Merry Christmas!

It's been two years since I started this blogging thing, and I have thoroughly enjoyed "meeting" so many wonderful people! I have so many blogs I read on a daily basis, and some days, y'all are the only thing that keep me sane. Your optimism, your creativity, your inspiration, and your kindness all make me smile, and I have loved watching so many wonderful families grow!

 

I'm looking forward to 2015 and seeing what's in store for us.

Merry Christmas from the Slater family!

 

Merry Christmas Eve & Printables

Ready or not, tomorrow is Christmas! I don't know about y'all, but to me it feels like we were just eating Thanksgiving dinner!

 

Last night, I finished wrapping everything, and tied up a few last loose ends, so I think we're officially ready. Bring on Christmas!

 

 

Like every other mom in America, last night, I was trying to think of the perfect goodbye for Jovie, our Elf. The other day, I showed you the pajamas she's bringing Tinley and Crew for Christmas morning, but I needed something else. She arrived with a letter, so I figured a goodbye letter would perfect. I found this template, and after tweaking it a bit, it was ready for Jovie to leave for the kids.

 

 

Tinley was so excited when she woke up this morning! Even though the letter says she's allowed to hug and kiss Jovie goodbye, she wouldn't do it! Maybe before bed tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

I also found these super cute printable gift tags from Santa

 

 

 

Once again, after tweaking them a bit, they turned out perfect. I can't wait to tie them on all of the kid's gifts with some baker's twine!

 

 

 

 

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

 

 

 

 

 

Tiny Dancer

From the moment I heard we were having a girl, one of my favorite things to imagine was her first dance class. My aunt owned a dance studio, so I started dancing at the age of 3, and continued until I graduated high school. It was such a huge part of my life for so, so long, and I miss it to this very day.

 

So, when Tinley was finally old enough for a "Mommy and Me" dance class, I jumped at the opportunity to enroll her! I think I was more excited than she was when signing up and shopping for her dance outfits, but once she got to her first class, she was hooked. Just look at these pictures from her first class back in August...

 

Pure joy!

 

 

Watching the big girls in awe!

 

Every Monday, she wakes up and says "Me have dance tonight!" I love her enthusiasm, and only hope her love for the art continues. Since she's just in the "Mommy and Me" class this year, we don't get to participate in the recital, but Little Miss has already informed me that "next year when she's 3, she's taking 2 classes and driving herself." Well, okay then baby girl, mama can't wait! (For the dance class part that is. You'll have to wait about 13 more years for the driving thing!)

 

monogrammed leo from etsy

 monogrammed tutu by mudpie

 

 

 

Christmas Pajama Party Link-Up

 

I've been quite the blogging slacker as of late (sorry!), but this is another link-up party I could not miss out on. I participated in this last year, and had so much fun seeing everyone's cuties in their Christmas jammies- one of my favorite things! So, a big thanks to Darci, Julie, Natasha, Jenny and Ashley for hosting this Christmas Pajama Party link- up again this year!

 

Every holiday has been so fun lately, and I have really enjoyed matching Tinley and Crew. (Sorry, not sorry!) I knew Christmas would be no exception. ANDDDDD not only was I excited to match their outfits for seeing Santa, Christmas pictures, holiday parties, etc, but also their pajamas! I know, I know...

 

Anyway, I found two of the cuuuuutest 2-piece sets on one of my favorite website, Smocked Auctions, and I knew they had to have both! We got their Santa pajamas first, and they wore them while we read "Elf on the Shelf " the night we returned home from Thanksgiving vacation. It was the perfect way to kick off December and the arrival of Jovie, our Elf.

 

 

My mom gave them the second coordinating striped personalized pair when she came to visit and do Christmas last weekend. Tinley has learned that practically everything she owns has her name on it, so she immediately started spelling her name when she saw them. Whoops.

 

 

I can't decide which are cuter!

 

 

We started a fun tradition with Tinley on her first Christmas, and plan to continue it this year with her and Crew. Jovie the Elf is bringing them each  a new pair of Christmas pajamas that they can open Christmas Eve. I found both of their sizes in these adorable fleece footed onesies by Carter's, so they'll be warm and snuggly, and of course, look cute for all those photo ops on Christmas morning!

 

 

 

 

 Please join us for this fun and festive link-up! Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

Visits with Santa

I had 2 goals this year when we took the kids to see Santa for the first time. 1- Please Crew, don't cry. 2- And Tinley, please don't stare at him.

 

I was almost positive that Crew wouldn't cry; in fact, I thought he might even smile, since he's happy ALL THE TIME. But I wasn't so sure about Tinley not starring. She's very into Christmas this year, and is starting to understand everything so much more, which I love, because it's soooo fun. But, I still thought she might stare at Santa.

 

Like she did in 2012 for her first visit with Santa:

 

 

 

And then in 2013:

 

 

 

And in 2013 again, when we went for a re-do:

 

 

 

 

So, when she hopped right up in his lap, gave him a hug, told him what she wanted, then smiled for the camera, I was thrilled. Add to that a non-crying 7 month old who *almost* cracked a smile, and I was ecstatic! We even took them to see Santa a second time, and we had the same result. Score!

 

 

 

 

To say Tinley was proud of herself is an understatement. And yes, I let her rock the reindeer hat all around the Charleston Mall. Mom points for the win!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Christmas Pictures 2014

Every year, during Thanksgiving vacation when we're in WV visiting Justin's family, his mom makes an appointment with The Picture People to get the kids' pictures taken. Normally, it's chaos because A- EVERYONE is getting their holiday pictures made. B- It's in the mall, which just adds to the chaos. And C- there are normally lot's of little kids and big families. So, it's all around a cluster. But, it's normally worth it, because we get a few cute pictures and cut-out ornaments. So, we'll keep continuing the tradition.

 

This year however, I was exceptionally pleased with the pictures. Justin's mom got Tinley a gorgeous corduroy dress from Ralph Lauren, and we paired it with navy tights, her navy Mary-Janes, and a navy monogrammed bow. She also got Crew the most adorable outfit from Gymboree that coordinated perfectly. He looked like such a little handsome man, and I just couldn't resist sharing some of the pictures.

 

I know I'm biased, but aren't they just the cutest things you've ever seen? 'Gimme a spoon, I could eat them up!

 

 

Christmas Card Carousel

Today, I'm linking up with Faith from Walk With Me By Faith for a fun Christmas Card Carousel! This will be my 3rd year linking up, and I look forward to it every year! Thank you Faith for keeping up this fun holiday tradition!

    I'm also joining Brettni, Lyndsey, Amanda, and Joy for their Christmas Card Party! Don't forget to use #ChristmasCardLinkup on your social media posts!  

    I didn't think it was possible to top last year's Christmas cards, but I should have known better. My friend Holly, owner of Artsy Occasions, never ceases to amaze me! She is my go-to gal for any invitation, card, announcement, party favor, decor... you name it, she does it. And does it well! We always get so many compliments on the things we send out, and it's all thanks to her.    I knew that this year, since it was our first Christmas as a family of 4, I wanted something different. I presented the idea of a round shape, and Holly loved it! So, that was step 1. Easy enough.
Step 2: Colors. I have been obsessed with navy ever since we did Crew's nursery in navy and white. I even used my new favorite combo for our color scheme for our family pictures. So, when it came time to pick a color palette for our holiday cards, I had no doubt that navy would play a role. I wanted to include some gold this year too. I have been majorly crushing on all things gold this holiday season, and I thought it would compliment the navy beautifully. Holly used some metallic gold paper, which really accented the navy. 
Step 3: Wording. Every year, I like to use a fun quote; I think it's more exciting than "Merry Christmas" or "Happy Holidays." It's more me. I used a play on words and thought I would incorporate the gold sparkle design into our saying, thus getting "May Your Holidays Sparkle." Love it. 
Step 4: Accessories. Holly adds little personal touches to any masterpiece she creates. On our cards this year, since they a round shape, she thought it would be fun to attach a metallic ribbon. I loved the idea, and you don't know how many texts I gotten from friends and family with a picture of our card on the tree. Brilliant Holly! She also personalized the envelopes and added the sparkle design to them.  I couldn't be happier with the finished result, and as I always say... I don't know how we'll top these next year! Of course, I also have to thank Jenae with A Perfect Pixel Photography for our fabulous family pics! The cards would not have been the same without them!

 

And, a big thank you to everyone who sent us a Christmas card this year, I love displaying them in our kitchen. Something about Christmas cards just gets me in the holiday spirit! I anxiously rush to the mailbox in anticipation during the month of December! So fun!

And now, here's a look at the 2014 Slater Christmas card...

 

  

  

   

  

  

   

 

 

 

 

2013 Christmas Card

 

 

2012 Christmas Card