a beautiful Christmas

Christmas Eve:

In keeping with my family's tradition, the kids opened 1 gift on Christmas eve.

Kyler opened his flying saucer kit. He claims it's his 3rd best gift, next to his air hockey table and science kits.

Lexi opened her dr. kit daddy picked out for her. She is always pretending to doctor us, so now she has the proper tools. She loves it.

Meet Dr. Feelgood, ha ha, that's what her name badge says!

Kyler and dad playing with the saucer.

Ready for Santa..

Santa's treats; homemade chocolate chip cookies, milk and a picture Lex made him.

Santa was here!

Christmas:

The kids checking out their stockings. Santa brought them their very own photo album to put pics of loved ones they are missing, so start sending the kids some pictures if you have any spare (I'm going to have some printed for them as well).

Kyler got an owl Build a Bear named Marvin.

Lex got her Liv doll.

He got his Hotwheel color shifter set.

She has been wanting to wear a dress everyday and all she has are summer dresses, so Santa brought her a winter dress. She loves it. It's a size 7!! She's only 5, wow...tall kids.

Ky finally got his Weezer poster! (took mom forever finding the right one at the right price-online)

Jared loves his new fishing set up.

Playing air hockey, we have all had such a blast with this.

Nerf war, up close and personal...

Cooking Christmas dinner. It turned out really well. I made a turkey (with the help of my husband), a small ham, mashed potatoes (my mom's style-from scratch-yum), corn, a huge salad, Jared's aunt's delicious rolls (from scratch), my mother in law's delicious cheesy potatoes (vegetarian style), and gravy.

Notice my new mixer?? Wow, I love it. I have wanted one since I was16 (in my cooking class in high school we had these) but have never realistically asked for one being as they are so expensive. But my husband was great and bought it for me.

Kyler challenged grandpa to a game of air hockey!

Lexi posing in her new dress (this picture's for you, grandpa) and her new beautiful bow from aunt Marissa who sent her TONS for her stocking, THANKS!! (she's also holding the note Santa left them)

So sweet...grandpa painting Lexi's nails.

Look at my dad's dog in her jacket! ha ha

Grandpa and Lexi

Loving grandpa.

Mi papa and I.

This Christmas was very different from our usual family-filled holidays. It was wonderful to spend the holiday with my dad, something we haven't had the opportunity to do in years. We missed everyone so much. Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday! and now...6 days until Kyler is 8 years old!

4 days til Christmas...

Welcome our newest niece, Isabella Grace Juarez. The first female Juarez since my birth 26 years ago! Congratulations Johnny, she is beautiful. Looks so much like her daddy.

December 14th:

Samantha sent the kids a package, she is SO sweet...always thinking of others, thanks Sam!

Kyler got TONS of books!

Lexi got a Cinderella dress and necklaces.

After putting on her new items, Lexi decided to have a 'party'. She dressed up and dressed me up, turned out her Hannah CD and we danced around her room. So much fun!

December 19th:

Playing football in our front yard...

Kyler and Lexi putting on their 'mean faces'. We always have fun playing together.

Getting ready to go...

This morning, the kids designed and built their own "gingerbread houses". They had such a good time being creative.

Kyler kept his traditional...

Lexi created a Hawaiian scene, complete with snow tipped mountain peaks and surfers...

(notice the frosting all over her face)

Kyler's

Lexi's (not rotated)

Christmas is definitely upon us...we are all done with our shopping (besides a few last minute stocking stuffers). The kids tooth their piggy bank savings, that they've accumulated over 4 whole months, and purchased me an additional Christmas gift. I am so touched that they would spend their money on me. They are little angels!

The kids had a dentist appointment last week. They have continued their cavity-free streak, having never had a single one their whole lives. The dentist said their teeth look great. Lexi has 1 of her 6 year old molars poking through and the other on it's way. Her 2 front teeth are getting looser by the day. Kyler has an overbite that will need orthodontic care to treat, I had the same thing as a kid. I wore a retainer for a year to correct it. I guess he has his mama's mouth.

We are enjoying the magic that Christmas brings. Hope you are as well...

Merry Christmas!

Dani Oregon

I took this photo of a frosted rose last week.
Saturday:
Danielle came out for a visit!! We had such a great time, though it was too short.
The kids and aunty driving from the airport.

Jared, Danielle, Kyler and Lexi at Multnomah Falls near Portland.

It's gorgeous. Danielle just kept saying "wow, there are trees everywhere here!"

Kyler standing by the frozen stream.

This bridge was built in 1914.

Me and the kids.

The kids...

The view of the Columbia River.

The kids and I standing in front of the waterfalls.

Jared and the kids.

It is so beautiful.

Kyler

Danielle, Kyler and Lexi fell asleep on the drive home.

With our record low temperatures this last week, our pond froze! The fish are alive and well, you can see them swimming under the 1 1/2" of ice. According to my dad, the fish expert, they can survive under there eating the algae off the bottom.

Danielle and I.

Lexi holding the ice, see how thick it was?

Danielle holding the ice.

Lexi and Danielle walking to the river.

The kids at the river across the street.

Lexi, Danielle and I.

Kyler, Danielle and I.

Danielle and I.

They had so much fun.

I love this picture!

Saturday evening, we went to a Christmas village in our city.

Lexi with Santa, this is her first year she wasn't terrified of him, ha ha.

Kyler with Santa.

Danielle reluctantly sat with him too.

They had horse drawn carriage rides through the city.

Our horse drawn carriage.

Lexi enjoying the ride.

Danielle and Kyler

Waiting for the Christmas lights! I was so impressed with our city's Christmas event. For such a small city, they really put a lot into it. We had a blast.

On Sunday, Danielle and I had our semi annual "sister day" where we went shopping and just spent the whole day talking and laughing. That evening, we made cookies, had facials (Kyler too-ha ha) and painted our nails (sans Kyler this time ha ha). What a great day.

On Monday, we went to visit my dad and step mom.

Dad, Lexi and Danielle.

On Tuesday afternoon, we took Danielle to see the waterfalls by our house. Due to the low temperatures, they are frozen. It is SO gorgeous. Again, I wish my camera had the ability to capture the beauty.

Lexi and Danielle.

The semi frozen river.

Danielle, Kyler, Lexi and I standing in front of the falls.

So beautiful.

Checking it out up close.

I have photos of this place in earlier blogs pre-ice.

Jared took the kids to the top of the falls, I was so scared!

This morning, driving Danielle to the airport.

Yesterday Jared put lights on the house, so I snapped a picture this morning. The kids chose these lights.

Saying goodbye.

Being as Danielle is a minor, I received an escort pass and actually had the opportunity to walk her to gate, and watch her depart (like the old days-ha ha). It was so hard to watch her leave but we had a wonderful time and will always have the memories to reflect upon. Love and miss you, booboo!