk for her room. So the kids got a lot of gifts right before the big day.. lucky them, huh?

They loved everything under the tree, and Samantha really got it this year. 

She kept saying she was going to sneak out of her bed and check for Santa.. hahah.. I remember thinking the same way when I was her age too.. I love all the magic Christmas brings.

Christmas Day, like last year.. we opened presents and then headed to Ohio.

The roads were empty and the ride was smooth sailing.

We spent our time enjoying wonderful food.. and amazing cookies...

I could go on and on about the cookies and food.. I even have tried some of my MIL's cooking and have  tons of her recipes.. but for some reason it just tastes better when she makes it.. and youre at her house.. its good for the soul...

The cousins were reunited.. and cute as ever.

We originally planned on leaving on Saturday, but the weather was so nice, and we didnt have anywhere to be back home, so we stayed an extra day. We drove out to Trader Joe's .. the whole gang.. Baka and Papa too.. 

The kids had fun and there was a huge active construction site with cranes and all sorts of busy action for them to watch.. bonus!

The weather was around 55 and sunny, I got in a LONG run and it felt great after all the indulging I personally did while there..

Andrew got a new fisher price IXL from my Mom for Christmas and he loooooved it all weekend.

Sunday came and the kids were excited to get home and see Carl.

We gathered in the kitchen one more time all together 

And indulged... again.. 

Buckwheat pancakes and sausage.. mmmmm

It was such a nice visit and a wonderful Christmas that Im so so thankful everyone was healthy for.

Until next year! Now its time to take down all the decorations and make way for the next holiday.. another fun favorite.. Valentines Day! 

Hope you all had a great holiday season

xoxo

Merry Christmas 2013

Christmas for us started on Monday, December 23rd.

We headed over to my Mom's house to exchange gifts with she and Uncle.

Samantha and Andew got some VERY cool presents.. as you can see..

A Karaoke Machine, Their own digital cameras, a basketball hoop, teeter totter, clothes, socks, shoes, and even Mama and Daddy scored a dinner to Cheesecake Factory...

Love Uncle

 

 

Christmas Eve

I was busy all day wrapping and getting ready for dinner and church

I made these awesome vanilla funfetti cookies with peppermint buttercream frosting... OMG.. If you follow me on pinterest, I pinned it under Christmas I think

I think I will be doing more Funfetti cookie experimenting...

They are so easy, and come out so moist and delicious.. and you can frost them and decorate them with anything...Oh and they keep good too... I brought some to Ohio with us, and  they lasted well after Christmas Day...

Samantha and I headed to church, while Andrew napped, and then we all headed to Aunt Maureen & Uncle John's for Christmas Eve dinner...

 

 

The older kids were tracking Santa on the iphone..

 

Our sad attempted Family Picture

 

Christmas 2013

This is as good as its gonna get.

It sure was a White Christmas

Perfect for Santa...

We headed home & took quick baths & got ready 

Milk & Cookies & Carrots were out.... 

And Santa Came.

All this little girl wanted was a stand up microphone... 

And a guitar...

Her Christmas was made.

The kids played with their new toys, and then we hit the road.

Good thing about traveling on Christmas Day.. was this

Clear open roads...

I don't know what was up with my iphone, but these pics are so fuzzy....

 

Samantha was jammin on her new headphones ... while Andrew fell asleep first this time.

Mama got spoiled..

Daddy said I had a "good year"... haha..

New sewing machine, spa gift certificate, cashmere sweater from Brooks Brothers, and new Kate Spade wallet! YES, it was a good year...

 

We arrived in Ohio & did the Christmas thing... ate good food, unpacked... and we were all in bed by 9.. We've decided to stay here til after New Years now.. and into the weekend, Thus the reason for all the blogging.... I have time!

 



 

The Saturday after Christmas, we went to visit the cousins for a yummy Pizza party.

I told them to all smile... yea right.

Everyone was very very well behaved....usually its fights, and tattling, and meltdowns..

It was so nice.. maybe they are finally learning how to all 3 get along...

 

This guy was in good spirits too...

My little angel face..

 

The two younger ones.

Julia and Andrew..

They have sort of similar personalities.. second children ... little bit mischevious..

I think they're gonna be trouble together... 

Andrew has been enjoying all his toys ...

Especially his new Dyson he got from my brother and sis in law

I keep forgetting that we have all our own Christmas toys waiting for us at home



I think this is the longest we've spent in Ohio.

We are loving it, the kids are behaving, and sleeping good, napping good.. Andrew even asks to go to bed when he's had enough at night.

 

We've gotten to visit friends and family, and its been an amazing little getaway.

Since we're not in our own home, its so much easier for me to not be distracted with our daily life, and I have been spending a lot of time with Samantha just one on one .. doing what she loves.. Painting. The girl is constantly asking me if she can paint... and I can never sit with her hardly and paint too. So Im loving playing with paints and watercolors too..

Apple doesn't fall far.... at all with this one...

 

And I've been running & baking, organizing, blogging, making lists... (of course)

and just taking in the amazing wintry beauty

 

Christmas Home Tour 2013 & DIY Mason Jar Snowglobes

Christmas came and went, and now that we're relaxing in Ohio, Im catching up.
Here's a little look into some Christmas in our home this year.

Our Mantle.
I love decorating our mantle, I think I will always want to live in a house with a mantle.. it seems to serve as the decorating centerpiece, and its where I start decorating for every season, birthday, etc.. and the rest of the house just flows from here.

The lights are super old from World Market when we lived in Wilmingon
The tree felt garland... Target dollar spot, -- too much time was spent in  that section this season!
The paper book page chain was made by me

Pinecones, Little houses, Vintage Ball Jar Snowglobes, Rustic Frames, and Chalkboards

 

DIY Mason Jar Snowglobes

I saw these done last year on a few blogs, and I knew I wanted to do my own this year.

 

Here's how I did it.

 

Supplies:

Large Ball jars/mason jars - Mine are vintage from the Goodwill under $1.00 each.

Epsom Salt - Dollar Tree $1.00

Miniature Deer - Michaels - $1.49 for 4 or 5

Bottle brush Trees - Michaels - @ 2.00 with 40% coupon.

Elmer's Glue - Dollar Tree

 

I first glued the trees all down and let them sit a while

Then poured in the Epsom salt making a little "hill" in one area.. (just the way I was pouring I guess)

Then I used tongs to lower the deer into the "snow"

That's It!

And they look so so pretty....



Almost every room had a little tree in it...

Even our room & Samantha's  it made the rooms so cozy.. even though our house is freezing.

 

Advent Calendar

This year.. Yet again inspired by pinterest, I created a really cool advent calendar.

I wrapped 25 little presents up, and then hung them by an old branch (used to be Andrew's mobile in his nursery) .. and added a few woodland creatures, and voila!

 

The kids.. well, Samantha .. loved picking out 1 present each day.. the presents were a mix of food, coloring books, little cars, card games, and little toys

 

The Gingerbread House.

 

This year, Samantha chose a really cool gingerbread house from Trader Joe's.

It was really easy.. and she did most of the decorating himself.





I did a few little festive things throughout the month..

Reindeer Sandwiches with Cookie Butter

And sharing our love of cookie butter also was shown in our teacher gifts this year. 

 

Santa Pancakes one morning were a big hit!

Especially his chocolate eyes.. of course..

 



 

Family Granola Gifts were given on Christmas Eve

 

And I wrapped all our presents.. most of them in brown paper this year..

It was cheap, easy and looked so wonderful all tucked under the tree.