Thursday, January 1, 2009

A Little Late

Happy New Year everyone!

Since it's already '09 and I still haven't posted about our Christmas, I figured I'd better get to it!
This Christmas was so much fun because Kate actually got excited about Santa (or 'Ho Ho' as she calls him).

We had our family Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve night at Sal Gal's house. Everyone brought a dish or two and we ended up having a pretty big spread.

I volunteered to bring the green bean casserole and chocolate bark.
I always volunteer for the green bean casserole because it's so easy and doesn't take long to prepare. I do however take the time to fry up a few strips of bacon to crumble in it because that can make or break it in my book.



Grabbing my dish and heading out the door
After everyone ate, we drew a picture or wrote a few words on our table cloth. Instead of putting the table cloth on the dining room table, we just put in the living room on the coffee table and took turns sitting around it and drawing.
I ended up finding the perfect table cloth at Target. It was solid white and 100% cotton.
So I scored on the linen but pretty much blew it with the markers. The markers I bought had way too fine of a point and they were very hard to draw with. I am definitely getting different ones for next year. Because of the marker issue, the drawings aren't as dark as I'd like them to be. But it doesn't bother me enough to break out a needle and thread and embroider it either.
Here's a few of the drawings:


How precious is that? Out of everyone's drawings, Kate's little random lines are my favorite. I'm smiling right now just looking at them.


So maybe I didn't have time to practice other Christmas drawings and ended up going with the candy cane after all. I tried to add a little twist to it by drawing two of them into a heart, which did nothing but confirm the fact that my artwork will never end up on the walls on the Guggenheim.









Let it be known that I drew my picture first, therefore making it obvious that Sal Gal did indeed copy me. Except for that patch of grass. Everyone knows that candy canes come with their own sod square, right?

Most of us drew a small picture, except for M to the Izz-A of course. He had to go all out and turn it into a competition.

Seriously dude, did you print out a template and practice all week or what?
Look at his face and you can tell how proud he is of himself.



Over all the table cloth turned out great. We had so much fun doing it! It will definitely be something we do every year from here on out.

Big Al, Sal Gal, and me
Side note: I wasn't sure what color the darkest bead was on my necklace. I'm usually very good at distinguishing colors, especially between blacks and blues, but on this necklace I really couldn't tell. On that particular night, I wore it with a black and grey color scheme so I called it black. But on Sunday I wore it with a navy blouse and called it navy.
It's black. It's navy. It's blavy. Work with me here.

Kate LOVED her kitchen from Papa and Gaga. Can't you tell?


Before bed on Christmas Eve, Kate and I had a tea party with the tea set she received from Lillie (Sal Gal's daughter).
Of course in our house we pretend that it's ice cold sweet tea.



Kate and her cousin Kennedy on Christmas morning
I loved this Christmas and am looking forward to the new year ahead.
We just returned from a quick trip to my mother-in-law's and all I'm going to say is this:
And you thought I could catch air with my heel clicks...
Stay tuned...




38 comments:

Mrs Anne said...

i love BLAVY! :)

you're adorable! and i love your tablecloth tradition... i think it's just so neat!

Your precious little girl is so sweet! :)

wishing YOU and YOURS a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

xo

~Mrs. Guru~ said...

Super cute pictures! I love your necklace and want one!!

Kristy said...

I am crackin' up about blavy... good one!!
The pink flowery shirt that Kate has on is the EXACT shirt that Kinley has on right now. Great minds?? I think SO!!

Sassytimes said...

I just went back and read your heel click post and laughed out loud. I love that you guys have such a good time where ever you go. Kudos to you!

Rebecca Jo said...

The table cloth turned out FANTASTIC... everyone had great talent drawing on it... love the simple lines by Kate too... that's precious!

Mrs. Realife said...

Love it -- Looks like your Holidays were a blast!

Cheers to 2009!!

shalay said...

That tablecloth turned out great! I love that tradition and I'm determined to start it in my own family this year.
Happy new year!

TheVanzants said...

SUch artistic taltent in your family. I love the tablecloth tradition - how special!

Looks like Kate's Christmas was so much fun! Hopefully we'll see y'all soon- it's been a while! Happy new year!

Brandi said...

Looks like you guys had a great holiday! Aww I was just thinking of you and the heel clicks not to long ago! I can't wait to see what's next! :D

Michele said...

Oh Hollie ~ what wonderful pictures. That's such a great idea with a table cloth signed by everyone. Maybe when I get some grandkids, we can do that!

Happy New Year!

Hugz,
Michele

Becky said...

Happy New Year!! Great tradition w/the table cloth. Looks like Matt takes it VERY seriously, lol.

I had to go back and see what a heel click was and I'M IMPRESSED!

Made your famous cheese-dogs last night. Thanks for the idea!

God bless

Lori said...

I enjoyed your sweet blog! Happy New Year!

Girl Meets Beau said...

How fun! Love the pics and as always Kate looks adorable! Hope you have a wonderful 2009!!

Oh and I went and read your heel clicks post and it was hilarious!! You and Sal Gal are so much fun :)

morewineplease said...

What a great Christmas you had! Love the table cloth!
Happy New year!

tickledpink said...

What fun you and your family have! I am laughing and loving the heel clicks post! That is a great tradition about the table cloth. Crayola makes these markers called Fabric markers, and literally they will work wonders on any material. Just thought I would throw that in for next year. Okay, you have the most beautiful skin! May I ask what is your beauty secret? I mean literally it's so flawless, glowing, dewy and youthful like a teenager! You always look fabulous!

Mrs. Buck said...

I love the table cloth idea! Happy New year!

Eve said...

I LOVE taht table cloth idea!
It looks like a wonderful Christmas gathering.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sandra said...

Such great pictures!! Your family is beautiful! Happy New Year!!

Mandy Rose said...

Black...Navy...either way...you look adorable!! Cute pictures!

Mrs. Classic said...

Very cute! I love that most have truly captured the reason for the season.
I am gald you found me and I can't wait to see more.

Anonymous said...

so cute and fun, happy 2009 to you!!

MiMi said...

I am still loving that tablecloth tradition! That is such an awesome idea!

I am glad that you had a wonderful Christmas and your pictures are adorable.

So glad that I stumbled across your blog this year and have gotten to "know" you. I love reading about you and your precious family.

May God richly bless you and yours in 2009!

Anonymous said...

Hi There! I just love your blog! I went back to read what the heel clicks were all about. All I can say is Classic! Looks like so much fun! You can really get some air! Happy New Year to you and your family.

Anonymous said...

I love the tablecloth idea - definitely going to add it to my list of traditions!

katie lake said...

I love your tablecloth! I like the suggestion of the fabric markers but since I'm cheap I usually use sharpies and hair spray. Sharpies (or knock off sharpies) have the brightest colors but if you don't use hairspray they might bleed out as you draw.

Sarah Ring said...

Merry Christmas & Happy New Years Hollie!!

** Love the picture of you watching your hubby color - so presh!!

Katy said...

Full of wonder my friend. Love that you posted w/ pics. of the tablecloth! Cute pics. all around.

A Belle and her Beau said...

everyone's drawings were so sweet! bart simpson made me laugh!!!

A Belle and her Beau said...

everyone's drawings were so sweet! bart simpson made me laugh!!!

Rune said...

Happy new year! This is my first time I visit your blog, and your blog is very nice:)

You have a lovley familie.

Have a blessed 2009

Wibeche

Unknown said...

aw, how cute is that!??!?!? adorable! Happy New Year!

Jenni said...

How cuuuuuute are you? LOL!

Happy New Year!

Mrs. Classic said...

I gave you an award!

Unknown said...

I stopped by for a first time visit. I hang out at Lavender Chick about every day! Love your blog!

Paige

StylishSuburban said...

I just came across your blog and love it. Your table cloth idea turned out so cute I may have to steal that for one day when I have children. This is a random question I love the green paint in your kitchen do you know what color it is? Green is so hard to find the perfect shade and I have already gone through 3 different colors.

LuLu said...

I am loving Bart Simpson on the tablecloth!!! Your family is SO cute!

Anonymous said...

You are so darling and your skills with vocabulary combinations are speaking to me... deep within my soul.

Lauren said...

Don't worry Hollie, my Christmas post was late too, oh well LOL

Love the tablecloth! Turned out really cute and Matt's face while doin' up his masterpiece is hysterical.