The Online Version of Nesting - Christmas 2010

Yep. This new little one is still hanging in there. And I continue to "nest." That word sounds so funny. I imagine all these little penguin-like-waddling ladies running around scrubbing their floors with a toothbrush and making even more lasagnas to stick in the fridge. Still not me. But my "nesting" (haha!) brings you a quick photo update of Christmas 2010. There are so many photos from our pre-holiday prep here and our fast and furious five days (two of which were complete travel) in Wisconsin, but I chose a few just to share some of the hightlights! So back yourselves up to Decking the Halls, Jingling the Bells and Roasting the Chestnuts. Flashback to December 2010! (That sounded really cool in my head with a Casey Kasem Top 40s voice and an intergalactic swooshing sound in the background.)

Soph was a big helper decorating the tree this year. She hung all the ornaments on the bottom few branches and then insisted we leave them there. I moved them up slowly, a few a day, which she didn't seem to notice at all! Whew!



Soph has her Christmas program for school. Very fortunately her Abuelita (Mexican grandma) had come for a quick visit and managed to help us sew Soph's costume - a metallic fish - as we had NO idea how to do it! The school had a surprise in store for us as well - the adults actually participated in their OWN version of the nativity as they spontaneously called up parents, dressed them in costumes and instructed them on how to behave and what to say. It was pretty comedic, and Pablo was called upon to be a Wiseman. Not sure how Wise he actually is, but he looked ok in the purple cape! Haha!




And of course a quick trip to see Santa - only Soph was MUCH more interested in the life-size gingerbread house than sitting on Santa's lap!




Then we were off to Wisconsin for a quick trip - being 31 weeks pregnant at the time, we were instructed to make the trip short and sweet. I had heard horror stories about all these new-fangled things I would need to prevent swelling, aleviate pressure, etc. I felt nothing. The trip was totally fine. I think we could have stayed longer. But I'll let bygones be bygones. (Oh, and Soph was an excellent flyer once again. I chalk that up to experience. Lucky girl.)


We got home just in time for the baking (pretty much mom and the guys do this part)! Dad, Soph and I just kind of sample. Pablo tries to blend in to appear to be helping, but let's face it, he's just there to sample too.


And then it was snuggle-time with the uncles . . .



. . . around mom and dad's beauuuuutiful Christmas tree (again)!


Before we knew it, Christmas Eve was upon us. We all raced around the house to get ready in time (Two bathrooms. Eight people. You do the math.) And as we literally RAN out the door to church, we managed to get a few photos. Or was it when we got home from church? Hmmm... Seriously, the whole trip is a bit of a blur. It went by soo fast. (Ummm, don't pay too much attention to the big fam photo. Eyes closed, lips pursed, a good 25% of us not paying attention. Not sure what went wrong this year. Perhaps it was the powdered sugar overdose getting to us.)




Soph went to bed. The rest of the fam stacked box after box under the tree. You know what I mean. I hope that she still "BELIEVES" when she can start reading this and I just don't want to give too much away too soon.

And on Christmas morning, we woke early, and all in jammies gathered around the tree and watched Soph open her stocking!



Then it was off to the showers to look presentable. (Again, two bathrooms. Eight people.) We started opening presents late! But oooh so much fun!





And then evening dinner with Aunt Vicki, Uncle Jack and some strange Aussie who came along for the ride and decided to pose with us! Haha!


There was, of course, the annual APPETIZER EXTRAVAGANZA at Aunt Karen's house (to which I obviously forgot my camera as I have not a single photo. Or maybe I was too busy extravaganza-ing on appetizers?) Nevertheless, it certainly deserves honorable mention. Of the highest honors. Particularly the shrimp cocktail. And the mini meatballs. And those new thingie dingies which were hot and cheesy and yummmmmmmmmmmmy as they came out of the oven.

And of course a romp in the collllld snow. The guys REALLY romped. The girls did NOT so much romp. Soph is a beach girl. Simple as that.



And before you know it, we were back on an airplane and headed home. Aaaah! Thank goodness for Kung Foo Panda which kept you-know-who quite entertained for quite some time!


Merry Christmas everyone! (Kidding. I know it is the end of February. I thought maybe I could trick some of you.)