Christmas Traditions...Luminarias

For the past 22 years the neighborhood that I grew up in San Diego has decorated all the streets with Luminarias.  They are basically a white lunch sack with sand and a candle in the bottom of the bag.  On Christmas Eve everyone sets them out and lights up the whole neighborhood.  It is beautiful!

Gracie helping out

All the kids love getting in on the action

I just love this girl...

Allie with her cousins Luke and Dylan 

CJ was no help, as usual...so we just posed for a picture with him

Time to light the candles 

Scott and I with the kids and a couple of extra cute cousins 



Christmas Traditions...Baked Goods Galore

Another tradition is on the "Olson" side...more specifically the Joanne Olson side.  What was once just friendly cookie decorating has now turned into serious cookie decorating competition.  Here are Allie, Lukie and Gracie working on their cookies.

Here's Gracie's finished cookies

Allie looking happy...

CJ and Timmy were not much help

Here's the whole fam...except those that couldn't fit into the picture

It's always nice when you see a teenager smile at a family function :)

And of course...we love this smile

Sabrina, Gracie, Allie and my brother Scotty working on the token gingerbread house...that never gets eaten! 



Christmas Traditions...Crosteii

Making Crosteii is a "Lops Family" tradition.  His grandmother made it every Christmas.  Crosteii is an Italian pastry made from dough that you roll through a pasta machine, cut into shapes and fry. Normally, Scott's whole family gets together to make it, unfortunately this year we were not going to be to San Diego in time.  So this year we attempted it by ourselves...it turned out pretty good.

Gracie insisted on participating

And the tears were shed if she didn't get the chance...

A happier moment :)

Sabrina working on cutting the dough

Gracie loved to crank the dough

It was a bit messy

This is CJ's way of "helping" so... 

He was sentenced to his high chair instead

Gracie got more powdered sugar on her face and body than on the Crosteii itself

Scott the "fryer"

The finished product...delicious!

Christmas Piano Recital

Allie started taking piano lessons back in November 2010.  Her piano teacher is my good friend Peggy Haubert.  On December 13, 2010 Peggy had the girls put on a Christmas Piano Recital.  There is nothing quite as cute and five little girls playing Christmas music.  What a joy to watch them perform.  After each girl played their songs they got up and curtsied and at the end Peggy presented each with a red rose. 

Allie played  "Oh come all ye faithful" and "We wish you a Merry Christmas"

Ashley, Jacqueline, Allie, Ashlyn and Evelyn.

The girls...along with CJ