snow, snow, SNOW

Finally, winter has settled in. It didn't take long to convince the kids to suit up and head outside. After building and smashing 2 snowmen, we took a walk around town and threw snowballs at all our favorite shops, and then headed back to the yard to do donuts in the sled.

Into the Wild Pecetto Edition

Little Ella bug smothering her Big brother.

Turns out Luca is still contagious!

(special effects courtesy of Lousiana habanero sauce)

Ice Skating!

We battled through a few italian lines, struggled with some dull rental blades, but all in all, Luca's debut in ice skates was a success. He had a great attitude and thanks to Nonni Coletti, a nice new set of sharp blades! Plus you can't beat skating in the Palavela where they hosted the 2006 Olympic skating events, and mini coopers raced across the rooftop in The Italian Job

Enjoy!

a Roman New Year

The Eternal City, where the old mingles happily with the present, a delicious plate of Cacio e Pepe (noodles dressed with ricotta and pepper never fails to please, and pizza bianca dripping with oil straight from the oven is enough to keep you walking another several miles, because you never want to stop here. There's so much more to see, taste, and hear than there are hours in a day. That's while we'll be back, dear Rome.

Roman New Year Photo Album

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!

Thanks a Tanti!!

We celebrated our 7th Pecettese Thanksgiving this year with 58 friends. And thank goodness for friends, because it took many of them to pull off our tastiest Thanksgiving ever! It all began with a 20 kg Turkey from Bra (courtesy of the Pasta Fresca)....

....and 10 kg of potatoes, peeled by Valeria....

Tacchino the Turkey was gutted and stuffed by Federico and Mark....

and some extra help from Piera and Carmine....

Just fits!

The moment we've all been waiting for....

Even the kids are taking pictures with iphones these days....

Ella approves.

The kids table, trashed and abandoned....

due to balloon entertainment courtesy of Davide....

and drawing on the adults table is too much fun....

Sandra and company enjoying the bounty....

all good things end with sweets! Cannolli and Lemon Cake by Maria Luisa, Tiramisu by Valeria and Miska, Pumpkin Pie by Jiyon, Apple Pie by Bridget, Chocolate Pepper & Pear Cake by Elena, Streudal by Maria Chiara, and a Chocolate Salami (only in Italy) by Michela. Grazie mille Ragazze!!

.....also, not to be forgotten, some Pumpkin Pie Turkey Cupcakes. One tray vanished during the party....someone said Mariana was responsible.....the end.

Happy Thanksgiving!!