Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Afterwards we had a quick lunch and most people kicked back for the day.

Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
By the time Emily and John arrived Christmas evening I was already prepping my pies de resistance.

Cheeks
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
The Leche Flan with Toasted Coconut and Fresh Berries needed more sweetness so I simply milked Nico Boy's cheeks for that little bit extra.

Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Christmas Dinner


Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Isa whips up a last minute entree of plastic cookies, french fries, half eaten bread and fake eggs and oranges while Joe takes notes on proper presentation.

Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Isa helps set the table.

Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
On the menu I had planned a hearty rib roast served with a bleu cheese sauce and roasted root vegetables (red potatoes, parsnips, carrots, turnips, red and golden beets and whole garlic cloves), wild rice, melanzane sotto'olio, ginger carrot butternut squash puree soup topped with dill, and a toasted coconut and berry leche flan for dessert.

Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Christmas Dinner
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Everything looked great and tasted even better (so they said). All the dishes turned out perfectly - a little validation for myself.


The Aftermath
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Christmas Stockings
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
After dinner I relaxed in our new bedroom (My Christmas gift to Ellen) while watching a little tv on our new flatscreen tv (El's gift to me!). The family was gracious enough to go on Kitchen Patrol to clear out the pile of dishes. In an hour or so we headed over to the living room to begin the opening of presents and let Isa check out her stocking from Santa.

Christmas Tree
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Kid's Christmas Tree
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Kid's Christmas Tree
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Opening Gifts
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In a couple of hours the room was a sea of great gifts, torn paper and exhausted revelers.

Opening Gifts
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527



Opening Gifts
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Opening Gifts
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Opening Gifts
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Isa Plays Santa
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Opening Gifts
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Isa seemed to be enjoying all her uncles and aunties' company and refused to go to bed at her usual time. Oh well. It's only Christmas once a year.

Opening Gifts
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Isa and Ron
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

She amused herself by putting all of her Auntie Emily's gifts of dress up clothes and hopping on her mom's gift of a Fropper. By the close of evening I was toast. In bed by 11.
El was forced awake early by Nico Boy and took pity on me by taking the kids out of the room and letting me sleep in til 930am. It felt good. Most of Friday was spent lounging about, but I was able to run a few errands on my own for a little solitude. By dinner time I decided to break everyone out of the house and head downtown for an al fresca dinner at Wildside since the weather had been outstanding. On the way there I was surprised to learn that my parents had come down unexpectedly with Rachel from Charleston. After dinner they met us at our house for a couple of hours to be with Nico Boy and Isa.

Baptismal
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
The next morning was a blur as we all got ready for Nicholas' Baptismal. The beginning was mass chaos with all the Spanish speaking families crowding the church.

Baptismal
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Baptismal
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


What's So Funny
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Nico's GodMOTHERS, Ninang Lalaine and Ninang Rachel. We couldn't decide on the godmother so we decided on two instead of a godfather as well. We're so difficult.

Barong Boys
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Baptismal
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


So Sad
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Our family portrait. Isa tried to get all the attention by throwing a fit, but in our family it doesn't hold water. We're so competitive...

Baptismal
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
The filipino baptismals on the other hand was more organized (somewhat) and more enjoyable.

Baptismal
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Baptismal
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
What should've been an hour (tops!) ceremony ended up being more than 2. By noon we were all hungry and El had suggested a small Peruvian restaurant called Pio Pio for lunch.

at Pio Pio
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Reservations were made and we were lucky enough to be the only patrons there so we were waited on exclusively. Rotisserie chickens, chicharon, beef and chicken empanadas, tostones, yuca, plantains, yellow rice and beans and pitchers of Sangria were passed around.

at Pio Pio
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Nicholas
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at Pio Pio
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


at Pio Pio
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


at Pio Pio
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


at Pio Pio
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Lola and Nico
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


At Pio Pio
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Everyone seemed to enjoy the meal (Joe, Lola Lisa especially) and we spent a couple of hours chatting after getting a bellyful. Unfortunately, Joe and Lalaine had to make the drive back to Sebring to spend time with Joe's dad. Later that day Ron made his way to the airport to Vegas.

The Grandparents
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Later in the evening my parents and Rachel swung by to see the kids again before they made their drive back to Charleston early the next morning.

By Sunday I had to work, but was able to catch Emily, Jon and Lola Lisa off to the airport. I was pooped. So was El. A great week, but I was looking forward to sleeping in (which I did Monday morning). Thanks to everyone for putting forth the effort and braving chaotic airports, cancelled flights, and snow to be with us. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! We love you guys!