Every year we like to drop in before everyone abandons their keyboards for Christmas (or have you already?) to share our Christmas card along with some gushy words of appreciation. So thar she blows:
We had a few other ideas planned for our card this year (Clara gift-wrapping Burger, Clara riding her bike with a tiny Christmas tree on the back as Burger ran next to her, etc) but a combination of book deadlines, hospital decorating, showhouse meetings, and bad weather tied us up. Thank goodness for this shot that we miraculously got on the day that we told Clara she was going to have a little brother (I’ve filed it under “Christmas miracles”).
And because we like an outtake or two, we’d be remiss not to pause to appreciate this one of Burger cowering in blurry fear while Clara manhandles Captain Barnacle.
Or this one full of Burger enthusiasm but zero discernible excitement from Clara.
We did get this one of Clara kissing her doll, but Burger is nowhere to be seen, and it’s a little reminiscent of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Oh how thankful we are for one good shot.
We also took this one in front of a Love sign that we thought could have worked for the card, but we were kind of far away, and you can hardly see Clara clutching Captain Barnacle (she never leaves home without him).
We got them printed from TinyPrints and used a coupon code that we found right on their site to save 20% and score free shipping. Addressing all those envelopes with only about a week to spare was a little nerve-wracking, but we got it done. And it was pretty exciting to reference a little one on the way, since we haven’t done that since our very first Christmas card, way back in 2009.
Speaking of past years, here’s a quick recap of all of our family cards dating back to that one. First we have last year’s card:
And here’s the one from 2011:
The one from 2010:
And our very first one from 2009:
Also in big arrivals news, we have a bunch of family members coming to town today, so we’re off to hopefully plow through a few more to-dos before they get here (you know, baking cookies, priming cabinets, the usual) but we wanted to be sure we shared our holiday card with you guys along with our warmest wishes to you and yours. We sincerely appreciate you for dropping in on us, and we hope you all have an awesome holiday season full of cookies, baby dolls, and whatever else brings you joy.
And although we figure many of you will be busy with miscellaneous chaos over the upcoming week between Christmas and New Year’s, we’ll still be dropping in occasionally, and we hope to have a big ol’ painted cabinet reveal in early 2014. You know, to kick the year off with a bang. Or should I say, with a brush?
Update: You can check out all of our favorite holiday decor finds here – many of which are under $15!
Awwee the Clara looks adorable! And Merry Christmas to you guys!
Clara* not the Clara. lol
Haha! I love “the Clara”!
xo
s
Love the card! Merry Christmas to you all!
Another great Christmas card! Enjoy the holidays and cannot wait to see all that you guys have in store for us for 2014.
Merry Christmas, Petersiks!! Your card is lovely! I hope your holidays are filled with lots of family, laughs, yummy food and happy tummy flutters :)
Ditto! Merry Christmas :)
EXCELLENT pic for the card this year!! (Surprise, right? Given how awesome all the others have been)
I loved looking back at the previous ones too. I can hardly wait for next year’s when Captain Barnacles is a real boy with hopefully a less eccentric moniker! ;-)
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas you beautiful, wonderful people! First Christmas of many in your dream home!
P.s.: Excited for cabinet priming! Yay!
Love the Christmas card! I believe my nephew has the same doll in representation of his soon to be baby brother! His is named Gary the Wobbly. Is yours also anatomically correct as well?? Nice find! Merry Christmas you guys!
So funny! Love that name. And yes, we were quite surprised when Clara changed his diaper for the first time! Haha!
xo
s
Just love that shot. Glad you picked that one. So precious. Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Petersiks!
Merry Christmas, Petersiks!
Merry Christmas, Petersiks!
Merry Christmas to you all, too! I’m busy today making our tradtional Sticky Buns for tomorrow morning. :) Then, later tomorrow afternoon, our son, d-i-l, and their six kiddoes will be coming for opening gifts and dinner with us–yay! It’ll be merry and bright and crazy-fun around here this year! I so appreciate y’all—happy new year, too, from quaint and beautiful Williamsburg, VA.
Book deadlines? What did i miss?
Ahh! We’re working on book 2! We mentioned that during our blogiversary, but it won’t be out for a while (books take forever – maybe late 2015 or early 2016). We’re just in the outline/early manuscript/shot list stages, but it’s exciting!
xo
s
Merry Christmas to the loveliest family I don’t actually know! Your card is just perfect and I loved being able to look back at all of the older ones all in one post. Thanks!
book deadlines?! another book???! did I miss a post…?
We mentioned that we’ve started on book 2 (ahhh!) during our blogiversary, but it won’t be out for a while (books take forever – maybe late 2015 or early 2016). We’re just in the outline/early manuscript/shot list stages, but it’s exciting!
xo
s
Merry Christmas to you and yours! Thanks for the wonderful update and I am looking forward to your kitchen reveal as I am planning on changing up my kitchen in the new year too!
Merry Everything to all of you too! <3 XO
What a gorgeous card. Happy Christmas Sherry, John, Clara, Burger and all the other YHL readers! I hope everyone has a super time x
I love that pic of Clara. She’s getting so big!
Merry Christmas Sherry, John, Clara, Burger and Captain Barnacle!
Merry Christmas and Happy New year, Petersik Family! ^_^ We just got our cards delivered last night and they are going out this afternoon, definitely a holiday miracle!
A very happy holiday season to you and all your family, and best wishes for a very healthy and happy 2014.
Merry Christmas!
Love your Christmas card. I love looking back at your other cards too.
Have a wonderful New Year too – yay 2014!!!!
Adorable! Merry Christmas Petersiks!! :)
Merry Christmas Sherry & John! Thank you both for the (week)daily dose of fun and inspiration. Karo
There’s a family I used to babysit for who before they left the hospital said to their older son, “this is your baby, and therefore your responsibility to love and protect.” I’ve never seen a more loving sibling relationship (the older one used to follow the little one around and say “he’s MY baby”). You can already tell by how much she loves that doll that Clara will be an amazing big sister. Happy holidays!
So sweet!
xo
s
I always enjoy your Christmas cards :) Thanks for giving us a peak! Also, I hope you appreciate this:
I had a dream last night about you guys – I think I was trying to forsee the “what we made for Clara this year for Christmas” future. I had a dream that it was a tiny crib for Captain Barnacle … and it was basically a transformer & it could turn into a small playhouse, too!
So it turns out even my subconscious is excited to see what it is!! :)
Merry Christmas to all 5 of you!
So funny! I love that!
xo
s
I love looking back through old years…so fun to reminisce!
we had two this year:
The PG-13 edition: http://www.andthen-shesnapped.com/2013/12/not-our-real-christmas-card.html
and the family friendly one: http://www.andthen-shesnapped.com/2013/12/merry-christmas-2013-from-drechsels.html
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
Great shot/card! (And, I kinda love that the notorious blue trim got immortalized in a Petersik Christmas card.) ;) Happy Holidays, Youngsters!
Haha! It shall live on FOREVAH!
xo
s
Merry Christmas to you all!!! Thank you for always being an inspiration to us!!
Happy Holidays! I got book 1 for an early xmas gift, and I am really glad that I did. I love my daily visit to Young House Love. Thank you for all that you do.
Aw, so glad you’re enjoying it!
xo
s
Merry Christmas to you too!! Looking forward to your kitchen reveal. :)
~ Moriah
“And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.”
Luke 2:16
That looks awesome! Greetings from Thailand!
xo,
Sarah
Merry Christmas Petersik family!!! :)
LOVE! Such a sweet card with all your little’s represented in some way :) Do you happen to know the font you used for “Christmas” on last year’s card?
That was a pre-set card title that came from TinyPrints last year, so we didn’t select the font or anything. Anyone recognize it?
xo
s
I don’t think it is but it looks a lot like Carolyna Pro Black.
Such a gorgeous Christmas card!
Beautiful cards! Here’s wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!! :0)
Merry Christmas from France to you all !
Merry Christmas to you guys too!
Where is that LOVE sign? Is that downtown somewhere? I’ve seen a few around but none quite as “fabulous” as that one.
It’s right in front of The Martin Agency in Shockoe Slip!
xo
s
Cool, when it gets a little warmer I want to take the family and walk around down there.
I’ve been with you on a daily basis for all these cards, and every year, I enjoy the cards and your family. You’ve been making my days a little sparklier for more than 5 years (is sparklier a word?) Happy Everything, Petersiks!
Aw, thanks so much Heyruthie! We love you guys.
xo
s
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas Petersik family! I love multipurpose holiday cards! Ours this year is a happy holidays, new address and baby announcement in one!
Too cute! Happy Christmas guys, I hope you have a wonderful time and all the best in the new year! Thanks for posting everyday and giving me something to look forward to in the mornings (*lol* really not a morning person so YHL is very much appreciated)!! Cheers!
Merry Christmas Petersiks! Thank you for the joy you bring year round! :)
Ahhh – the perks of working on Christmas Eve = getting to read my favorite blogs (noone is working today but we are doing a dang good job of pretending). I wish you both a peaceful holiday full of love, family, friends, good food, and no drips on your painted cabinets :) Thanks for making us smile, laugh and cry all at teh same time!
With love,
The Taylors in Baltimore MD
Cute card! I always wonder how you get Burger to actually pose for pics – looks great!
Burger is the easy one! I just hold a treat next to the camera and his ears go up and he sits there frozen and excited. Haha!
xo
s
Merry Christmas to the whole family and the previous Burke-ians. Burkers? Burkites?
Hi to Tom and Kathy and all the fam.
Hope you have a ball with all the kids.
Take it easy, Sherry. I’ve been pregnant on two Christmases. Be sure to take a nap!
Haha, thanks Kim!
xo
s
Merry Christmas Petersiks!!!
Merry Christmas to you guys!
Merry Christmas to you and yours!
& for a last-minute-Christmas-Eve project, I just painted a patch on the garage wall with chalkboard paint for our little girl. We’ll make or find a chalk holder to attach to the wall.
Now when we are working out in the garage (it’s perfect for trainer rides, core work, etc.), she can draw and doodle away.
Would it be awful to make a bow out of painter’s tape to put it as a present for her?
Haha! I bet she’d love that!
xo
s
Adorable! Merry Christmas to you guys!