Super Hero

My parents gave Allan this pair of pjs as one of his gifts for Christmas and he LOVES them. He was a fan of pjs prior to this pair. This is his new favorite. It was tough to decide between this pair and his spiderman light up pjs.

The Time has Come.....................

Elena is officially a TEENAGER!!! She turned 13 on Dec. 26.






We celebrated her birthday day on Christmas Eve Day. She wanted to go to Dave & Buster's, the adult Chuck E. Cheese.





There weren't any games appropriate for Allan's size. He's a smart one, though.

















This is the boy I had to keep an eye on per Scott. He witnessed him giving Elena a handful of tickets....................maybe he way just being nice. Scott wouldn't accept that.














Elena & Ricky focused!












Bran made 4 baskets.













Awe!














Allan trying to be like his older siblings.












The morning of Elena's birthday we celebrated with homemade cupcakes. Allan was extremely excited!












Elena recieved a volleyball charm for her James Avery charm bracelet. She has another charm on the way. (Scott is looking for a #1 champ.) Scott gave this bracelet to Elena when she was in the 1st grade. Every charm represents something meaningful in Elena's life. Scott is very thoughtful. This year Elena misplaced the bracelet. She thought she had lost it. She and Scott both were flipping out because of the sentimental value. However, I found it. (You know how kids and husbands "look".)

Online Shopping

My in-laws don't live close to any retail stores, & my-mother-law HATES shopping. This year she tried online shopping for the first time. All the grandkids received gifts from National Geographics. Ricky received a flying UFO, Brandon a robot, Allan a remote control tarantula & a pretend traveling kit, and Elena received beaded rings from a foreign country. They were all interesting gifts. My nephew Nathan, Ricky & Bran.
Allan

Allan loves Bran's robot, which Bran hid under the bed.

My nephew Micah in his moon shoes.

Christmas Eve

My parents Mingo & Linda

My bro Benny & his two kids, Julius & Aaron.










My bro Theo, nephew Matthew & sister-in-law, Jennifer

My Uncle Bill, fave Aunt Olivia, hilarious cousin James & his g friend Courtney.

My bro David and his wife Amie.

My grandma Delgado.

My sis Irene & her two kids, Jacob & Marissa

I look forward to Christmas Eve to spend time with my family. Although, we live fairly close, I don't see them very often. I especially look forward to the yummy homemade food. We had Mexican this year, enchiladas and tamales. :) My sister-in-law, Amie, made homemade desserts. My favorites were the truffles, brownies, chocolate covered pecans, and puppy chow. This year was one of my favorites. I had all of my kids to enjoy it with.

From Our Family To Yours....................

Merry Christmas!!!!

New Christmas Tradition

We celebrated Christmas Saturday morning. With a blended family it's difficult to establish and be consistent with a tradition. However, I decided since this is our year for the kids to be with us first, (and they know the truth about Santa............with the exception of Allan) we would celebrate early so they could enjoy their gifts. Elena, Ricky and Brandon were totally off guard!

Scott and I woke them all up at 7 A.M. (What a switch!) I wanted to be certain they were awake before Allan. When they saw gifts under the tree they didn't mind being up early.

The big gift for the big three was a Play Station III. I'm not into video games, but in casual conversation they indicated their preference over the Wii. (I had already purched the Wii, before I knew. A friend bought it from me though.) I thought they would prefer the Wii, since they have a Play Station II. What do I know?!

Allan loved his police motorcycle! Notice the gloves. He LOVES his Daddy!

We all sat at the dinner table and had Christmas lunch on "real" plates. Scott and I made ham, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn and rolls. The kids cleaned the kitchen up afterwards. We enjoyed the rest of the day just being a family, which is something we have never really had the opportunity to do at Christmas time. During the holiday season we are busy rushing to get to the next family's house to celebrate. (Gotta keep the parents happy! They want to see their grandbabies.)

I know I received gifts as a child at Christmas. I do remember a few memorable items. I still have a gold necklace my parents gave me. However, the thing I remember and cherish most is spending time with my family and eating good food. I want those same memories for my children.

Santa

Yesterday afternoon I took all the kids to see Santa at the mall. We arrived at 4:20 and had to return at 6:00 P.M. because we didn't make the cut-off for the line. I was NOT happy about that.

Elena being the "too cool" for visiting with Santa tween, did not want to have to visit with him. Brandon on the other hand, was just as eager as the rest of the little kids standing in line.

I was afraid Allan would not be receptive of Santa. Last year, he cried. However, he was the first to walk up to him and sit on his lap. (He's stealing Brandon's thunder.) Of course, he just stared and smiled at him. He didn't speak a word. Later, Allan told me he wanted Santa to bring him presents.

Ricky asked for an Ipod Nano. Brandon originally told Santa he didn't know what he wanted. After a second though, he said he wanted a flat screen. Elena asked for money. All items they aren't going to see under the tree.

Brrrrrrrrr

Scott started a fire last week when it was 29 degrees last week. Allan was extremely fascinated. I had to beg him to turn around so I could get this pic. He was in awe just staring at it. Oh, the simple things he appreciates.

This was also the day he wore his new gloves and wore them ALL day...........from morning to dinner time.

Cancer

This is a serious post regarding C.A.N.C.E.R. I realize it's a subject most of us don't feel comfortable with. Sure we all feel sympathetic when we find out one of our loved ones has been affected with his horrible disease. Back in late October of this year, one of my girlfriends from high school, her two year old little girl passed away from cancer. Cancer is still a very serious disease that can reach anyone, anywhere, anytime, and at any age..............often without any advance warning.

According to the American Cancer Society:
-One person is diagnosed with cancer every 23 seconds*
-One person dies from cancer every minute of every day*
-One in 8 American women will develop breast cancer*
-Cancer is the #2 leading cause of death in the United States*
-One of every FOUR deaths in the U.S. is due to cancer*


Statistically did you know that? I know we all believe it will never happen to one of us. However, these are the proven statistics. Scary!

Now, we all have home owners insurance, auto insurance, and health insurance. However, do you have anything in place to supplement your income, if this disease comes knocking on your door? For as little as a dollar a day you could protect you and your family. (Thirty dollars? That's one night of eating out for two at a causal resturant.) Your health and the health of your family is important, isn't it?

Even if you are covered by a great medical plan you may still need cancer protection. Perhaps you know your health insurance will cover your hospital stay and perhaps your medication. (Better check your health benefits.) However, what about experimental treatments, lost income if you are still working or your family members time off work to take you to the best cancer facility in Texas, which is M. D. Anderson in Houston. Could you use an extra $20,000., $30,000. when it's needed to pay for the little things we don't think about when it comes your direction? The protection could be used for gas, hotel stay or just to pay the mortgage.

Makes you think.................If I can help you with this protection, please contact me via my blog or email. As a licensed agent with the state of Texas, I'm happy to assist you with this.


*American Cancer Society, Facts and Figures 2006

Christmas Decorating

This year I left it up to the kids to decorate. I'm so over having it look a particular way.........."my way." Ricky drug out the tree from the shed. All three argued over who was going to take the stuff down from the attic. I had to delegate and they all took turns. They didn't have a color scheme. They decided to use blue, red, silver and random ornaments from years past. However, they didn't use all that were available. One of them said, "Let's not put too much on cause we are going to have to take it down." So, they didn't even decorate the back of the tree.

They all three helped out with the lights........................ with parental supervision. Ricky was in charge though. That was his cup of tea.....................being on the roof.

Bus Window Licker

This photo is for you Gina. The bb team had to travel in this because the original bus broke down on them.

1st Place

Elena and her 7th grade bb team participated in a tournament this past weekend in Irving and they won 1st place! The team is averaging 20+ points per game. Elena makes at least 2 to 3 baskets per game since she has been playing.

Thanksgiving Part 2

The plan was for Scott, Allan & me to drive to the lake house after spending the day at my brother's. After, getting my belly full, we decided to wait till the morning, which would be Black Friday. No, I didn't get up to join the crazy madness, although, I have done that a couple of times in the past. Scott has made me so old. Actually, there is nothing I can not live without and the kids are getting older.............they just want "M.O.N.E.Y.!" On our way there, I did stop at Wal-Mart in Cedar Hill & in Cleburne................ even though I know Scott didn't really want me to. (Around 9, the crowd has moved on.) I wanted the Magellan GPS system for myself. Found it! Merry Christmas to me!!!

We spent Friday with Scott's parents just laying around, relaxing. Nice! My two bro-in-laws and their family's weren't going to be able to come in till Saturday to celebrate. Scott's family's tradition is to celebrate the holiday the Sunday prior to Thanksgiving. Mike and Lynda now live in Cibalo, and now, we all have to drive more than an hour so that has changed things.

We left Saturday afternoon. Jay and Lorrie called and said they would be there Sunday instead. They were having a good time in S. Padre.

It was pretty uneventful. Jeanette made home made blue berry pancakes and freshly squeezed orange juice, along with bacon and sausage for Scott and I Saturday morning. I didn't want to eat much cause I was waiting for the BIG spread. We have ham there instead of turkey. She also makes stuffing with chicken. It's pretty good.

There were no good stories to report like my Dad talking about S.E.X. at the dinner table Thanksgiving day. I plugged my ears and said, "La la la la!" Who wants to hear about that from their parents?! It's like finger nails on a chalk board.

Virus

Not only was Ricky sick, Elena had a viral infection and I guess my lap top contracted it also. It's been outta commission and was sent to Dell to get rid of the BUG! Now, I can get back on track.