Day 30 ~ "Jingles" Goes A Fishin'

 I enjoyed participating #HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY meme with Social Savvy Mom and Kerry Bergman. Tomorrow, my final post will be about my goals for the new year, 2013.


Before allowing me to pack him away with the other Christmas decorations, our buddy "Jingles" wanted one last excursion for the year 2012. I couldn't resist his begging so I gave in and let him hang out at his favorite "fishin' hole" before being placed in his storage box. I'll miss this little bear and all of his shenanigans!

If you've followed my posts throughout December, I'd love to hear which of "Jingles" predicaments you enjoyed most.

Good bye you naughty little bear!

Days 24 - 27 Catching up on my #HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY

Well, I can't believe Christmas has come and gone already. Due to my son having strep throat, hubby just getting over a terrible bout with the flu, and me having a flare up with my R.A. - we didn't do our traditional Christmas Eve homemade Mexican meal. Agustin and Josh both had to work on Christmas Eve anyway. So Shane and I stayed home and rested.

DAY 24 ~ CHRISTMAS EVE

Agustin brought us some delicious Mexican food from Cantina Laredo.

 Beans & Rice

 

 

 

 Fixin's for Steak & Chicken Fajitas

 

 Platter of gourmet cookies dropped off by neighbors on Christmas Eve & a "Tres Leches Cake" dropped off at hubby's work on Christmas Eve from a former employee. So sweet!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Day 25 ~ MERRY CHRISTMAS

 

 We found "JINGLES" the bear in another predicament on Christmas morning! It seems he had a craving for some chocolate kisses during the night while we slept!

 

My sweet family posing for our annual picture with the tree. My poor hubby was recouping from a terrible bout with the flu and Shane (in green) was still sick with strep throat. He really didn't want to leave his comfy couch to pose for this! You can't tell a bit from his expression, can you??? ;)

 I was pleased we were just able to get him *vertical*!!.

On Christmas Day, we kept it pretty low key. Extended family came over for a nice meal and gift exchange. None of us bought a lot of gifts this year. I didn't feel well most of the month and had only shopped twice.  I had only bought a couple of things for Shane. I gave out checks and restaurant gift cards mostly. Agustin and I had agreed not to buy each other anything; but I did end up printing out a photo our son took of us on one of our date nights and put it in a new frame that I hadn't used yet. I wrapped it up for him and he seemed very pleased when he opened it.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

 

Day 26 ~ The photo I wrapped up for hubby.

 

 

 

.

 

 

 

Day 3 of #HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY - Savoring Sweet Moments

These days, my moments with both sons under one roof at once are rare, so I truly SAVOR each moment we have together. Another reason to love the Christmas Season~it seems to afford us more time in each other’s company…


Son #1 came by the house today on a mission. What was that mission? To help his “little” brother start his birthday week celebration off right. After they strung lights on one of our Christmas trees, (not to worry, I still have work to do on those pitiful branches!) they were off to see “Red Dawn” and grab a bite of food before going home to son # one’s apartment for a night of gaming. Now I need to come up with something for day two of the promised week long celebration!! Any suggestions for a soon to be 15 year old whose actual birthday isn’t until Wednesday?

Embroidered Towels, Aunt Tommie's Work

You've heard me mention my Aunt Tommie on here many times. She is one of my dad's older sisters and a doll. She has always been known for her tedious and precise handiwork. In this short video you can see the kitchen towels she sent to my mom for Christmas this year. I just love them!

BUSY December!

I always find it hard to keep up with posting during November and December. I always fall behind. WE have so many functions and birthdays during these last two months of the year.

We had a wonderful but different Christmas this year. With my husband in Mexico and my baby brother in West Virginia, things felt a little "off" or "strange" this year. Nonetheless, we had a warm, cozy time of breaking bread with loved ones here and opening lovingly wrapped packages. Then of course there was plenty of laughter! You can't have my son Josh, his cousin Josh, and my youngest son Shane in a room together without loads of antics and laughter. That was all on Christmas Eve.

Christmas day was spent with my parents in their home. Nora, a friend from church joined us for another delicious meal which started off with my father reading an account of the birth of Christ from the gospel of Matthew. Then we watched family videos starting back in November from my birthday, Thanksgiving, Shane's birthday, mine and Agustin's anniversary. November and December sure are busy months at our house. It seems we have so many things to celebrate! But culminating our year by celebrating the birth of our Saviour is top of the list!
***********************************************************
Here are some photos from Shane's 13th birthday on Dec. 5th. I'll post Christmas photos soon.

Happy Thirteenth Shane!

Opening Birthday Gifts!

Oh what after dinner fun! Watching videos on You Tube which gross you out. I recall this one showing a woman popping/draining a boil on her husband's back! Now who would think to video and upload something like that? Now WHO would think it's fun watching something like that? You're looking at the three of them!

Grandma & Shane eyeing her homemade chicken and dumplings he requested fir his

birthday meal.

Shane also requested corn on the cob!

Grandma made the cake Shane requested for his birthday. Weight Watcher's orange diet soda cake topped with mandarin oranges!

In Children's Church

The embarrassing "Mom kisses son in front of people" kiss.

"Now look here woman!"

We do share lots of laughter when together. I love this kid.

In church

What Delilah does for several minutes each time Shane or Agustin leave home. So cute.

Agustin's gift to Shane-a trip to the shooting range!

There's nothing quite like a boy and his dog! Shane telling Delilah goodbye before heading off to shoot stuff.

"Peace On Earth" December Challenge

Are you looking to make this Christmas season more meaningful?

Are you hoping you can find a few moments of peace during the hectic month of December? Then 'link up' with us for the "Peace On Earth" December Challenge!

Courtney over at Women Living Well has created this challenge. I've checked out Courtney's blog and watched her video which explains what this challenge is all about. I've also linked up and am ready for her weekly tips and encouragement to help me focus on God's Word and on ways to bring peace in my life and home this holiday season.

Won't you join us?

For My Sis ...

My next few posts will continue with the theme of photos and videos galore of family members, but hey, it's the only way to keep my sis, who lives in South America, in the loop. Maybe someday soon, I'll actually write a post!

OFF TOPIC:
I recently switched over to the newer version of blogger. WHERE DID THE SPELL CHECK GO? I need
that tool desperately! OH AND  HOW DO I UPLOAD VIDEOS NOW?

******************************************************

OUR PARENTS

Christmas Day 2009 Part One

Christmas Stockings waiting to be "dug" into!

The family happy to be together again!

One happy Mama!

Blessed with a great meal of spiral sliced honey ham, london broil, roasted rosemary potatoes, mom's old fashioned green beans, sweet potato casserole, yeast rolls! Best ingredient of all---family togetherness!

The meal ended with the patriarch of the family (my dad) reading the Christmas Story from Luke 2 out of the new Bible he gave to Shane for Christmas.

So, how did you enjoy your peek into our Christmas Day? I'm glad you stopped by for a visit!

My Favorite Video Clip of Christmas 2009

We had so so much fun with my mom's FLIP camcorder!

Here's a video of my first born son Josh on Christmas Day. We were so thrilled he was able to come down and spend Christmas with us! Before Christmas week, I hadn't seen him in three months as he is working in West Virginia these days.

Christmas Eve: "A La Casa Rios" Part 2

The Rios Bunch on Christmas Eve

Mom shows off her set of kitchen towels, hand embroidered by Aunt Tommie.


Another piece for dad's lighthouse collection; thanks to his sister Tommie.

Josh gave his dad a new tie.

Shane with his new gaming laptop. He was stoked!
I know, you can't really tell from this photo so

just watch the short video at the bottom of this post!)

Naomy seemed to like her body care products.

Josh with his new shirt.

Hawaiin Princess Cake - moist and delish!

Naomy saying farewell to Mr. Snowman

Shane and Rudolph

Josh was thrilled that we asked him to pose also!

Give the snowman a hug Josh!

Do I sort of look like a midget? Naomy thinks so!

The "tough guy" cousins saying goodnight.