Oh Come Let Us Adore Him - Christmas at last!

On This Day a Child Was Born...

Treats for Jesus' Birthday
Singing Happy Birthday

Rafa's Funny

I just have to tell you, Rafa made me laugh today. I was grilling burgers for dinner, and I had a plate on the counter with sliced onions & tomatoes, pickles, etc. When Rafa grabbed a slice of onion, I told him he wouldn't like it if he ate it - but he said he would - so I let him...

After he took a bite & chewed for a couple of seconds, I heard him scream, "Whoa!!!! Rafa doesn't like it, Sam I am!!!"

I'm still laughing....

Thanksgiving 2010

After a busy November - celebrating Saints & Veterans, fundraising by serving breakfast at the Cathedral School, a school field trip and the end of daylight savings time - we were ready for a break. In our usual way, we made last-minute plans for a Thanksgiving vacation. We decided on Ruidoso and found a nice little cottage in the village. We had turkey and lots of other goodies. We made sure to give thanks again for all the many blessings, trials and triumphs that have come our way this past year. We hope to embrace them, learn from them and appreciate them all as we get closer to a new year. Here's a quick snapshot of our trip...

The twins enjoying some krispy kremes - hats and all!!

A beautiful drive later, we arrived at the cozy cottage.

The cottage was already decorated for Christmas with a tree inside and lots of lights outside!

A bunch of deer arrived shortly thereafter and were very hungry!

So, we fed them...

It was like our own personal petting zoo every day and the kids had a blast!

Did I mention there a were BUNCH of deer at the cottage?

Check out the two bucks on the left and right.

Then, of course, to the Inn of the Mountain Gods to feed the ducks.

Even Micaela enjoyed the cool weather.

Everything was beautiful as always, and we can't wait to go back.

And a big THANK YOU to our wonderful neighbors that watched our home for us!!

The Gift of an Ordinary Day

Every now and then, I don't think I have anything to post. Nothing crazy or especially exciting has happened. Just our ordinary days. But then I remember what a gift we have in our ordinary days and I have to give thanks for them. I wouldn't change them for all the riches of the world!

Here's the Micster - just being her usual smiling self.

Three kiddos trying to fit on one toy car.

The twins...

What Rafa looks like when Gabriela's behind the camera

And what Gab looks like when Rafa's behind the camera...

And then the beautiful sunrise we woke up to this morning... Can you see the star?

Trick or Treat!

Goofing around with the kids is always fun - but since Halloween was on a Sunday, it ended up being pretty low key for us - but the kids still had fun! Rafa really didn't want anything to do with dressing up - he preferred to stay in his Thomas the Train clothing. So it was Gabriela that ended up actually dressing like Thomas at first, and then she did a wardrobe change so she could wear the skirt that Aunt Mary sent her! She's always ready to wear any costume.

Gabriela LOVED twirling around in this skirt and watching it spin!

Then on November 1st, we celebrated All Saint's Day. I had intended for Rafa to wear a little St. Francis costume I threw together and Gab to dress as an Angel, but she preferred St. Francis (with the little animals attached to the shoulders) and Rafa preferred (you guessed it) his Thomas t-shirt. No biggie - they had fun anyway!

Finally, seeing Micaela's perpetual smile makes me think of Mother Teresa's saying, "We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do." So, in honor of Mother Teresa...

Cathedral School's Fall Festival

After months of prep - the Cathedral School's Fall Festival was finally upon us! I was in charge of the silent auction and getting donations for our food booths. It was busy, but fun! We had gorditas, BBQ brisket, sausage wraps, roasted corn and all sorts of other goodies! A lot of people did a lot of work to make it happen - we had a great time! Also, Geneva's classroom project (a fleece blanket with original artwork by the students) went for $100!

Here's the crew taking a snowcone break.

Geneva and her buddies doing the Macarena.

Frankie and the kiddos all went for a ride on this train - but I missed it!

Father Germanus checking out the silent auction. Great entertainment!
Rafa waiting for his snowcone.

Open Wide!

This morning Gabriela had her first dentist visit - and she was very excited! In fact, when she left the table during breakfast, Frankie asked her, "Aren't you going to finish your breakfast?" She answered, "No, I can't. I have to go to the dentist."

The gang in the waiting room.

Gab playing one of the dentist's video games.
She preferred to sit up during the first part of the exam.

A good tooth polishing.

She chose the tiger tooth polisher.

Then a final check with the dentist.

A perfect visit!! Check out my clean teeth!

Day Out with Thomas!

Well, I finally had a chance to download the pictures from our day out with Thomas! There were a lot I wanted to post, plus a couple of videos - it took a long time! But finally... We found out about this event by accident, and by the time I called for tickets, the only ones available were for Friday morning. No problem!! We left the house early Friday for the one hour ride to Burnet. It was worth it. Check it out!

Mr. Topham Hat! Rafa & Gabriela didn't hesitate to go give him hugs!

Getting temporary Thomas tatoos (even Micaela got one).

Painting & stamping

Micaela just hung around and took it all in.

On the train at last!

Clowns don't seem to bother the kids either!

Gabriela with the balloon backpack the clown made for her.

And then dancing...it was a great day!!