Our cousins came to visit

We got to spend the week after Christmas with our Aldama cousins. They came for the special event of Noelle’s baptism. We were so happy to be a part of her special day (even if we did have to sing )

Enjoying the luncheonFamily photosA silly one!

Making the gingerbread house  Aunt Callie sent for Christmas.

We went to the Sacramento Children’s Museum. The kids played for a couple of hours-so did Uncle B and Uncle Dan Painting, crafts, playing in water, costumes, role playing, toys and trains and all kinds of stuff!

New Year’s Eve-We had a P-A-R-T-Y!

We played Pin the tail on the donkey-here’s the donkey poster Lucia made.Luna thought it was hillarious!We played a matching game that Grandma made.I think Noelle kicked butt on that game!We played Pass the Present.Tessa and Lucia won that game!Dance party!That wore them out-so they settled down for a movie.At 10 pm, we took the kids outside to blow noisemakers and poppers.Our selfieKarate chop Lucia! (love this picture)Later, back at home…Marco awake.And at midnight-Happy New Year! Marco couldn’t quite hold on, although he gave it a good fight.  The next day our cousins went back to Idaho. But I know we had a wonderful time and made lots of memories while they were here. I hope we can make lots more fun memories this year! 2014!

Christmas Day

I’m so glad my kids aren’t early risers! They did start banging on the door at about 8 am-wanting to come out and see what Santa brought them. 

He came! This is the before picture.

Running down the hall to see what they got.

New, clean Hello Kitty and old, dirty Hello Kitty.Princess shoes I found at the thrift store.She wanted dinosaurs.First time he’s asked for books. He loved his scooter too!Book and alarm clock-she also got a cell phone from Santa. She was quite surprised because she wasn’t expecting it, but she loved it!Lucia’s homemade gift to mom.Lucia gave gifts to each family member, such a thoughtful girl!She already knew about the American Girl book set and doll. But she was happy.More sister loving.He wasn’t expecting Darth Vader-but he loved it!Her new picnic basket.Piggy banks!Post present happiness.

We took our time opening gifts and getting ready. We made it over to Grandma and Grandpa’s about 1 pm. Time for more gift opening.

We totally got spoiled this year!Uncle B always gives good gifts too.He wanted a loom and has spent many hours making bracelets.Grandpa-the gift master and Sylvie doing a somersault.Lucia’s final gift of the day-the big pink fluffy owl that Grandma got for her! She was so excited!See the sun shining? It was a beautiful day, the kids went outside to play for a while.Julio got to nap with Mr. Owl.

Christmas evening, we had another delicious dinner and felt like gluttons. We played games and the kids watched their new movies. It was a great Christmas! We missed spending it with our cousins, but hopefully next year they will be with us.

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve as a family. We went to Fairytale Town since it was free! It was a nice change from the zoo-we hadn’t been there in a while.

The Wizard of Oz On King Arthur’s throneOn a pirate shipSliding down from Owl’s Treehouse Marco on top of Cinderella’s coachSylvie in “The Little Train that Could”

That evening, Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle B came over for dinner. Julio barbequed a tri-tip and made garlic mashed potatoes. We also had brie en croissant, veggies and dip, water chestnuts with bacon, fruit salad…yummy! I did not get any pictures that night-too tired and busy getting dinner on the table. Then we went to visit Uncle Dan’s grandma at the retirement home. We visited with her and sang to her and played with her dog. Then we went home and played some games with Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle B. Then, the kids opened their new jammies, we read from the Bible and the kids sprinkled their reindeer food on the lawn. It took them a long time to settle down and go to bed, so Santa couldn’t come until after midnight. But he did come! It was so exciting!!!