Vittoria's Corner: Christmas 2012-Natale 2012

(Mom's turn)

This Christmas was the first one since Vittoria's passing that we put up a big tree, the Christmas village and the Nativity scene. I so didn't want to, it just didn't feel right, but our Jacomo is little older now, and we want him to have good memories of the Christmas season in our home. He has no fault for what happened and not decorating the house felt more like punishing him by missing out on the whole experience. So of course, he was thrilled to help decorate the tree and set up the village. As I looked at his excitement, I took it all in and sent a grateful look heavenward for this little boy who, without knowing it, or maybe he did, saved his parents.
Questo Natale e` stato il primo da quando e` scomparsa Vittoria che abbiamo fatto l'albero, con presepe e villaggio natalizio. Proprio non volevo e non mi sembrava giusto, ma il nostro Jacomo e` piu` grande adesso e vogliamo che abbia dei bei ricordi del Natale nella nostra casa. Non ha colpa per quello che e` successo e non decorare la casa sembrava piu` una punizione e fargli mancare l'intera esperienza. Ovvio che era contentissimo di aiutare a fare l'albero e il villaggio. Lo guardavo cosi` pieno di gioia e ho rivolto uno sguardo riconoscente verso il cielo per questo figlio che, senza saperlo, ha salvato i genitori.

(Vittoria's tree has always been a permanent fixture at Christmas)

(Jacomo and the Christmas village Dec 2012-Jacomo e il villaggio di Natale dicember 2012)

(December 2006)

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We spent this Christmas with James' family at the cabin in the mountains. We arrived on the 22nd in the later afternoon and boy, was it cold! It got even colder when we were told that we would have to snowmobile into the cabin. I remember getting out of the warmth of the truck, and being hit by a wall of freezing and windy air. The thermometer read -3!!! We quickly got dressed, but it was cold that my coat wouldn't zip up and the tips of my fingers were numb! Overall though, it was awesome pulling our bags and food in the sleds behind the snowmobiles!! I think the coldest it got while we were there was -6 and it's something I won't forget easily! :)
Abbiamo trascorso questo Natale con la famiglia di James alla baita in montagna. Siamo arrivati nel tardo pomeriggio del 22 dicembre e quanto faceva freddo! Mi sembrava che avesse fatto ancora piu` freddo quando ci hanno detto che avremmo dovuto guidare le motoslitte fino alla baita. Ricordo di essere uscita dal caldo del pickup e di essere andata a sbattere contro un muro di aria gelida. Il termometro registrava -19.4 gradi!!! Ci siamo vestiti di corsa, ma faceva talmente freddo che la cerniera della mia giacca non si chiudeva e le punta delle mie dita erano completamente intorpidite! Nonostante tutto, e` stato bellissimo trainare le nostre valigie e i viveri nelle slitte dietro alle motoslitte! Mi sono sentita molto Ambrogio Fogar! Penso che la temperatura piu` bassa raggiunta durante il nostro soggiorno era di -22 gradi ed e` sicuramente un'esperienza che non dimentichero` facilmente! :)

(from L to R: Jacomo, cousins Adelia, Nati, Harley, Tianna and Payton)

(Jacomo taking a walk-Jacomo si fa una passeggiata)

(Jacomo and cousins Adelia and Harley)

(Jacomo and his new moose pajamas- Jacomo e il suo nuovo pigiama)

(Jacomo and James)

(from L to R: cousins Jocelyn, Adelia, Tianna, Harley, Nati holding Joelle and Payton)

Dec 25th, 2012- Christmas morning finally came! All the kids rushed down the stairs and were so excited to see their presents. Jacomo approached his gifts with caution, with a serious look on his face, almost like he didn't believe that the castle he had been pining for was really in front of him. And then a huge smile broke out and he never really cared for any other present he got. Santa Claus must have read his letter right!

(Jacomo playing castle with cousin Natalia)

(Jacomo and cousin Adelia)

(Jacomo played with his castle all day long and for the 2 following days straight! - Jacomo ha giocato con il suo castello per tutto il giorno e per i due giorni successivi!)