Of Boys and Critters: End of 2011 Holidays

Just a couple minutes before I captured this photo, the cattle were lined up in perfect formation just behind that fence while Christian jumped and danced wildly. I guess when the animals realized they were not going to be fed, they lost interest and mozied off. I photographed Christian still doing the Cow Dance while Gaby and Jojo look on.

The past couple of months were busy for all of us. We spent Thanksgiving with Nana and Papa in Tennessee. First we spent that day with Papa's parents and family and ate too much. Then we saw Aunt Linda, Memaw Lou and Poppy Clo and we ate too much. Then Nana had her family over on another day and we ate too much. It was a fun week!

Christmas Parade

There's always something going on within walking distance. One night there was a Christmas parade and caroling to kick off the season.

MIKE'S BIRTHDAY

Grandpa Kenny, Karen and Uncle Ryan came for a nice visit to celebrate Mike's birthday. We're glad Ryan got to come before he leaves for the Marines this spring!

CHRISTMAS IN NEW MEXICO

It was time for another road trip and we headed to NM. We had a great drive until we reached Tucumcari and had to stop for a couple hours before they opened the highway because of snow into Albuquerque.

Grandma, Aunt Patsy and Aunt Tonie (retired Sr. Marie Evelyn) came for Christmas Eve dinner. While the adults were eating in the dining room, Jojo was playing with a music box and came to tell Grampa his frustration.

Jojo: "Gwampa, I was playing with the music box and it bwoke and I said, 'Dammit, I have to fix it!'"

Everyone at the table paused with forks in midair. Aunt Patsy said it's the first time she's seen both Mike and I with red faces of embarrassment. We all started to laugh, but Grandpa got the biggest kick out of it. Yaya said, "I think the word you're looking for is 'darn it'." Grampa commented, "He is home with Mama most of the day...." Mike said he must've learned it in 'homeschool...' and so on.

Trader Joe-Joe's cookies for Jojo

The kids got to open their presents after dinner and they received nice toys. Nana and Papa mailed them the funniest laughing dog that actually rolls and twists around giggling, especially when you try to find the off switch on its belly!

Gaby woke us up at 7:00 am the next morning to see what Santa brought for each of them. They seemed pleased with their scooters, which was a relief.

That evening we all went to Tanya and Darren's for dinner and we had our white elephant gift exchange. There were lots of screaming kids having fun and a good time was had by all. Wish I had taken more pictures!

COUSINS COME FOR A VISIT

Daniela has lost her two front teeth and now has a cute lisp when she speaks.
Wah! I didn't get a picture of our nephew Anthony.

Simone's preschool photo (3 years old)

Jaime, Jeanne, Daniela and Anthony came to visit for the week. One afternoon, we had a girl's lunch with Yaya, Jeanne, Daniela and I. It was so nice to spend time with my little niece. The boys also had a boy's lunch with Grampa.

We also got to see our friends another evening when we had them over. There were still a couple people I didn't have a chance to see, but next summer I'll hopefully have a longer visit. I also missed seeing my brother Sergio, Kyla and my darling niece, Simone. We may get to see them next summer, too.

And then it was time to leave the beautiful blue skies of NM and head back east. We left on New Year's Eve and were able to get past Tulsa by early evening so the boys would have time for a swim. On the way to NM, we had to stop at an urgent care in Tulsa because Gaby had an ear infection (Jojo already had one a few days prior and was on antibiotics). We had a good trip with our good travelers, even without our dvd player which no longer works.