Clean Sweep

Last night I went with my friend Beth, her boys, and Christian & Gaby to Target. We passed the toy section and Gaby found a garbage truck. Oh, joy. Escaping from Target without that garbage truck in hand was difficult. So this morning we decided to cash his Christmas money from Auntie Sharon and MeMaw & Poppy and, rather than deposit it, we went back to Target and found it.

It makes noises, the garbage can lifts up and dumps the garbage into the top of the truck...

"Where's the garbage?!" Gaby kept asking. Oh, no...what can we use for actual garbage?

Well, we've got plenty of newspaper...so there you go. He's thrilled. He now has quite a fleet of trucks: a sweeper, a garbage truck, an excavator --- what next, a telephone cable truck? An animal control truck? A utility truck?

Christian got some Bakugans and I still do not know how the game is played. His friends will hopefully show him.

And he found a Spider Man web shooter that shoots both silly string and water.

Jojo is content knowing that he's got all their toys to play with. His money is in the bank.

Road Tripin' through the Snow

They gassed up...

They tested the excavator near the state Capitol...

They made merry...

Holiday Hangover

I'm exhausted...why? What a hectic holiday season, or maybe it seems more so with kids now. There was too much rushing to get here and there. Lugging three kids, their stuff, gifts and food is a bit much at times. A few Christmas-y things I didn't get to do: Missed the luminarias, hot cider and hot air balloon glow around Old Town on Christmas Eve; missed the farolitos in Santa Fe; missed baking cookies; missed midnight Mass.

The boys were sick and so was Daddy. Everyone had some form of the stomach virus and accompanying ickiness. Everyone either had a cold or is getting over one. Yaya and Grandpa felt awful on Christmas Eve night with the stomach virus that started in our house. Yet they still wanted to celebrate and we had a good time.

Even though most of us was were sick, it was still a very nice Christmas. It was fun watching the boys open presents and get new toys.

I'm ready to slow the pace down a little and get back to a normal routine: playing in tents, holding the bird, cleaning up the weasels' messes, making New Year's resolutions that may or may not get accomplished. Having less frantic phone calls with friends. Maybe even baking something simple. Reading, writing on the other blog. Thinking.

Merry Christmas!

Last night we went to Yaya and Grandpa's for Christmas Eve dinner. Here's Yaya preparing the peas, crab cakes, and shrimp. We had tapas first. The boys ate only the bread -- someday they'll appreciate these treats.

Then we ate...Then finally -- finally! -- we opened presents. Christian and Gaby had enough waiting. Enough, enough, enough, enough. Get to the presents, already!

Jojo helped open up Christian's critters & animals... Jojo received many lovely, noisy toys...but he especially likes playing with his brothers' toys...

Here's Gaby in his hardhat and excavator -- big hit from Yaya and Grandpa.... and there's a very noisy robot that Aunt Patsy got for one of the boys...

Santa found the sweeper truck -- Gaby asked if Santa found it at Costco... See that desk back there? It's also a very noisy present from Yaya and Grandpa...That monster truck is also noisy and was from Aunt Patsy...

Santa also brought Christian a wonderful T-rex that you can put together and take apart...Daddy is pretty annoyed at Santa after spending two hours putting it together...he says if it falls apart it's up to Christian to put it together again...he was in a grinch state of mind after this project...I think Christian's favorite gift was the beautiful 'bubba' teeth left in his stocking...he and Papa are going to wear their ugly teeth to a restaurant next time he's in town

Christmas Day was spent at 'Mama G.G.' and Aunt Patsy's eating posole and sweets. My cousins Mark, Chris and Chris' fiance, Jessica, came by for a visit. And some other friends came by, too: MaCarmen, Lawrence, and Evita. I think Evita had a crush on Mark who, she says, looks like the singerJosh Groban. I still think Mark looks like the lead singer of Cold Play. It must be the curly hair.

Christmas is so much fun with children! And especially fun sharing it with friends and family. Merry Christmas!

"Christmas Takes Too Long!"

Today the boys opened up presents that were sent by faraway relatives. Uncle Sergio & Auntie Kyla sent a 'Watch-N-Grow Dinosaur Egg' which takes 24-48 hours to hatch. They are one hour into watching for any signs of movement. Christian has the "mommy" dinosaur on standby waiting for the new baby dinosaur. The boys will be permanently stationed at this table for the next several hours...maybe I'll have time to clean.

Christmas Wish

On Tuesday night, I attended 'Feast of Guadalupe Celebration & Concert' at the National Hispanic Cultural Center with my mom and neighbor, Elsie. What a wonderful event to celebrate Christmas! Whether you are a person of faith or not, to see how the devotion to the Virgin of Guadalupe is celebrated through the Hispanic and Indian cultures is very special. There were many musicians and dancers from our own state and Mexico, including Matachines Indian dancers from Juarez, Mexico; student performers from the University of New Mexico; Mariachi San Jose; Ballet Folklorico of Albuquerque; and Trio Los Trinos.

There is nothing like Christmas in New Mexico! With our unique and diverse population and the desire to preserve our culture through dances, folk singing, storytelling, etc., it truly lives up to our motto: 'The Land of Enchantment'.

Soon we will see the luminarias lighting up the plazas in Albuquerque -- in Santa Fe they are called 'farolitos'. We see how families get together and share the Christmas spirit: the spirit of giving, sharing, spending time with friends and family. Not to the mention the posole, chile, and biscochitos. What a magical time!

Through my dad's writings and stories, I understand and appreciate more deeply the spirit, heritage, and culture of New Mexico. I am proud of my cultural heritage -- Mom's Spanish blood coarses through my veins and mingles with the Hispanic and Scots/Irish blood from Dad. It is said that my great-grandfather spoke Spanish with an Irish brogue.

And so as the kids get older and wonder what Santa is going to bring them, I remind them what the holidays are truly about. Of course, at this age, all they hear is static. They are told that Santa will bring what he thinks is best for them. It's not about all the gifts and material stuff. The magic is in the spirit of celebration and traditions within our families. I'd like for the boys to appreciate that someday.

LUMINARIA
Marking safe passage
as in millennia past
like a grounded star

VISPERAS
Listen to the psalms
after dark the night before
village fiesta

(Dad's haikus)

Bird Christmas Present

It's Not What's for Dinner
Don't worry, Lucas
We don't view you as dessert
Or even dinner

Papa sent it for the boys.

Christmas All Month Long

Nana and Papa came to visit, and the we are all having a lot of fun with them!

Papa lets the kids put an ill-fitting Santa hat on his head.


The boys had lots 'o presents to open. The toy truck with the tools is a big hit, as were the lizards & bugs for Christian.

Santa Jojo is ready for more fun.

We went to the Botanic Gardens 'River of Lights' last night. We saw critters, dinosaurs, and...

a decorated truck with lit up instruments.

Nana and Papa get their fill of chile when visiting. We took them to El Pinto for their first visit, and it won't be their last. They ate in Old Town yesterday. Too much eating during the holidays!

Fun gatherings..


Good friends...

It has been a fun weekend. We'll miss Nana and Papa very much!

Dear Santa Letter and Accompanying Haiku

Christmas Wish

Triceratops toy

Requested by oldest tot

You're only a chair

Dear Santa:

Please help me to find the big toy truck with the tools that we saw at Costco that time I was there with Gabie and he threw a fit over it, and if you do not help me to find one I shall go insane.

The next time Christian visits with you, please convince him that there is no way a huge triceratops will fit in your bag or go down our imaginary chimney. Please convince him this toy is ridiculously boring because it does nothing but make a few noises when its horns are squeezed. It does not gallop around. It is a chair for gosh sakes -- tell him it's a silly chair shaped like a dinosaur priced at $250! Because Christian loves puzzles, maybe you could tell him that a T-rex skeleton that you put together and take apart is more exciting to play with and even more challenging than a child-size triceratops that just sits there looking bored with its leaf in its mouth that won't move because it's only a chair. Please remind him of the giraffe chair that has been abandoned in a corner since Christian was a year old.

Thank you for your help. We'll keep the cookies out for you.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Elena

"A-yo?"

I have neglected you, my little blog. I started a dumb project during a very busy time of year, but it is something, that once started, has to be finished: painting. Rooms, that is. By this afternoon it will be finished -- and then onwards upstairs. Am I crazy? That will have to wait a while. I am sick, sick, sick of painting. I do not want to look at another paintbrush or can of paint again. I do not want to step foot back into Lowe's for as long as possible.

This week Nana is coming to visit and the boys are so excited. When she and Papa (hopefully he'll make it, too) come to town, it's like Christmas every time. We have fun plans for the extended weekend visit and I'll post pictures. Nana will see Jojo walking for the first time, she'll see Christian's new haircut --

That's my boy getting his haircut at the fun children's place, sitting on a seal, letting the gal use the clippers, sucking on a chupa chup, directing which way the hair should be cut.

Christmas photo cards must be sent out this week, and I wanted him to be recognizable.

Today I heard Gabriel talking on the phone, only I didn't realize the phone had actually rung and I hung up on Grandpa. He told Grandpa that Christian was being mean to him. Gabie's grandparents like to hear him answer the phone: "A-yo?" Sometimes we have to hang up when Nana and Papa call to start the call off right with Gabie answering the phone.

Christian had a good week at preschool: they are on the number 7 and the letter J. I hope we get new recipes for Christmas cookies this week -- something easy that involves a spoon or spatula.

Jojo has been teething, and as a result, has a diaper rash that will not go away. May have to check with the doctor about some prescription butt paste.

That's all for now. Not very exciting, but never dull around here.

Trytophan Hangover

The turkey turned out wonderfully! Grandpa carved...

Mama G.G. and Aunt Tonie relaxed & visited..

The table was set beautifully by Yaya...



And we feasted...on prosciutto wrapped asparagus, Aunt Patsy's broccoli casserole...


Gravy, red chile, sweet potato casserole...

Turkey and mashed potatoes...

Grandpa's cranberry mold, dressing...

Yaya's peas and pancetta...

We tried for a group photo -- the only cousin missing was Simone...

We bonded...

And we had a good time...

Sweet memories, good food, sparkling grape juice, vermouth, wine, and lots of desserts... I am thankful for all of these things...

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! There is so much to be thankful for this year, and in the spirit of having elected a new President this month, the posting below is the first Thanksgiving Proclamation given by our nation's first president, George Washington.

Faith & Family Live! - The daily blog of Catholic living

Yesterday Uncle Jaime, Auntie Jeanne, Daniela, and Anthony arrived from Dallas. Today we're going to Yaya and Grandpa's for the big feast, and Jeanne's sister Susan and her husband Jimmy are also going to join us, as well as Mama G.G., Aunt Patsy, and Aunt Tonie. I'll post some pictures soon.

Gabie with Daniela's dog, Francis.

Look at how big Anthony is -- he's 1.5 years old and is almost as big as his 4-year-old sister.

Here's Daniela posing with my brother Jaime. She like's art -- she commented to Christian about one of Yaya's framed artworks: "Look Christian, isn't this the most amazing painting?"

I volunteered to prepare the turkey this year. It's only the second one I have ever attempted, but this year's turkey is the biggest one by far. I can't even use Grandma's old turkey pan. Here are a few pictures Christian took as we prepared it:

First, we all gagged after pulling out the giblets and neck. Then I washed the turkey, patted it dry, and then stuffed it with a quartered lemon, apple, orange, and onion.

I placed the turkey on a "rack" of carrots and celery -- another tip from Tanya.

Then I attempted to rub the paste recipe that Tanya gave me, but it kept sticking to my hands. So then I used a rubber spatula to spread it on the bird.

Here I am calling the Butterball Turkey Hotline because I am not sure if it is ok to cut the skin to put the mixture on the meat. Won't the turkey dry out, I ponder as I dial the number. They are closed at 9:30 PM Thanksgiving-Eve.

We're hoping we don't have to break this out.