Thanksgiving 2010

So, I know this post is well overdue, but better late than never. This year, as most years past, we go home to my parents for Thanksgiving. It is always such a fun and special time for all of us. We actually stayed about 2 weeks this year, as it coincided with one of daddy's work trips. So it was twice the fun with cousins, and abuelos for the kids. We were sad to come home, but photos bring sweet memories to mind...so I want to post these...

We went for a hike....

and it was fun...it was good to breathe in some fresh air...

More xmas pics...

from the day after...










We hope you all have had a wonderful Christmas and enjoyed time with the family...I know we sure have, and continue to have fun...

Merry Christmas

What a fun Christmas day! We had a wonderful day spent together, enjoying family time, giggles, new gifts, and remembering that Christmas is about Jesus! I want to share pictures from our fun morning. We began with huge grins and smiles as we awaited to read the Christmas story, eat breakfast and open gifts. I think the pics suffice to tell our story today....I do want to share one specific though and it has to do with the following:



Beautiful, isn't it?? I think so, but even more beautiful with the story behind it. This was the second gift I opened. It is from Katherine. As soon as I opened it, my heart leaped, and my eyes filled with tears. Tears of joy. And out of my mouth, came the question, "did Katherine pick this out all by herself?" The answer to the question, "yes, she did". Why was I so touched that it brought me to tears?? For days, Katherine had been drawing pictures of what she wanted Santa to bring her, and placing them under the tree. A few days ago, as I fumbled through the busyness of my day, Katherine came up to me, handed me a piece of paper, a pencil and said: "Mommy, I want you to draw a picture of what YOU want Santa to bring you. We'll put it under the tree with all of mine" I quickly sketched a pearl bracelet on the paper and handed it back to her. She followed this with:

K: "what is that?"
me: "a bracelet."
K: "no, it's not!"
me: "yes it is."

She took the paper, rolled it and placed it under the tree. I thought nothing of it. So, when I opened that little box, and saw exactly what I had drawn, I was touched that; although she had NEVER seen a bracelet like that, she found exactly what I had asked for. She couldn't understand what I was crying...and maybe you don't either, but I know. I had no words to express my gratitude, all I could do was cry with joy!

Now enjoy the rest of our Christmas morning, through pictures...

Christmas Eve

What a wonderful day. It was filled with lots of work; we cleaned, we cooked, we moved stuff around...but we also laughed and played, all before church and dinner tonight. I loved today. It was a wonderful day.

We enjoyed a beautiful candlelight service at our church, and afterward came for dinner and family time before heading to bed and awaiting Christmas morning. Over thanksgiving my dad challenged me to cook a turkey, the same way my mom does. The same way I grew up eating turkey during the holidays for as long as I can remember. The same delicious turkey that I didn't think I had it in me to turn out. Thank you papi, for the challenge. I'm glad I did it. I loved it. My kitchen smelled just like mami's. I didn't feel too far away, knowing that we were all going to have the same Christmas Eve dinner, just not sharing the same table :). The turkey was exquisite. We ate Salvadorean Turkey, and I made it this time. I still can't believe it turned out so great!

The kids had so much fun running around, being silly, and playing with daddy. Here are just a few pics of our Christmas Eve this year. They are not the best technical photos, but to me they are more perfect than any technicality...they portray my family...in love.

O Christmas Tree

We've put up our Christmas tree!! The kids helped this year, which made it more fun, yet a little more stressful. Add to the equation that it's the first year we've not had carpet, and the fact that most of my ornaments are the "breakable" kind you know why it was a bit stressful. However, it was not the kids who broke ornaments, but myself. I think by the end of the night, 3 ornaments had shattered on the floor...and yet we managed to end up with a beautiful tree once again! :) Here are the kids putting on the last few ornaments.

I absolutely love the glow of the christmas lights...it's warm and inviting--makes me smile and fills me with Joy!