Checking His List

One of the many great things about being at Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh's house for Christmas is the list... the to-do list that is, or lack thereof. So with only a handful of fun things to do / planned while we're visiting, it leaves a ton of room for nothing but relaxing at home, doing nothing, and taking naps!

But one of those fun things that was on our to-do list was to go visit Santa Claus at the local mall. So we got Allen all dressed up and made sure his list was ready so that when Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas, Allen would know exactly what to tell him!

We didn't realize how much of a zoo the mall was going to be on the Saturday before Christmas... needless to say, there was quite the line to see Santa that afternoon, but Allen was a very patient good little boy!

And then it was finally time to say hello to Santa!

"Are you really gonna give me everything I ask for, Santa?"

We were crossing our fingers Allen wouldn't cry and pitch a fit when we placed him on Santa's lap... and apparently that worked, because he was such a good boy!

And eventually he even smiled!

With the Santa visit such a success, Allen waited by the front door when we got home... waiting for Santa to show up and give him what he asked for. Obviously, Allen hasn't grasped the concept of Christmas just yet!

That evening, Moe-Joe begged, pleaded and twisted our arms to get out of the house. Dinner at Ruth's Chris and then seeing the new James Bond flick... just the two of us on 'Date Night'... what a treat! 

No need to worry about Allen on our night out... Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh had that well taken care of, and Allen was very much entertained! Thanks Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh for our much needed date night!

The End of the World

It looks like the Mayan prophecy of the world ending on the December 21, 2012 was wrong... and it was a good thing too, because we had a great day that would've otherwise been completely spoiled by the end of human civilization as we know it. But fear we didn't... as we slept in late, had a hearty breakfast, and then while everyone else was getting ready to go out, Moe-Joe & Allen had story time together.

We then found ourselves at the mall... where we made sure to drop Dad-Oh & Allen off at the playground while the ladies and I did a little shopping!

And right as we started to leave, we all got the biggest laugh... at Dad-Oh's expense of course! When Dad-Oh sat down with Allen, he immediately bolted for the meat & potatoes of the playground... while some other random kid (in the red) came up to Dad-Oh at the same time Allen was leaving and I assume asked him a question. I'm pretty sure Dad-Oh just shoo'd her away (get outa here kid!) as he looked at us and began to laugh!

But the highlight of the day came that evening when Jei & I slaved away in the kitchen cooking dinner for us all...

While Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh

(pretty much just Moe-Joe!) played with Allen.

And as we all sat down to enjoy the delicious meal together, Dad-Oh offered to say grace and was sure to thank whomever it was that decided to not end the world that day!

But if it did happen...

at least we were with family and were all very happy.

Silly Mayans!

Silence... Not So Golden!

With Dad-Oh asleep already... while the rest of us stayed up drinking and chit-chatting in the play-room, Allen was left to go explore the rest of the house on his own. He made plenty of noise... between the sound of his little walker racing across the tile and him yelling out gibberish, we could tell exactly where he was and if he was getting into any trouble or not. But when we suddenly realized just how quiet the house was, and that we couldn't hear him anymore... we knew it was time to stop what we were doing and check on our child!

I think we all were prepared for the worst... but fortunately it was only just a brand new paper towel roll completely unrolled and in a pile on the kitchen floor! So the damage wasn't too bad, but we certainly learned our lesson... for when it goes silent, our child is no doubt getting into some sort of trouble! So we were out a roll of paper towels that night, but it was definitely worth the huge belly laugh we all had for the remainder of the night!

Travel, Play, & Decorate

No matter how you slice it... flying coast to coast is a pain in the butt! Especially flying west to east and losing three hours... and especially with a 14-month-old who refuses to nap! So as usual, our travels were pretty much an all day event, and despite a few flight delays that were to be expected for this time of year, we managed to get into Orlando all in one piece. And as we walked off the airport tram on our way to get our bags, we met two of the biggest smiling faces we had ever seen... which undoubtedly made the frustrations of the all day plane travel worth every penny and every hassle imaginable!!! 

"Okay... on the count of three,

the first one that grabs him gets to hold him until we get to the car!"

After a super long day and finally getting in well past midnight, the three of us slept extremely well... and extremely late! By the time we got up it was almost noon, and a certain someone could hardly wait to finally get to play with a certain well rested smaller someone!

So while Moe-Joe and Allen went outside on a gorgeous warm sunny day to play and stroll around the neighborhood together... the rest of us were left alone, in the house, to do chores!

Dad-Oh was left in the kitchen to do... dare I say, the dishes!

(I know, I didn't believe it either, but proof is in the picture!)

Jei was left to look up ingredients online for all the dinners she's planning on cooking us... but I think she was just checking her Facebook!

And I was left to put up the Christmas tree!

Done!

"Don't worry Dad-Oh... you're good, I've got the ladder!"

Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh must have felt bad about me having to put up the tree and decorate it by myself... either that or they just wanted to get into the Christmas Spirit themselves, but either way, I ended up getting some much needed help!

Meanwhile... Santa's little helper

kept busy in the kitchen wrapping presents!

I think Dad-Oh was the only one who didn't sleep in...

which is why he was the only one who felt the need for a nap.

Well, maybe not everyone! Allen was able to convince Dad-Oh to join him on the bed for nap time that afternoon.

And while the boys slept, 

the girls sat outside and ate a late lunch.

But then nap time concluded...

and play time ensued!

Dad-Oh & Allen love playing by the pool!

All that silliness builds up an appetite... so while Allen snacked, Moe-Joe started decorating the tree... with the help from Allen of course. "No Moe-Joe! That one doesn't look good there. Put it higher!"

We had only one project to finish our first day here... and between the Christmas music blaring, untangling light strings, organizing tree limbs, putting up all the decorations, and keeping Allen from destroying everything, the all day family project finally came together that evening... and if you ask me, it turned out pretty darn good and was a huge success! 

Later that evening, Allen and his favorite playmate (until his cousins arrive!) hung-out in the office and continued to play and be silly!

We certainly didn't have to fight Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh for play time with Allen! As far as we were concerned, they could play, hang-out, and take care of him for as long and as much as they wanted...

While Jeilene & I relax and enjoy a nice break!

Most Wonderful Time

It's that time of year again... and since it is an even year, that can only mean one thing: Christmas in Florida! And with no stupid details to New Mexico (a la 2010), Jei and I can hardly wait to leave California and spend the Holidays with our family in the sunshine state! So with us obviously not being home, we felt there was no need to go all out on the decorations like we did last year. But Jei had only one request... that real or fake, we at least have some sort of Christmas tree up in the house. So although it wasn't much, it definitely reminded us of the most wonderful time of the year... and brought smiles to all of our faces!

Moe-Joe... Dad-Oh... Here We Come!!!

A Step in the Right Direction

So Allen's Tio (Uncle) J.R. was over this past weekend visiting... and if any of us thought this would happen during his short visit, we'd all be lying through our teeth!

Lord knows Jei & I tried doing the exact same thing with Allen time & time again and got nothing but temper tantrums for our efforts... so we have no idea why Allen decided to show off in front of his Uncle, but I don't think our feelings were hurt too bad... we were just glad it happened finally!

A Special Visit

Ever since moving into the new house and eventually getting to explore the neighborhood with walks and bike rides, I had always been curious as to the meaning and/or the significance of the white stars that were randomly painted on the streets throughout the neighborhood. And then one day earlier this year while on a walk, Alec mentioned that he finally figured out what those strange white stars were for. He said a buddy from work had told him that the stars painted on the streets around the neighborhood represent stopping points for Santa Claus when he visits the neighborhood children in December. Of course that was the silliest thing I had ever heard and totally didn't believe him... and would even poke fun at him for his crazy idea that Santa would take the time to visit each and every star around our neighborhood and even the city. But after doing some research online and asking around the neighborhood, I realized I had to eat a big plate of crow... for Alec was absolutely right! 

Needless to say,  I could not wait until the day Santa came to visit our star... which is just a hop-skip-and a jump down the street from our house. So I looked up the date online, circled the calendar, and told Alec that he better not miss this opportunity to accompany Allen and I to go meet Santa in our very own neighborhood! The city website stated that Santa would show up between 5:30pm and 9pm and that they would announce his arrival around the neighborhood by playing, "Here Comes Santa Clause" from some sort of mobile loudspeaker. Naturally, I was skeptical about hearing it from inside the house and was scared we would miss Santa... so although it was rather chilly outside, I made sure several windows were open and that Allen was content so as to not throw a screaming fit and drown out Santa's music! It was actually kind of a crummy day - rainy, cloudy & cold, so I wasn't sure if Santa was going to cancel his visit... but the three of us were bundled up and ready to go regardless! All of a sudden, I hear something... and then I go outside to confirm... and then run back inside yelling like a crazy lady, "I hear the music... I hear the music... Santa's coming!!!" as if I was five years old again! So Alec runs down and grabs the stroller and I grab my clueless child and we head out the door with smiles on our faces and eager to have Santa meet our cute little boy! 

We weren't the first ones at the star... but we were early enough to have prime position to watch Santa come down the street in his sleigh! I don't think Allen had a clue... but he very patiently waited, for he knew something was going down because there were small little kids running around everywhere!

We kept telling him that Santa was on his way... but I think Allen was still a little skeptical! After all, it wasn't Christmas, there was no Chimney, there was no snow, no tree, no fancy mall... just a weird random star painted on the street! (The big visit also functioned as a toy/food drive... so we made sure to bring a bag packed for the not-so-fortunate!)

We weren't waiting long before Santa made his grand arrival! But it appeared that Allen's parents were more exited to see the big jolly fella than he was... for all Allen was interested in was watching all the kids around him play on their scooters and skateboards!

We weren't real sure what to expect, so it ended up being a cool surprise to see Santa get off his sleigh and let all the children sit on his lap for pictures... while a small choir sang Christmas carols for the duration of the visit on Santa's Sleigh.

"Okay Allen, looks like you're next! Now remember what Mommy told you... make sure when Santa asks what you want for Christmas, you tell him all new cake pans! Got it?!"

And just as Allen finally got his chance to sit on Santa's lap,
he immediately spotted Rudolph and an Elf!

We weren't really sure how many people would show up... but were actually kind of surprised to see just how many who did! It was definitely a good thing that we were on the ball and one of the first ones there... which made visiting Santa, one of his Elves, and Rudolph a lot easier and that much more pleasant. But whether first in line or last, it still was a good time!

Thanks for the early visit Santa, see you in Florida!