Christmas 2012

Christmas time this year was so much better than last year! I am very happy to report that, as I was a bit nervous thinking each year was going to be a chaotic blur. LOL! I have been planning Katie and Nathan’s birthday parties for several months now, but lining up when to order presents, decorations, book venues, go Christmas shopping, squeeze in holiday parties, and celebrating with families is a bit of a mess. Hopefully I pulled it all off this year; I don’t remember hearing too much complaining, but then again, I might have selectively blocked that out.


We celebrated with our friend’s children on December 19th. Tiffanie and Jeremy, Noemi and David, Paul and I were able to gather almost everyone that was here last year to open up Christmas gifts, have some holiday treats and enjoy one another’s company for a couple of hours. I know it is hard to get together during the month when so much is going on, but it meant a lot to see the kids get together and play and open presents. I can’t believe how quickly these kiddos are growing!

Paul and I were able to attend the PCU Christmas party on the 21st. One of my co-workers hosted the party for us in his beautiful home. We had such a fun time hanging out and having some drinks with everyone. It was nice to be able to relax while not at work with the ones I spend so much of my week with. :) They were even able to get us to sing Karaoke. Oh my goodness, I am awful. lol!
The Greer Family opened their home to friends and family for their 2nd Annual Holiday Open House on the 22nd and Paul and I took the kids by for a little while that evening. Mrs. Greer had put out quite the spread, as she usually does, and we had a great time visiting with the Greer and Kazear families. This has become one of our favorite new traditions! After the party, we headed over to Irma and Ramon’s house for the Garcia/Gauna Christmas celebration. Unfortunately, we were a bit late and most of the family was headed out after we arrived. It is hard for the little ones to stay awake and not only was it past Charlie and Lorelei’s bedtimes but always Katie and Nathan’s. We were able to visit with everyone for a little while though before we headed home and called it a night.

My grandparents were able to come down for Christmas and Katie’s birthday this year. I always love having them here, and it feels more like “Christmas” to have them with us. Mom, Papa, Grandma, Grandpa and Jonathan all came over for Christmas morning at our house, and mom made lunch for us afterwards. Katie was so much fun to watch this year! She was really into opening her gifts and had to get every last piece of wrapping paper off before she looked at what she received. She seemed so excited about her toys and loved unwrapping Nathan’s (and anyone else’s) gifts, as well. Nathan started to help unwrap his gifts, but he quickly lost interest and let Katie take the lead. He loved banging all the gifts around after they were open, though. Irma, Ramon and Paul each stopped by to give the kids presents and visit for a bit Christmas morning. Katie and Nathan were thoroughly spoiled for Christmas this year! (as were Paul and myself!) They will have enough gifts to play with all year long!

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving this year was split up into two different celebrations. We went to Oklahoma November 2nd to 5th for an early Thanksgiving with the Murray and Tidwell families. We had a pretty good turn out, too, with about 65 people there. My Grandma and Grandpa were able to share this day with all of their brothers and sisters that are still living. A lot of my cousins were able to make it, too, however, there were a couple this year that missed that I was able to see last year.


Katie had so much fun playing with her 3rd cousins. Acelyn and Tailey are a little bit older than she is, already 3 now, and she loved getting to spend time with them. Even the older cousins were fun to play with as the little ones headed to the park, swung and played on the merry-go-round. It was really neat to see Katie play in the park that my cousins and I played in 20 years ago. I have such fond memories of my childhood in Aline; I hope that Katie and Nathan will also have memories of playing in mommy’s hometown.

For thanksgiving day, I had to work from 3pm-12am and Paul had to work from 7am-3pm. This is the first Thanksgiving in many years that we haven’t shared together. I took the kiddos to Mom and Papa’s house for lunch. Mom made a wonderful spread for us, and we really enjoyed sharing the day with them and with Jonathan. After we were nice and full, I loaded up and headed to work. Paul stopped by his sister, Melissa’s house, on the way home from work before spending the evening with Katie and Nathan. We have so much to be thankful for this year!