Our Little Typist

Mike and I were in the living room watching TV this morning, soon we realized the Ray Ray was being way to quite. Mike went and discovered this!

Blues Clues Baby!

On Friday I went to Walgreen's to get a few things and while I was walking around the store I found a little Blues Blues stuffed animal. Knowing Michael would love it I bought it and brought it home. I have it to him in the plastic bag and had him look inside. He pulled it out, said " A Blue's Clues Baby." and gave it a big hug. It was so cute! He went around all day taking care of his baby.

Dryer

Recently Mike and I had to buy a new dryer. Our old one blew up. Here is the end result of the old one.

Christmas 2006

Christmas day was a blast. We went to sleep that night and I was going to wake up during the night to get things together, put presents out and write Michael a letter from Santa. About 3am I got up to do this and they were already done. I knew right then there was a Santa. Actually, my sister Cheryl was up doing the same thing for my nieces so she did it for my boys too.

About 6:30am Christmas morning Raymond woke up so we went out to the living room to wait for Michael to wake up. My nieces have the tradition that each Christmas morning they wake up real early and watch the TV show "The Christmas Story" then once the show is over they go and wake up their mom and dad. I am sure they are already awake and just waiting for the girls. After Cheryl and Thatcher got up I started making the Monkey bread for breakfast while Thatcher handed out the Stockings to my nieces. Cheryl got out Hot Cocoa stuff for them to drink. While Cheryl and I were in the Kitchen getting things ready Thatcher read from the Bible the true Christmas story while Torrie, Callie, Lynsie, Michael and Raymond listened.

Michael in front of the presents.


Raymond in front of the presents.


Raymond and Daddy waiting for the attack of the presents to start.


Raymond hanging out with Torrie waiting to open presents.

The monkey bread breakfast.

Afterwards, it was time to dig into the presents. We didn't take to many pictures because we wanted to help the boys and see the excitement. They loved opening the gifts and getting their stockings. After the boys were through Mike and I opened our presents. The boys got daddy a bunch of shirts and things to wear while he is out riding his bike. I got a pedometer, a Ipod shuffle, the Deal Or No Deal game, Itunes gift card and so much more. We were really blessed. The boys had a gift at home that was just way to big to carry down to Bakersfield. We got them a place bus that has all these things to play with. I knew Cheryl was coming for New Years also so she could help me put it together.

Michael ripping in.


Daddy helping Raymond with his gifts.

We ate breakfast and then it was time to get ready for the rest of the day. Thatchers family and our family all came over for dinner. The food was great but just spending time with everyone was even better. We even got the karaoke out.

Christmas was a wonderful time.

The bus.

Michael seeing the bus for the first time.

Christmas Eve 2006

Christmas eve is the day that all my brothers, sister and mom and dad get together to celebrate and open presents to each other. We all make some kind of Mexican dish and bring over to who's ever house we are having it at that year. I know you are asking yourself why would we have Mexican food on Christmas eve, and to tell you the truth I don't even remember when we started doing that, but we just wanted something different then the ordinary dinner things you have on Christmas day.

Getting ready for dinner.

Torrie and Callie picking each others noses before dinner.

This year since my brother Garin bought a new house we decided that we would have it at his place. His house is absolutely beautiful by the way. Earlier in the day the ladies got together and made homemade tamales with my sister-in-law Sara's mother. We had a great time.

Afterwards we all went home to get dressed so that we could celebrate. We ate dinner and then it was time for Santa to come for his little visit. My brother Billy was selected to don the suit this year since it had been many years since he had been able to share a Christmas with us.

Patiently waiting for Santa.

Still waiting.

Raymond wondering what he was having to wait for.

Michael knew he liked Santa but was not real thrilled about having to sit on his lap. Raymond on the other hand didn't want nothing to do with him. In fact he cried when Santa tried to hold him.

Michael with Santa.

Billy's boys, Devin, Tyler and Zach with Santa.

Cheryl's girls, Torrie, Callie and Lynsie with Santa.

Billy's wife Crystal on Santa's lap.

After Santa left it was time to open presents. Michael took no time at all ripping through his. He had wrapping paper flying everywhere. Uncle Billy helped Ray Ray open his, he too enjoyed it. My nieces and nephews were fun to watch as they opened theirs. My mom had crocheted each on a afghan this year and they were all so thrilled to receive them.

The grand kids enjoying their afghans.

Michael ripping in.

Uncle Billy helping Raymond.

Since Billy was back I had to play a little trick on him when I wrapped his. I took the present and wrapped it and then put it in another box and wrapped it and then another box. Billy just laughed and had a blast opening them.




We had a great night at Garin's house. When we got back to Cheryl's house Callie, one of my nieces, helped Michael write a letter to Santa and then it was off to bed. My boys didn't know what they had coming or they would not have slept to well.