Christmas Eve

I know this isn't the best picture. Photographer extrodinaire I am not. Of course, I think my husband took this picture and it was about 100 times better than the ones I got!

But....I LOVE the way our church looks with the luminarias in front of it.

And, the inside was so beautiful with the poinsettas, lights, tree, and the manger - the reason for celebrating....Christ's birth!
And of course....I'm partial to this little guy!

Finishing Christmas Gifts

Somewhere along the way in the midst of the busy Christmas season I decided that I should make a few dishcloths for gifts.

Well, mainly I wanted to make my mom a few.

Then I went crazy.....

This is me, the night before Christmas Eve, trying to finish enough for the office staff I wanted to give them to. Jaden wanted to be held (by MOMMY) while he ate his snack but that didn't stop me.

Here is my modest pile of cuteness.
I had wanted to take a picture of the whole pile of all I made at one time. But, I didn't get started early enough. I had to give these out, then I made the rest as we went through the following days, always finishing just in time to give the gifts. In total, I made 22 from the Monday before Christmas through New Year's Day.

And I STILL have a few to finish!

Posadas

Any of you that have been reading this blog for very long have heard about a "Posada" before. A posada is a Hispanic Christmas tradition re-enacting Mary and Joseph's search for lodging in Bethlehem. We celebrate las posadas every year at the mission and the mariachi group performs MANY times in December helping all the mission churches in their celebration.

I also did my MA Thesis on Las Posadas and how they can be used as outreach.

This year Jaden and I went to a few along with the mariachi. It was fun to visit the mission in Mexico since we don't get there all that often (even though it is only 15 minutes away!)

While we were waiting for the first one to start, Jaden have fun climbing this big dirt hill.

Mary & Joseph standing outside the "inn" asking for posada (lodging).
a crazy mariachi
Pastor Hernandez leading the group
part of the crowd outside
at another "inn" asking for lodging
walking through the streets playing and singing Christmas Carols (see how Jaden hitched a ride)


One more stop
Mary, Joseph and the angel
Jaden found a balloon to keep him entertained.

Notice the saint's shrine in the background.....these are common all over streets and outside (or inside) homes in the area. Even if someone attends a Lutheran church they don't often quickly give up their affection for the Virgin of Guadalupe. We don't make a big issue of it, but continue to study the Bible with them and let them reach their own conclusions based on what they find there about the role remembering the saints should play in their faith life. Most often, with time, they recognize Jesus as their one true hope and the only Triune God - Father, Son, Holy Spirit - as the only one truly worthy of their devotion.

At the last "inn" everyone is invited in for a celebration.
Las Posadas bring smiles to young and old alike
One of the Mexico musicians
Before the next posada Jaden got some wiggles out running back and forth on this "balance beam"
Outside the church asking for posada
After being welcomed it - singing with all the kids

and the musicians from the Mexico mission churches playing along with the mariachi
This Posada was in New Mexico
The group followed along behind a trailer pulling the mariachi


Pinatas are part of the traditional celebration. Jaden finally figured out what these are all about and now he ALWAYS wants his turn!
Of course, any time there is a park or a swing, he has to have a turn at that too!

Happy Birthday

We did get around the celebrating Stephen's birthday - even if we had pie late in the evening!

Per request my husband gets a triple berry pie (NOT cake) every year.
Sword fighting with Grandma H was a fun part of the festivities

Happy Birthday honey!

Christmas Decorating

Jaden had a GREAT time helping decorate the tree this year.His favorite (and mine) were the crocheted decorations my Grandma had made (and my mom had given me). To keep things simple we just put the stars in the little tree rather than use ornament hangers or string.
Every once in awhile throughout the day I would hear an "Oh NO" from Jaden. He'd coming running to me with a star in his hand saying "tar." I'd tell him he could go put it back on the tree. After a few days, I noticed that ALL the stars were in one little clump on the tree!

He also had fun hanging the umbrellas, wreaths and candy canes on the bottom of the big tree. Of course, every once in awhile I'd have to readjust the "clumps" there too.

Here's our homemade style Christmas tree. Almost all handmade decorations.
Sadly, I didn't get around to taking pictures of all of our other decorations in the various rooms (and the wrapped presents on the wall) but...there's always next year.

In looking through my photos I also realize (sadly) that I didn't get a picture of Jaden playing with this nativity set. I had set it up on the shelf above my desk but, he kept trying to climb up the chair and over the roll-top to get to it. So, we moved it down to playing level. He had a good time playing with the characters. MORE fun than with the Fisher Price nativity scene.

Of course - THIS arrangement was not done by a near 2 year old.......
This is the work of the daddy! (note the dinosaur behind Mary and the pig and cow!

Yes, We Are Alive

It has been a LONG while since I've updated this blog. My husband says that he keeps checking it to see if there is anything new going on in our lives! :-)

Well, let's just say I'm a bit behind.

But, today is the day....I'm putting away Christmas decorations. Yes....it's nearly February and blogs everywhere are detailing the VALENTINE'S activities they are doing with their kids. But me.....I'm putting away Christmas - finally!

So, while I pack boxes and have NON-Christmas music blaring from my Ipod (at least when I go over and skip the Christmas songs that come up on random because I haven't deleted them yet), I figured I could work on uploading a few photos. We'll see how far I get! So far Jaden's been at Grandma's for 3 hours and I have at least 2 more boxes to get finished - then the cleaning and the re-decorating!

In coming days look for a "stream of consciousness" post. I have a few friends that have been doing that as a way to keep track of their thoughts and impressions of their busy lives with kids (cause really, WHO has time to write in a journal!). And, hopefully LOTS more pictures.

Of course, we're getting ready for Birthday # TWO this week.

Ah......life just keeps marching on! Enjoy the parade!

Sweetness

I sure do love this beauty baby boy!