Merry Christmas 2012

I think the worst day of the year is December 26th. We've been building up Christmas for a month, everyday is exciting as we get closer and closer, we have fun activities planned that we look forward to pretty much weekly, the day comes and it's awesome... aaaaaand then it's over. The end. Hmmmmm... maybe I should plan a day after party of sorts. On the other hand, it is nice to just sit back, relax, enjoy quiet time and just be. So... maybe not. Anyways, this year I gave myself a little pep talk before the holiday, and told myself that no matter what I would not stress. And I am proud to say, it worked pretty well. Sometimes balancing time, money and family can get stressful. But, we had a wonderful, for the most part stress free holiday. It was as enjoyable as could be, not to say my emotions were completely gone, but I didn't worry or stress, because that changes nothing. It only took me about 7 years to figure out. Really, we have our holidays worked out well and I feel so blessed with how nicely it all ends up being every year.

Christmas Eve: Wes and I woke up early and headed out to Chino to join Fred and Sandie for breakfast at the Avocado House. Seriously, I just adore that place, and it was so fun to see so many friendly faces. We weren't able to stay long which was the only bummer, but we had so much fun!!!

 Then we went to the annual Todd party. The theme of 2012: Asian Christmas

 Don't get eliminated!!!!!!!!!!!

 Our family went as Godzilla and King Kong and a common/scared civilian. As we were preparing our costume we realized how truly bad it was and then liked it all the more and just went with it. In the end it was not so much Godzilla and King Kong as some weird Jap-Anime creatures, so take it however you want, and we accept.

 

 Nana and Boppie and the kidlets. Willy refused to take photos without Sarah, so pretend she is just a podium of sorts.

Pinata time and the traditional ringing of the Christmas Eve gong.

 All the cousins had their bag on their heads like hats, so she just had to do it. After Asher had an incident all the kids were happy to replace the bags with pinata "hats".

 

 We had  lots of Asian food, which included mushroom soup, P.F. Changs lettuce wraps (my fav), fried rice, rice krispy sushi, etc. Although we did also add in some not so traditional Asian food like spinach dip, and shrimp, and junk.

We also put on our annual nativity with the kids. This year we had the happiest Jesus ever!!!

 William was a wise man "Mongolian" who couldn't stand in one place long enough to really be part of the production. Peyton and Claire took their roles as angels VERY seriously, Asher was very Linus like in his efforts as a shepherd, and Carter and Ella loved their "main" parts. Even enough to walk out holding hands. The Hamiltons, including Ryan, had to leave earlier in the day to make it to Adam's families party.

 

 

What I failed to get pictures of during the day was the kids attempt at a treasure hunt; which started, had, and ended in competitive tears. We also had some crafts, lots and lots and lots of present opening, launching paper lanterns (Tangled like) into the sky (perhaps illegally, but it was pretty awesome), the bigger boys playing football, white elephant gifts, and a dance party.... gangnam style. Along with the dancing we had some musical numbers by the kids too.

Some fun videos though.

go to 1 min mark for the goodness of this video below... Pete and Repeat

Christmas Day:

Morning

This was the first year we stayed home on Christmas morning. In the past we have spent the night at my parents, then headed straight to Wes' parents afterward. Well, since Peyton is getting older we thought this would be a good time to start to our own traditions at home on Christmas morning and lemme tell ya, it was glorious!!! 

First tradition we did stems from my family. On Christmas Eve night we color and decorate the back of wrapping paper. Then before bed we hang the paper across the hall, blocking the Christmas tree, stockings and all presents. In the morning we all wake up together, pray, read scriptures then run through the paper (football banner style) and reveal all of the spoils. We actually had to wake her up around 9:15. The first thing she says when we told her Santa came, was "he brought me candy?!"

We weren't sure how Peyt would do with the paper, but Wes crawled under to video tape her, and she was ready. I had to hold her back, and she had a huge smile on her face the whole time. She didn't break through exactly, but gingerly ran head first into it. I finished off the job. :)

We then opened stockings and presents.  I've mentioned it before, but we were so blessed this year and this girl got so many fun fun toys from so many people who love her, both friends and family. Then we spent the rest of the morning playing with our toys. I truly had so much fun the whole morning organizing Peyton (and the babies) room. Wes with the help of our good friend Jacob Bock made me (and the kids) a beautiful toy box. I love it. That's an understatement. I needed it, love it and adore it. It makes me so happy. Then we leisurely got ready and headed over to the Aleman household for the rest of the day.

Yes, you will have to deal with an overload of Peyton opening her presents on a bad quality camera pictures. Because there was NO WAY I was getting in any of these, and Wes had the camera most of the morning.

Check out the flapping arms of excitement.

Enjoy the irony of this one... candy in one hand and a new toothbrush in the other. Funny things is I don't know which one she was more excited about.

Our BOMB.COM new toy-box. I'm lovin' it!

Baby Snow White has been sleeping with her ever since... and she gets excited to go to bed now.

And a box of books... used books given to us, but does she know that... nope. And does she love them... yup.

And when I asked for a smile I either got this weird face....

or this elf face

Afternoon and evening
At the Aleman Sr. household. A little bit of deja-vu this year as it took everyone forever to get there... minus Patrick and Kati who are always there keeping us company. So, the 6 of us (including Fred and Sandie) ate lots of snacks and waited for the rest of the family to show up. Once everyone arrived we got down to business. Presents and a yummy ham dinner. Then we played Sandie's super fun memory game, that comes with awesome prizes. Wes and I always aim to get the Benihana gift card so that our anniversary dinner we do every year is not an issue. ;) I must admit I am so crazy competitive I actually get anxiety when playing games. Regardless of prizes, I just can't play for fun... I need professional help people. Anyways, I am excited to use our gift card, although this year we may be a party of 3 at dinner and have to go a little after our actual anniversary.

In case I haven't mentioned it before on here (not likely) Sandie is the best party planner, always has fun games, whimsical snacks and delicious food. Example, this cute little multi-layered jello she came up with. How fun is that?!

Tug and Peyton playing with toys together.

However, Peyton's favorite "toy" of the night were these bubble wrap sheets. In fact she went and put her own boots on so she could jump on them better. 

Some of the family.

So... on a side note, I can't even tell you how many times I said to Wes, "let's make sure to get one family picture today. We never have anything on Christmas of us." Guess what? I failed to take even a single photo. Major fail.

Some of the aunts and uncles also pitched in to get Delanie and Peyton these cute princess outfits. Well, as soon as Peyton opened it and saw it was Tinkerbell she immediately gasped and said I want to fly. So, we put the outfit and wings on and she "flew" with her little arms waving all around the room. I love her funny, outgoing and willing to perform personality. This 2nd baby better be even half as cool as her. ;)

So again I can call Christmas of 2012 a major success. We had fun, we spent lots of time with our friends and family, we thought about the Savior and were given many examples of his goodness by those around us. We felt his love, and hope to have shared some to others. So, from our family to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Love,
The Aleman Family

(P.S. We did not get around to Christmas cards this year, hopefully next year. But, we loved yours and appreciate those who thought of us. And don't judge too harshly this photo, I was 39 weeks preggo here. though the rest of the family is looking pretty good if I do say so myself.)