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posted by Rubia
I
would agree with my family that we had an especially sweet holiday season this
year, mostly because we were all together, and were able to celebrate as we
traditionally would! Last year, our immediate family was together for
Christmas, but we had moving in mind, which made it a little hard…Dad was
already moved, and we were unable to travel to see extended family. New Year’s
was an adventure as well, with our family being in three separate locations
that New Years Eve! We apparently didn’t have it in mind to take many pictures
then—now however, we have pictures to share from this year!
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Merry Christmas!!...From
maybe some half-awake folks. J
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“I’m awake now!!!”
(Josiah gets Star Wars Legos.)
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Josiah is a festive
Texan that got into the Christmas spirit. J He did this next to
his bed.
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Zack and Zinnia like
getting treats for Christmas too.
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Early in December some
of us kids did the Garden of Lights 5k race! We later drove back when it was
darker to drive through the park. There were some beautiful lights!
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Josiah’s Sunday school
class sang Christmas carols at the church’s Christmas program.
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Our
family Christmas day was about a week earlier than the 25th, as
usual, because we would be traveling “Home to Ohio” for “the real Christmas”! J
After early-morning gifts and hot drinks, we prepared our traditional French
toast casserole for breakfast. That was accompanied by fruit and eggnog/or
orange juice. Then we did our advent activity, where we lit the central white
candle, representing Christ Jesus. We sang “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.” The best
part of such a joyous morning of the year is the Reason for it!!
The
rest of the day we did both relaxed and exercised! While enjoying gifts and
treats, we curled up and watched a new movie we received that morning: “The
Secret Life of Walter Mitty.” It’s a funny and creative Ben Stiller movie, and
I would recommend it for those who appreciate art/photography, and adventure. I
enjoyed cuddling with my new panda pillow pet—probably my favorite gift! J
Ben gave it to me. Later we took advantage of the beautiful day outside and
went walking. That evening we ate Christmas dinner as a family, feasting on ham,
garlic mashed potatoes, rolls, green beans almondine, green jello salad, herbed
corn, crackers with artichoke dip, and Christmas cookies.
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A couple of days later
it was time to hit the road! We still manage in our little mini-van, even for
long road trips. We also stayed safe, even through some serious flooding.
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It’s so good to have
coffee with Abuela!
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We always eat so good
at Abuela and Abuelo’s! And these boys are growing up! This year E will be 13, Josiah
12, and J, 8.
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Look at this beautiful
family! (And Josiah. J) L to R Cousin J,
Josiah, cousin E, Uncle Joe, and Aunt Cindy.
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Papo’s mouth wide open
when he opens his new TV! Great Kodak moment! Mama and Papo’s old TV is 45
years old. It is a beautiful TV that they’ve had since my Mom was 7. It stopped
working this past Christmas, but it will be kept at the house! It actually
looks nice serving as a stand for the new TV.
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The cousins! L to R in
the back: Roma, E, Bianca, Ben. Front: J, Josiah, and Rubia. We’re so big we
block the tree. (Notice to the right the new TV on top of the old one.)
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On the way back home,
the highway was a lake! We ended up taking a different route entirely due to
lots of flooding problems.
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Bianca and Jessie
couldn’t see each other over Christmas, but afterward there were still several
times they could visit before school started again. Jessie came up from Texas
for New Year’s! Here they’re exchanging gifts. J
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Pictionary on New
Year’s Eve! We also enjoyed nice and hot chicken chowder with English muffin
bread for dinner, chocolate cake for dessert, and watching “Beyond the Mask.”
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The New Year’s day ice
skaters included Josiah, Bianca, Jessie, Rubia, and Roma-who-took-the-picture.
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I’ll end my post with
this gorgeous picture Roma took on the kids’ photo shoot. A beautiful sunset
wrapping up a great winter break for us. What awesome memories with family and
friends we had over Christmas and New Year’s!
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