Jolly Holiday!

I can sum up Christmas this year in one word...perfect! I got to be with my family, Landen is old enough to be totally into Christmas, snow was on the ground, the roads weren't bad, everyone I love is happy and healthy, I could go on and on.

Prepping for Christmas...
Decorating a Gingerbread House...

Hard at work...

Taking a break to have a taste...

"One more right here..."

Look how much he has grown since last Christmas...

Although some things never change, including the need to taste a bit...

And while Landen decorated his house, Lana gave some love to her baby...

Aww...sweet girl...

I suppose it is fitting that this photo is fuzzy because it gives me all kinds of warm fuzzies (Lame-I know, but 'tis the season!)...

So much love between these two...

And just because Neil gets kick out of these...
Lana if she could talk: "I'm gonna taste this."

And she did...

Me: "Lana, no en tu boca!" (Translation: Not in your mouth!)
Lana: (Insert whiny sound here)

Lana now crying because mean momma said no to eating the lights...

Back to sweet girl...


Christmas Eve
We spent Christmas Eve at my aunt's house with most of my mother's side of the family. The kids opened all the presents before midnight and my little ones both managed to stay up until after midnight to wish my Mama Tina a "Feliz Cumpleanos!" Landen had a great time playing with his cousins and Lana was attached at the hip to her new baby doll (her beloved Cabbage Patch baby was demoted for the night to number 2). Neil of course spent most of the evening with my uncles and dad, while I caught up with my aunts and cousins. Here are some highlights...
Mother and Daughter...

So GQ!

Cousin Love...

Too much love...

Papa and Lana...

Christmas Day
The next morning we opened gifts at my parents' house. Landen got a new bike...

Lana liked it too...

Lana and me by the tree...

This was followed by the long trek home to open all the presents under our tree...

So much fun! And like I said...Perfect! The kids were definitely on the nice list this year because they both got so much stuff and of course and abundance of hugs and kisses. Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas!

"Christmas time is here again." The Beatles

Pigtails!

Lana's hair is starting to get on the shaggy side, so although it took a few tears from Lana and quick work by me, she finally let me get her hair up in pigtails. She seemed quite pleased with her new look when it was finished. She looks absolutely adorable and so grown up! So though she may not like the process, the end result was well worth it, and as my mother always says, "Las bonitas se aguantan!"



"When I get older losing my hair, many years from now, will you still be sending me a valentine, birthday greetings, bottle of wine?" The Beatles

First Ever Birthday!

Saturday, the 13th, my sweet baby girl turned one-year old! It is so hard to believe that one year ago, after 4 hours of "labor" (ask me about my birthing story- it was more like peaceful reading time interrupted by slight discomfort than labor) Lana made her debut into the world. This year has gone by so quickly but at the same time it is hard to remember what life was like without her. We took our princess to the Shedd Aquarium and we believe she had the best birthday ever.

"Not you. Me. I'm the birthday girl!"

"Are these mine?"

"What are these things? They're great!"

Daddy and Landen showing me how fish swim...

"Look at me on a tortuga!"

"Pretending to camp is fun!"

Lana and her Mima...

"Wait all of these are for me?!"

"Am I supposed to fit in this stroller?"

"Ari, check out my new baby!"

Happy birthday to Lana!

My beautiful baby girl is up to about 10 steps on her own. The first half are controlled, the last half are her trying not to fall. Very cute to watch. She is really as sweet as they come and I'm so lucky to be the mother to two wonderful children. Happy Birthday Sweet Love! Here's to many more beautiful years with you!

"I would like you to dance a birthday dance..." The Beatles

Catch up...

Oh my has it been a while since I have updated. We have been so busy around here with Thanksgiving and I also picked up a little part time job at the mall for the holidays so I can spoil my children this Christmas without one single ounce of guilt for spending so much.

Anyways...so much has happened! Thanksgiving came and went and it was wonderful. We spent Thanksgiving Day with my family and I got to see my grandparents for the first time in a long time. They were both so happy to see the kids. Lana was equally happy to see Papa Nico...

I'm so thankful for many many things, the three most important being Landen, Lana, and Neil...

The Saturday after we went to Neil's parents' house and did a combo Thanksgiving/Lana's birthday (her b-day is Dec. 13th...*sniff sniff*). I was exhausted from working so much but it was nice too. Here's my soon to be one-year-old baby girl...

She has both my love for cake and impatience...God love her.

Aside from that Lana has decided that her big bro's Power Wheels is the coolest thing ever...

...note the placement of her foot. Landen has taken to telling us he loves us "to the moon, the sun, the stars, to Mima and Papa's house, and back." Can't get much sweeter than that, and oh yes...Lana has learned how to stand up on her own and took her first official step yesterday!!! I think she is going to prove me wrong and be walking by her birthday!

So stickin' cute....


"And all I wanna do is thank you..." The Beatles

Wedding Bells

This past weekend our very close friends, Amy & Mike, said their "I do's." It was so great because not only was I a bridesmaid, but Neil was also the ordained minister, so we both got to share in their special day. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and we had a lot of fun at all of the festivities. The kids stayed overnight with my Gaby and Mando, so Neil and I could actually be just a couple for a change rather than "Mom and Dad." I adore my children but I love the rare moments I have to focus my attention on Neil as my husband...I almost feel 20 years old again, my belly filled with butterflies, and completely head over heels for the guy in my roommate's class. It was an honor to watch Amy and Mike take their vows and I wish them lots of love and happiness to fill their home...and if they're lucky...moments to remind them of those early butterflies.

The Bride, Amy, and Neil

Me and Amy, or as Landen calls her, "May-me"

4 out of 7 Bridesmaids: Nicole, Lily, Sarah, and myself...



The Groom, Mike, and Neil...

My hubby and me...

"From this moment on I know exactly where my life will go. Seems that all I really was doing was waiting for love...It's real love." The Beatles