Christmas in the Valley

Alternatively titled: Fun with the new Nikon (Alert: picture ladened post)

Since things were so crazy before our family trip to West Texas for Christmas (and since there was NO extra room in car after packing it), we decided to wait and open our gifts here, sent by my parents, until New Year's Eve. And I'm so glad we did. It was nothing but crazy during our break in Pecos, with the baby being sick and all. Plus, with 10 adults and 7 children staying under one roof, things were bound to get (and stay) a little chaotic, which Randy is used to...I, on the other hand, am not (I grew up with 2 sisters and NONE of my family lived nearby). But I just adore my in-laws....and all of the family that lives within such a short distance of "home". A holiday without all of the people just wouldn't be same, a definite perspective change from my first Pecos family get together a short 5 years ago.

Anyway....and because there is no better way to celebrate a birthday than with a nice meal and CAKE, that is exactly what Josiah and I did. We baked Jesus a Tres Leches Cake....and boy, was it "yummy in my tummy", as Josiah says. But before we endulged, we enjoyed, as a family, a nice meal...our favorite, Singapore Shrimp with Jasmine Rice and Edamame. THEN it was time for cake. And Josiah was insistent that he was going to blow out the candle for Jesus. So following our birthday song, Josiah successfully blew out the candle. It was a much better effort than he demonstrated just 6 months ago when it was time to blow out his own 2 candles (when he was scared to get close enough because they were "hot").

(Lesson learned: put sprinkles on cool whip just before serving.)

Thanks, Trisha, for the cake decoration idea.

Of course, no Christmas would be complete without pictures....posed in front of the tree. I dressed the kids in their Christmas sweaters and made them smile before opening any gifts. There's nothing like bribery. (I also had fun taking some pictures the night before in the dark of our tree, a few ornaments, and my newest Christmas decor project).

Believe or not, this was the best one I got of them together. *sigh*

I took this one earlier in the day...not particularly special, I just thought it was too cute NOT to post.

I was so excited how these "gifts" turned out. This was my first bow-making experience.

Once I felt that I had gotten as good of pictures as I was going to get, THEN it was time to open presents. Josiah was "gone" after he opened his first gift and saw that it was a much coveted remote control train for his Geo Trax. Laney was much more interested in tearing up the paper and rolling around the box instead of what actually came inside of it. But her face lit up as soon as she I opened her Taggie Doll. Perfect choice, Mom!




We had a lovely evening, spending some much needed time together. It was a wonderful way to spend our last night of 2008.