CHRISTmas 2008

CHRISTmas Eve
On Christmas Eve I went out for a couple of last minute errands, came home to get a few last minute things done and then headed over to my Gram's house for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. We have gone over to her house every Christmas Eve since I can remember. When my brother, sister, cousins and all of us were little we would be soooooooo excited to go over to Gram's house to eat dinner, but best of all to all bundle up and go on the golf cart around Portola Country Club to look at all of the Christmas lights. I'll forever cherish those memories and try to remember that excitement and anticipation on Christmas every year. Okay, back to this Christmas Eve though... We enjoyed a yummy dinner, took turns chasing/following/catching/etc. Tyler around the house (he is ALL over the place over at Gram's), opened our Christmas Eve gift and then headed over to the Christmas Eve service at church. The nursery isn't open for the Christmas Eve service so it was pretty interesting keeping Tyler entertained. He loved the worship but as soon as Pastor Bob started speaking he was ready for a change. The service ended with a candle light vigil to the song Silent Night. The sight of the sanctuary completely lit by everyone's candles made me teary-eyed (and Chad too ; ) ). We came home, it was time for Tyler's bedtime but we opened up our Christmas Eve PJ's and got a quick picture before it was time for bed!

* Tackling Uncle Mike over at Gram's *

* Mission Accomplished *

* Trying to get a picture with a sleepy boy *
* Christmas Eve PJ's 2008 *

CHRISTmas Day
My sister and Cris had planned on being here for a few days and having a fun, family holiday with all of us. Well Cris was sick and at their apartment and didn't end up being able to come into town until later today. My sister caught whatever he had and has been sick at our house the last couple of days. Poor thing... she looks miserable (actually she's looking a little better now as I'm typing this) but she still managed to join us for Christmas morning with stockings and gifts. Santa brought their stocking stuff to our house as of course he knew they would be here so we all joined in on the fun of opening them up! Tyler didn't quite know what to do with his stocking or his gifts. He would just carry around the wrapped present and play with it that way. I would start to open the paper and then give it to him to check out but he wasn't too interested... maybe next year... After gifts we got a start on cooking as we were having 15+ people over for Christmas lunch. We made 2 turkeys and LOTS of mashed potatoes and everyone else brought the rest! It was soooooooo yummy!!! After lunch we opened gifts with everyone and even had a surprise visit from Santa!!! I thought for a second there might be another proposal coming, lol (I can't believe that Chad proposed 5 years ago today!! CRAZY!!) but it was just gifts this time ; ) Tyler wasn't too sure what to think of him though. It was pretty cute. We've just been cleaning up and relaxing the rest of the day and the boys (Cris and Chad) are now on their second helping of Christmas food. It smells sooo good! I may just have to join in as soon as I'm done posting this...

* Santa brought the doggies their stockings too *

* Not quite sure what to do... *

* Gram & Ty *

* Mom & Dad *
* I think Ty might be getting a little big Lolo *
* My little chunker!! He LOVES Christmas food! *
* What is it?!?! *
* My own Kawasaki! *
* Thank you Me-ma, Pe-pa and Auntie Lauren! We'll post more about him riding this as soon as the things battery is charged and we have pictures and video! *
* SANTA! *
* "Uuumm.... do I know you?" *
* Michael and Dad *
* Pop goes the weasle *
* ... Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight! *

And let us not forget the REASON for the SEASON!
Happy Birthday Jesus!

Snow Capped Mountains

I absolutely love the look of white, snowcapped mountains surrounding our desert full of palm trees. It POURED in the desert 2 different days last week and left a beautiful sight! Then you could tell that the mountains had gotten more snow Monday and Tuesday this week as they were covered even more! It made for an absolutely stunning view and I tried to capture it while Chad and I were in the car yesterday but the pictures don't even begin to do it justice. The sky was completely overcast except for the strip of mountains being completely lit up on the west end of the valley. And some people believe there isn't a God... Both Chad and I agreed that He was definitely showing off as we were mesmerized yesterday...

Knits & Nog

Chad and I threw a 'Knits & Nog' Christmas party this year with a few of our friends. Most of the guys wore some halarious 'knits' and we all had a good time waiting to see who was next to come over and what they were wearing. Chad went and found a sweater at a thrift store for $4 I just wore one of my knitted scarves for my 'knit' so that counts, right? The girls pretty much just chatted inside the warm house while the guys enjoyed a toasty fire out back. We also did a white elephant gift exchange and had a few interesting gifts, to say the least... lol! We ended the night with an intense game of Catch Phrase and the guys managed to just barely win... ugh! Thanks to all who came over and took a few hours out of your busy schedule to celebrate the season with us!

* The girls - well some of us that is... *

* The boys *

* Chad ended up with a bag full of Hostess treats - mmmm *
* And Katie got Martini glasses - although I believe they were stolen from her after this picture... Sabrina and Mike made it to the party too!! Yeah! *
* Danielle ~ Me ~ Merci *
* Carlos - Chad - Orlando * Gotta love the sweaters! *
* LGs anyone? "Come on down and have some dinner with us!"

Family Pictures -Dec '08

Here are a few of the pictures from the "photoshoot" we had a couple of weeks ago to take pictures for our Christmas cards. It was Tyler's naptime and he was not liking the picture taking but we let him just go and walk around a bit and we captured a couple good shots. Thanks to Lynne for going out and taking them for us! Good photography skills :)

BRUNETTE!!

I'm officially a DARK brunette!! Well for now anyways ; ) My friend Kameron came over last night and did my hair. I was contemplating going dark for the season and winter and everything and just decided to go for it. It's so different and I'm still getting used to it but I LOVE IT!

Riding Season is HERE!!

Riding season is here!! Woohoo!!! We went camping out at Octillo Wells this past weekend and had such a good time! Lynne, Larry and Lauren came and all stayed in our toy hauler. Craig met us out there with his RV and toys and a few friends of the Malestic's joined us as well. We formed a big circle with trailers and lots of toys! It is sooooo much different with Tyler this year than last - he wasn't mobile, moving around, nothing. He just sat in his bouncer or bumbo content as can be, nursed every couple of hours, etc. That was IT! This year however... he face planted it in the dirt within 5 minutes of being there and got a bit of a fat lip on top. Then an hour later he had gotten his hands discustingly dirty so we went into the trailer to wash up. I wash him, set him down, wash my own hands and a second later he opens up the screen and falls out the trailer down the steps... yeah... He managed to only get a tiny cut on his nose that time but it was a weekend (or only 2 days actually) of constant, non-stop watching Ty. Thankfully we had the grandparents there (thank you Lynne, Larry and Craig!) to help out every once and a while which is always a nice break! I also got a new toy from Craig (another BIG thank you!) this weekend and Chad and I were able to get a couple of rides in together. It was so much fun and can't wait to go out for our annual New Year's trip in just a few weeks!

* Checking things out *

* Daddy and Ty *

* Checking out the quad *
* Mom's new toy! *
* The toy hauler *
* Me-ma and Tyler *
* F.A.M.I.L.Y *
* Bailey loves camping *
* So does Hershey... *
* All of the toys *
* Staying cozy by the campfire *
* Lauren and Larry *
* Lynne and I *
* Lauren cozied up on a quad *
* Chad and Craig *
* Tyler and Auntie *
* He was determined to find a way to get on the quad! *
* Dad and Ty in grandpa's new toy *
* My little stud *