New Year's Fondue 2011

It just wouldn't be New Year's Eve without our famous fondue. Toasted bread & vegetables dipped in cheese sauce, meat & chicken in oil and fruit & marshmallows dipped in rich chocolate. All of that screams Happy New Year!!

Jedi Warrior: Dominic

First light saber, thank you uncle Jeffrey & aunt Amie. Now the force is with us!

Isabella's new American Girl

Isabella was so thrilled to get her first American Girl doll, Emily and lots of fun accessories.

Papa is good fun

Dominic having fun playing Play Mobil Pirates with Papa.

Christmas with the Paoletti Family

Happy to have the whole Paoletti family all under our roof.

Christmas Stockings

This is my favorite photo of Christmas morning. Here are some other photos from previous years:2010, 2009, 2008, 2007. I love the sleepy faces filled with anticipation.

Christmas Morning 2011

What kid wouldn't want to wake up on Christmas morning to find shiny new bikes? I mean that is almost like getting a new pony. It will be hard to top this years Christmas. To make things even better, the weather was unusually warm so they actually got to ride their bikes on Christmas morning. It was a bummer that there wasn't any snow but who needs snow when you have a new ride? Even the cats got a few cat treats under the tree. A Merry Christmas for everyone!

Happy Christmas Day 2011

All dressed up after returning from Christmas Day Mass. Praising the day that our Savior came into the world. Merry Christmas. I am loving the red and black theme we have going this year.

Christmas Morning 2011

Here are some photos from Christmas morning. I got the gift of warmth... a heated blanket. Michael got some new shirts.

The kids got their new Nativity pieces Bella a king and Dominic an angel. Isabella got some new books and pink Legos. Dominic got Legos and ninja gear.

Wii have Christmas fun

The kids got the new Cars 2 Wii game and steering wheels from us for Christmas. Looking forward to some family driving fun.

Christmas with the Bray Family

We had a lovely time in Chad & Oksana's new house celebrating Christmas.

Wrapped up in fun

Hard to resist kids basking in trimmings and trappings. This might be a tradition. 2010

Christmas Cookies 2011

Painting cookies is something Michael did with his mom when he was a kid.  We have been doing it for a couple years.  It makes for some very beautiful creations.  Isabella made a host of angels.  Sometimes these creations are too beautiful to eat. Yummy. 12.24.11

Happy Christmas Eve

We have a family tradition, decorating Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve.  I surprised Isabella with matching aprons just in time to cook up some cookies. 12.24.11

Making Ornaments

We decided to paint our own ceramic ornaments this year.  They turned out beautiful. 12.23.11

BW goodie gift exchange 2011

Not sure how we came up with this brilliant and fun gift exchange for the whole family but it was a great idea.  Each member of the family picks out a $3 treat and wraps it (sometimes very creatively) and then we do a gift exchange.  You can either open a new gift or steal one from someone else.  Fruit treats, guacamole, soda, candy, cookies ....all is fair game.  This might become and annual tradition. The kids love it. 12.22.11

Wishing you a Christmas fillled with Laughter.

This should have been the Christmas picture for this year.
12.10.11