Joyous Holiday Happenings

I love the week in between Christmas and  the New Year.  It is a relaxing week for me.  The girls are at home with their parents and the hustle bustle of Alex's schedule slows a bit with his vacation from school.  I can snuggle in my PJ's and reflect on the past Christmas season.  I had a wonderful Christmas this year spending time with  family and friends.  Christmas Eve is always spent at my parents home.  This year was so special as my whole family could be together.  The weather allowed my sister, Andrea and her family to travel home and my very best friend, Heidi and her family were able to join us as well.  My mom prepared a most delicious dinner.  We ate, laughed, and just enjoyed each other's company.

Moms beautiful table.......

Alex ,me, brother in law, Tom, sister, Andrea, best friend Heidi, Heidi's husband Rob.......

All the boys......Alex, my nephews, Hank and Isaac,  and Heidi's son, Tyler

                   Alex and my Dad

And a little Christmas Eve silliness.............

Heidi's daughter, Jenna and Alex

Christmas day is always spent at my in-laws.  Again how special that everyone was together this year.  Another wonderful dinner, gift exchange, and family time.  Because everyone was all together it seemed the perfect opportunity to take some family photos........

The whole Panormios Family

All the brothers and sisters...Alex, John, Stephen, Zoi, and Stephanie

 A beautiful family portrait..........

Cousins..............Will, Danielle and Alex

What fun it was on Christmas night to meet the newest member of our family.  Alex's brother, Stephen surprised his wife with a sweet little puppy for Christmas.  You will never guess--the puppy is our Mabel's half sister.  I could not wait until they met each other.  I also could not believe how Mabel has grown comparing her to Hannah.  I think they will be great friends. 

I hope you are all making special Christmas memories with your family as well.  With the snow swirling about tonight I think I will make a nice hot cup of tea, snuggle under a blanket and watch one of the new movies that Santa brought me.  Until next time..............

A few Christmas projects............

Kate, Emma and I have had such fun this Christmas season with our Advent calendar.  I had fun shopping for tiny treats to fill each box and the girls---well lets just say it was the first thing they did each morning when they arrived.  They each took turns opening the little door to see what treasure was inside.  Yesterday morning after opening the door and gobbling up the little chocolate inside, Emma squeeled with delight "Only THREE more days until Christmas"!!!!!!  I on the other hand thought to myself  "Only three more days until Christmas, YIKES"  I am almost ready, just a handfull  of last minute details to take care of.  Before the next few days slip by, I wanted to take a few minutes to share some Christmas projects that I have been working on with you.  My first project are these little fun peek a boo notes.  Great for gift tags.

I was so inspired by Betsy Veldman and her December 9 card project on her blog,  I decided to alter it a bit and make a few of my own for Christmas.  Instead of a card alone, I added a few blank pages inside the front and back covers to create a mini brag book.  Each little book is small enough to fit into an envelope and can be mailed just like a greeting card.  I took it a bit further and added a few blank lined papers for sending that special friend your secret family holiday recipes.

And a few fun Christmas cards using the Holiday Button Bits stamp set from PaperTrey Ink. 

Well I hope you enjoyed these fun little Christmas projects.  I am off to finish up all those last minute details before I totally run out of time.  Wishing you all a Blessed Christmas.

A Partridge in a Pantry

The Christmas season is such a wonderful, special time of year.  There is nothing like experiencing it through the eyes of a child.   I can remember watching  Alex when he was a little boy, the wonder in his eyes as he took in all the miracles and surprises the season had to bring.  His excitment carried him through the whole month of December.  He still enjoys Christmas and is blessed by Christ's birth,  but he now sees it through the eyes of an adult.  I must admit I miss those days filled with awe and amazement.  I have written before about Kate and Emma, the sweet girls I babysit during the week, and what blessings they are to me in so many ways.  They encourage me, make me smile and yes even make me laugh out loud with the things they say.  They both see Christmas through a childs eyes and their excitement overflows.  Just yesterday Emma came bouncing up the stairs singing with all her might the 12 days of Christmas.....fiveeeeeee goldennnnnn rings, four calling birds, three French hens, two turtle doves, and "A PARTRIDGE IN A PANTRY"  I asked her to repeat what she was singing trying not to giggle.  We sang together the 12 days of Christmas and I truly think she believes the gift on the first day is a partridge in a pantry.  Oh Christmas through a childs eyes---I wish we could all experience it that way.  The awe, amazement and excitement over the miracle of Christ's birth. 

I wanted to share with you all my most favorite Christmas decoration.  It is the nativity scene that once belonged to my Grandmother.  I can remember seeing it under her tree when I was a little girl and then again under my parents tree.  My sister and I together each year would set this little scene up under the family tree.  After Alex and I married, on our first Christmas together, I asked my mom if I would be able to put this treasure under our tree.  It had remained there each year until a curious little puppy came into our family and damaged the manger beyond repair.  It has since been placed in a spot of safety high atop the end table in the livingroom reminding us all of the reason we celebrate this most special time of year. 

I hope you all are truly experiencing the wonders of the season--remembering the true meaning of Christmas.

Love you a Latte........

 I always enjoy my morning cup of coffee but I find this time of year is perfect for enjoying a nice hot mug of something yummy to drink mid-way through my busy day.   When I am out and about running errands,  I usually have my favorite little helper, Emma along.  It has become a tradition with us to stop at the local Starbucks for our mid-day treat.  Her treat of choice--a ricecrispy square and mine---a grande half-caff Gingerbread Latte(light on the whipped cream of course :)  She hears me order my Latte and I always turn to her and say "Emma, guess what? I love you a Latte"  She giggles and we continue on our way.  Who knew that would be my inspiration for these little charms. 

After I completed these little coffe inspired charms, I thought how much  fun it would be to give them as a gift along with a mug all snuggled in a mug cozy.  I got to work and here is the end result........

 

I think I may give a few friends this little combination gift this Christmas.  I hope it will let them know that I Love them a Latte!!!

Making a List and Checking it Twice

At this time of year I find myself making list after list.  Weather it be a "To Do" list, grocery list or a gift list I have them all over my house on scraps of paper, old envelopes and post it notes.  There can be so many lists going at one time I have been known to make a  list of my lists.  On a recent trip to our local Target,  I found the cutest little notebooks.  The great feature about these notebooks is the piece of elastic attached to the bottom securing the cover. The perfect notebook to keep in my purse.   How great I thought to have all my lists in ONE place.  And then the thought struck me...If I make hundreds of lists during this time of year, I am sure there are many busy ladies out there that do the same.  With a little altering, I thought they would  make a fun addition to my shop at SweetPeas.  They came in a variety of colors but I chose the red and green--perfect for all our Christmas lists. 

I had such fun with this project I returned to Target today to purchase more notebooks.  I wonder if Santa keeps all of his lists in cute little notebooks like these. 

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

Usually on the day after Thanksgiving my mom, Heidi and I wake up early and go on the hunt for all the wonderful "Black Friday" deals.  This year however Heidi was out of town and my mom was visiting my sister who lives about two hours away.  During Thanksgiving dinner, I happened to mention how I was on my own this year when my husband surprisingly said he might want to come along. My response... "Really!! you want to wake up at 5:00am, fight the crowds, in the rain and go shopping with me!!"  Well I thought, this might be fun.  We had talked about purchasing an artificial tree this year and there were so  many GREAT deals out there.  So the plan was set.  I don't want to say we didn't have fun, but I don't think Alex will be coming along next year.  After going to four stores and unsuccessfully finding the perfect tree,  he was ready to go home.  I of course was just getting started.  With a promise of one last store we finally did it...we found the perfect tree.  I don't think Alex was ever so happy to be headed home.  The tree went up with ease and we were all in the Christmas spirit. 

With my beautiful new tree up and twinkling, I was ready to decorate the rest of the house.  I'll just share a few photos with you so that you can experience Christmas at my house.

I hope you enjoyed my little tour.  I have a few more finishing touches to add so stop back soon for a little visit.