Claus for the Cause

We spent a wonderful Saturday afternoon at the National Charity League's Claus for the Cause.  This great event benefits 14 different area non-profit organizations.  When you arrive you are assigned an "elf" who takes you through all the different stations.  Our first stop was to visit Santa.  George and Clara were not interested in sitting with this Santa.  We took a family picture instead.  Our next station was a yummy snack and then we headed to the craft room.  We made reindeer food, Christmas bags, a picture frame, and got a Christmas tattoo.  The twins had so much fun!  We will definitely go back next year.

Snack time!

Making reindeer food.

Making Christmas bags

Getting our Christmas tattoos.

George picked a soldier.

Clara picked a present.

Making a finger print picture frame.

KAMOM Santa Brunch

We enjoyed a wonderful brunch with all of our friends from KAMOM.  Santa was the main attraction!  George loved him.  He followed him around.  Got on his lap.  Let Santa hold him.  He was enamored.  Clara on the other hand was not.  She would give Santa five and shake his hand, but would not sit on his lap or let him hold her.  When we tried she screamed.  We are halfway to a great Christmas picture with Santa Claus.  Go Georgie! The magic of the holidays comes back when you get to see it all over again through the eyes of your children.  What a blessing!  We are definitely enjoying this holiday season!

Ready to go see Santa!

Loving on Daddy.

Meeting Santa.

Nice to meet you Mr. Claus!

Meet my new BFF!

Making Rudolph.

As close as she would get without crying.  If we got closer...

This would happen.  Poor Clara bear!

Hi again Santa!

Waiting for Santa to hand out gifts.  He brought every child a book.

Merry Christmas!  Wishing you all the best of the season!

Trim the tree!

John and I put up the Christmas tree after the kids were in bed but left the non-breakable ornaments for the kiddos to put on the next morning.  We spent the morning decorating our tree while listening to Christmas music.  George and Clara were in awe of the tree and had so much fun adding each ornament.  Such a wonderful morning!

A very excited Georgie.

A surprised Clara.

Adding ornaments.

A little help from Daddy.

This was one of our favorites!

Good job Clara bear!

All smiles!

Playing eye spy with Daddy.

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree.  How lovely are your branches!

It's the most wonderful time of the year....

It's December 1st which means it is officially Christmas season in the Hadjioannou household!  The twins went to MDO this morning looking pretty festive thanks to some of our favorite friends Ashley and Michael Lyle.  Tis the season!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving was extremely special this year because we had a new addition to the Thanksgiving table.  Our sweet niece Elyse enjoyed her first Turkey Day!   We have more things than I could ever list to be thankful for this year.  We are blessed.  We all celebrated together at my parent's house and I enjoyed every minute of it. Great family.  Great food. Great day!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Sayed, Christina, and Elyse

Don't worry Grandma has got this under control.

Handsome little guy!

Puzzles anyone?

Loving on Elyse.

Where's your belly?!?

Cuddle time with Mommy in our PJs before we head home. What a great Thanksgiving!

I promise my parents and Grandpa George were there.  Somehow they escaped all photos...hmmm.

George and Clara's 2nd Birthday Carnival Party!

George and Clara's Carnival Invitations

 The birthday girl and birthday boy!!!

Come One Come All!

Our guests were greeted with personalized prize bags.

Top hats for the boys.

Crowns for the girls.

Guests could take their picture in this fun carnival photo board.

They passed the cupcake table before heading outside to play carnival games.

Yum!

Clara couldn't stay away from the cupcake table...

and neither could George!

 Fun things to climb on, climb through, and jump in!

Everyone enjoyed the concessions

Popcorn, caramel apples, and cotton candy!

The kiddie table.

Ring toss, football throw, can knock down, bean bag toss, and pin drop

were the fun games we played.

Once they finished the games then they could fill their prize bag with goodies.

 

 They could also make a chalk art masterpiece...

or get their face painted.

George and Clara were spoiled by their friends.

We are so grateful!

And now some shots of fun, family, and friends who came out to celebrate with us.  Our day was so special because of all of you!  Many thanks!

Aunt Sandra!

Sweet Claire playing games.

 

Daddy and Georgie!

Pop-pop!

Clara and Natalie

Playing with Grandpa

Mr. Clayton

Molly and Evyn

The Carter Family

Sayed, Christina, Elyse, and Sandra

Princess Addison!

Mommy and Clarabear

Grandma and Georgie

Happy Birthday To You!!

Clara look over there while I steal your cupcake!

Playing with our helpers Grace and Paige.

Happy birthday to my sweet monkeys!