Happy Valentine's Day!

Our first Valentine's Day as marrieds!

Love you James!

XOXOXOXOXO

A visit with Santa

I took Gibson and Lola to Green Pawz, our go-to pet store in Ann Arbor, over the weekend to see Santa.  My mom and her dog, Kaleigh, met us there too.  The dogs dug Santa and I loved that our donation to pose helps FIDO the organization where we adopted Gibson almost 1 year ago. 

Gibson's with Santa



Kaleigh with Santa



Michigan Etsy Seller

Most of you know that I adore Etsy!  LOVE LOVE LOVE it! 

A good friends sister-in-law sells star urchins in her shop on Etsy called kissa design.  The star urchins, sometimes known as porcupine balls, are based off of traditional Polish folk art and can be used for holiday decor, tree toppers, a modern accent in your home, or even as wedding decorations.  I just love them and am thinking about some for my holiday tree! 



So fresh and crisp - love them!!




This leopard print tree topper makes me smile!



All images are property of kissa designs.

Holidays with my Grandma!

I am so fortunate to have my wonderful grandma in my life.  This past holiday season was her 104th (she turned 103 just before Christmas!).  I just had to post some photos of her as she is radiant!!! 

Me & Agnes as she models the beautiful shawl we gave her for Christmas...

Auds (my beautiful Mom!) with her mother, Agnes...

X-mas Decor at LaNa!

White House 2005

White House 2006

White House 2007

My Navin ornament from Byrl....

A fave ornament from my Grandma G.

A few other favorite decorations on our tree...

 

 

And, my niece's favorite...

Happy Holidays!

What are your favorite holiday memories and/or continued traditions?

Given the time of year, I would love to hear your favorite memory, a family tradition, or a gift that you remember years later. 

I'll start!

My favorite memory would be Christmas celebrations with my sister, Robyn.  She would start the holiday with a stomach ache at my Dad's on Christmas eve...the excitement of the holiday, gifts, santa left her over stimulated!  She would then be the first to wake me on Christmas morning at our Mom's.  I remember waking to find her staring me in the eyes and saying "Are you up Laura?!"  We'd wake our Mom and the festivities would continue!

I have received several special gifts over the years, but the one that sticks out the most is a statue of a grey cat that looked like our "then" pet Fluffy.  Robyn gave me the statue and I still cherish it to this day. 

My favorite parts of the holidays now revolve around my 4-year-old niece.  I love to see the excitement in her eyes like I used to in her mommy's. 

I can't wait to hear from you on what memories and traditions make your holidays special!

xo