A Very Merry Christmas

Boy has Christmas changed since I was little.  My sisters and I used to spend Christmas Eve making cookies for Santa and sprinkling reindeer food (i.e. glitter) in the front yard.  We would try and stay up as late as we possibly could to try and catch Santa coming down the chimney.  My sister Kristina once swore to my parents that she saw all Santa's reindeer in the front yard.  

But as we have grown older, the significance of this day has grown much larger.  This Christmas we celebrated the two most important things in our lives.  Our dear lord and savior Jesus Christ, and family.  

Our day looked a little like this....

Church. Where Father Papedo gave a beautiful service...as always. We snuggled up with our favorite kiddos, Eli and Eleni who were all dressed up in their finest Christmas attire.  

Home. To laugh and love with sisters and cousins, a yiayia, a papou, a mom, a dad, and a hubby.

Brunch. A Sleder Christmas tradition. Mom makes ham, apple pancake, cheesy grits, fruit salad, and some sort of hot beverage spiked with rum and cinnamon...YUM!

Nap. Because we were so full ;)

Alexia and Tula came over for more couch time and a movie. 

Bed.

Merry Christmas!!!!

Love,

The Draper's

Christmas with the kiddos

These little ones were thrilled to have Christmas dinner at their mimi's house. I like to think it's because they are excited to spend time with their grandma, aunts and uncles.....but at this age, I think it has more to do with what's inside the colorful wrapping paper :o) 

And that's okay,  because they are just too stinkin' cute!

Giving Thanks

We could not have asked for a more perfect Thanksgiving.  The weather was perfect, the food...oh the food was amazing and the compay, well that was the best. 

This year we continue to be thankful for the wonderful blessings in our life.

Like siblings

And these sweeties

our families

 celebrations

each other

We are Thankful.

Halloween

Just wanted to share a few pictures of some of our favorite kiddos.  They were all SO cute this Halloween (Ya, I know I am behind on my posts). Happy Tuesday!

Wildcats

Today was a perfect day, for so many reasons...

For him...

And for her...

And for wildcat football!

 GO CATS!

More: Before and After

This weeks progress....

I wish I had a better "before" picture of the family room, but you get the idea.

before and after-just a few

Ever since last Wednesday night, we have been up until after midnight working on the house.  Here are a few before and after pictures.  Hopefully we will have more to share after another weekend of work.

One Year Old

He is ONE.

And to be his god parents is the biggest blessing

Such a sweet and happy boy

And now a big boy!

Happy Birthday Mr. Elias! 

Love Always, 

Nouno and Nouna

Repairs

We are almost there!!!! The movers are scheduled to haul our heavy "stuff" over immediatlety after closing takes place at 1:30 tomorrow!

I wish I had more pictures, but our place has looked like a construction zone for the past two weeks.  We have been adding a lot of "news" to the house.  So far....paint, carpet, ballusters, light fixtures and a dark stain on the woods floors

The last of the carpet is getting installed right now, but here are a few "before" pictures. The "after" pictures to come this weekend!

Finally

A one year search, four different home inspections, and too many houses to remember...but we finally found the one! We close on our first home in less than two weeks and cannot wait! 

We have been busy

Painting.....

and cleaning.....

taking down wall paper.....

but most importantly,  dreaming about the wonderful memories we will make in our home.