nacho's second christmas:

I took Nacho to take pictures with Santa the first Saturday of December.  I can't remember what I did that morning besides shopping at Costco, but I had some me time before I took him.  He was so excited to be at Petco.  There weren't that many dogs, but when he saw one he got excited.  I took off the leash so he could sit with Santa, but he ended up darting off, and I had to chase him.  Thankfully he stopped, not for treats, not for a toy in the aisle, but for kids.  He loves to get pet.  So while the kids pet him, they grabbed him, and I was able to take him back.

So the whole operation was a little sketchy.  It's going to sound like I'm complaining, but I mean this all with humor.  Nacho did great.  I saw the ad for it a couple of weeks before and asked the cashier.  She said, "Um, you better call first."  So I did, and they said they were an hour delayed in getting set up.  I can understand that.  Santa booths can be elaborate, right?  The ad said this was a "free" picture but you could donate to help pets.  Instead, they had me pay at the front of the store to get a ticket before I could even see Santa.  Had I seen the setup, I'm not sure I would have paid $9.95.  It was just a very quiet Santa with a green backdrop.  Ok, maybe they need that as a green screen, and he doesn't talk so as not to startle the dogs.  

Nacho loved him.  Didn't squirm and just stayed still for the picture.  So easy and he got more petting out of it.  The person taking the photo just had a tablet, and didn't really focus or angle it properly.  It wasn't professional, but it was nice to have as a memory.  The kids usually have their picture with Santa at the family Christmas Eve party.  This one was for Nacho only.  

On the way out, Nacho threw up, probably from all the running around.  So I had to clean it.  Yuck.  At least he left that kind of present and not the other one.  Merry Christmas, Petco!  

Manny's cousin is an amazing artist and art teacher, and she did a few edits for me.  I chose the one below since it matched their logo the best.  I was going to maybe send it as a Christmas card or one of the photos, but in the end I decided I am not up to doing Christmas cards this year.  Maybe things will change next year.

Excited and shaking to meet Santa.

Nacho was so good!  Except the part where he broke free before we got here and I had to chase him all around.

Photoshop because that original background was not it.

Nacho looking out the window.  Sometimes he growls, but I don't see anyone out there.  Maybe a squirrel?  When there are people outside, he doesn't growl.

I started packing, and he threw his toys in there.  😂

Pulled  our blanket down (Grandma hand crocheted it) and wrapped himself in it.  Poor cold dog.

family portraits:

We took our annual portraits last weekend.  The JCPenney studio near us closed, but I saw a groupon and scheduled an outdoor session with them for a decent price.  I scheduled it for the afternoon so that I could get a trim in the morning and we wouldn't have the sun in our faces like last time.  I thought this photography duo did a better job than our previous outdoor groupon photographer.  I was so very thankful for the weather, too.  There really wasn't another weekend we could do it this year.  Isaac was actually the most cooperative and smiley, even though he'd been throwing tantrums earlier in the day.  Naomi did whatever she was told, but she wasn't in a super smiley mood.  Lucas had stepped on goose droppings, and we couldn't get it completely off his shoe, so he went from being mostly well-behaved to being over it before we even began.  I am surprised and thankful we got a few decent photos.  I really did the best I could coordinating this despite us all having a lot going on right now.  Manny made some comments about how it, which usually makes me want to give up like I did with coordinating vacations, but we're both learning that sometimes we have to understand the other person's heart and not just take the words at face value (or with the worst connotation possible).  Yep, almost 20 years together and still learning!  With Naomi being a preteen; Lucas having special needs; Isaac being a strong-willed three-year-old; and Manny's disappointments, I do sometimes want to throw in the towel on the family photos.  But a family is what we are, and our love in Christ triumphs, if we are willing and humble ourselves.  Photos capture a moment in time you'll never have again, so for now we are doing this every year, as long as we are able.  

I don't think we've taken a professional photo with just us since our wedding!

Yes, our little Naomi is no longer little!

It was pretty hard for Lucas, but he hung in there and gave us a smile.

Isaac was very nervous trying to balance on this fence.  I think I was more nervous!

I had to cut his hair two days before, and he kept squirming around and I was very tired, so it came out pretty uneven.  But little boys can get away with that.

I think this would have been a great shot, but it was a pretty uncomfortable pose.

Trying to pick which one will go on the Christmas card.  This one feels a little stiff.

Maybe this one?  But the spacing's off.

I actually like this one the most, but Naomi's behind the fence.

I didn't know what to do with my hands.

Big height differences.  Will be interesting to see if/when the boys outgrow her.

christmas 2015 mega picture post:

We (Manny, our three kids, and I) were involved in a multiple-vehicle accident a couple of days ago.  It's fresh in my mind and has probably changed my perspective forever, but I'm still here and still going.

We went to Grandma's for Christmas.  Some highlights and lowlights:
-Grandma and Grandpa got a new tree with blinking and color-changing lights.  They go all out for the kids.
-The boys got along well with their cousin T.
-Monday, we went on an early morning date to see Star Wars, had a nice Thai lunch, and went grocery shopping.  I don't love shopping, but I love shopping with Manny.  Isaac helped bake "macadama" cookies and all three kids decorated the tree.  Manny's sister got really sick, so we missed her for the next few days.
-Tuesday, we went to the San Bernardino County Museum with Manny's parents, his aunt, uncle and their grandson.  We went to Old Spaghetti Factory afterward, which has become sort a tradition.  Naomi loves to do new things, but she also enjoys traditions, and we started doing them after she came into our lives.
-Wednesday, we went to my parents' place for a little Christmas celebration and a not-so-little meal and then went out to Pasadena to have dinner with my friend T. and his family at Slater's 50/50.  I felt bad leaving the kids with the grandparents, but I really didn't think they'd enjoy the two-hour (one way) drive.  They got to make a gingerbread house and gingerbread train with Grandma instead.
-Thursday was Manny's mom's side of the family's annual Christmas Eve Party.  They had performances by a few of the children, Aztec dancers, and a photo booth this year.  Fun party.
-Friday was of course Christmas morning.  Did I mention how the grandparents went all out this year (well, they do pretty much every year)?  The older two had attitudes at times.  Manny and I think next year we will ask for only one present per child.
-Saturday was our last day.  I'd been hoping all week for snow, because Lucas prayed for it, plus I'd packed all their snow clothes, but due to how he got so mad at Isaac for touching his gifts on Christmas morning, Manny and I didn't bother trying anymore.  I also missed seeing a couple of friends due to their not returning my call till it was too late and apparent miscommunication on which days we were available or in town.  Next time, I'll have to make sure we have clearer communication.

Here are some photos.  I also added photos to the last post.

First thing's first--Grandpa hugs.

The Force Awakens!  We arrived at 8:45 a.m., and grabbed a couple of the last good seats.  The theater was full by 9 a.m.  The fans in the audience made the experience even more fun.  Manny liked it, but I'm the bigger fan and would be willing to see it again.

I actually brought a change of clothes for our lunch after.

I found this selfie on my phone Lucas took with his cousin.

Isaac explaining how he helped bake the cookies.

Heading into the museum on a rainy day.

Lucas and T.

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Isaac petting a snake.

Now petting a blue-tongued skink.

Observing the mice and neighboring bunnies.

Resting in the rocks.

Lucas trying to photobomb.

Silly boys.

Lucas' legs just hanging out.  If Manny turned toward me a little more, this would have been unintentionally funny.

Classic car with drive-in meal.

We had a rotary phone just like this growing up, and now it's in a museum!  Isaac asked, "How do you turn this on?"

Was a good trip to the museum, but Lucas was starving.

Our annual Old Spaghetti Factory lunch with a lot more people than the first time we went.

Happy birthday, Uncle Gerard!

Christmas at my parents.  They don't have much (the house was given to them), but they sacrifice a lot for the one time a year they see us.

Gong-Gong and Lucas bonding.

With Gong-Gong and Puo-Puo.  Lucas back to making his silly faces.

All of us with Puo-Puo.

With T. and M. and their twins at Slater's 50/50.  The 50/50 means half ground beef and half ground bacon (and sometimes chorizo).  Delicious burgers.  Too bad we ate so much at my parents' place beforehand.

Pasadena City Hall with a Christmas tree.  Pretty!

T. and M. not only paid for our meal but got us this amazing candy apple, which was gone in minutes.

Gingerbread house and train the kids made.  Lucas is really meticulous, and Isaac's pretty sloppy, so I'm amazed it was even completed.  Hats off to the grandparents!

Isaac playing with his cousins T. and D.

Naomi and P. hung out the entire time.

Luke, Emma, and Andrew, the new additions to the family.

In line for pork and chicken tamales, sopa, nopales, beans, salad, and also tostadas for the kids.

The kids did a fun performance for us.

  

The Aztec dancers and drummers.

Enjoying the party.

Naomi placed second in musical chairs.

Kids getting their giant goody bags from Santa.

Aunt Quinka with I, and Lucas.

This is what our kids got to wake up to on Christmas morning.

Starting small, but the presents got bigger and bigger.

Isaac trying to figure out this robotic Olaf.  At this point, the older two were in trouble, but we continued for Isaac since he was so into it.  I think Grandma was right that we should have taken a break.

Lucas really, really likes his Minecraft diamond sword.

Isaac wanted to help everyone open their presents, and Naomi was nice enough to let him open this one (a giant beanbag pillow from Aunt Dolly).

This Orbeez toy occupied Isaac more than any toy has in recent memory.

I know, I know.  Don't take photos of people eating.  But Christmas dinner is so special.  We had our traditional ham (except Aunt Dolly, who can't eat pork so she had chicken).  Grandpa also made an apple strudel, which will likely become another tradition for Naomi.

Isaac held on to me and Aunt Dolly by our legs and sang, "Two mamas...two mamas."  He just loves her!

A special meal for Naomi, because it had guacamole and shrimp, two of her favorites.

Lucas and Uncle Gerard with their New York shirts.  Lucas really wants to visit New York someday.

Isaac and T. in matching dinosaur shirts.

Isaac was very proud of his shirt and roared like a dinosaur.

Photo booth pics from the party:

Naomi and P.

Manny's parents, still in love!

With the grandkids.

I was frustrated with Lucas for making every photo silly, but it turned out okay.

Last photo of the night.