A Very Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas. We started out by sleeping in, and then when we got up, we made a big breakfast (this is one of the few times a year we actually eat something besides cereal) and then we opened up presents. Manny outdoes himself each year and always gives me a wonderful Christmas.

Here I am with some of my spoils.

Here's Manny with his, although he didn't want to take anything out of the boxes.

This year, we decided to the ugliest Christmas tree ever. I wish the picture was better. If you came to our house, you would be able to see how ugly it it. We had a good laugh every time we plugged in the lights.

After, we went to my parents house to drop off presents. I was able to see my sister and her kids who were there at the time.

Ashlyn, Colleen, Nick, Mekel, Ryan

Later that day, we went to have dinner at Manny's parents' house. After dinner we exchanged gifts. Manny's nephew, Jared was the MC for the night. He would annouce extremely loud to everyone who the gift was from, who it was to, and what they got. He is a real crack up everytime we see him. He's one of Manny's best buds.

After a fun-filled, long day. We finally went home to relax. Just when I thought the day was as good as it was going to get, Manny surprised me with one last gift. A Kindle! I've been wanting one forever. I just about jumped through the roof with excitement. I'm so excited to start using it.

I know that Christmas isn't about the gifts or what I got, it's definitely a nice added bonus. I'm greatful that I was able to spend time with our families and enjoy each other. I;m especially greatful for a wonderful husband who goes out of his way to always make Christmas such a special time for us. I hope everyone out there had a wonderful holiday. Merry Christmas!

BUSY WEEKEND

Ryan and Manny

Last weekend we had a bunch going on. First off, Manny baptized my nephew Ryan( my older sister's son). Ryan was so excited. Manny had to dunk him in the water a total of three times because he kept having a foot or a knee pop up. It was pretty funny, but I felt bad for them because the water was freezing cold.

My family NEVER takes any pictures together, so we decided that after the baptism would be a good time to take a bunch of pictures.

For some reason, all the grandkids wanted to take a picture with Manny. The tall redhead, and the kid in the white shirt on the far right actually aren't part of our family.

From far left: my Mom, Michaela, Paul (holding Solomon), Me, Joseph, my Dad, Colleen, Tim, and Julie. I'm actually missing my brother Stephen.

my sister's Julie, Colleen, me, Michaela, and my niece Ashlyn just happen to get in the shot.

This is my nephew Xander, I don't know what he was crying about.

My brother Paul and his son Solomon.

Later that night, we had a Christmas party at Manny's parents' house. We ate some good food and Santa visited us later. The grandkids were excited to get presents from Santa early this year.

Here we are enjoying the Christmas party. I cant' get Manny to ever take a normal picture. He always has to make some sort of face.

On Sunday, we had a dinner for my younger brother, Tim. He left for the Marines on Monday. It was really sad to say goodbye. I'm glad that he will be serving our country, but it makes me nervous. Manny and I went over to my parents' house while they were at church so we could put a new dishwasher in for them. Theirs broke a little while ago, so me and all my siblings decided to chip in and give them on for Christmas. And then Manny was volunteered to put it in since he's the plumber.

Then on Monday night, my brother Paul, his wife gave birth to their 4th child. They were expecting a boy, but when it came out, it was a girl! Everyone was absolutely shocked! They had to hurry and think of a new name for her. She is such a little doll. She has tons of dark hair. They ended up naming her Chelsea Bryce Gonzalez. Bryce is my brother Tim's(the one who just left for the Marines) middle name. They were going to name the baby after him, but when it came out a girl, they had to do some rearranging. I wish I had gotten a picture, she is beautiful.

Kids Say Such Funny Things

Today at school I heard a boy ask a teacher whose hair is going gray, "Where did all the color in your hair go?"


PS, does anyone know how to make the main picture of me and Manny smaller. I pushed the button 'shrink to fit,' but it's still huge and looks fuzzy.