Tag Archives: holiday

Kiera’s ChristmasBirthday Party

18 Dec 2012

A couple of random iPhone snaps to remember the awesomeness of the night.


Oh YOU KNOW there were some amazing Christmas cookies…


Awww. (Behind Chief you can see the photobooth backdrop)


Surprise Guest! UJ!
Whaaat!? Such a fun surprise!
And we got Aunt Pam on the phone, and it was some great Gott family love.

You might want to know,
There are much better photos over here at (the
NEW & IMPROVED) Natural Light Photography Website!

We put the kids down in Kiera & Cole’s bed so we could stay longer…

Fun times. Happy Holidays, and the best year ever (twentynine!) and a new
apartment layout, and festive jammies, Cherry M&Ms?!, ancient rap reggae, best friends, family, and a new NLP website…

dare I say?
Epic

La Befana

05 Jan 2011

Oscar is learning about La Befana. Keep an eye out for her tonight! Here are excerpts from wikipedia:

In Italian folklore, Befana is an old woman who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus. This Italian gift-giving spirit is also known as Saint Befana, La Vecchia (the Old Woman), and La Strega (the Witch).

The character may have originated in central Italy, then spread as a tradition to the rest of Italy. In popular folklore Befana visits all the children of Italy on the eve of the Feast of the Epiphany to fill their socks with candy and presents if they are good or a lump of coal or dark candy if they are bad. Being a good housekeeper, many say she will sweep the floor before she leaves. The child’s family typically leaves a small glass of wine and a plate with a few morsels of food, often regional or local, for the Befana.

She is usually portrayed as an old lady riding a broomstick through the air wearing a black shawl and is covered in soot because she enters the children’s houses through the chimney. She is often smiling and carries a bag filled with candy, gifts, or both.

Christmas Cookies and Elf

23 Dec 2010

The BEST cookies of the year. (Well, maybe a tie with the box that comes at Easter.)
They were sent all the way from Manhassett, NY with love from Kiera’s mom, Jeanette.


click to enlarge.

I should mention that this box is mostly empty now, and that’s the only reason Oscar can hold it an an angle such as this. There are just a few last cookies in there (which we’re enjoying right now!). When the box first came, it was so heavy! She sends so many different, perfect little cookies! And this time, as an unexpected twist, it had fun Christmas toys too! Here’s the kid’s favorite, hands down:


I’ve tried twice to get a pic with Lucy and the red nose, but so far, no bueno. If I do, I’ll update.

Included was also a very small little Christmas Elf, that came in a package that read, “Put me in water and Watch Me Grow!” So we dutifully marched him into the kitchen and found a glass Mason jar. We added water and the elf, and watched. And watched. Oscar said, “Do you see anything happening?” While we pondered the idea of our elf being a dud, I thought I’d better check the package instructions. Upon further review, (what can I say it’s football season), the fine print read, “Elf will grow over 10 days.” Ohhhh.

So he lived in our kitchen for about the last 10 days, growing in his jar. A gelatinous kindergarten science experiment. When Kiera walked in one day, she said, What’s this? in her polite voice. To tell the truth, he looked like one of those items of questionable matter, floating in formaldehyde. But I liked him. I think it’s important to have an odd element in the mix. Keeps the mystery. Our odd little Christmas elf.

So thanks again Jeanette. What an unforgettable box of love! YUM! We miss you guys! See you on the interwebs! XOXO

The Gift Tag Cookie

22 Dec 2010

I fell in love with a photo I saw in a catalog. But it wasn’t clothes, like you might expect. Here is the inspired item, a cookie!

When I showed it to Sweet Kiera, she loved it just as much. And, of course, t’was no problem! It’s one thing to have a fun idea, it’s A Whole ‘Nother Thing to actually execute!

The Holidays Bring Friends!

18 Dec 2010

Click any of these photos to see them bigger.


The Mollards are back in town – Hurray!


Carlo too!


Lucy’s Godparents

I saw Kristi and Carlo just a month ago in New Orleans, but there were no kids! As everyone knows, that’s a whole ‘nother ballgame. And anyways, it always feels too long when it’s good friends you’re missing. Bobbie’s house looks amazing! Its all spruced up. And so cozy! The storms are here. It was absolutely pouring outside. We had yummy treats from Arizmendi and chocolate marshmallows from See’s. Kristi made me tea. Sam and Cole were vying for who could give the baby the bottle. Booker and Thelma were hanging out together under the table. Sam thought the cat’s name was Velma (who can blame the guy? He knows his Scooby Doo). Oscar got a new Babe’s hat -Awesome.

I just love when friends come home for the holidays. It’s so exciting!