7th Annual Kasparek House Lighting Party

The holiday light masterpiece was finally revealed last night as over 20 friends joined us for our annual house lighting party. This picture is just a taste of the big show... Here we are standing out in the street as Chris hit the switch.
Back inside it was time for more food and drinks! We had a surprise guest! A friend from Japan, Steven, was in town out processing from the Navy. His wife, Alison, worked with Chris and we were excited when he called yesterday and was able to join the party!

Helen, Aimee, and Heather hanging out and enjoying baby Alison

The 3 Musketeers-Emma, Claire, and Logan enjoying some cookies.

Michelle and I lounging at the after party. ;)

The Nutcracker

Emma and I had our 2nd annual trip to see the Pacific Northwest Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker on Sunday afternoon. We had a wonderful time-it always gets me in the holiday spirit!
Emma (looking quite grown up, I might add) was posing with the stage behind her,but it's a little too dark in the picture.

The Kasparek Family Christmas Tree

The Nativity scene is displayed, decorations in place, lights hung outside...the only thing missing was the holiday centerpiece: our Christmas tree! We headed to the tree farm this afternoon and picked out a real beauty! She was a bit tricky getting in the house and after a little topple early on in the decorating, she's now standing tall in our living room (secured to our cast iron dutch oven).

On a mission! When we spotted our tree, Emma exclaimed, "That's the perfect tree, Dad!"

An ode to Charlie Brown's tree (it's kind of camouflaged in the bush in the background)
"I need a taller ladder!"

To no surprise, Camden wanted to put Elmo on the tree.

Our magnificent Christmas tree!

Let's help Dad!

It was a low-key morning at the Kasparek house...the kids were having fun coloring...then Emma went to the bathroom and who should catch her eye out the front window?Why it was Daddy working (for the third day straight) on his masterpiece!

Emma came running back into the kitchen and excitedly yelled 3 words Chris didn't want to hear..."LET'S HELP DAD!"
With a face like this, who could resist the help?

Chris's new toy this year is a pole that helped him reach those trees that he swears weren't quite as tall last year! Emma went for javelin thrower/Mulan/stick pony. In this picture she was a little too quick for me and my camera!Meanwhile, I had an excuse to try on Camden's snowsuit to see if it fit (yippee-my $6 killer bargain from last year will work for this winter!) He didn't mind the chilly temps and had fun running around the yard checking out what Chris and Emma were up to.

I feel pretty lame that it took putting up Christmas lights to get us out in the yard to play in the leaves. With that said, I forgot how much fun a pile of leaves is!

(Note Chris in the background dealing with a bad fuse...)

This is fun, Mom! Rake the pile again!

Making leaf angels is great practice for snow angels!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebrating with our dear friend, Michelle, and her family. Emma and Camden played the afternoon and evening away with Michelle's nieces and nephew and we all ate so much our bellies hurt! Man do I LOVE Thanksgiving!

A boy and his duck...who needs turkey when you can chew on Eugene's foot? The feast!
One happy (and stuffed!) family!

I believe that there is always room for dessert and I'm glad to see my children are taking after me!

Catch me, Michelle, I'm gonna jump!!

All I want for Christmas...

Well, it is the weekend before Thanksgiving, but the Christmas spirit has hit the Kasparek house already. Chris took advantage of the beautiful day and began putting up the lights. I was preparing a little gingerbread cookie dough, when Emma starting bringing in boxes of our Nativities from the garage. I have a feeling if the Christmas tree lots would have been open today, Chris would have taken us there! As we set out all our holiday family photos from the past, it's hard to believe that this will be our seventh Christmas as the Kaspareks! :)

Here are Emma and Camden looking through the Toys R Us ad in today's paper..Say cheese, Mom!
Oh Mom, I don't want my picture taken

Emma cuddling up on the couch, enjoying the sunshine

A face only a mother could love-someone just woke up from a nap

Who's that superstar?!?!

Why it's Hannah Montana!

Emma went to a birthday party today and guess what was in her party favor bag? Her very own Hannah Montana wig. Needless to say she was tickled pink! Emma's friends at school are big Hannah Montana fans, so naturally she started talking about her and singing her songs. In fact, her teacher Miss Betty, has created a special stage for all the aspiring singers in her class. :)