Merry Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009 was the best Christmas to date. On Christmas Eve Frank's family came to our house to have dinner and open presents then we ended the night at Frank's Uncle Eddie's house. It was a lot of fun but the kids were anxious to get home and go to bed so Santa would come. All the way home Amelia and Elliott were on the look out for Santa's sleigh.

Christmas morning Amelia woke up and tried to run to the tree but we made her wait for Elliott so everyone could go together. Santa brought them both what they asked for. Amelia got a hot pink ipod and Elliott got Spike the Dinosaur. The kids stayed in their pajamas all day long and played for 12 hours straight. Nana and Aunt Brenda and Uncle Ralph came over for lunch and Uncle Eric and Aunt Kristina and Cousins Daniel and Noah came over to play. Grandma Rosie and Grandpa stopped by in the evening to visit also.

Amelia loved her ipod and bug maker the best. She made bug after bug. Elliott wore out the battery of his Spike Dinosaur and played and played with his hot wheels. They both loved the Smart Sports game Grandma Rosie and Grandpa got them.

The best part of the day was when Amelia and Elliott put Baby Jesus in the manger and wished him a Happy Birthday. They both understand that Christmas is the celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. It was a wonderful Christmas filled with the love of our family. We look forward to many more like this one.

Elliott's Favorite Things

Now that Elliott is growing up he is forming his own opinions and developing his own taste. I have to say that some of these tastes are influenced by his Daddy. Frank introduces him to things and Elliott decides if he likes them. Right Now Elliott's favorite toys are his Dinosaurs. He is collecting Imaginext Dinosaurs and we found a website with Dinosaur gear and he was sure to tell us what he wanted. He picked his shoes, hat, lunch box and back pack. At first I just ordered the shoes and when they came in he said, "Where is my hat and backpack?" As you can see from the pictures he got them.

The Hulk is Elliott's favorite super hero right now. He loves to wear his Hulk mask and hands out in public because he thinks he is scaring people. He asked his Grandma Rosie to take him to Toys R Us and buy the mask and hands for him and sure enough she did.

Elliott loves to rock out with his friends when they come over to play. That's his Daddy's influence. He also loves to watch Thundarr the Barbarian and old Godzilla movies with Amelia and Daddy. He is really turning into an interesting little boy!

We will miss you Letty

This post is to pay tribute to our beautiful friend Letty Vasquez. On December 9, 2009 Letty Vasquez died at age 44. Letty is survived by her Husband, Steve and 3 year old son, Nathdaniel as well as her Mother, Lupe, sister's Minnie and Mari and brother Michael.

Letty and I were friends for 16 years, she was a kind, faithful and loving friend to me. Letty and I knew each other when we were young single girls. She was around when I met and fell in love with Frank and we were there when she met and fell in love with Steve. The 4 of us had so many fun times together. Whether is was celebrating Halloween on 6th Street in Austin or the many Friday night hot tub parties we had after a long week of work. We were there to share in the joy of our weddings and the blessing of our children and began to watch them grow up together. I was so saddened by the news of her sudden death but trust in God's plan for her and her family. Letty was a kind loving person who had great respect for herself and even more for others. She was a devoted Mother, Wife, Daughter and Sister. I will love her forever and look forward to sharing her love with her Son and Husband. Letty I love you and am thankful for the wonderful memories we share. Until we meet again.....

Nathan's Annual Christmas Party

Nathan's Christmas party was so much fun. They had snow!!! It was perfect timing because the day before the party the weather man said it might snow and when Amelia woke up and it was not snowing she cried. So Nathan came through for her and got her snow. The kids had a blast.

Elliott was old enough this year to really enjoy it. Santa was there and Amelia got to give him her list, the moon bounce was huge and great, they did crafts and played with all the fun toys Nathan has. Nathan was even nice enough to give Elliott the Triceratops he had been wanting. Thank you Karen, Matt and Nathan for celebrating Christmas with us and having a great party for our family to enjoy.

2009 Christmas Pictures

My friend Christy took the kids Christmas pictures at La Villita this year. Amelia was the super model of course. Elliott was not willing to take too many pictures but he cooperated enough to get a few good shots. The pose of Elliott by himself was all him. He walked right up to the wall and put his hand up there with no direction for us and Christy shot away while she could.

Party! Party! Party

Saturday, December 12, 2009 was a fun but busy day for us. We started the day with Amelia's last soccer game and the end of season soccer party at McDonald's. Aunt Brenda was nice enough to make a soccer ball cake for the team.

Next we moved on to Cousin John's 6th Birthday Bowling Party. Elliott's bowling/Christmas shirt was a hit!

Our last stop was to Aunt Bonnie's Christmas party. Amelia danced the night away. It was a wonderful day and night filled with the company and love of our family and friends.

Happy Halloween 2009

Amelia and Elliott had a great Halloween this year. Elliott was Spider-Man and Amelia was Mulan. We went to Kendall and Kaleb's house this year along with about 10 other kids. They all had a ball. The kids played for a little while and ate pizza and then went trick or treating. There were several houses that were nicely decorated and one house built a maze in their garage out of 75 boxes. The kids loved it and went through it about 5 times. After trick or treating we ended up at the neighbors house for more playing and a pinata. It was so much fun but by 9pm our kids were wiped out. The costumes and candy were all great and everyone had a blast.

Our Super Student

Amelia completed her first 9 weeks of school on October 30th. Each teacher went up to the podium and called students names so they could stand up and recognize students that excelled in certain areas. Amelia was recognized for academic achievement and it was very exciting for her. What was even more exciting was after each Kinder teacher was done with student recognition the Counselor went up to the stage and said they had a special "Character Award" that goes to a special student in each Kindergarten class. Amelia got the Charter Award for her class. The Counselor said "Amelia is always setting a wonderful example for others to follow. She is helpful dependable and always ready to learn." Amelia was so surprised to hear her name called and to get to go up to the stage to get a certificate. Amelia loves school and really works hard to do her best. It also helps that Ms. Padilla is a WONDERFUL teacher and motivates Amelia to do her best.

When Amelia got home she brought home her 1st report card and she got all E's for Excellent (OK she got an S in PE and Music) but E's in all the academic areas and in behavior. We are proud of Amelia because she enjoys school and tries to do a good job and that is all that we ask for.

Bike Rodeo 3rd Place Winner

Amelia learned how to ride her bike at the beginning of October and it paid off because she won 3rd place in her school's bike rodeo. She had to ride her bike in a straight line, around cones and in a circle. She stayed focused and if she fell or stopped she kept going and never got frustrated. Her hard work paid off and she got a trophy for 3rd place in the Kindergarten girl category.

Even though she won 3rd place she did something else that made us even prouder of her. One of her classmates got upset because he did not win a trophy. When she came home she drew him a very nice picture of a trophy and took it to him the next day and told him he is a winner. Amelia has a heart of gold and we are so thankful for her.

Happy Birthday Kendall

Amelia's very good friend Kendall had her 6th Birthday party at Fiesta Farms. The kids loved it. They had pony rides, a petting area, chickens, pigs, cows, lamas, turkey's and a hay ride.

When Elliott found out he was going to get to ride a horse he said, "I need my boots and my big cowboy hat". He was so funny, he carried his hat around during the whole party and when it was time to ride the horse he jumped on the horse, put his hat on and held on for dear life. Amelia ran around wild and even caught a chicken!

Happy Birthday Kendall. Thanks for the fun party, we love you!!!