The Love That Goes Into A Gift

Every year I try to think of ways to personalize and put some thought into the gifts we give.  This year, I made my sister and my best friend some canvas pictures as decorations for their bedrooms.  Both of them always ask me for ideas to decorate, so I thought this would be a great gift.  So I decided to buy the perfect fabric to go with their decor and make them myself.  We bought some wood and I asked Grant to make the frames for me.  A few minutes into making the frames, Grant came up from the basement (where he was working on the frames) and very calmly said "honey, I nailed myself".  It took me a while to know what he meant.  It actually took me until he showed me his hand that I figured out what he meant. 
This is what I saw:

My jaw just dropped.  We all got in the car and headed to the ER.  (and we thought we were all clear from going to the hospital for the year).  After an X-ray the doctor said that the nail didn't get any bone or nerves so decided just to pull it out. (here's a video...if you like seeing that kind of stuff). 

During our stay at the hospital we heard a few personal stories about doctors that have also done that.  That made Grant feel a little better.  The doctor also took a picture for his future lectures and interns. 

A little Iodine, band aid and a tetanus shot, and we were all done.  All that's left is two tiny scars on each side of his thumb and the found memory every time we see those canvas pictures.

We can say there was lots of love, sweat and pain that went into those gifts. (No blood got on the frames)

Now, let's all cross our fingers that that was the last trip to the ER or Hospital this year! Do you think we can make it? One thing is for sure...I'm thankful for insurance!

Traditions of Christmas 2010

This year we decided to do Christmas a little different but familiar to us.  Every year I can't help but to reminisce about my childhood Christmases and every year I feel the need to add some of those traditions to our traditions.  This year we decided to make Guatemalan tamales.  When we were little I remember how cool it was to watch my mom, grandma and aunts laughing and making tamales on Christmas Eve day.  So this year, even though it was only my sister Pinky's family and ours, we made tamales.  The girls, Drew and Ruby, also helped.  My sister's house was filled with the awesome aromas that took us back to those Christmases in Guatemala.  It was amazing.  I am hoping that we can keep up this tradition and hopefully add more family to the mix. 

As usual, on Christmas Eve, the children went to bed as the grownups stayed up chatting.  Santa came at midnight as usual and the children woke up to unwrap their presents.

Santa decided to take our presents to our house.  So, Drew decided we should chase after him.  On the way we ran into one of the reindeer crossing the street! Through the foggy night we kept getting glimpses of Rudolph's nose until we finally got home. 
Drew was so excited to see lots of gifts under the Christmas tree and even a half drunken glass of milk that Santa got himself, since we forgot to leave some out for him.

Frankie was in California with his dad and got to open his presents here at home yesterday, Sunday Dec. 26th.  He was surprised to see that Santa as we should expect was very forgiving and got him another iPod even though he lost the one he got last year. 

Drew got a Lala Loopsy from Abuelita which was a hit! and Frankie got a Fushigi ball.

All and all it was a great Christmas!



Christmas Concerts 2010

We were so proud of both of our kids as we watched them perform.  Frankie performed with the Oak Canyon's Encore Choir and Drew with her kindergarten class.

Snow! Snow! Snow!

We got lots of snow today and Drew and I had a chance to build a snowman. It was fun spending time together with her. We both love the snow!

So Close

Although our basement is not completly finished it is pretty close.  Here are some pictures.

D is for Drew

Here's some pictures I found on my phone from when we went to New York and we didn't have our camera with us. 

This was at one of the playgrounds at Central Park. 

Alice in Wonderland at Central Park

On the way to the zoo at Central Park

Waiting for the Ferry to go to Ellis Island

Some more random pictures of Drew.

This one is on crazy hair day at school.

Drew fell asleep on the way to a Halloween Party.

At her preschool graduation

Baby Clarification!

I feel the need to clarify.  A lot of you actually fell for the title of the blog "It's a boy" but in the actual post I also said "OR A GIRL".  Sorry for the confusion.  We did not find out what the baby gender is and will not until he or she is born. We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for the great blessing to add one more child to our family and we will be happy with either.

It's A Boy!!!!

OR A GIRL!!!

Just wanted to get your attention.  We are doing it again.  We are going without finding out what the gender of our sweet baby is.  Call us crazy, but we love surprises!

It was so fun to see the baby moving so much. At one point he/she kept putting his/her hand against my belly and it looked like he kept giving us five!
Here are some ultrasound pictures.  We also were able to get a DVD of the ultrasound but for some reason only like 5 seconds recorded :S. If you look at the video, the baby is facing down, the head is on the left, feet on the right, spine on the top of the screen.