December 24, 2009

I felt like our kids are old enough to make some new Christmas traditions of our own. The day is coming where if people want to see us on Christmas they are going to have to come to our house. The boys have said things about just wanting to chill at our house all day. We'll have to see how that one pans out. Christmas eve was nice. We had dinner at Mom and Dad's for lunch, ran friend gifts around and went back to our house for some family fun. We had a mini Christmas FHE lesson, made some gingerbread cookies, then watched The Nativity Story. It was a very nice evening!

December 22, 2009

Damma and Dampa wanted a grandkids sleepover while Adam's kids were in town. We, the parents, were all for it! So all the "big" kids decided to go out to dinner. We went to Bistros. The food was alright, but the laughs were good, which is always the case when you get Cheeto and his brothers together.

Here is Adam... I have no words. He has a pretty pink camera. Cheeto asked him what the marine corp thought of his pink camera. His reply, "They pause for "Pink camera moments." He was being funny with the flower and forgot about. I believe he went the entire meal like this. It wasn't until he got a few looks that he realized that he had forgotten it was there. Ah to be a man that enjoys wearing pink flowers and carrying pink cameras. :)

Marcos was chewing, I think. If not, this is a classic Arellano thing...

I know for a fact that we caught Cheeto with food in his mouth.

Lettie wasn't crazy about her picture.


We went back to our house to play Guitar Hero. I finished some Chrsitmas presents. A2 isn't old enough to actually sleep at G'ma so we brought her back to our party. She isn't quite as attached to Haley as Sassy but she does love her Haley and loves helping her play the Wii.

Hawaii Souviners

Before Christmas, Damma and Dampa went on a cruise around Hawaii.
Right before Santa came for a visit, they brought the kids some souvenirs to hand out.

They were so excited to have them home. I'm not quite sure what started the Dampa and the girls and Dampa with his boys pictures. But thought I would add them anyway.

Los ninos sporting their new Hawaii apparel
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Damma brought the girls some grass hula skirts and flowers for their hair.
This is her trying to teach the kids how to hula. SO FUNNY! The picture cut it off but even our Cade was trying. That IS NOT something he would normally do.

We laughed so hard. The little girl's skirts came with a beaded necklace and some coconut shells. Dampa tried to snag the shells before A1 insisted on having them. She found them and asked, "Mommy, What are these? OH I know! SEE- like what you have!" Later she told me they didn't fit right because hers weren't big yet. Oh Sassy girl!

Funny Kid Quote of the Day

Dec. 21, 2009 - Santa comes to check the list twice

We are so lucky to have Santa come see us at our house another year.

The kids especially enjoy his visits. We invited Adam's kids over to see him too.

C was ready and waiting with his list.


E (Adam's oldest) was fine taking his turn.

K had made a "special" letter for Santa at school that he almost waited patiently to show him.

A1 and A2 switched roles this year. Last year A1 wouldn't get close to him without Tia L right next to her. Of course, A2 had no idea since she was only 3 weeks old.

2008 pictures

G (Adam's 2nd) jumped right up there.

A little shy but was more than willing to smile for the cameras.

Adam's little girl was fine for the family picture ONLY if her dad held her away from Santa.

Slumber/Christmas movie party by the Christmas Tree

We(I) decided the kids the were old enough to start the Slumber/Movie night tradition. We watch lots of Christmas movies and sleep by the light of the Christmas tree. A1 didn't last through them all, neither did mommy. And the reason I say, I decided is because Cheeto really isn't into Christmas movies, so he only participated because he had to. :) It was a perfect night to do so. It was snowing lots outside that night. It added some Christmas excitement. Oh the idea of a North Carolina "White" Christmas!!! We were so close this year.

Sisterly Love

Sassy couldn't stay awake for the party

Pretending to be asleep

Dec. 18, 2009- K Christmas Party

This year I volunteered to be in charge of Christmas ornaments for K's class. I went in a couple of different times to make sure I had pictures of each child, then sized and copies them to transparency film. You simply cut and roll up the film and pop it inside a clear glass christmas bulb. The kids loved them. I hope they all made it home safely. We did bubble wrap them to the extreme. :)

Dec. 19, 2009 - YAY SNOW!!!

WOW.... what a snow storm! It was nice wet snow- great for snowballs and snowmen. And oh... was there a lot of snowballs over the next week. Every time we went outside, Cheeto and his brothers got the boys tossing them at cars and each other. It has been so cold that there is still mounds of snow in parking lots and shaded areas. That is unheard of in North Carolina. I was just glad that no school days were missed and all Christmas parties were attended. It was ALMOST a White Christmas!

Dec 8, 2009 - pinewood derby

C participated in his first "official" pinewood derby. He had a great time painting and decorating his car. Can you tell he has a little Panther fetish? He named his car "Smitty."
I believe he ended up taking 2nd place.

"Smitty"

Sisterly Supporters

Dec 5, 2009 - Ward Christmas Party

K got the role of the Angel Gabriel. He felt very honored. He told me after how great he felt being dressed in all white and that it made him excited for his baptism. What a spirit he has!

The support team that came to see K in the Nativity.

A great friend of ours pretty much claimed A2 for the evening. She fed her and A1. It made the evening a little less stressful. If you can't tell, these two enjoy each others company!

Dec. 10, 2009 - C goes to the Biltmore

C's big field trip of the year was a trip to the Biltmore Estates. The cost for just him was close to $60. It was $75 for me to go with him. It was an ALL day trip. And I was about to send him if one of us didn't get to go with him. It was a real stretch financially for us to float this one. Thanks to family and friends for all their support in making this trip for me and C possible. It was a great day. We had no idea how cold it would be. We were only in the house about an hour and the rest of the time we spent outside. Even after the 4 hour drive home, my feet were still cold. C had one grumpy moment about not getting all he wanted in the gift shop but other than that he was quite the example for other kids to look up to. I'm not kidding when I say that 90% of the bus had their own ipods, iphones, little tv's, or Nintendo DS's. I was in shock. C was a bit jealous at first but was very content to read, draw, or use my 4 year old ipod. I was a little bit in shock as well. And the majority of the parents sent $30-50 with their kids to blow in the gift shops. It was ridiculous to see the JUNK these kids were buying. That money was not for meals. We were all required to pack lunches. With all that aside, I got home and realized a lot of things about our son. I was surprised how his classmates would speak to adults, their rude behavior toward one another, and the other trash that would come out of their mouths. We have our moments with C. He's at that age where he just argues to argue. But with all that aside, we have the good kid! I'm so grateful for him and how he behaves. I'm sure a lot of that comes down to that his friends are those that share the same beliefs, that he is very involved in church and scouts, and that he has great supportive family at home. We sure love him and all his hard work. I was taken back by how much he knew about the Biltmore. The history he learned about it before he got there was amazing. What a great memory to have shared with him!

Thanksgiving was very low key

Thanksgiving was very low key this year. Cheeto went and played football with a bunch of friends at his alma mater. It was amazing to see how much his high school has changed over the years. It was also fun to show the kids where Daddy went to school. It was pretty darn cold. The older kids stayed warm by playing some sideline football. After the game Cheeto let them on the field to play. The boys were in heaven. They even let A1 hike the ball to them. Fun times!

K Thanksgiving

K's class had a Thanksgiving feast, complete with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, rolls, and pumpkin pie. It was quite the amazing lunch for 1st graders at school. They even prepared table settings for each child. The class prepared songs and jokes to perform for the parents. I was surprised to see K a bit on the shy side. Isn't he a cute lil' pilgrim?

This was taken on A2's birthday. We celebrated on Sunday so Tio and H could be there. The kids and I still wanted A2 to blow out a candle on her birthday. And of course she got pizza for her first birthday! She was so funny about the tiny flame!

A2's first year

A look back on A2's first year. What a memorable one it was!!!!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

(Thank you Kat and Amanda for the great shirt idea!!!)

I can't believe how fast the last year has passed by. It seems like yesterday that I was cussing that little baby inside of me for causing such a ruckus. I just wanted he/she out so badly this time last year. Of course she came on the day of 2 very important football games. Thankfully she decided to arrive during half time. :) I cried when Cheeto told me she was a girl. She was exactly what I had been praying for. She was such a tiny little thing when she was born. I look back on the year and cherish all those times I got to cuddle with her on those early morning feedings and late evenings Cheeto would work late. I vididly remember how great the holidays were last year. It was so nice to sit on heal surrounded by all the senses of Christmas, watching TONS of seasonal movies, spending lots of time with ALL my family and cuddling a newborn. It was a perfect Christmas!

I just quit nursing her about 2 weeks ago. I had no idea the emotions that were going to go with stopping. It wasn't like that with the other 3. I know a lot of tears will come with the milestones that A2 has just because she is our last and knowing its a lot of last firsts. I don't want another baby it's just hard for me to leave this phase in my life. Cheeto thinks I'm crazy. I even look at a pregnant woman and want to throw up because it makes me ill even think about being pregnant again. This assures me that the answer to our prayers is true. Our family is complete. A2 made it so.
She is such a blessing in our lives. I have to say she is one of the easiest baby ever! Not much ever makes her fuss. She eats great. It took her a bit but she is now a great little nap taker and sleeper. She really rolls with the flow. She is so happy. It's a rare occassion that she doesn't have a big ole' grin on her face. It's also rare that you don't see her tongue twisted on hanging out. It's a A2 thing. :) She adores her older brothers and sister. She does well playing on her own but relishes in the attention she gets from her siblings.
We are so grateful for her. She has made a very difficult year a lot brighter- for all of us! Heavenly Father knew I needed her. Today I hug her a little tighter, a little longer and take a lot of extra mental memories. And of course, since she is a mama's girl... she will love it!

Happy 1st Birthday sweet baby girl!!!

There a few things I felt like I dropped the ball on. There are specifics that I do for all my kid's birthdays and I have been so busy I completely spaced some of them. I had seen some friends make these shirts for their little ones first birthdays and I knew I only had one more chance to make one for one of our kids. I sewed it really quick after church in the 2 hours I had before the party. I also forgot a birthday hat so I made the little party hat to match her shirt. I thought it turned out adorable and she looked so cute in it. It was a really nice 75 degree day here. We got to let her get out and enjoy her day. We celebrated with family on Sunday because weekdays are so crazy. Like she really would care! Thanks everyone for the gifts and helping with the party. We are so grateful for all of you!