the hangover

wait, before you get any ideas.  this is not the kind of post that will include embarrassing pictures, at least not embarrassing pictures that i can't remember.  i am talking about a holiday hangover.  it feels like we have been celebrating all week month.

let me start by saying that this is the first christmas in a long time where i never really felt overwhelmed by all of the christmas rush.  we had things under control and were on top of lists and money, 2 things that usually having me going crazy by christmas.  there were some last minute decisions and adjustments but in the end it all worked out, thanks to santa and his helpers.

the real festivities started at the brockett christmas celebration last weekend.  the commissioner of christmas (for our district) laid out the plans for the traditional family gift exchange.  no seriously this group has a commissioner of christmas.  we exchanged gifts with just the little ones (under high school age).  and it worked out so well.

much needed new books

a barbie convertible

right up his alley

we had turkey with stuffing, ham and all the fixings.  and this is where i made my first chocolate trifle.  this dessert is so easy and lovely.  thanks go out to uncle ed for helping with the structural plans.

trifle with hot fudge

as always, it was a wonderful family day.  thanks to becky and mike for letting us come over. and to gigi and great grandpa for this beautiful family.

next celebration was with mom and tom.  they made the brutal trip up to see us.  brutal because it took them 4 hours to get here from orange county.  at one point they were literally standing on the freeway for 40 minutes. although the trip was rough we were so glad that they spent some time with us.

and the kids got more of what they wanted.

we had pizza and cookies from our favorite pizza place.  everyone was happy.

on christmas eve while we were busy getting ready for christmas the kids turned these 99 cent trader joe's gingerbreads

into these works of art.

alien gingy and rapunzel

we went to burbank for christmas eve with the family.  there was italian food,  more presents and the second chocolate trifle.

trifle with chocolate pudding

we opened up our christmas pajamas

thanks mrs. claus

got the kids to bed and watched midnight mass at the vatican.

in the morning the kids stayed busy playing with their toys from the night before.  they were so patient while we waited for my parents and the coffee.

then it was gift opening time.

and, ok, one embarrassing picture of all of us in our pajamas.

and hot chocolate croissants for breakfast.

for the afternoon session bob, d, angela and mike came over.  more presents were opened.

i made angela and mike an album with pictures from their engagement party, engagement photos, bridal shower and wedding.  it came out really nice and i think they liked it.

others of us got piggy banks with lots of change, a new point and shoot camera, a trip to disneyland, and a kindle.  so excited for that.

then we prepped for the evening portion of our day, the camacho family christmas.  this year we were able to get all of our families together on christmas day, instead of christmas eve.  and it was at our house.

we had the world's best lasagna, that really is the name of the recipe, fettuccini alfredo and salad.  we exchanged gifts and had such a great time.

after a bit of a battle we were able to get sofia into her christmas dress and out of her room.  but i never got her to brush her hair or a good picture of her.

and i am so excited to try out my new cookbook.

wow.  did that make anyone else dizzy and pass out.  it was a week full of amazing memories and some pretty awesome food and gifts.  we are recuperating today before we head off to the snow.

we hope everyone enjoyed their christmas as much as we did.

currents

listening: my holiday 2010 playlist.
eating: huevos rancheros. i know it's 4pm but it's been a long day. making pizza for dinner.
drinking: cafe con leche, what else should i drink with eggs?
wearing: mickey mouse t-shirt, black velour pants and flip flops. 
feeling: scattered, and preoccupied. hopefully that will change.
weather: crazy.  warm and beautiful today.
wanting: to do reverb 10.  love the concept, just need to write.
needing: to address our christmas cards.  it's pathetic that we've had them for over a week.
thinking: about christmas, presents, food, parties, cards, lots to get organized.
enjoying: that it's friday afternoon and a good weekend awaits us.
wondering: if i should order a gift from etsy or just make it myself.  it's a matter of time v. money.




we've been:

to disneyland.  well california adventure with sue and the kids.  and then b and i went to disneyland where the decorations were beautiful but the lines were too long.  we did see the candlelight procession which was worth it.

making art.  i was art helper for andrew's class and the kids made holiday cards based on the artist henri matisse.  we learned about abstract art, positive and negative images and how to use the color wheel.  and i got to make a card too. i didn't do much helping, the kids are pretty independent.  but i did get to make my own card.

baking, decorating and eating christmas cookies.  loved the star wars cookies, the santa and reindeer balls and the refrigerator cookies.  oh who am i kidding?  we loved them all.

christmas shopping and loving the holiday campaigns.  even if they are geared toward consumerism, they still have a sentimental message.  i guess it is what you make of it.

playing loteria.  this girl is obsessed with this game.  it's fun to listen to her repeat the words in spanish.  spanish is her thing right now.  she's been calling me "nena" and b "capitan".  those are my families nicknames for us.  but it's funny to hear her say them.  and she also like to pose like this

what . .. what.

enjoying the boys' holiday concert.  can you spot them? 

devouring these.  i got the last 2 bags at trader joe's today. they are dangerously good.


have a good weekend.

welcome december

can you believe it?  december already.  yikes.  trying not to freak out. but there is so much that needs to get done before the end of the month.

• work at the holiday boutique
• celebrate bobby's birthday (happy birthday love!)
• celebrate mikey's birthday
• celebrate mom's birthday
• celebrate dad's birthday
• go the CHA holiday concert
• send out christmas cards (already ordered, that's a plus)
• work on my december daily.  that's my cover.
• bake cookies, lots of cookies.
• make tamales
• celebrate posadas at weekday
• buy some gifts
• make some gifts
• wrap all the gifts
• tweet
• celebrate christmas with our various families
• go to kernville
• plan jordan's birthday
• organize the middle school holiday lunch
• go to the weekday holiday party
• go to jordan's swim banquet
• see some lights
• drinks lots of caramel brulee lattes from starbucks, ok just a couple
• pick my word for 2011

the good news is that the house is decorated, the tree is up, and we have lots of lists and a few things checked off already.  this is such a great time of year for us.  and we will try to get it all done and have fun.  

happy december everyone.