Definitely on the nice list

one of the great gifts Indio received.

Indio is finally old enough to really *get into* Christmas traditions. We weren't traveling over Christmas this year [a rarity for us since our extended family is scattered all over] so we were able to begin some of our own traditions.

donning our new pajamas on Christmas morning.

Yesterday afternoon, we watched, Elf, a movie that is loved by all in this house. We had a small dinner party with a few family members who live in the NY-area and we are looking forward to seeing other cousins later today.

Indio slept in until 8:30am this morning. That was a Christmas treat for me and E that I hope turns into a family *tradition*! He was so excited to open his presents and completely enthralled with each one. I was a bit worried he might throw certain gifts aside [clothes, books] in an effort to play with the more *fun* things like his action figures and vehicles, but he really did seem to love them all.

Indio laughing at me as I unsuccessfully tried to capture Cassius in front of the tree.

Indio wasn't the only one that made the nice list. Instead of conventional presents, E and I decided to book a trip to Punta Cana! I can't wait to feel the sun on my face and sand on my toes!

I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas. What traditions do you have? Which ones have you created for your own family?

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From our family to yours

Merry Christmas! May 2013 be full of love and laughter. xo

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'Tis the season

. . . for our annual Santa Snapshot.  Indio wasn't enthralled with the idea of sitting on a strange man's lap, but he warmed up quickly enough to get one decent photo.

2012

And just for fun, here's a look back . . .

2011

2010

2009

We don't have a photo from 2008 because Indio was only a wee 10 days old on Christmas Day.  Have you started preparing for the holidays?  What traditions have you started with your family?

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Merry Christmas!

Wishing you and yours a most festive holiday!

can you believe 2012 is a week away???

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Santa, Santa and more Santa!

This year December seems to be all about *threes*: Indio had his third birthday, it's our third Christmas season as a family of three and we visited three different Santas in search of the best photo-op. [Last year's smile was caught in the first take.]

attempt #1: macy's 34th street, the epitome of christmas overload in nyc. honestly, it was pretty, but not all that.

attempt #2: we thought a visit to last year's santa would warrant smiles, but alas, that was not the case.

third time's a charm: finally! it was happenstance that a jolly santa and a jolly toddler were at the mall at the same time!

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Falalalala Lala Lala

This year I hosted my very first Christmas dinner, complete with turkey and Claire's sweet potato soufflé! E grew up celebrating Christmas, but I basically took in the festivities at friends' or cousins' houses since we didn't really celebrate in my house, so it was a big deal for me to begin traditions for our little family.

We combined Indy's birthday with Christmas since E's mother, father, sister and her husband were all here visiting from the States.

The house was festive, the food was delicious and the air was full of love!

Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas too!

oh christmas tree my christmas tree...

indy's first words christmas morning: "what is THAT?" as he pointed to the bounty under the tree.

sleepy-eyed: you know i love you when i'm willing to post a bed-head family photo!

the fabulous chocolate/vanilla/pudding birthday cake made for indy by my bff, jenn

indy now equates birthdays with cake...guess it's better than thinking it means "presents"

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'Twas the night before Christmas...

Wishing you and yours a fabulous Christmas full of love and joy!

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Ornament Swap 2010: My Bounty!

This year is the first year I will have an official Christmas tree in our house and I thought what better way to adorn it than with an ornament from Micaela's Ornament Swap 2010! I was lucky enough to be paired up with a wonderful swap partner, Erin, who is a fellow Canuck [she's out west in the beautiful land of British Columbia] and has such a fantastic blog!

Yesterday, I received a wonderful package from Erin containing the cutest, most adorable little additions for my soon-to-be Christmas tree! I can't begin to thank her enough for her thoughtfulness [she read I loved elephants in a comment I made on Micaela's blog!] and originality [they were handpicked from an Etsy artist: MaiseyHandmade.]

love the twine and teeny tag.

I can't wait to put these guys up on our tree when we finally get it! Thank you so much, Erin! I hope you receive your ornament soon, if you haven't already! Canada Post promised me it would get to you safe and sound this week!

how perfect are they?

erin knows soft ornaments are best with a toddler exploring everything!

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It's beginning to feel a lot like...

blank canvas: rockefeller center circa 2006

I know it's still only November, but I'm already getting giddy thinking about the holiday season. This year, I will finally have my very own Christmas tree! Growing up in a Hindu family, we didn't celebrate Christmas [though we took advantage of the Boxing Day sales!], and I did exchange gifts with friends and spent a lot of time at my cousin's place, whose house was always festive and traditional.

E grew up celebrating Christmas, and though we both don't like the commercial aspect of the holiday, we are excited to begin our own family traditions and continue those he shared with his family.

To jumpstart my ornament shopping, I joined the lovely Micaela's Ornament Swap! I was paired up with a fellow Canuck, Erin and after perusing her fantastic blog, I set out today in search of the perfect adornment for her tree. As I was walking along Queen St West in downtown Toronto I stumbled upon a fabulously ornate store called Ten Thousand Villages.

From their website:

"Ten Thousand Villages is a nonprofit Fair Trade Organization (FTO). FTOs are non-governmental organizations designed to benefit artisans, not to maximize profits. They market products from handicraft and agricultural organizations based in low-income countries, providing consumers with products that have been fairly purchased from sustainable sources."

I only had about 20 minutes before my parking meter ran out, so I had to move fast. [I have bad luck with trying to outrun meter-maids...] TTV had so many gorgeous ornaments decorating their faux trees that it was hard to narrow down my choices, but in those 20 minutes I managed to collect about 20 beautiful, handmade embellishments that would be perfect on almost any evergreen.

I can't share my wares just yet because I want Erin to be surprised when she receives her swap package, but as soon as my tree is up and decorated, I will be sure to post it here.

Do you celebrate Christmas? What are your holiday traditions? Have you started any of your own?

one of the ornaments i had to pass up...though i may go back for him b/c he's utterly adorable!

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