Christmas Day....

We went to my sister's house for Christmas Dinner....

Some exciting news, my brother and his girlfriend got engaged! I'm so happy for them and excited to welcome Denise into our family....They are also moving into their new house in a few days, and due to have a baby in July!!!!! So much exciting stuff happening!!!

Here they are with the nieces and nephews:



Here they are opening my gifts (I made them each a fleece blanket, she's a raiders fan and he's a steelers fan):



The guys hanging out watching some sports:



I guess it's an ipod Christmas this year cause my son got an ipod shuffle, I got a nano and my mom got a nano!



The dooney barbie was a hit!!!



My sis opening her gift from me "PHOTO-OPOLY" - right here she's probably freakin' out about having to put this thing together with all the pictures.....

**Lucky for her, I did all that for her!**


This game is a great gift for someone....google PHOTO-OPOLY, it's a really cute idea!



Just some pics of my sister's holiday decorations:

Christmas Morning....

Miso really looks ready for all the excitement to begin, doesn't she?



An Illinois pullover from my friend Valerie THANKS BUDDY!:



My son LOVES this game and has been asking for it for quite some time...he's been playing it constantly ever since he got it!!!



I got what I was hoping for...a lime green ipod nano!!!! woo hoo!



Some scrappin' supplies from my buddy:

Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve we went to a candlelight service at our church. I wasn't feeling well (have come down with a nasty cold) but the service only lasts about an hour so it was nice to go. The church looks so pretty with just the light from the candles:







When we got home from church, my friend Veronica's family who lives down the street made Posole' and Tamales all day. They HOOKED US UP big time with their delicious food!!!!! YUMMMMMMY!!!!!!





Time for bed.....one last look at the tree before the CHAOS begins....

Baking at Grandmas

Every year we bake cookies at Christmas time...here are some pictures of us baking at my mom's house:








The kids waiting to put the sugar sprinkles on the cookies:



Our cookies

Dinner with my in-laws....

Here are some pics from the other night.....

DH and my nephew:



Our family:

Our get together with friends....

Usually on Xmas Eve we go to my friend Noel's mom's house for dinner and to exchange gifts. We've been friends for years and our kids have all grown up together so we're all like family. Well Noel's mom Noriko suffered a mild stroke earlier this year and wasn't up to entertaining so this year it was at Noel's house. Since she lives kind of far and we didn't want to drive too far on xmas eve we invited them over to our house a few nights earlier to eat and exchange gifts. It was also nice because for me it kept my mind off the fact that it was the anniversary of my dad's passing away.

Here are some pictures from our evening:

THE KID TABLE



Our table (yes that bright light is my DH's 450 gallon salt water aquarium in the background)



Noel & Matt:



Me and my DH:



Me and Noel:

FONDUE NIGHT!!!!!

My girlfriend and I like to have "FONDUE NIGHT" for our families...every so often we plan one and everyone has a great time! Here are some pics from our fondue night last week:










The kids were more into the chocolate fondue than anything else:







Here's Mindy's son Jacob...he is a goofball!!!

My holiday baking....

Here are some pics from me and my friend Mindy making our oreo pops and cookie cutter fudge for the teachers and our neighbors.

(I look horrible - no makeup....what was I thinking taking pics without my makeup on?!?!)



It's okay Mindy didn't have any makeup on either...I don't feel so bad!



Finished Product:

Christmas Edition of "Getting To Know Your Friends"

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.


1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? both - but mostly wrapping paper
2. Real tree or artificial? REAL!
3. When do you put up the tree? Weekend after Thanksgiving
4. When do you take the tree down? Right after New Year's Day
5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, especially homemade!
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Easy Bake Oven
7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes
8. Hardest person to buy for? My husband!
9. Easiest person to buy for? My son
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? Hickory Farms Summer Sausage!!!!
12. Favorite Christmas Movie? A Christmas Story
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Very early, like to be done by end of November.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? No
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? My grandma's sand tarts (cookies)
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? WHite
17. Favorite Christmas song? Too many to name
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A snowman star retro topper
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Morning
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? TOo cold!
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? Vintage candies, gingerbread, anything sparkly!
24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Honey Baked Ham
25. Do you have Jesus in your heart this Christmas Yes

Okay post your answers in the comments section of my blog OR post in your blog and let me know so I can check yours out too!!!!

How cute is this????

My best friend Valerie who moved away to Illinois (caligirlinil) -

sent me this adorable canvas!!! i absolutely LOVE iT and will cherish it always!!!! She made it for my new guest / scrap room but I wanted it somewhere where it will be seen more frequently so I put it in my den...It's it cute????
THANKS VALERIE!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!



Here it is by itself: