Christmas Wishes Came True

Just so I can look back and remember what we got this year, (because I can't remember what Lucia got last year)I'm going to make some lists of what we got.

Me: New pot and pan set, new knives, sweater, calendar, towels, photo album, make-up and lots of chocolate!
Julio: shoes, watch, belt, shirts, fleece, MP3 player, gift certificate for dinner and movie, a sign that has our last name on it that Callie/Brian made.
Lucia: Disney Priness vanity and accessories, Disney polly pockets, Angelina Ballerina doll, doll from Aunt Nancy, little doggy with carrier and accessories, dress-up box set, clothes, books, mini-castle set, mini trampoline.
Marco: push car, hammer and ball toy, firetruck, blocks, balls and bat, magnets, clothes and books, toy airplane and helicopter.

We were all spoiled. Thanks to all of our family for their generosity and for making it such a fun Christmas. We loved everything!

Marco enjoying the Christmas Story. Watch until it ends. Mi poor Mijo!

beautiful moments...

i love it when they smile without being asked.

Just to clear things up-this came as a result of a political conversation Julio and I were having. Can't you always tell which posts are his? Anyway, we decided that none of the babyboomers are any different than the rest. So, we need someone younger and with newer ideas. Any guesses? But, the shirt that is in Spanish, translation:"Why don't you shut up?" was said to Hugo Chavez during a political conference in Chile.

Of Presidents and other mice....

Enough of the baby-boomer generation running this country! The 60's are over. We need new leadership!(anyone want to buy this shirt?)

As the King of Spain said:

He's Just Pretend, Mom

We went to our ward Christmas party on Saturday. Lucia was very excited to see Santa Clause. So after a very yummy prime rib dinner, and a very long play, Santa finally showed up. The kids were both very fussy by that time (about 9 pm) and so their visit was very short. When we got in the car, Lucia told me, "Mommy, Santa isn't real, he's just pretend. That was a person in a costume." I told he was one of Santa's helpers filling in for him. I asked her where the real Santa is and she said, "He's long gone, in the North Pole, but he's just pretend." I asked her who was going to bring her presents on Christmas and she said, "My teddy bear." Ok-whatever.

Nikki's favorite YouTube find!

Lucía loves this song too!

So catchy, "Chocolate raaaaain"

Decorating the Tree

We decided to pull out our little fake tree the day after Thanksgiving. I was so anxious to get the Christmas season started, I couldn't wait. Our tree looks so pathetic now with Marco and Lucía constantly pulling off the ornaments. Oh well, that's life with toddlers.

I'm almost done with Christmas shopping and have tried so hard to keep it under control this year. Another goal I've had is to read the book of Luke in the Bible, one chapter a day, until Christmas. This time of year is a time to reflect on the birth and life of Christ. I'm trying to teach that to Lucía, that it's not just about presents. But buying toys is so much fun! Yesterday I took her shopping with me (bad mistake). I got a couple of things for Julio, Dad, Tami and some toys that I tried to sneak for her. She saw them though, very slyly looking through the holes in the shopping cart. When we got in the car she said she wanted to play with her new toys when we got home. I tried to lie and said, "What toys? I didn't get you any toys." She didn't buy it and started throwing a fit. I told her I left them at the store because she was peaking and I wanted it to be a surprise. Then, she believed me. She did get revenge though when we got home. She told Julio, "Daddy, Mom got you new shoes and a belt!" So much for surprises.

Day at the Park on Thanksgiving Weekend

Friday we went to Walnut Creek to see Julio's mom/Abuela at his cousin's house. We went for a walk at the park and this guy was taking a nap on the lawn. The kids went over and were trying to see his face under his hat and were talking and laughing at him. It was hillarious because he was snoring the whole time. I guess you had to be there. Also, Marco fell and hit his lip-hence the fat lip in the picture. That kid is always falling and getting hurt! I always feel like I'm going to have a heart attack when I see him falling in what seems like slow motion and I can't get to him fast enough to save him from injury.

Busy week

Wow, it's been a busy week. On Tuesday night we had Enrichment where I learned to make a pie crust in the pie pan. Wednesday I subbed half day. Thursday was Book Club. I love going to book club and having my womanly conversations. We chatted past midnight, so I was exhausted yesterday. We've got some really neat books picked out for next year including classics, inspirational, historical, and a little bit of romance. I'll post our list when I get it. Then yesterday, I got a call in the morning from one of my high school English teachers wanting me to sub for her. That was kind of fun. I love walking through the halls of my high school. It's like walking down memory lane and reliving all those formative moments in life. I went to the library and pulled out the yearbooks from the years I was there. I was showing the students who thought it was so funny that I had poofy bangs. Most of those kids were born around that time. I'm getting old! So now we have the holiday to look forward to. Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorites. I'm ready to shop!

Those pictures I just posted to have some recent pics of the kids. They love playing tea party. Marco only gets to do it if Lucia is still asleep in the morning. He likes to get up much earlier than her. They both have to have a milkshake in the morning. I put a scoop of canned pumpkin, half a banana, Carnation Instant breakfast and milk. It's funny though, because even if Lucia is sound asleep, if she hears the blender, she's up right away and wants her milkshake too. Anyway, just some ramblings. Hopefully I'll have more to ramble about soon.

My list of places outside the USA to go before I die

1. Italy (all of it)
2. Spain (all of it)
3. Stonehenge (been to England, but didn't see it)
4. Prague
5. The French Riviera
6. Red Square, The Kremlin
7. Hagia Sophia
8. Transylvania
9. The tulip fields in Holland
10. The Great Wall of China and the Terracotta Warriors
11. The Egyptian Pyramids
12. Taj Majal
13. Thailand
14. Kuala Lampur
15. Hong Kong
16. Jerusalem
17. Greece
18. Istanbul
19. Victoria Falls
20. Serengeti (African Safari)
21. Mount Kilaminjaro
22. Mount Everest
23. Fiji
24. New Zealand
25. Australia (all of it)
26. Tahiti
27. Easter Island
28. Iceland
29. Cuba
30. Tierra del Fuego
31. Rio de Janeiro
32. Iguazu Falls
33. Panama Canal (I saw it as we landed in Panama City Airport)
34. Galapagos Islands
35. Chichenitza

So much to see, so little time and money. Maybe someday...

My birthday. I'm 29...again

As I get older, I realize that birthdays are just another day...of getting older. This year I decided to celebrate a little bit. Julio and I went out to a restaurant that's been around for years. I'd never been there, but it always looked interesting. So we were pleasantly surprised when we walked in and saw how fancy it was. I got the lobster ravioli which was delicious. Then we were able to go to the temple by ourselves. We never get to go to the temple together! The only unfortunate thing that happened was when we got home my parents' car window had been smashed. It's a recurring thing here. That's another topic. Until next year when we can go out to a nice restaurant again, I will try to remember the lobster ravioli.

Ward Halloween Party

Last week we went to our ward Halloween party/Chili cook-off. We had a good time. Lucía and Noelle were Cinderella and Marco was a clown. Julio was a soccer player. Lucía loves being a princess, she plays in that dress almost every day. Luckily we didn't get too much candy. But, we still have one more Halloween party to go to this year.

Haiku #2 - For Lucía

Haiku #2
For Lucía

The turn of the key
releases the song
she holds all day long
Daddy!

.

Quotes from Lucía

Here are a couple of things Lucía said today and I wanted to write it down before I forgot.

We were outside and she was riding her tricycle. She's doing so much better and getting really fast. She said to me, "Mommy, I'm getting to be an expert at this."

Then we were in the front yard and she was picking flowers. She said to me, "These flowers are for my new centerpiece."

Then we were eating dinner. I gave her a hard boiled egg, steamed broccolli, and rice. She took a bite and said, "Thank you for this scrumptious dinner Mom."

I think she has a talent for vocabulary. What do you think?

Julio's Birthday (Last Sunday)

Ok, it's been almost a week, so this is long overdue, but I just wanted to post some pictures of Julio's 21st birthday. We got to go out to sushi, just the two of us. We went to a little hole in the wall place, but it was great. Julio insisted on making his own chocolate cake, which he underbaked. Oh well. It was low key, but I just want to wish him the best because I love him!

Haiku #1

Haiku #1

For Marco

My baby coos

a God sent song,

I just wish it wasn't

3:00 a.m.

China

Ever since Aunt Alice and Uncle Lynn have been in China, I've had a greater interest in Chinese things. I just finished a book that we read in our Book Club called "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" by Lisa See. It was fascinating, compelling and very thought provoking. It takes place in China during the 1800's. It's about the culture of women during that time. They had a secret code called nushu that they used to communicate with eachother through embroidery and caligraphy. The narrator talks about her life and being connected with another girl called her Laotong or old same. They become soul sisters and their destinies are connected. It is fiction, but gives so much insight into the oppression and suffering those women went through from the foot binding as little girls to their arranged marriages made solely to breed sons. It was very sad and made me realize how thankful I am for my life and all the luxuries and freedoms I enjoy including a loving husband. Julio and I then rented a movie called "The Painted Veil" and stars Naomi Watts and Edward Norton. It takes place during the 1920's in China. He is a doctor who goes to study bacteria during a cholera epidemic. It shows how their relationship grows in a time and place that was lacking in so many ways. But, the scenery was beautiful and the life so simple. There is so much out there in the world to see and experience and so many people who's lives are so different from our own.

Valerie's Quinceñeara

We had the opportunity last weekend to go down to LA for Julio's neice Valerie's Quinceñeara. It was a great party-perfectly planned and executed. It was very nice and we had a great time. The birthday girl looked gorgeous! She and Yesenia have a very special bond that I only hope Lucía and I can have forever as well. Lucía was having a great time at the party, then she decided she was mad. We never found out why. What a silly girl.

Hair-before and after

Marco and Daddy on the banks of the Middle

Fork of the American River

Marco, Lucía and Daddy with Abuela in L.A.

Julio and Marco were victims of the hair clippers. I thought I could do it, but I guess I was wrong. Julio butchered Marco's hair, and then he shaved his own off. Next time, we'll splurge and go get the $10 haircuts. It just might be worth it.

I always wanted to be a Jane Austen Heroine.....

and I (julio) am:

Take the Quiz here!

You are Catherine Morland of Northanger Abbey! You love a good Gothic romance - so much, in fact, that you'll fool yourself into thinking you're living one! You are imaginative and naive, which is at once endearing and perplexing. perhaps your heart is TOO pure...but it is adventurous. After all, you love a trip to Bath or a stay at an ancient Abbey.

Mr. Darcy has nothing on me!

Which Jane Austen character are you?

:: E L I N O R ::
I am Elinor Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! I am practical, circumspect, and discreet. Though I am tremendously sensible and allow my head to rule, I have a deep, emotional side that few people often see. I don't totally agree with this, but this is what they chose for me after I took the quiz. Nikki

Uruguay-ay-ay will always love you!

I just found out that they are having a reunion in Utah for the 60th anniversary of the Uruguay mission. I got an email from Raquel Cabrera of Nueva Helvecia saying they are coming up for General Conference and the reunion. I really want to go! To be able to see them and anyone else from the mission would be so awesome. So, I'm trying to get my frequent flyer miles redeemed so I can go. I'll have to take Marco and we're trying to get a way for Julio and Lucia to come too. Wish us luck!
Ode to the Uruguayos
Humble yet generous
loving yet prideful
funny accents yet expressive
diverse yet united
Penarol/colorado or Nacional/blanco (soccer teams and political parties go together)
devoted to their country
in their own quiet way
wanting nothing more than simple comforts,
happiness, acceptance, love.
A people I came to feel comfortable with, be happy with, accept and love.

Fathers and Sons

As Doug is a now a father of TWO sons and as a father of one son, I wonder what kind of conversations do we, Fathers & Sons, have to look foward to?

We will have to confront that one subject, GIRLS! Or perhaps, something like this about that dreaded moment in P.E. (from the best under-the-radar show ever Freeks and Geeks):



I love this clip!

Congratulations Doug and Michelle!

Nikki's Book Club

This month, the book club I'm in read some parenting books. I'm not really a "parenting book person". I'd rather just talk to people about ideas and experience life with my children through trial and error. Usually it's more error than not, but I am trying to be a better mom. I read part of a book called "The Potentially Sane Mother's Guide to Raising Young Children". The author is a LDS BYU law school grad with 5 children under age 8. She had some good philosophies and I tried to apply them in my life. One of her things is to try to put a postivie spin on negative situations. Well, last week we had one of those potentially dreadful experiences. Lucia decided she wanted a treat at the store. When I told her no, she started having a temper tantrum. I kept my cool in the store and left as quickly as possible. In the parking lot, she was screaming her head off and a guy walked by and laughed. I thought to myself, this could be funny. So I got her in the car kicking and screaming and she continued to kick my seat and scream at me. I thought to myself, "What could I do to get her to settle down?" So, I put in a primary CD and "I Am a Child of God" came on. Within seconds, she settled down and started singing. Instead of me blowing up and her reacting to me, we were all happy and went to the park to play.
Other books we discussed in book club:

1. Christlike Parenting
2. 10 Secrets All Parents Know
3. A Mind At a Time

Can't get one by her

This afternoon before I sat down to check out the blogs, I gave Lucia a bowl of cereal. She did come up and talk to me at one point and I was too distracted to answer her. So when I got off the computer, she yelled at me, "Mommy, I want more cereal NOW!". I said to her, "You need to ask nicely." Her response was, "I did say please and ask nicely, but you were checking your email and didn't pay any attention to me!" Boy did I feel sheepish.

Fairy Tale Town

On Marco's actual birthday, we decided to go to Fairy Tale Town. It's basically a park with different fairy tale scenes like Cinderella's coach, Sherwood Forest, Old McDonalds' farm, etc. We went with Tami, Dan and Noelle and it was a nice day. We had a picnic and when it got too hot and the kids were tired, we went home! We then celebrated his birthday on Sunday at Mom and Dad's. He got a whole new fall wardrobe, bath toys, balls, toy cars, and his red push car that he loves. He handled the whole hoopla with ease and he loved his cupcake. I can't believe he is already a year old. It went by way too fast.

Marco's 1st Birthday

I've been tagged!

Jobs I have held (most recent first) Mom 1. Substitute teacher 2. 3rd and 1st grade teacher. 3. E-Trade customer service 4. Telemarketer 5. Mortuary Assistant
Movies I can watch over and over:1. Anything Jane Austen 2. Legends of the Fall 3. Musicals
Guilty Pleasures: 1. Cookie dough 2. Reality TV 3. Bollywood videos 4. Naps
Places I've lived:1. Santa Monica, Los Angeles and Pasadena, CA 2. Sacramento area 3. Murray and Provo, UT 4. Uruguay
Television Shows I enjoy: 1. Amazing Race 2. So You Think You Can Dance 3. America's Next Top Model 4. Grey's Anatomy
The things I most likely thought when I met my significant other:1. I would never date him in a million years 2. He has blue hair (ugh) 3. He's fascinating
Places I've been on vacation:1.Hawaii 2. Mexico 3. New York and DC 4. Peru and Bolivia 5. Argentina and Brazil 6. England, Scotland and France
My favorite Foods:1. Baja Fresh Mexican 2. Gnocchi 3. Sushi 4. Cookies, brownies, ice cream
Websites I visit Daily:1. E-mail2. Blogs 3. Craigslist.com (not everyday)
Body Parts I've injured:1. Scar on my chin 2. Sprained ankle in high school
Awards I have won:1. Poem writing contest 2. Moot Court 3. Cheerleading competitions
Nicknames I have had:1. Mommy (my favorite) 2. Babe 3. Nik
Now I tag two of you!1. MaCall Potter 2. Johnny Shirley

Mastitis...miserable

I haven't posted in a long time because I've been sick. Last week I came down with mastitis, a breast infection. I woke up with some pain and started feeling flu like symptoms. I went to the doctor right away and got on antibiotic. I fell down with a fever of 102.5 and was flat in bed all day. Luckily my mom was here to help with the kids or I would have been in big trouble. So, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I've had a lot of catching up to do since then. It's amazing how much the house can fall apart in three days. But all is back to normal now.

Ten Things about Nicole Renee (by Julio)

1. she is a fantastic mother who loves her kids with all her heart

2. she would marry chocolate if she could

3. she thinks that harry potter is real

4. she prefers lots of kissing in movies instead of lots of kicking

5. she loves to travel, but hasn't recently

6. she enjoys cheesy reality contest shows like "so you think you can dance" and "america's next top model"

7. she would give up anything for her children, including: sleep, a clean shirt, a nap and sleep.

8. she loves gnoochi,(if only in Italy)

9. she thinks David Beckham is hot, and so do I!

10. don't ever get between her and her chocolate chip cookie dough!

Just a side note...

Ok, so I think I'm getting the hang of this and loving it! Just a disclaimer-our camera sucks. So, the pictures aren't the greatest. Anyone who would like to donate a newer, better camera can do so at any time. Just kidding.

10 Things About Julio (by Nikki)

1. He likes to sleep, but never gets enough of it.
2. He is an excellent husband and father.
3. He is going to be a lawyer.
4. He likes loud techno music and jumps up and down to it like a maniac.
5. He loves to watch soccer and yell at the tv when a game is on-Go Galaxy!
6. He claims to be a member of the Green Party, but doesn't recycle.
7. He loves sushi, but we can't afford it :-(
8. He doesn't mind going to the movies by himself.
9. He's excellent at fixing anything.
10. His wife is incredibly beautiful and he loves her so much!

10 Things about Marco

1. He loves his Mommy.

2. He loves his blue blanket.

3. He is fascinated with vacuums.

4. He loves to walk around the house all day long and never stops.

5. He likes to play with balls.

6. He has crazy hair.

7. He is happy and busy most of the time.

8. He doesn't like to eat.

9. He's a daredevil-he loves to go upsidedown and be thrown in the air.

10. He's the sweetest and cutest boy I know.

Lucia the Gorgeous Girl

10 Things about Lucia

1. She loves to play dress up and do ballet.
2. She has a milkshake for breakfast every day.
3. She loves Dora the Explorer.
4. She says sweet prayers.
5. She can recognize almost all of her ABC's and knows all the sounds.
6. She named her blanket "Bleeka" and must sleep with it every night.
7. She requires lots of bribes to do anything Mommy asks her to do.
8. She's a picky eater.
9. She loves her family.
10. She's not just cute and smart, but her family loves her very much.

I don't have much to say..

I don't know how good of a blogger I am going to be because I don't have much to say (that I think is relevant to anyone else) of is of much importance. I was just watching the You Tube Questions and Answer session for the Democratic Candidates. They have relevant things to say. It makes me think about what issues are important to me? Are party lables the most important thing to think about when chosing a candidate? Or are the issues the most important thing to consider? I know that a lot of politicians say what people want to hear and not necessarily what they truly believe. Or do they have real convictions? It's hard to say. The moderator brought up the point that the Democrats have had the majority in the Senate and Congress for 7 months now and nothing has changed with the war. When will it? A lot of questions and not many answers. Anyway, just something to think about.

Lucia and Nikki in the Brigham Young House at Heritage Park

Lucia is making a silly face, of course. We wish we could have seen more of the park.

Here is Marco at the Brigham Young Home at Heritage Park!