Christmas Time

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me.....

christmas cookies for my tummy....

2 cowboys a shooting

3 christmas carols (Luca's third from the Left in his Norsk sweater)

4 x 20 presents for the christmas tree

5 family members on skype

6 batteries for Luca's Bosch tools

7 Eggs scrambled with some Christmas clutter

8 minutes of post christmas relaxation

9 necklaces for Ella and a chainsaw for Mati.

10 minute lunch at the kids table

11 good friends gathered for Santo Stefano.

decking the tree

Luca is totally into the Christmas thing this year and it makes it that much more fun. This morning we went to choose the perfect tree for us. It was tough to sell Luca on a tree taller than him, but after we told him that he could climb the ladder to put ornaments on he gladly went with the 7 foot pine.

Ella poises with our tree and gives us her "cold" face.

Santa's little helper was anxious to get started.

Some happy faces with our decked tree. Shortly after they started high diving from the top down to the couch.

Good thing the help came to clean up afterwards.

Christmas Craft Fair

Very timely to pull off our largest Thanksgiving ever and then follow it with organizing the Children's Christmas Bazaar this year. While I was nervous to follow in Christine Pitcole's footsteps (the Martha Stewart of event organizing), in the end things came together nicely, and I've already got some ideas for next year.

The Dream Team of the Fair

These ladies manned 6 tables of crafts and assisted 66 children ages 2 and older make Marshmallow Snowmen, Cork Reindeers, Pasta Angels, Candy Cane Mice, Puzzle Snowflakes, and frost Christmas Cookies. Thank Sant Nick for them!

While I was busy running around making sure the Christmas music was still ringing, people were happy etc. Luca joined zio Marco, zia Valeria and brother Alberto in their family photo. 

Getting our kids to look happy was a challenge this year. 

 Luca looks slightly more depressed here, and Ella, not much better. I know, the Santa could have been a little more genuine. 

Tomorrow we go get our tree and then the Christmas spirit will be full on!