Christmas Trees and New Year's Day

Dave and I arranged for the kids and me to fly home to spend time with family and friends.  On the way to the airport, Lizet began singing "Santa is Papí, Papí is Santa!"  After the girls packed their suitcase, they informed us that they discovered the very stickers that Santa used on his presents.  Oops!  We told them it was quite a big coincidence that Santa and Papí shop at the same store.  They didn't buy it.  But somehow, Lizet insists on believing in Santa anyway.  Angela isn't so sure, and Xavier couldn’t care less.  

We flew down on Wednesday night (a 41-minute flight) and Grammy and Gramps picked us up from the airport at Love Field.  We were greeted at the house by Grandma, Eric, and Tony.  Their air mattresses were ready;  so, after a few finger sandwiches of turkey or peanut butter and banana, they hit the beds.  Of course, not until putting on their pajamas.  Xavier - Perry the Platypus (Phineas and Ferb), Angela - Westies, and Lizet - stars and more stars.  Lizet missed her Michael Jackson music that lulls her to sleep.

    

The next couple days were filled visiting friends, going to On the Border, and seeing Mimi and Tía Kathy.  My best friend Lisa, and her girls Kylie and Maggie came over to meet the kiddos, along with  my fake aunt Carla (a longtime family friend), my parents’ friends Bruce and Brenda, and their daughters, Julia and Jacquelyn, Tío Marty and Tía Cathy, and Nazee, a family friend.  We snacked on Christmas treats, ate Mom’s lovely dinners, and shared lots of laughter.  Gramps also introduced them to his Marshmallow Blaster a student gave him for Christmas.  That was hours of fun!     

Saturday finally rolled around with Dave arriving around 8:30 with all the presents, which filled the Chevrolet Suburban he rented.  We had a quick breakfast of Shipley doughnuts and then it was time for presents.  It was so fun for the kids to see their family open the gifts they picked out and purchased.

  

We had a GOOD LUCK lunch of Hoppin' Johns, Cornbread, Mexican Fudge, and Iced Tea.  Mom and Cathy made the lunch and it was delicious!!!  

We headed to Dave's family in Plano around 1:00, arriving around 1:45. About 3:00, Tía Kim and Tío Russ arrived, then Tías Kelly and Amy and baby Parker.  We had a dinner of many different kinds of pizzas, dips, chips, and sodas.  Next, we all headed to the tree.  Baby dolls, art supplies, clothes, remote control cars, and more makeup were added to our additional baggage.  Everyone had a great time!          

After we had lots of time with the baby, Abuela Marilyn brought out a birthday cake to celebrate Lizet's birthday a little early!  After a full day of fun, family began leaving and it was bath time for the girls in the grandparents’ jacuzzi.  Bubbles galore!  The kids also adore Stormy, their grandparents’ Cocker Spaniel.  They're so lucky to have three dogs in the family - that they KNOW of - they haven't even met Coco, Murphy, or Vegas, yet!  

The next morning we visited Christ Church, enjoyed a meaningful service - which included a sermon from Father David about being adopted into Christ’s family and weaving our story within it - and visited with all our Roof Dog friends in the Fellowship Hall. Later, Grandma and Grandpa treated us to Mexi-Go for lunch and we headed to Oklahoma around 3:00. 

This has been the BEST Christmas I've ever experienced!