Christmas 2010!

We couldn't have asked for a better Christmas! We spent Christmas Eve at my parents house and Christmas Day with my in- laws. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of the awesome gifts, great food and family time!
We didn't get home until midnight on both nights. To give you an idea of how exhausted we were...Cole slept in until 10:00am on Sunday morning. For those that know my boys, they know that is INSANE! They are very early risers (between 6:45am and 7:30am) so it was shocking to us! December was probably the fastest month of the year. I remember the 1st of December and now it's the 27th in what seemed like a weeks period of time. Besides the usual holiday parties, shopping and preparations we decided to replace our carpet and buy the boys bunk beds for Christmas. Logistically, we had to wait until we had the carpet installed (it was finished on Dec 23rd). Then, the bunk beds were delivered on the 24th, barely making it for Christmas. Our house looked like it had been hit by a tornado and then Toys R Us walked up and threw up all over it. We are taking this opportunity and doing a 'winter cleaning' and it feels great! The boys will be giving some of their older toys to less priviledged kids. We really want them to understand just how lucky they are! Speaking of lucky...Santa brought them a Wii, games, movies, big rubber dinosaurs, cars, clothes and personalized containers for their stuffed animals. Mommy and Daddy got them bunk beds (twin over full). Cole has wanted them since the summer when we stayed at a beach house that had bunk beds. Since Reid was STILL in a crib, we thought it was perfect timing. They are now sharing a room. Cole sleeps in the top bunk and Reid in the bottom bunk. It made me so sad to realize that we no longer have a crib in our house.  :-( So far, he's doing a great job staying in his bed and sleeping like a big boy. They both love the bed!
I stayed home with them today. Tara and I are taking the 4 boys (Cole, Reid, Matt and Will) to see Tangled at the movies. Should be fun!
Here are some pictures...


Christmas eve at Mama and Papi's.

Happy! :) Not sure why it's different colors though?

Cole requested that we make gingerbread cookies. We weren't very succesful but Santa loved them. ;)

Mommy was too busy videotaping to capture more pictures of the opening of Santa's presents. 

  

Christmas Day with Granny.

They boys' waiting for their Christmas dinner.

Beautiful tonsils Cole. :-) Is that a blue tongue from the candy cane???

Thanks for sharing your cool hat Will! :)

I just came across this pic and thought it was cute, even though it's a couple of weeks old.

Yes, Reid LOVES the donkey at Lupe Tortillas! We have several of these pics. :)



Eat, Drink & Be Merry!

We had a busy weekend. Too much to tell and too many pictures to post, so I'll keep it brief. I took some days off last week.  Wednesday, I went shopping for remaining Santa presents. That evening, my God Mother "Mamina" (the woman that continues to spoil me like I'm 3 years old), my Aunt Rosi (both live in Peru) and my Uncle "Papino", Aunt Marissa and Cousin Martin (live in Miami) flew in. We welcomed them with a big family dinner at my parents house. Thursday, we spent it at the Galleria shopping. Mamina took the boys into the Disney store and not only let them pick out WHATEVER THEY WANTED, but encouraged that they buy more. I had to leave the store..... :)  Friday, we shopped some more in the morning and left for Kemah in the afternoon. The restaurant selection was ok, but the view of the ocean, the rides, the Christmas lights and the time spent with family was AWESOME! We played like kids. The boys loved the rides and rode on the Ferris Wheel twice. Saturday, my family returned to their respective state/country. I was sad to see them leave. It's seldom that I get to see them and when I do, I love every minute of it. At times, I wonder if it's harder to see them temporarily and then have to turn around and leave them so soon?  WE MISS YOU!!!

I love this picture of Cole, Mamina and Reid.



View from our first family of 4, Ferris Wheel ride.

I had to take a pic of my favorite trees.



Saturday morning, Cole and I went to brunch at Farrago's with Tiffany, Rylee, Lisa (Adam's step mom) and her mom with a bunch of Lisa's friends. Lisa was so generous to invite Cole and I to Dr. Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at the Theater Under The Stars . Cole was amazed the entire time and I loved being there to see him experience his first real play. Lisa, if you happen to be reading this.... Thank you! Cole and I appreciated every second of it! Oh and he is still talking about the snow that fell on him during the play!
Sunday, I ran a 5K and froze my butt off. Meanwhile, Nana and Pops picked up Cole, Reid, Matt and Will and took them to a park near the Woodlands for pictures. I can't wait to see how cute the pictures turned out. After naps, we went over to Nana and Pops' for dinner and had a great time! In summary, we ate, drank, shopped (does that one count?) and were VERY MERRY!

One of Rylee and Cole's many dates. First  one to the theater though.

Cole showing his "poker face".



Our seat were close to the stage. I know I'm not supposed to take pictures in the theater, but some rules are meant to be broken.