Christmas Rewind
You’ve probably already seen some pics of what we got each other for Christmas over on Young House Love (as well as the play kitchen that we made Clara). But here are all of the photos that sum up our Christmas this year. It started off with Christmas Eve dinner at my parents’ house, where all the out of town guests had arrived (i.e. my sisters & their husbands/kids, plus my uncle and aunt from Seattle – some of these pics are my shutterbug uncle’s actually).
Here are Clara and her cousins John and Emanuel playing banging on the piano.
Have you ever seen three kids look so simultaneously caught in the act? We gave them these ice cream cones… so why the guilty looks? Oh, and the boys aren’t doing Clara any favors by sitting on the taller stool (they’re both around 8-12 months older, which also might account for the size difference).
Then there was Christmas morning that we kicked off at our house.
You’ve already seen some of this stuff (and even a video).
Look! White ceramic cheese cheese markers from my godmother (they came with a cool cutting board/cheeseboard)!
Burger may look less than happy to be woken up in this pic…
… but I detect a bit of a smile during his out of bed stretch:
Here’s a big smile from Clara for a new vest from her aunt in NJ!
Here’s Clara and her beloved leopard hat that she refuses to take off.
Then Christmas moved to my sister’s house for breakfast and more present opening.
Here are our nephews John and baby Ben posing in the blue woven basket that Sherry and I bought for my grandma. All of the kids had a blast once they discovered they could climb in and sit together.
And now more family stuff:
My dad and I like bikes…
Sherry loves jewels…
And Clara usually loves crazy things like giant red beaded pears… so this was our cue that it was time to go home and take a nap…
Later we headed back over to my mom’s house for Christmas dinner (and opened a few more gifts with my cousins and aunt & uncle who popped down from Northern Virginia). We didn’t arrive empty handed. Sherry bottled some cider in this $3 glass that we picked up at Ikea a couple of months ago.
And I tried my hand at more stuffed cookies. This time they were Double Chocolate Cookies with a Peppermint Patty Surprise. They rocked.
Clara got lots of quality time with my aunt Debbie (the one visiting from Seattle). It was their first time meeting and I think both of them had a blast. Clara even learned to say “Debbie.”
Here’s Clara with my sister Carrie. Not sure what they’re doing, but it looks fun.
And of course there was the moment that ended the fun-filled day: Clara dancing with her cousin John (you can watch the video here if you missed it last week).
The day actually didn’t stop there. A bunch of us returned to our house to watch a movie (the classic Christmas film (?), Our Idiot Brother) but we didn’t bother snapping pics of that. It was basically a bunch of us fighting to keep our eyes open after a fun, but tiring, Christmas Day. Then it was off to bed for all of us (our cousins and their kiddos stayed with us for some more holiday hijinx and a great time was had by all).
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That might be one of the first pictures I’ve ever seen of Clara unhappy. Christmas brings it out in all of us at times.
I guess the hoo hat has been dethroned?!
Love the bling, sherdog.
Ha, perhaps it has. Poor hoo hat.
-John
These pictures are adorable, especially the ones of Clara in her new favorite hat! My family also watched Our Idiot Brother over Christmas–so good!
It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! It’s always so nice to celebrate with family :)
John – did your sister’s tree have candy buttons wrapped around it? What a cute idea :)
Yes, isn’t that fun?
xo,
s
How lucky you all are to have family so close. CHERISH IT every day.
B.
Such great pictures – They really capture the moment.
Also, I need those cookies! I absolutely love york peppermint patties. Yum!
your family is so cute… it always makes me smile to see Clara’s cute face! And I love reading how thoughtful you and Sherry are to each other… your relationship is what I strive for with my (hopefully one-day) future husband!! :)
Looks like it was a fun and busy holiday for you! Those are the best with just craziness and lots of family!
OH…another funny film you need to see is BRIDESMAIDS. SO ridiculously funny….I hated to admit it. I loved it and laughed my head off.
Downton Abbey is also great. Season 2 starting on Sunday. NETFLIX the first season. Great show!!!
Just saying’……..
B.
Those double chocolate peppermint patties were a HUGE hit in our house as well. Yum yum yum!
Beautiful family pics! If you happen to remember, what settings did you have your camera on? Especially the photo of Clara in front of the tree, love the bokeh!
We were using our “nifty fifty” 50mm lens for that, so we were on a super low aperture (f/1.8 I believe). It was a must in our living room, which currently is only lit by our Christmas tree!
-John
Where did you get the blue woven basket?? I am a photographer and that would be absolutely perfect for baby/kid photo shoots! Thanks!
It was a purchase from Joss & Main. But you may be able to find it on Wayfair.com!
-John
I saw that quite a few people asked about the blue basket. There is a very similar one on Joss and Main right now under the “Deliciously Organized” sale. Its called Allure Utility Basket in Juniper and is $59.95.
The blue woven basket is on Joss & Main today for $59.95. It is under the Curator’s Collection – Deliciously Organized.
That’s so funny!
xo,
s
I think that’s the first time I see Sherry’s nails painted! Very funky cool!
:D
These pics are wonderful… it makes me miss living close to extended family! Happy new year. :)
I love that last pic of Clara and her cousin, the joy in that smile. Warms the heart doesn’t it?
you know your child has jersey roots when she can be born 6 hours away from the state but still be drawn to leopard print! the hat is adorable btw.
Ah, such fun times spent with family. We are always worn out by the time the festivities are over too!
Happy New Year!!
You have an adorable family! Love that cutie pie of yours! They grow up way too fast. Reminded me of my daughter when she was that age.
Cute cute photos. Love lil kids in hats/caps….cute that Clara won’t take her’s off :)
Funny (and random) thought – when I first saw the picture of John’s mom reading to the kids, I thought she was in the basket, too. That would have been awesome. Happy Holidays to you guys :)
That would’ve been quick the trick – and a big basket!
-John
Where did you get the blue woven basket? It’s so nice!
It was from Joss & Main, so you may be able to find it on Wayfair!
-John
To those who asked about the woven baskets — we have the same ones in dark brown for toy storage in our living room (love them, and our son has just figured out he, too, can climb in and be surrounded by toys, so cute). I got them on Zulily.com, but they are made by Colonial Mills in Pawtucket, RI — http://www.colonialmills.com/. I don’t think they sell direct to consumers on their Web site but you can look for a list of retailers or just wait for items to shop up on the various flash sale sites.
This pics are so awesome and the little kitchen is amazing! I can’t belive, one infomercial about the mexican government (Vivir mejor) in Young house love, is something weird (and exciting at same time) for me cause Im a mexican girl! Anyway, feliz Año Nuevo!
My husband and I also watched Our Idiot Brother on Christmas!
Great minds…! Or idiot minds maybe?
-John
Merry Christmas! Looks like you had a great holiday, with lots of loved ones – beautiful!
Nice job with the peppermint patty-stuffed chocolate cookies! I tried that exact same Rachael Ray recipe, but mine were a giant mess… I thought I did a good job pressing them together, but the peppermint patty oozed out, and melted all over the cookie tray. How did you get yours to stay in tact so well?
I ended up using an extra egg because my batter was feeling really loose. I think mine also came out larger than Ms. Ray intended because I generously covered those babies before putting them in the oven. Sorry yours didn’t work out. They’re totally worth a second go!
-John
When even the favorite toy brings tears… Yep. Definitely time for a nap!
Great pictures, it looks like you had a great Christmas day!
You know, there’s actually a blog where they collect pics of crying kids. I know it sounds terrible, but it’s actually adorable and schadenfreude-ish. Some of them you can just hear the high-pitched squeal of DOOM, and you’re reminded how lucky you are…
Haha, that’s funny!
xo,
s
Merry Christmas to all!
Notes: Your mom and Clara — great picture. Give her a hug next time you see her. Watching your parents and your little ones, doesn’t it just rock? (We had a great Christmas with my folks out here.)
Carrie is so big. (Sorry, still remember you guys as the little ones running around Sunday School.) Also, random note, Carrie posted on my friend Eileen’s FB page awhile ago. Apparently my friend was also her math teacher at Robinson.
We haven’t done peppermint patties, but have done Oreos inside chocolate chip cookies. (And by done, I mean my friend makes them and I eat them.) I should try the peppermint cookies for my husband’s birthday!
Hope you and your family had a great holiday too, Kim!
-John
Debbie looks very familiar to me. Does she ever get up to San Juan Island? (It’s only about 90 miles north of Seattle) We’ve lived up here for almost 5 years.
I’m not sure, but I think it’s a possibility! We’ll have to ask her the next time we talk!
xo,
s
Thanks for sharing your Christmas! I love clara’s new kitchen! I was thinking of DiYing a fridge for my little guy. I shall stalk your blog on a how to… ;)
is there a light in that oven?! How’d you do that?
Head over to younghouselove.com and read the second post down for that info!
xo,
s
Is Aunt Debbie reading a book about Clara? Also, what are ceramic cheese markers? Looks like you guys had fun!
Yes, isn’t that cute? It was a gift from a relative (they had a book made with a lot of her pictures in it- she loves “reading” about Baby Clara!)
xo,
s
beautiful…everything looked like so much fun.
Those pics are fabulous. Thanks for sharing!!!! I saw you said you used the 50mm lens, but how did you get the lighting so perfect? I noticed in the video of Clara there was a flash going off, but you didn’t use one with these did you? Mine would have turned out so blurry and dark inside.
John actually used the flash that morning since it was so early and there wasn’t enough natural light to capture her without getting a blurry shot. We did that with the 50mm lens. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Oh man every picture of Clara makes my uterus ache a little more, she’s so cute!
P.S. I’m aware that is a super creepy comment.. whoopsie.
Haha, that made me laugh out loud. I think it was the whoopsie that did it.
xo,
s
Today’s Joss & Main email had that basket!
So funny!
xo,
s
The teaser for this over on the What Santa Brought Us post was definitely my motivation tonight.
“Ok, self! Finish those lesson plans and you can go check out ALL the Christmas pics!”
Dork alert!
Haha- I hope they lived up to the pressure!
xo,
s
Love the first picture of Clara and ? at the tree! and the picture of her with John’s dad! Looks like you had a great Christmas!
Where is that adorable leopard hat from? My little girl needs it! :)
We think it was from BabyGap! Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Hi, I just wanted to say that Clara looks so so so much like your Dad….she is gorgeous!
I know that’s not $herDog’s hand holding a receipt while fixing Clara’s hat! ;)
Haha- that’s all John! Thank goodness there was a hat buffer and no one’s hands were wet (we learned wet really is the bad part)!
xo,
s
Hi, Clara is so cute on every picture you have of her , she is always smiling and happy, she is the cutest baby..congratulations .. and I love burger’s pictures with his toy so cute…
You are the best …
Thank you for sharing all your projects and your life with us …
Paola
Wow – John and baby Ben have exactly the same smile in that basket picture. Great job recording your Christmas memories this year!
That’s funny because Baby Ben’s momma (Katie) is the sister that I think John looks the most like!
xo,
s
Sherry – I love your nail polish! :) Happy New Year!
Aw thanks! It’s called School Of Hard Rocks by Essie. Not mine – just done by a friend. Haha.
xo,
s
I just love this. How lucky you are to have so much family nearby enough to celebrate with. Love the kids in a basket!
BTW…Did you know that you can buy french lemonade in those bottles that you bought from Ikea? Here in my uptown neighborhood, they cost about $3.99 and they come filled with the most de-lish limonade. I must have 6 of those bottles laying around…saving them for the perfect something or other….
Happy New year to you all and thank you so much for sharing your life with us.
Yum, that sounds amazing! Will have to keep an eye out!
xo,
s
I have those exact earrings in Turquoise, Coral and pink. Gotts love Kendra Scott jewels. She has a boutique here in Ausitn, lets just say they know me now.
Aren’t they so pretty! Lucky you to have a boutique nearby!
xo,
s
Clara totally looks like Sherry in that leopard hat!
Saw this today while browsing the web and thought of you guys.
http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2011/10/forever-bicycles-by-ai-weiwei/
Pretty cool!
Wow! That’s BEAUTIFUL. I remember Ai Weiwei’s name from Work of Art too. Thanks for sharing!
-John
Such sweet photos.. and I love the picture of Burger cracks meup.. I have a chihuahua that doesn’t
3 like to get out of bed also.. it is so cute.
Beautiful pictures! I’m dying to know where the wooden toys (teethers? Nativity set?) on the piano (in the picture of Clara and her cousins) come from–do you know?
John’s mom has had those for as long as he remembers. We think they’re napkin rings or something meant to hold paper scrolls or something! Wish we had more info for ya!
xo,
s
What camera do you use? :)
We have a Nikon D3000. Some of these pics were taken with the standard lens on it, while others were with a “nifty fifty” 50mm lens we purchased for it. Oh, and I guess some were taken by my uncle. He has a Canon, but I’m not sure which model.
-John