Christmas 2014

Always a busy week before Christmas but full of fun, food, family and friends.  First up...The Kid's 4th Birthday!

Ornaments

 They're here!  The ornaments have arrived!  I'm so glad I started this tradition.  And quite frankly, shocked it's still going strong.

Happenings

What a month!  Talk about scramble time.  Let's see, we'll have to go back to the 20th of March...

Christmas 2013

Merry Christmas!!!  I trust everyone had a great one.  Ours was simple and chaotic all wrapped in to one wonderful day.  

Christmas Day in Review

Happy New Year!! This post is kind of late in coming.  Better late than never!  We had a great holiday and hoping for many more as our family grows.  

Decembering

Doesn't matter where we are...the Kid will find a puddle (or bucket) of water somewhere.

Okay, so technically it was still November (the 29th to be exact) when I took these pictures.  (And on the iPhone...sorry).  But still!  It's FOR December.  I'm super excited for Christmas.  On with the traditions!!  

Christmas Re-visited

Couple of things I wanted to mention/show before I forget and before it gets WAY irrelevant (ie it's August).

I decided since 'The Man' and I are still relatively 'new' at the whole "family thing", we've got some traditions we can establish (or at least try out) early on.

The first involves Christmas ornaments.  Some people seem to have this Christmas tree theme figured out waaayyyy in advance.  I guess I'm lame and probably just a little bit lazy.  I have no theme.  I haven't thought about it before.  This year I kind of got a little anxious.  Like, "We've got a kid!  He's going to remember Christmas and all the little things that go with it!  What do we do?!"

So, a couple of days before the BIG DAY, we all took a trip to downtown Ventura to find one of those knick-knack shops that are like eye-candy and stock ridiculously overpriced kitsch.  We chose a couple of ornaments for this years tree (which was no small feat given that the store had about 25 separately themed Christmas trees).

We went for 'beach' or 'nautical' or 'marine life'.  However you want to look at it.

'The Man' chose the half-naked fish lady...just saying.

The black envelopes were something I had wanted to do before ornaments entered my brain.  They're a love note if you will.  Kind of a short 'I love you' re-cap of the year.  Short because my memory stinks.  

So we're off!  One new Christmas tradition for the Chan establishment.  

This last one I added for fun.  I thought it was sweet.  I know.  Awwwhhh....

Omi and 'The Kid'

Tootles!

Christmas 2011

2011 Christmas in picture

The tree Christmas morning.  We were hoping it would 

still be green by Christmas.  And not catch fire.  

  

Everybody needs a fireplace just for this reason.

New mugs for 'The Man' and I.  (A little plug here.  Pay 

attention, you'll see more of the ceramics elsewhere).  Opening stockings 

is serious business, we're gonna need sustenance.

A little nod toward an old tradition in my family.  My Dad used to eat sardines.  So we'd get him a can for his stocking.  We were delightfully disgusted by this every year.  After awhile the tradition kind of faded but not the memory.  So 'The Man' got a can of sardines for his stocking.  Only better.  Because you can actually eat these.

Stocking fun.  Soccer bubbles!

More stocking fun.  Seriously, sometimes I think 

Christmas could begin and end with just the stockings.

My husband...he's so talented.  Expecto patronum baby!

We stop for breakfast.  First time making crepes.  I used this recipe here and yes, it was GOOD.

P.S.  Notice the plate???  

'The Man' has got this one down.  (Again, we found the recipe here).

Okay...the presents.  

Highlighted.

A man after my own heart. Well, he had it a long time ago.  

He gets bonus points for things like this.

Go Gunners!

New wood stacking rings.  And other eco-friendly things to play with.

New phone and it's a party!

UGG's.  I have a pair of UGGS.  My feet have never been so happy.  And warm.

So I thought that Christmas was something great already.  Then came a little surprise.  My brother and I have had a long standing joke about him making me a jewelry box.  It's so awesome it even gets two pictures.   

Yes, my own flesh and blood made this.  Dove-tailed.  Smooth as silk finish.  And it's beautifully lined.  (And yes, I know you were wondering.  That ring you see in there is real, cuz that's how I role).  

'The Man' joked that he didn't get that kind of reaction to anything he gave me.  Well...I know.  I can't help it.  I mean, look at this thing!!!  It's awesome!

Another piece of awesome-ness that I'd like to share is this wooden toy crane.  My Dad made it.  Yes, I know.  It's overwhelming, the talent, isn't it?  Anyway, I'm very excited to add this to the collection.  There's a wooden toy train set that goes perfect with this.  Oh, and notice the dishes in the background?  Mmmm.  Lady Chan is so happy.  

A very Merry Christmas!

Tootles!