Deviled Eggs

My Sister-In-Law gave me this great plate for Christmas. It holds a dozen deviled eggs, and I used it immediately.

A Merry Christmas was had by all!

And I have a tornado's leavings in my living room to prove it! Our holiday started off on Christmas Eve day with a small gathering of friends (Woodmills, Arnolds, Hunts and Angel). We ate a hearty brunch and kept the children from killing themselves (though a chair did its best to off Tess) and we partied until the children became cranky.

After the guests departed Angel's mom, Somone, came bearing gifts. Thus began the present opening part of our holiday. Isabella received her princess piano and dress up trunk and Lucca received the first of many Transformers. Angel was given a sticker book and a Barbie and then Somone and Angel went off to enjoy the rest of their Christmas.

Mike cooked a Christmas Eve dinner of Shrimp Scampi and we watched "It's a Wonderful Life". Before it was too late we bundled the kids in their jammies and read, "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and The Birth of Jesus from the Bible. We then put the kids in the car and drove around Livermore listening to Mike's Quiet Carols and looking at Christmas lights. Thankfully, both kids fell asleep and were easily transported to bed. Mike and I drank some egg nog, finished "It's a Wonderful Life" and completed our Christmas Eve wrapping and whatnot.

Kids were up at 6:45am and ready to see what Santa had brought. Torturously, I made them wait in the bedroom as I drank my coffee, fed the cats, took pictures and Mike set the music going. When it was time the kids burst out into the living room and immediately started playing with Minnie Mouse and the Hulk. Before too long the kitties got their mouse and treats, Mike and I opened our stockings and Lucca, our elf, handed out packages pausing to open his as he found them. (Often without knowing who it was from so if there are mistakes on the thank you notes, you know why!)

After presents we ate breakfast and then played some more. Mike continued making delightful yummies to take to John and Ann's (foodie friends) while the kids played and I tried to straighten (haha!).

During this festive time our neighbor came over to report that one of the van's vent windows was wide open. Fearing theft, we went to check it out. Nothing was missing and despite rain all night there wasn't too much trouble with water in the car. I closed the window and decided to wait until after breakfast to deal with it. Oops. The stormy wind blew open the window again this time taking it off the car and causing it to shatter all over the driveway. We took the van to the shop today and are awaiting the estimate.

Mike left early for John and Ann's and the kids and I took my now-ghetto van with the bag taped over the window later in the evening. Our feast was Rack of Lamb en croute (Lamb Wellington with bones), brocolli rabe, potatoes and Zupe Anglaise (English Trifle with an Italian twist). We were all shocked to see so many little kids running around John and Ann's (Lucca, Stephanie, Isabella and Sadie, with Baby Michele asleep in Jeff or Joann's arms). The kids of days past (Roxanne, Cody, Ian and Casey) have all entered the teen years and young adulthood. Gifts of books and home jarred foods were exchanged and we were home by 10:30pm.

The Night Before Christmas

Here we are enjoying a reading of "The Night Before Christmas" as we wind down for the night.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Time For A Princess Jam Session

Despite her royal stature, Isabella enjoys pleasing the crowds with her rendition of Jingle Bells on the ivories.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

I Am A Princess And I Shall Fly Away...After My Nap

Isabella got to open an early Christmas present and it was a princess outfit complete with wings (I think she already lost or ate the crown) and shoes. Here she is joyfully sporting her new duds.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Lunch At The Tadich Grill

Becky and I enjoyed a fantastic lunch at The Tadich Grill, California's oldest restaurant, in San Francisco. It was a nice day despite forecasts of rain.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Isabella Watching TV In A Hospital Bed 12-21-2008

Our darling daughter decided to eat a christmas tree light bulb today, prompting a trip to the emergency room. Fortunately she is perfectly fine. Here she is enjoying her own remote control.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Holiday Train Of Lights 12-20-2008

This is such a fantastic event we enjoy attending. Lots of old train cars are decorated with christmas lights and it winds through the local canyons. Santa makes a visit and they have cookies and hot chocolate. My family truly enjoys this.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Isabella, Mamma, and Lucca On The Holiday Train Of Lights 12-20-2008

Here we are enjoying a wonderful ride through Niles Canyon on the Sunol Holiday Train Of Lights

Posted via Pixelpipe.

HoHoHo

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Isabella 12-20-2008

I just love those big eyes and chubby cheeks.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Lucca and Santa At The Ravenswood Home

Lucca had a private session with Santa at the historic Ravenswood Home in Livermore, CA. He asked Santa for a Ben10 Alien Force Alien Creation Kit. Santa assured him that his new manufacturing facility in China could handle the order.

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Lucca Enjoying A Vanilla Shake

I was upset at Lucca earlier today because he cut himself on my paper cutter after I told him not to play on it. I took him out for a little while because I felt bad for yelling at him. Here he is enjoying a vanilla shake at Fudrucker's

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Ahmadi Christmas Card 2008

A Joyous Holiday Season To One And All From Isabella, Becky, Mike, and Lucca Ahmadi

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Get that crayon out of your nose!

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Do You Like My Hat?

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Lucca Eating A Cone

He has it all figured out!
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Isabella Eating A Cone

She is a bit confused about where to begin.
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Isabella Ready For Christmas

She really likes the mall!
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Isabella On The Phone

Leave me alone! I'm talking to my accountant!
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Isabella Polaroid Profile

I love the retro look!
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Lucca's Christmas Pageant

Lucca's preschool had their annual Christmas Pageant on Dec. 6.  The school agers sang and the preschoolers acted out the Christmas Story.  Lucca was the donkey. Early on in the program he had to crawl the length of the church to accompany Joseph and Mary.  Together they asked three innkeepers if there was any room.  After the third refusal Lucca improvised a death scene.  He fell to the ground and kicked his legs in the air.  He stayed that way until a teacher came and led him to the stable.  There was some mention of some extra enthusiastic swaying to the singing but I was busy chasing Isabella and I haven't seen the video yet.  I'll keep you posted!  Lucca's next performance will be Sunday, Dec. 14.  He will be singing Christmas Carols with his Sunday school class during the Children's Christmas Performance at church.

Isabella eating her napkin

She is definitely the entertainment around here.
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Lucca and Angel

This is Lucca with his friend, Angel.  She is Lucca's age and lives in the neighborhood. They play together very often, sometimes at our house and sometimes at hers. Lucca is very lucky to have such a good friend close by.

Lucca With Legos

Bank of America knows how to keep children settled down
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Lucca Coloring

Every once in a while I can get a full shot of his beautiful face.
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Isabella and Aunt Chez

Aunt Chez just has a way with the babies like nobody's business !!!

Lucca The Goof

He cannot help himself sometimes
Posted via Pixelpipe.

The Families At The La Brea Tar Pits

Becky, Isabella, Nell, Lucca, Bobby, Wendy, Cindy

Aunt Wendy and Isabella

Aunt Wendy and Isabella were getting along splendidly at the La Brea Tar Pits.

Isabella Morning Hair

She is so gorgeous when she wakes up.
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Happy Nell

Posted via Pixelpipe.

Nell the Ham

Isabella and Grandma Jo

Aunt Cindy and Isabella

Isabella could not get enough of Aunt Cindy.

Gina and Isabella

Isabella loved visiting with family and family friends.

Perfectly Roasted

This turkey died for a good cause.
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Sound Asleep

This is what I am thankful for.  Lucca and Cousin Bobby are passed out while we enjoy dinner.

Lucca

My son hard at play.

Gobble Gobble

Lucca simply cannot help himself in front of a camera.  Either we get an emotionless look or a goof.  We love him just the same !

Stuffing The Turkey

Yummy!

Isabella Playing With Leaves

What can we say? Isabella is very fond of fall.
Posted via Pixelpipe.

Isabella and the Big Pizza

We decided to order the supersize pizza from Pizza Rosa in Orange, CA.

We did not expect to have to remove the front door to get it into the house !!!

By the way, it was really good pizza.

I Love My Cousins

Here is our proud son Lucca showing his love for his cousins Bobby and Nell.  The teacher thought he was saying "Nail" (which is precisely how he pronounces her name).

This Is My Pumpkin. There Are Others Like It, But This Is Mine.

Lucca proudly poses with his pumpkin of choice !

Howdy Pardner !

Isabella has developed a fondness for Lucca's cowboy hat.  We will have to get her one for the next rodeo.

MEOW !!!

Isabella is truly the cutest kitty I saw this Halloween.

Isabella Carousel Glow

I decided to get a bit creative with this picture of Isabella taken at the museum.