Saturday, December 31, 2011

New Years Eve Celebrations

Jody and my mom enjoying some great salsa Juan made and some other great dips.


Playing some games and having fun just being with family. Everyone can play with help.



Tyler having fun playing with his toys and soaking up all the love we had for him.



Michaela playing with Jocelyn. Joss loves this and Michaela was getting exercise too. They did this for over a half hour and all we could hear upstairs was Joss laughing her head off. We ran downstairs to get photo opts and videos.



Carson and Tyler hanging out. Carson and Carlos were so good with Tyler and Joss.


Michaela helping Tyler to climb the stairs. We were trying to get Tyler to poop because he hadn't pooped in 2 days. When he gets older this is something he will not want to know. He loved climbing. Going down was not so easy but Michaela ran him down the stairs and helped him have fun.


Carlos and Joss were best buddies. Carlos helped out so much and was great to Joss at whatever she wanted to do.


Carson opening his presents from Jody on New Years Eve.



Michaela's gifts from Jody for Christmas.



Carlos modeling his new shirt he received from Jody.


Grandma and Joss opening Grandma and Grandpas Christmas gift from all us kids. It's a composter. My mom has been recycling and trying to help the environment. We are helping her keep this challenge up.



My mom and Dad both loved this gift. My dad said he was going to buy one but we beat him to it. Yah for us!

Christmas in Texas

The icy roads on our way to Dallas. They were so icy that we could only go 25 to 40 miles an hour for over an hour. This made the trip seem even longer and slllooowwww.

On this great trip to Texas our windshield was blessed with a rock chip that spread to a great "smile". At least we had something to remember the roads in Wyoming and Colorado.


Some of the snow we saw on our way to Dallas. Notice how small the truck looks. The piles of snow were massive.


This is proof of how fast Juan was able to drive the Yukon for some time. Not even 40 miles an hour.

The boys enjoying some time playing football with Jose, Levi, Eric, and Juan
. This was a highlight of the trip. The old guys were sore but I won't tell who "they" are


Juan trying to not get caught. But Jose is just as competitive as Carson. He doesn't like to lose.


Great running by Carlos. Look at that stride!

Carson getting a pass but he didn't make it to far before he was two hand touched.


Juan and Michaela at David and Kendra's home. We stayed here for a couple days and enjoyed some great food.


Yes, this is a real pig. David cooked the pig and has fun doing it. I must say I did not want to eat any meat and did not. Michaela, Juan, Carlos, and Carson were brave but after seeing the pig, I lost my appetite for meat.

Mia and our Justin Bieber. Many people in Dallas say that Austin looks some what similar to Justin Bieber. I think Austin is much cuter and down to earth.


Jose going in for a big bite of the pig eye. We had our own FIGUEROA FEAR FACTOR. It was quite disgusting but they said it taste like any other bite of the pig.


Proof he really did eat the eye. YUCK!!!


Of course the Host could not be beat at his own home, David too ate the pig eye.


Even more proof. DOUBLE YUCK!!!


Michaela loving her gift exchange gift. She loved all her cousins and the time she had with them.


Carlos being silly and enjoying his gift too. He wanted more Ben 10 toys but maybe at his birthday in less than a month.


With the whole family together we couldn't pass up a chance to get a family picture. These are all of Juan's siblings and parents. Top: Juan, David, Maria,Ruben, and Liah. Bottom: Ruben and Juanita

All the grandchildren minus Jessica, who was in Mexico for college, Brenna and Jordan who were at their moms for the holiday season. Top: Austin and Eric Middle: Miranda, Michaela, Levi, and Elena 3rd row:Carlos Carson Ruben, Juanita, Isabella, Julia Bottom: Marco, Mia, Hannah


Our family picture with Juan's parents.


Carlos posing for his mother in David's backyard.


Can you tell I am tired. Michaela got this great shot. I was more than ready to be home. over 48 hours in a car is no fun.

This is what most of the kids did on the trip to Dallas. I must admit, I too took some great naps.


Carson slept the best on the trip. He is growing and I don't mind them all sleeping. It makes for a nice ride....No fighting over who knows what.

Michaela slept some too and had some great late nights with her cousins and uncles.


On our drive home we were able to see over 5 semi trailers off the road. The winds in Colorado and Wyoming were over 60 miles and hour that they advised those with small trailers to stop their travel. This is what happened to several semi trailers, they slid off the road....Note there is no snow or ice on the road. It was a great trip and short. I had a good visit but Juan enjoyed the trip. We hadn't seen some of his family in 2 years. A long time not to see your family.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa

Christmas with grandpa and grandma. They went all out this year and we had a great Christmas with them and look forward to Christmas with Joss, Tyler, Jody, Tate, and Juan's family in Texas .

The stockings were hung with care.

All the kids great to pose. Can't you tell Carson is loving this?


Michaela beginning to unwrap the BIG SURPRISE.

REALLY! Yes really, keep going. There is a gift you will like at the end of this box unwrapping. Michaela wanted to stop. She was tired of unwrapping so many gifts. It was funny because we had to convince her to continue to unwrap the boxes.

Michaela getting tired of opening one of her gifts. I believe this is the 7th or 8th box she is opening that has yet another box to unwrap.

Is this really what I think it is?

Finally the gift, a key to her own little car.


The BIG gift of the night. Yes, Michaela got a car for Christmas. No, it's not new but in pretty good condition. 1993 Toyota Corolla. White with snow tires, CD player, clean interior after grandma and I spent some 2 or more hours cleaning it. We looked all over. We didn't want a teenager to drive a car and wreck it fast so we bought a nice car for not so much so if needs be we wont be out that much money if it does have to visit the car cemetery soon. We hope never but only time will tell.


Michaela with her gifts from grandma. She loved all her gifts. Don't you love the hat?


Carson with his new 3 in 1 trainer for soccer. He wants to be able to shoot at the goal and get those amazing side corners hots. Practice will help that.


Carlos on his Christmas gift from his mom and dad. He was quite excited to get a new bike. He

has always had hand me downs and enjoys them but we thought he deserved a new bike.