Braden's new Toy!

Maria and Steve gave braden an electric truck for christmas. Today was the first time that he rode it. At first he was scared and reluctant, but Kaylee tried it out and even my niece, daniela tried it out. I even had to try it out so that braden could see that it wasn't scary and that it was fun to ride and drive it. After he rode on it for the first time he loved it and wouldn't get off of it. It was great. Here are some pictures.

After Christmas Shopping!!

I love to go shopping after christmas. On Friday we had some important things to do. Since Jorge is the ward clerk he needed to get all the new manuals for next year for each organization. So we all went with him to the Layton Distribution center to get that out of the way. After that it was time to head to the mall. First we went to DSW shoes to see if I could find some boots, and I did find them and they were cheap too!! Then we arrived at the mall and went in search for some books at deseret book (my parents gave jorge a giftcard). Jorge ended up spending close to 2 hrs searching for the books that he wanted to get, in the meantime I was entertaining the kids until we got tired of waiting for him that I said, "I am going to Childrens Place with the kids". So we went and found some great deals for kaylee and braden. Then finally Jorge was done and we were starving so we went to the foodcourt to get some lunch and after lunch it was my turn to see if i could find a dress or skirt for church. I did find a cute dress and finally we were exhausted from being in the mall for about 4 hrs. Later that day we went home and relaxed with the kids and played twister and watched a movie.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Celebrations!

Christmas Eve we got together at my sisters house. We ate some Puerto Rican food that consisted of Rice with Gandules, Salad, Roasted Lamb and for dessert: Arroz con Dulce and Majarete (Rice pudding). We really enjoyed the food. After dinner we went down to my sisters basement for a spiritual thought that my parents had prepared about the True meaning of christmas and we each shared an experience of our most memorable christmas. We then proceded to play Bingo, each person that won Bingo would get a small prize. After the game we danced for alittle bit and then talked till 12:30am. Christmas Day we had everyone over our house for our traditional christmas breakfast. I made homemade pancakes, with maple syrup, fruit salad, hot chocolate, bacon and juice. Everyone loved the breakfast. We then opened presents and played with the kids, and talked some more. Later in the day we all went out to eat chinese food(the only restaurant open on christmas day). We had a great christmas and I think our family became even closer.

Family Home Evening

Monday night we made a special Family Home Evening about the birth of JesusChrist. Jorge found different things for the kids to wear so that they could portray Mary and Joseph with baby Jesus. It was a cute way for them to learn the importance of the birth of our Saviour and we were able to feel the spirit.

Playdate with Taylor and Kai

Yesterday my good friend Jenny came with her kids to our house to have a play over. It was turn to have it over our house.The kids enjoyed themselves, played very well together and we decorated gingerbread cookies. They had a blast eating them and eating the frosting off of the piping bag. We had pizza for lunch and then it was time for them to go home and rest. We had a great time like always. Thanks Jenny, Kai and Taylor for playing with us. Next time we need to get together as a family and have dinner and have the husbands play some ping pong.

Green Elephant Party!

Last Thursday I had a Green Elephant Party with my girlfriends from High school. It was so fun to see each other and catch up with others lifes. Becky Smith was the hostess for this years party and she cooked dinner for us which turned out very delicious. We exchanged our gifts and talked some more and had a yummy pumpking cake for dessert that mandy made. It was a great time to reunite with my friends.

Christmas is coming!!

I am so excited for christmas this year. Is it because my kids are alittle older and they are excited themselves that Santa Clause is real and that he will bring presents for them? I don't know, but it is such a special time and this year more than others I feel it more in my heart. Maybe the financial circumstances that our country is in has to do with it and seeing that we are blessed to still have a job, an income to pay our mortgage with, food on our table, and the thought that even if we have struggled this year with one thing or another we can still say that our Heavenly Father has blessed us and that he is always on our side to help. And that in this time of season when our savior was born he is always there to support us and to lift the burden off of our shoulders once again.

Today we played in the snow and the kids enjoyed it again. We wanted to make snowmen but the snow is too dry and doesn't stick. We also made some cookies for jorge to take to his Home Teaching Families. And tonight I have the most anticipated party of the year with my High School girlfriends, I am totally excited not only because I get to see them but because I get a present!! I know, I am alittle selfish, J/K!! Yesterday the kids played with a Kareoke machine my sister let me borrow and I got them a new cd for it from the HSM 2 movie, it was fun and I even sang a couple of songs.

Weekend Fun

This weekend was a busy one, but relaxing at the same time. First, Jorge had his final on Thursday. We are so glad he is done for this semester. Hope he passes the test. On Friday night we took the kids to Chuckee Cheeses, they loved it and had alot of fun there. The pizza was actually pretty good. Then on Saturday morning we woke up early to go to our ward christmas breakfast party. It was snowing by then and very cold, we arrived at the church and they had a great turnout. We had great food and entertainment, Santa Claus came and took pictures with the kids and gave them a candycane. This year our ward decided instead of giving a small present to the children, they decided to have the families of our ward give a canned food donation to take to the food bank. I thought that was a great idea. Later that day Jorge and I went out on a date to see Four Christmases, with Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaghn. It was a hilarious movie and very cute. We then went to eat dinner and then proceeded in doing some quick christmas shopping for some last minute things but couldn't find what we were looking for at our local walmart, and again it gets postponed till further notice. the kids also had the opportunity to play outside in the snow with our neighborhood kids, they slide down the driveway of our accross the street neighbors and had alot of fun, They both played outside for about an Hour.

Will post soon.

Sorry for not posting so often now. My life is a little busy at the moment and I will be posting some things we did this weekend, soon.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

Yesterday evening we watched the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It was a great evening to reflect this time of year when our Savior JesusChrist was born in bethlehem in a manger. We are so lucky and blessed to know the gospel and to know that JesusChrist is our Savior and Redemmer and that He took all of our sins upon himself so that we wouldn't have to go through that suffering. He loves us so much. Just like Pres. Utchdorf said, this time of year we should think about the birth of JesusChrist and not so much on receiving and giving gifts that with the economic times maybe it is a blessing, so that we can think about the true meaning of christmas.

Merry Christmas!!
With Love, Yadira