Christmas 2009

Christmas this year was some what tough being away from family but it was enjoyable. The kids got up about 7ish and Jared made a really big fire upon Tyler's request. Jared really enjoyed doing it. The kids loved staring into the fire and just watching it. It reminded me of my youth.

After doing a little thing on the gift we presented for Jesus (the manger) It took about an hour to open gift. I finally got breakfast made at 11ish. Tradition to have Aunt Reno's sausage casserole. After which we just hung out and relaxed.

Raquel told Santa that she wanted a big pink present. I think we did really good with that. Tyler told Santa he wanted everything. Well at least he did not lie. Tyler loves his but I think it is slower then he would like it. Raquel is still learning but she is catching on quickly. They also got other gifts too that they just love.

Tylers First Christmas Play

Tyler was really excited about his play before he got there, HONESTLY. Its stage fright. He was really upset that he looked as though he was about to cry and no he did not sing a single word. However he did sway a bit. So can you tell what he is dress as? No your wrong, its not a bunny but a donkey. it was so cute. He even had a tail. His class sang a donkey song in Spanish. I would tell you what it was but I did not understand a single word. LOL and neither did Tyler. That was until the drive home in which he sang enough that Jared got it. We are determined to break his shy mode. I don't want him to struggle with it like I did.

I do have to admit he look so cute.
These pictures were miracle pictures that made him look somewhat comfortable. However these were but for a half of second in which he would see me then glare or look as though he would cry.

And then there is Raquel, trying to play with anything or anyone and having a good old time with Santa. Honestly if I new we would see so many Santa's I would have thought things through better. Especially since they did not look that much a like.

Personally I think this Santa was the real deal. He got Tyler smiling and laughing like it was nothing. Tyler even forgot that he was mad at us for making him join his class during the presentation. Poor boy, I really hope he can break his shyness. I want him to have confidence in him self and around others.

Bring a Friend to School Day

For Tyler's friend he brought Raquel. She was so excited that if I was not having a hard time about sending my kids to school I would do both of them the same year. I figure that if I keep her one more year with me it would be less depressing that life is going by to fast. Tyler had fun with her Raquel loved it, she fit right in. She is so social able that she could be comfortable anywhere. Today at church another father got her mixed up with one of his children because of the same coats. He lead Raquel all the way to the front of sacrament and was embarrassed when I informed him that he had my girl. Raquel did not care she was going to just set with a family she did not know.

Raquel's First Santa

This was the Santa at our ward Christmas party. Can you see a resemblance? Look closely you just might recognize Santa, Raquel is a very happy girl and most the time she has a smile on her face. With that said, her reactions to Santa was very joyful just a bit more then she always is. It was almost like she already knew him and it was not her first time with him. Oh wait that was her Dad. LOL

However, when we left Santa all she wanted was to see him again. So we hung out with Santa a bit longer and she even danced with him. She knew she was Santa's favorite.

Tyler on the other hand was skeptical. He was not sure Santa was Santa. But he was sure Santa was Dad and he was very proud of it. When we left Santa the first time Tyler asked me, "Why does Santa sound like Dad? Is Dad Santa?" I just said that that was silly thing to think. Despite my efforts to keep Santa's identity a secret Tyler knew. He is no dummy. It probably did not help that before the party he found Santa's suit on Daddy's bed. LOL

It's The Best When The Man of Your Dreams Is Yours

Today has been a day of reminiscing. I love to look back and see all that Jared and I have been through in the past 5 and a half years. Back then, I never really thought about how life would be today. I would just live in the moment with him. This entry is dedicated to the man of my life.

My favorite memory is that of when we met. Jared I thought you were so arrogant and cocky, bossing me around on that softball field. I was right. I love that about you! I told you the other day that what I love most about you is that you full heartily believe that there is nothing in this world that you can't accomplish. When I told you that, you laughed and said, "well there isn't." I love your boldness, how it puts me in my place, and makes me try harder. To you there is no excuse for failure, or not living up to your potential. Someone once told me that your stories are fantastic (beyond belief). That is because they have never had the honor of living them with you. I have experience things that most people won't ever have the opportunity of experiencing. That is because of you and your fantastic (beyond belief) spirit of adventure. Jared, when I made the decision to marry you, I was scared of living without my family. That was until you showed me what life should be and could be together. I took your hand that cold day of December 11th of 2004. We together have heeded to the words of Elder Goats and the council he gave us that day. We experience trials that seemed impossible at the time, but as we worked together and kept our faith in the Lord we came out on top. Look at our little family now. Did you ever think that you were capable of this amount of love? I hear it just get better and better. You once told me to live life with no regrets. I do! I will never regret the life we have together! I will never take it for granted! I have completely changed since our wedding. I have grown spiritually beyond what I ever thought I could. My mind has opened to a whole new point of view, and that is because of you. You are capable of great things, you bring change in people that they never thought possible. It is because of your boldness, your truthfulness that leads them to believe in themselves. I am just ecstatic about the book you wrote. I know it will help thousands if not millions of people to believe more in themselves, and to accomplish anything they set their heart on. Jared you are my eighth world wonder. In the six's month of our courtship I fell head over heels for you. Everyday I still fall more in love with you, a love that is beyond what words can say. I mean this when I say, I am so lucky that you chose me as your best friend and to be with for eternity. I LOVE YOU so much. Happy Anniversary.

Tyler's First Santa

Wentzville city did a Christmas tree lighting then a parade and it ended at the fire station where Santa and Mrs Clause was. Jared and Raquel were not in the mood so they stayed home, but Tyler and I was. It was my first town Christmas tree lighting. You really need to be into the Christmas mood to enjoy a tree lighting. The parade was okay, not a lot of effort was put into it. But still neat. While we were in line to see Santa, Tyler was all sorts of excited. You could just tell when the thought occurred to him and the excitement that fallowed that thought. It made me so happy just to see the excitement in Tyler's eyes. When they opened the garage door for Santa Tyler just could not contain him self any longer he just started laughing with excitement. He could not believe that Santa was really right there. It did not take to long to get to Santa for we were not far in line. However the kids in front of us were afraid of Santa and started crying like Santa was a monster or something. So when it was Tyler's turn he did not know what to think his excitement turned a bit to fear. I was a little irritated that had to happen. He was so excited then was scared because of the other kids cries. So as you can see in the picture he was pretty unsure but if you look you can still see the excitement in his eyes. He never did find the courage to tell Santa what he wanted so He just shook his head to what I said. We then came home and wrote Santa a letter. He felt a whole lot better after that.

Getting Ready for Christmas

Christmas is always my favorite time of year, even if it just takes a couple of hours to put it up. We don't have a lot of decorations but what we do have are all meaningful. The Tree could us some help but it is a perfect size for us midgets (except Jared of course). I don't know what we would do if we did not have the stuffed bears under the tree that Kay gave us. If they were not there to cover up the stick that the tree is on it might look a bit awkward. LOL. The kids on the other hand just love it and got so excited when it came time to plug in the lights. Tyler got a bit anxious a couple of times and turned all the lights off before we got the ornaments on the tree. It was so cute to see their excitement. They got even more excited when we put Thomas the train set around the tree.

This year we started a new tradition. Kay (Grandma) gave us a wooden manger and some straw. Every time the kids do something nice they get to put a straw in the manger, trying to make it soft enough for baby Jesus. This will be the gift that we well give to Jesus for his birthday.

This Nativity was giving to us by my Mom and Dad (Nanni and Papa). This year was really neat to see how the kids reacted to it. It is kind of their first Christmas that they can understand. So when I explained the Nativity to Tyler and the Wise men giving Baby Jesus a gift, this is what I came back to. I asked why his dinosaur was there and he said; "My dinosaur is giving Baby Jesus a gift." So the dinosaur is now a part of the Nativity. LOL



Can you tell whose idea this picture was?