Kalin's Christmas Program

Here are a few videos from Kalin's Christmas program.

*Video taken 12/20/11

Christmas Dinner

Every year for Christmas Matthew makes a big Italian meal & it is OH SO YUMMY!!!

I'm so lucky to be married to an Italian who can cook!

The spread.

Spinach Fritatta.

Stuffed Artichokes.

Homemade sauce with pork, sausage & homemade meatballs.



Fig cookies & pizzelles.

Merry Christmas to you and yours from our kitchen table.

*pics taken 12/25/11

Merry Christmas!

Kalin's Christmas School Program

This week we got to see Kalin in her school Christmas program & here are a few pictures.

Kalin LOVES to sing, so she was in her element & she did a superb job!!

She's kinda a Daddy's girl :)

And with her little sister.

Video will have to come later...

*pics taken 12/20/11

Candy Christmas Trees

This year I thought it would be fun to make Christmas trees instead of ginger bread houses.

I figured they took a lot less prep and it would be something new for us to do.

These are Ethan's trees.

And Kalin's trees.

 

And Lexi's trees.

And my tree.

And Matthew's tree.

These were lots of fun to create & we love having our family Christmas traditions!

*pics taken 12/22/11

Ethan's Orchestra Concert

Ethan is playing the Viola in school this year & this week he had his first concert.

In this video they are plucking the song Jingle Bells.

 

In this video they are playing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

It's been so fun to watch Ethan get excited about learning how to play an instrument.

He's doing such an awesome job!

*pics taken 12/13/2011

I finally finished decorating my Christmas tree and thought I'd share pictures.

Don't mind some of the unlit lights.  I spent a lot of time stringing lights on my pre-lit tree because many of the strands had stopped working & days after I got all the lights working and the decor on, some of the lights I strung on decided to go out.  I didn't want to mess with it anymore & just decided to take pictures.

I guess that is the reality of dealing with Christmas tree lights :)

Some close up details...

If you couldn't tell, I went with non-traditional colors this year & we're all lovin it here!

*pics taken 12/6/11

Family Christmas Tree

Tonight we put up the family Christmas tree.

I love how the ornaments are all clumped together were Lexi helped out :)



It's fun how each year the kids get older, they can do more to help.

Ethan got to help with the lights & Kalin was tall enough to help with the bead garland.

They were both so pleased with themselves.

Family traditions are so fun!

*Pics taken 11.26.11

Funniest Costume

Last night we went to a Halloween party and Matthew won for funniest costume.

This is what he threw together for a costume the night of.

When the kids asked what he was, he said he was a dork.

No wonder he was the funniest!

Kalin is dressed as Coraline & Lexi is Word Girl.

*pic taken 10/30/11

Pumpkin Carving Time

This year we decided to carve one pumpkin as a family.

We decided on the pattern together and then Matthew traced it onto the pumpkin.

Matthew cut the top off.

And the kids were more than excited to pull all the pulp (or guts as they call them) out.

It's their favorite part & I'm more then happy to let them get all goobery.

They toasted some pumpkin seeds with cinnamon sugar & some with salt.

They loved the cinnamon sugar.  Surprise, surprise.

I got to carve the pumpkin while the kids helped Matthew toast pumpkin seeds.

I always love carving the pumpkin and it was nice to have little helpers too!

Kalin coloring her own pumpkin design.

The finished product.

It pretty much goes with our witch's lair decorations theme this year.

*pics taken 10/24/11

Viola Video for Grandma & Grandpa Alba

Matthew took this video with his cel phone so it's not that great, but at least it's something.

Ethan is sharing what he's learned so far in orchestra.

Enjoy!