Our BIG Family Christmas Part 2

When I say BIG I mean it is so big I have to take a lot of pictures so brace yourselves!

We can't start the Christmas Holiday without one of Ethan's favorite things to do in Alamo
Pecan Picking!

Here he is with his cousins, Aiden and Jojo!

Gracie with Germ and her cousins

No lounging during pecan picking!

Making sugar cookies with Grandma Teresa

Say what you want about New Mexico but it has the best sunsets!!

Dad, I really hate that yellow flash!

Icing the sugar cookies- Gracie HAD to have purple!

Here we are with Santa on Christmas Eve!

Our kiddos with their cousins; Annalicia, Jacob and Jojo.

"Can we please stop taking pictures!!!"

Lexie was loving the ladybug pillow pet!

Our kiddos with Grandpa and Grandma Ortega

Our kiddos with Grandma and Grandpa Hernandez!

OUR little FAMILY CHRISTMAS

Even though we tend to go home every Christmas. Eric and I still think it is important to celebrate our own family Christmas at our house before we go. The kids understand that Santa only comes on one day so when we open gifts it is just from our little family. I enjoy seeing them run down the stairs; bouncing with excitement. Ethan is getting so big because this year he was able to read what presents were his by identifying his own name. As soon as he would see the letter G he would chunk it to Gracie. It was hilarious!! It was a nice relaxing morning which was very much needed before our trip back home!

Poor Ethan had to fight with his own daddy
to play with his remote controlled helicopter.

Her very first Barbie!!!

Here they are closing their eyes while daddy
gets the big gifts which were BIKES!!

She is a DORA fan forever!

Ethan really needed a new bike! His 12 inch one was way too small and now that he is riding without training wheels he needed a big boy bike!

Lexie LOVED the wrapping paper....go figure!

Don't ask me what I was thinking because even I don't even know what I was thinking!
One of those Black Friday deals that where I was so exhausted from shopping all night and not having the right mind to say no! I just hope our carpets stay clear from any makeup accidents.

Lexie turns the big ONE!!!

Yes...you read it correctly! Our baby girl has officially turned ONE!!! Wow, just writing those words seems very surreal. We celebrated her birthday with family and friends bumble bee style. Lexie didn't really know what was going on but I am sure she was loving all of the attention and love (like she doesn't get it anyway ;). She looked adorable in her bumble bee outfit and all the other kiddos looked really cute with their bumble bee antennas. It was a really great party and we are thrilled that we got to share such a special moment. This year has been a huge year of growth and love in our family and I think reaching the one year mark once again makes me realize how far we have come and how fast it has flown by. She is such an amazing little girl that is exceeding our expectations and we just continue to pray that God continues to bless her.

Oh, and by the way Lexie had her 2nd stem cell infusion earlier in the month and she did great! We hope it helps her!

Ethan and Gracie helped open presents

Yummy cake

Please ignore me! She was not liking having her picture taken.

I made Lexie's cake which was being very difficult in the beginning but I think it turned out really cute. Grandma Teresa made the little bees out of gum drops.

**Birthday videos coming soon**

Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Out of their mouths!

We were doing some alphabet exercises and Ethan was doing really good so when I complemented him he replies with, " Oh yeah, Oh yeah I'm the man -The Letter Man!"

One morning we awoke to a real thick fog and the first thing out of Gracie's mouth is "UGH, it is filthy outside!!"

Ethan and Gracie know that they were in my belly at one point in time and will bring it up every now and then but have never pushed the conversation pass that. But, that was until Gracie started asking questions. She is 2 people! Yet another time that makes me dread teenage years.

Gracie: "Was I in Daddy's tummy?"
I: "No, only girls can have baby in their tummies." Let's stop right here
Gracie: Looking confused " Can I have a baby in my tummy?" lifts up her shirt to make sure their isn't one already there.
I: "Only when you are a grown up and you are married?"
Gracie: "When I wear a princess dress, mommy" she calls my wedding dress a princess dress.
I: Yes! That's when.
Gracie: Quiet thinking and lifts up the bottom of my shirt, "Is there a baby already in your stomach? Take it out Mommy!!"
I: "NO Gracie! There is no baby in my stomach!" Touching my stomach to show her
Gracie: "OHHH poor baby!!!" Speaking to my stomach
I: "Who wants candy?" PLEASE FORGOT ABOUT IT


I had just made a great Thanksgiving meal and we were all around the table ready to eat. Ethan started off the prayer and this is basically how it all went down. My son brought me to tears while I was rolling my eyes at my daughter.

Ethan: "God, Thank you for all of this yummy food, for our family, for Gracie and Lexie, and while patting his heart and looking straight at me for our Love.
Gracie: "Daddy, you got a big ol NOSE!!!!"

and later during dessert, Eric was cutting the pumpkin pie and when he had cut it both ways Ethan replies with, "Don't cut anymore Dad! There are 4 slices and 4 of us. We each get a piece!"
We were rolling and even though he didn't get the piece he wanted he still got a big enough piece.


I was wrapping gifts for family the other day and I overheard Ethan and Gracie talking about Christmas.
Gracie: ETHAN!!! Christmas!! We get to open presents!!
Ethan: Yes on Christmas but today is not Christmas. Now Gracie, why is Christmas so special???? Because that is Jesus's Birthday!! He protects us and loves us and he makes sure we don't get killed...but if we do our souls go to Heaven and we eat his food" I don't know if he is thinking of the last supper but I thought it was cute.

Thanksgiving Holiday

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving!!