Christmas a day early

This year we decided to do our Christmas a bit early.  We all wanted to be a part of Auntie Joan's Christmas
and we especially wanted to see Uncle Fred, Cheryl and Alex.  This year we decided to have our Christmas a day early on the Sunday before Christmas eve.  We had our family Christmas with Mom and Dad at their house first.  We all arrived about 10am for breakfast and presents!  It was wonderful as usual.  We then headed down to San Jose to Auntie Joan's.  It was the best ever because the whole family was there.  We decided to make this a tradition and get together every year a bit early!!!!!

Mom and Dad's tree always looks beautiful.  

The village that they add to every year!

Cute Cousins!

Sisters and mom picture of course!

Then off to Auntie Joan's

Cousins finally together again

Next generation of Cousins!

Love this Picture!  

 

Did someone say PARTY?

Christmas wouldn't be the same with out the parties!!!  We headed up to Amy and Mark's for their Annual Christmas party.  This year we brought our RV and both dogs.  Shelby always loves it because she gets to run around on 5 acres of land.  Preston on the other hand spent his night in the garage where the party was.  He really enjoyed eating all the goodies people were dropping on the floor!  We always have a wonderful time with our family and friends and the wine isn't bad either!!!!! Oh and did I mention the surprise visit from Alicia!!!!  Everyone knew but me!  It was awesome!!!!!!

This year we had the pleasure of having a Christmas party with our wonderful friends The Uttenreuthers and the Jeffery's.  Aslaug, Bob and Tenley hosted.  We all brought our favorite meat and a side dish.  Everything was yummy and there was a great variety!

We had a visitor, Dylan's new puppy!!!

Aslaug cooking!

Gina trying on the bread basket!

Winter Ball

Gina had her first Winter Ball in Jr. High.  Tenley helped Gina pick out a cute dress and for the shoes, converse of course!!!  I wonder when Gina will want to wear high heals???  Gina made plans to get ready at her friend Kate's house, so I didn't get to see the final product until she came to school.  I was working in the "Check Your Bag Room" when Gina arrived.  She looked great!!!!  I saw her once and then she was gone to go dance with her friends.  And for me, the check in room was no joke!!!  Every kids wants to leave their stuff with you.  By the end of the night, we were only missing one jacket.  Not too bad for my first time!

Getting ready!

All Ready!

At the dance with Cristal, Kate and Gina

Christmas in November

Every Thanksgiving, we head down to Mexicali to an orphanage called Cahova.  We have been visiting the boys for about 6 years now.  It all began in the summer where we would meet them at a camp and we would put on a Vacation Bible School for them.  After the first trip, we fell in love with the sweet boys of Cahova and decided to travel to their orphanage over our Thanksgiving break.  We just love it!  This year we decided to put on Christmas in November for the boys.  We gathered their Christmas wish lists and purchased what they wanted. I really don't think it would have been possible without the help of our family and friends.  We gathered over 40 gifts, a Christmas tree, several ornament crafts, and a traditional Christmas dinner, ham, potatoes and rolls.  For dessert, what else but PIE! 

Our first order of business before entering into Mexico, was a visit from our good friend Trace.  We took him out to dinner before he left for North Carolina where he will serve our country in the Marines.  .

We played a game where the boys had to WRAP each other up!

We decorated for Christmas Dinner

Gina and Saul

Carlos and Dionicio with their gifts

Tony helping Max with his helicopter

We filled stockings with lots of goodies

The TREE!!!!

Gina hanging out in our room!!!!

 

Till next year Cahova, CAN'T WAIT!!!!!