Christmas Eve 2015

It's the most wonderful time of the year!  

Wednesday morning the kids were up bright and early (as usual) to make Christmas Cookies.  I don't know why I haven't thought about setting up the folding table in the middle of the kitchen before.  It worked out great! 

The kids just needed a little guidance from me this year. It was fun watching them work away :)

Flash forward to  Christmas Eve.  Emma, Camden, and I  had a quiet day at home watching movies and playing games while Chris worked.

Here are the kids playing Battleship while enjoying our traditional pizza dinner.

 Opening their new Christmas jammies

 Dressed in our Christmas finest for Mass

 Cookies & milk for Santa; a carrot for Rudolph

 The Night Before Christmas

 Setting an alarm for a 5:55 wake up  :)

Capodimonte Walk

Today we joined the Zimmermanns and Rices for a little outdoor adventure.  We had planned on walking the gardens at Caserta Palace, but it was closed today.  Plan B took us downtown to Capodimonte Park.

Camden has Laila, his 3rd grade class' traveling companion, with him over Winter Break

 Thea and Emma hanging out after lunch

 The dudes

 Fabulous Festive Friends!

 My favorite kiddos

 Which trail should we take?

A walk requires some sticks

15 Year Engagement Anniversary

On December 19, 2000 Chris asked me to marry him. On December 19, 2015 we went back to where he popped the question: St. Peter's Square.  

 The Nativity in the square

 Trying to figure out the exact location of the proposal

 

 Relaxing on the balcony of our apartment with a glass of Prosecco

 Happy Hour at a little cafe next to the Pantheon

 Trevi Fountain

 St. Peter's Square at night is even more amazing!

 Sunday morning stroll along the Tiber River

 We toured St. Angelo's Castle and took in some of the best views of the city from the top of the castle

 What an incredible weekend!  No better way to kick of Winter Break!

Castello di Limatola and San Lorenzello

Last Saturday Emma and I joined some of my wonderful NES colleagues for an adventure in the hills near Naples.  Castello di Limatola is a famous Christmas market in our area and we were excited to check it out.

Now this is a LOT of grappa!

 Emma and I in front of a Nativity at the castle

 Trip planner extraordinaire, Maria

 Amanda, Patrick, and baby Noah

 Pitts and Eris

 Gorgeous day with my gorgeous girl!

 Antonia, Emma, and Kenya visit Santa

 Me, Maribeth, and Therese

 A bird's eye view of one section of the market

After a morning of exploring and shopping, it was time for lunch.  

Noah loved Emma!

 Me & Mel

 Pitts, Me, and Eris enjoying some wine

 Colleen, Sherri, Me, and Chris Beane

Our final stop of the day was in the sweet little town of San Lorenzello. We wandered around enjoying the lights

Emma and Ms. Hail (her 3rd grade teacher) 

 Me and Amanda

 Street selfie

 The whole gang ;)