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.