December

Temple Square Lights

We made it this year to see the lights at Temple Square. Now that we are so close to downtown it really doesn't take that much planning to get there. We didn't get out there last year because we had just moved here in the Fall that I think we were so busy with work and trying to get organized that unfortunately Christmas came and went and we didn't take Alyssa to see the lights. But this year was so different. One day Bryan came home from work and we just made a last minute decision and visited the Temple grounds and enjoyed all the added hard work that is put into it this time of the year.

Isn't this just beautiful? Precious Alyssa with her handsome Daddy.

It looks like Alyssa is floating on the water. She couldn't get enough. There were amazing scenes set up every where with millions of lights.

The family shot

Christmas Vacation in CA
As every year we spent it with our wonderful family in CA. We LOVE this time of year because it's the one time that we know for sure we'll be going to CA and seeing our family. This year was even more special because we had family come up from Mexico to spend Christmas with us as well. My mom's youngest sister and her family made the trip up, finally; it was their first time out of Mexico. I absolutely love my aunt and her family. They are always the ones we spend the most time with when we go visit Mexico. My mom has 11 siblings and we do get to visit all of them in Mexico, but my Tia Maria Ester usually is always with us every where we go. We love it!

Christmas in the Park
The day Alyssa and I arrived we all went to Christmas in the Park in downtown San Jose. It was my sister's idea and we all had a great time. The kids especially enjoyed it.
At the park they had snow maker machines blowing out fake snow. I thought is was so cute how all the kids couldn't get enough. I thought, "oh they should come to Utah and really enjoy the snow." I also have to add that my aunt's family was freezing...It's very common for those that live in a really warm climate year around to think CA winters are cold. One time our cousins on my dad's side came to visit in the summer and wore thick coats in San Francisco because they were freezing...very interesting.
Here's Alyssa with Abuelito. She wanted me to carry her, but my parents, being the very cautious latinos that they are, insisted that a pregnant women should not be lifting any amount of weight. So my dad tried to help me out with Alyssa. She wasn't too sure about it. We had just arrived a few hours before and she still didn't really remember my family yet.

Happy Hollow Park
My dad and I took the kids to Happy Hollow Park. I hadn't been there in a really long time. I was so disappointed that the Japanese Gardens didn't have any fish anymore. Weird....they use to have these huge catfishes in the ponds surrounded by the beautiful gardens. Fortunately the gardens were still maintained.
The kids enjoyed all the statues that were in front of the Happy Hollow Park and Zoo entrance.

Kamely and Alyssa

Kamely

Kamely, Anayanci (china), Alyssa & Adi

Christmas Eve
I love how Alyssa can entertain herself. At the grandparents' she loved playing with these little guys.
Avery's birthday is Dec 23rd, but it's always celebrated on the 24th when we are all together. It's really nice because we can at least be there for one of our nieces' birthday. We've never missed any of her birthdays :)

Here she is blowing out the candles.

Opening her gifts

Grammie had this great program prepared for us that night. Here's Alli pretending to be Mary with Baby Jesus while Austin is helping set up the scenery behind "Mary" while Grammie tells the story.

Alli posing as Mary with Baby Jesus while AJ is entertaining himself right next to her

Grandpa helping the grand kids take turns putting up their pieces to the scenery. They really enjoyed that.

We also were able to play music with these really cool bells that when played, let out a different note. I can't remember what their name is. I was very impressed at how well we did. It was really hard to follow along the sheets of notes and remember when it was your turn to play your notes. However we really enjoyed it. I would definitely try that again.

Opening up gifts on Christmas Eve.

Everyone received PJs except for me...since I was pregnant I got a pink robe, that I ABSOLUTELY LOVE!! It's so comfy; I wear it ALL the time, really.
Alyssa and Avery

Christmas Day

Family Picture on Christmas morning.
This is my pink robe!

Christmas was so fun this year. Alyssa completely understood about Jesus and Santa Claus and was very excited Christmas morning to see what Santa brought her. It was so cute watching her enjoy the events.

Making her way around the Christmas tree.

Santa brought her exactly what she wanted. That's what she said. It was so cute. Santa left one of her gifts in Utah so when we came home she opened it and was SO happy that she really did say that Santa got her the two things she wanted, "Baby all gone" and "a car" (plasma car).

At the Abuelos' house getting ready to open more gifts.
Abuelita, Zane, Kamely, Adah, Makayla, China, Alyssa

Alyssa holding on tight to a book she got.

So excited to get a baby doll with all the accessories.

LOVED her pillow pet too. It's amazing how much she LOVED it even though she already has the unicorn...but this one is a hippo, so not the same.

Zane with the perfect gift, a guitar.

The girls all got play-doh and had a great time making things with Adah's set.

Later on we visited Vasona Park and drove through enjoying all the light displays while listening to Christmas music.

San Francisco
During this vacation to Ca we really enjoyed doing the tourist things. We got to enjoy a lot of time with our family visiting from Mexico and enjoyed all the beautiful places we grew up with.

Fisherman's Wharf

Alcatraz in the Background

Posing with a really friendly clown in SF.

Underneath the Golden Gate Bridge

At Fort Point Historic Site.

View of the Golden Gate Bridge from Fort Point.

On our way to walk on the bridge.

On the Bridge

Lombard Road

Santa Cruz
Bryan and I took our family to visit good ole Santa Cruz. Here's my uncle drawing in the sand.

One of his finished pieces.

My cousin Pamela and Alyssa walking along the beach.

It was such a beautiful day in Santa Cruz.
Tio Tony, Tia Maria Ester, China, Adi, Alyssa, Me, Pamela

While we were at the beach everyone was looking down at this sand bug Bryan found when all of a sudden the current came in high. Bryan saw it coming but couldn't get the words out fast enough in spanish to tell everyone to move. He was stuck in the middle so everyone got wet, except for Alyssa and I because we were on the upper side of them. It was pretty funny. Only after the water got them did they realize what Bryan was tying to get out.

The Boardwalk
Everyone but my aunt and I enjoyed the Giant Dipper, a really fun roller coaster at the boardwalk. My aunt bought China and Alyssa a giant jawbreaker thinking in was a gumball. Pretty funny to watch Alyssa try to keep it in her mouth.

The Carousel

On the Pier watching all the seals.

Bye-bye boardwalk. Walking back to the car along the tracks with 30+ feet of nothing underneath until you hit the water.

Pleasure Pizza on 41st.

After a long exhausting day in Santa Cruz.

Alyssa enjoyed playing with Alli. They played dress up, house, restuarant, Dr, you name it and they played it. It was fun to watch.

Visiting Zane's new house. My brother and his wife just bought a house and we went to check it out. Alyssa and Zane.

New Year
Happy New Year!!! Everyone at my parents saying happy New Year to each other. Unfortuntely Bryan had to travel out of town on business that he spent New Years on a plane and not with us :( Luckily I was with my family.

Yes these girls stayed up past midnight!

It was an amazing trip back "home"!! We had such a great time with our family that lives there and those that visited from Mexico! LOVE that time of the year!! Miss having family around!