xmas 2011

Christmas this year was sunny and gorgeous. After a few very cold weeks, it was lovely to wake up and feel the warm sun as we spent the day busy with festivities.

On xmas eve day we stayed in our pajamas till the afternoon. Then we got to work on building a gingerbread house.

I looked online to find a cake to make for Christmas when I suddenly ran across something that looked very familiar.

The name, Turkish Beigli, did not ring a bell. But looking at the picture I could almost taste my grandma's cake. I guess I just never knew it had a name, other than "grandma's cake the one with the nut filling."

I read more and found out it was a very popular holiday dessert in parts of Europe. Usually filled with nuts or poppy seeds, my grandma also fills it with chocolate. I had to make it.

I was so pleasantly surprised when I sunk my teeth into it and felt like I was transported to my grandma's kitchen. Not as good as hers, but close enough.

In the afternoon we went to Nona's house for dinner and gift opening.

We took our annual Worst-Photo-of-the-Year, which has become a tradition. I set the camera timer, run into the picture, as we all look in different directions, making the freakiest faces we can. Fun.

Emerson topped off the night with a piano performance.

Xmas day we woke up to find a couple more gifts for Mia and Emi.

Being good paid off this year.

Paid off big time. Because the very last gift was the one thing Mia has consistently asked for this year.

Twinkle Toe shoes!

After the last gift was opened I begged everyone for a couple hours to clean and cook our dinner. Papa took the M&Ems to the park and I started working.

After dinner and way past bedtime, Emi was still being silly, refusing to sleep. He wouldn't stop laughing to himself, for no apparent reason. I started wondering if Papa slipped him some wine. I finally gave up and watched him laugh until he collapsed into a pile of sleepy sweetness.

Emi drunk on life: