Looking Back at a Perfect Little Christmas

Now, it's turn for me to share some perfect little Christmas Memories with you! Although it goes by so fast and it's sometimes a little hectic (with new little ones around), the memories of joy stay will stay in my heart the whole year through!

Crackers containing the goofiest hats and corniest jokes.

Mandatory 7am shot of daughter next to the Christmas tree with one of her many iPhone cases.

Mandatory tired parents in their pajamas on Christmas morning at 7am shot.

Showing off the fruits of Melanie's new crafty toy. Rainbow loom bracelets!

Mandatory Halliday Family Christmas morning breakfast table shot.

Some of my lovely gifts. Britto mini tea pot and tea bag holder. Thanks Mom and Dad, you know how much I LOVE BRITTO!

Some new cookbooks. I LOVE JAMIE OLIVER. Thanks Mom-in-Law and Brent the Christmas Elf!

Gorgeous daughter.... and yes we are wearing matching shirts!

 

Have you ever seen Angels on Earth? Well, here is what they look like! Looking back at this photo, it just brings tears of love to my heart. Melanie looks so serine and peaceful holding her sleeping little baby cousin, this photo takes my breath away!

 

My mother is soooo cute, labeling the Christmas stockings that Santa left for her Grand-children at her home....

Even the 'Accent Aigue' is noted.... such detail!

Stephanie is having soooo much fun opening her first stocking by herself!

...ok, with a little bit of Daddy's help.

Cooper though.... slept through the whole thing!

Look at this cutie all in red.... and Stephanie too! (LOL) Elmo, talks and asks for hugs. Stephanie was a bit weary at first.... but so excited!

She finally decided to move in for a hug... so cute, he's bigger than she is!

Well, Santa was very good to me too... I got some Anthropologie mugs. I am so excited to have the trendiest coffee in my new cool mugs. And of course, I can scrub away the stains with my new flower brush scrubber!

And here's Melanie's tool- that's it folks- the Rainbow loom!

So, just before dinner, the girls always ask Grand-Maman if we can help with anything. And of course, Stephanie wants to get in on the action. There's her mom explaining in French 'C'est chaud'- it's hot!

....then cute little Stephanie decides to put on the oven mitts!

...then smart little Stephanie repeats it in sign language... she is BRILLIANT!

...by the way, this is what they were looking at. This gorgeous turkey, deliciously prepared my amazing mother- and that golden brown skin!

...ok, onto the next thing... attention span of a 2 year old- appropriately so! (well 22 months). Melanie made Rainbow Loom bracelets for everyone even Stephanie got in on the action.

Here's a little piece of Christmas dinner heaven! My delicious plate, yes.... with skin!

Happy chaos at the Christmas Dinner Table... yes, with foil hats this time!

There is King Brent eating his giant turkey leg. Merry Christmas to all! ...

...and to all a 'Baked Alaska'! Hey, wait, is that how the saying goes? Well, anyways. Just had to share this last gorgeous picture of my mother's culinary delights. She made us each an individual Baked Alaska with frozen cappuccino yogurt instead of ice cream... she thinks of every detail.... that's why I love her! So thank you to all my friends and family for making this Christmas a wonderful season filled with such love, joy, caring and sharing!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I thought I would start the year with sharing our Charming, Warm and Cozy Christmas Eve celebration with my family. What an absolutely fantastic way to start the New Year!  Happy 2014 to all. May this year bring you unlimited JOY and PEACE!

I thought I would start the New Year, by sharing this awesome picture of 2013's new addition. Baby Cooper! Here's the Grand-Parents with the Canadian Grand-children! Good job to my Dad for saying 'Cheese'!

Here's my cat Diamond saying 'Cheese' with her little tongue hanging out! Don't you love the sunshine coming in through the window to her favourite 'nap spot'!

 

 There's my gorgeous daughter with her 'almost as tall as her' mother.

 ...but when we sit with Santa, I am taller than her!

 Cousin love!

 Ok, first family portrait for the Sachs/Hebert Crew... Smile...

 Ok, big cheesy grin now!!!! You got it! What a gorgeous family!

What a blessing, sister and baby brother posing for their first Christmas photo (with a little parental supervision, as Stephanie, still thinks he's a doll!)

 Here's the Hallidays- Christmas 2013, full of sparkles and bling!

 I made a 'Quad' of healthy dips. Some homemade Guacamole, and TEX MEX Dip 3 ways!

 After the mandatory 'posing for the Christmas Picture' and snacks, we got down to some Christmas Gift Giving... here we have Melanie helping Stephanie - or was it the other way around?

 ...ummm, Barrie, already got his gift.... a brand new baby boy! But don't worry, he got some fun stuff too!

Amazing Calendar choice for Brent!

 

We gave my sister a funky and warm 'Polka Dot Cow Bathrobe', and matching socks.... because, that is what new mother's need.... and some SLEEP! So, I am sure this will help!

 Look at Stephanie's excitement, she loved her baby bottle, she was 'gasping' for air she was so excited!

Grand-maman was so smart! Stephanie was finding all her presents under the tree because they were all wrapped with Sesame Street Wrapping paper! She just loved the night!

 ... and so did this chicken! Yes, Melanie got a 'Chicken' calendar. It's kind of a joke, she constantly talks about chickens, so this was the perfect calendar- move over Justin Bieber!

 Goofy Christmas Hats! It wouldn't Christmas Eve without you!

 And of course fruits and chocolates... But check out this 'healthier' way to present them. Instead of dipping each piece of fruit in chocolate. We just melted some dark chocolate and drizzled some over fresh fruit skewers! What a HIT! A whole bunch of healthy.... to compensate for the French Canadian Tourtiere (not pictured) and....

This dish filled with delicious home-made Christmas cookies. Most with some 'healthier' ingredients. Recipes to follow. This is a special time of year.... so fill yourself up with LOVE and JOY and then have a little cookie! All you'll need is one, because you will be so full of LOVE!

Ok, now, the official 'The Party's Over' picture if I have ever seen one! Stephanie ready to go home with her baby and her baby bag and bottle! Sweet dreams to all you who follow my blog, may love and joy fill your hearts everyday and may you find the things in life that make you so happy that you can't wait to get on with them and share with the world!

Tea Party- New Toronto Digs

I know, I know, I have to hurry up and post these pictures about our Christmas-time fun before the end of January or you guys will think I am such a slacker!!! But hey, let me tell you I am not a slacker, I am an over-sharer! I have to share so much with you that it takes me a while to catch up!

My friends the St.Germain's moved recently to a new century home filled with charm, high ceilings and a little backyard with green grass (well, I think, it was kinda snow-covered)- which is a great bonus living in Toronto.

During the Holidays, we were invited for a little tea party. It was festive and fun, light and bright and full of amazing new things... I love going to someone's new home and going for the 'TOUR' and hearing about all the details they are planning for decorating. Jenny and Szos served some lovely tea and accompaniments and these amazing Christmas plates. They just knocked my socks! A plate for each of the days of Christmas. I got the '4 calling birds'. Loved them!

Here's the little cookie monster loving my big soft ginger cookies... her fave!  She got the 11th day of Christmas plate.

The gorgeous family in front of their Christmas tree. So sweet and full of love, it just oozes out of them and splats on their funky Christmas tree adorned with records, octopus and zebra stripped ribbon. I just love their style!

Loveliest of them all was this little gem of a jar filled with delicious homemade pesto. Such a precious and dear family. Thank you!