Farewell 2009.

So another year has passed and I think it's been a great one. It's been the first year in a while that I haven't had a baby on my hip. I've had a little more freedom this year. I competed in a beauty pageant, which seems like an odd dream, and I've learned to do so many new things like sewing, making bread, making bows, and teaching children. I feel so much better about myself. I'm more confident and sure of myself, which is such a nice thing to find after so many years. I'm comfortable in my own skin and like the woman that I'm turning out to be. I have made such good friends this year and Miguel and I actually get to go out once in a while on a date. I love my children more and we have definately had some adventures together. Remember hiking to Battle Creek Falls by myself! We've been to Yellowstone and froze our rears off. I've been to NYC with the fam. Life treats me pretty good, I'd have to say. So here's to all that awaits in 2010. I hope it is just as good!

Christmas at our house.

Christmas was at our house this year. All of the Ruiz clan was at our house except for his brother's family. So it was a house full of little girls. Eight to be exact. We had an amazing dinner. We all voted it in as the new tradition. Fillet Steaks...seriously people. It was so ridiculously good. The kids table.
The grown up table.

Grandma made the famouse Mexican Christmas punch. It was so good. It's kind of like hot apple cider, but better.

We held our annual Christmas bingo. Each adult was paired with a kid.

This was the hit of the evening. I made some more of the cinnamon bread and no kidding a loaf would disapear in less than five minutes. Paired with the punch, it was to die for. We burned through four loaves in one evening.

After bingo, we made sugar cookie dough with the hopes of making cookies for Santa. We never got to that part unfortunately. Then the gift giving began. It was mayhem. The kids got some fun things from everyone.

Once everyone left, Gabriela paniced because the night before I told her that Santa was going to check to see if her room was clean and if not, he might not leave her gifts. I also told them that if they didn't hurry and get in the bed, Santa was going to fly by their house because they weren't asleep yet. I've never seen them get in bed so quick. We cleaned up and settled in for a long night.

On Christmas morning this is what our living room looked like! Santa did come and apparently the girls were pretty good this year.

Gabriela got a Barbie dream house, a cupcake making set, some clothes and accessories, and a stocking full of surprises.

Julianne got a baby doll set and some play food.

The pics I took of Sophia didn't turn out so good, but she got a Barbie horse, her own camera, and a computer.

On Christmas morning, we made a good breakfast complete with Reindeer pancakes. It was fun and will be one of our traditions.

When I looked over, this is how Sophia was eating her breakfast.

We then opened gifts from our own family and from my parents.

The girls gave each other new dance clothes that are so dang cute!

They also got new princess dress ups.

Sophia liked the dress ups Grandpa Steve gave her.

They also got a lot of other fun things, even though I don't have pictures.

Gigi gave them this beauty. Their own Barbie Mustang. It was so funny because they were playing on it for about five minutes and Gabriela says, "but I wanted a real car, you know, one that moves and that I can drive." Miguel then taught Sophia to push the pedal and it jerked forward. All of their eyes lit up and it scared them a bit, but then busted out in laughter. Every time Sophia mashed the gas pedal she would start laughing all over again. Unfortunately it's like twenty degrees outside and snow on the ground, so they only can go about four feet forward and backward. It has a working radio and everything. They love it and Julianne just loves sitting in it.

Gigi helped Santa out this year and made this adorable apron for her to go along with her cupcake making basket. She made us muffins this morning. Thanks Gigi and all of our family for helping us make this a special Christmas for the girls. We love you all and hope you had a very Merry Christmas!

I'm Not a Bread Making Virgin anymore!

O.k. so I can't believe I said that, but oh well. It's late and I'm exhausted. I'm a little delirious, but I couldn't go to bed without reporting my big initiation into serious womanhood. I MADE MY FIRST BREAD FROM SCRATCH, BY MYSELF. Well almost. My good friend supported me along the way and was an extra pair of hands when I needed her, but I finally did it. They turned out a little odd shaped, but I think it tasted pretty good. It was yummy cinnamon bread. I got a tutorial from a lady, who used to own a bakery in Georgia, and she showed me the ropes. I feel so accomplished. Like I've connected with women throughout history. I know that's silly, but I'm just being honest. Pretty soon, I'll be slaughtering my own meat, washing my clothes by hand, and using cloth diapers. No way, jose. Just kidding. I do wash all my dishes by hand though.

As a side note, we made a quick visit to Santa this evening as well. I think he was tired and wasn't very annimated. It was kind of a ba humbug experience.

Gumby

Do you see any resemblance?
Today during dance class, Gabriela surprised us all with this move. I haven't seen her do it this well ever. She said her teacher said, "today, we're going to try to get our heads off the floor." Well low and behold, Gabriela pops up with this. It caught all the mom's attention and her teacher's.

Here comes Santa Claus.

So we got to meet Santa at the ward Christmas party. The girls were so excited all day and when he came in jingling his bells, they went straight for him. Julianne bailed on them. Sophia told him she wanted a horsey that only she can play with and Gabriela wants her own car.

This is the girls waiting patiently for their turn. Julianne was fine up until the moment we threw her into his arms.

Just for the record, Sophia does have a clean face, well at least most of the time. She was eating her brownie when Santa came in and Miguel insisted that I leave it. I'm just capturing reality people. It is what it is.

Jumping off the Walls!

While Papi was trying to take a power nap in Sophia's bed, the girls decided to do this.

They were catching some serious air until Gabriela came down and hit her chin on her knee catching her tongue inbetween. After the bloody mess, the game ended.

Spaghetti Head.

Spaghetti face. That's all I'm going to say. Whenever we have this meal, this is the end result.

Dinner Dilema

O.k. so yesterday I went though a lot of trouble and fixed this fancy turkey cranberry wreath for lunch. My kids just pick through it and turn their noses up so when dinner arrived, I was not very enthused about making anything. So I didn't. When Miguel arrived, I told him that I had no idea what we are having and if he had any suggestions. He said eggs. I just let him take the reins and we ended up with eggs, bacon, toast, and black beans with cheese. Can you tell we worked this out together. I 'll have you know, those girls sat right down and didn't make one complaint over it and ate it all. Why do I try again? The simpler the better. Don't mix anything together, just serve all the ingredients seperately and they'll love it. Good grief! My poor pallette is suffering for an infusion of flavor, but I guess it will have to suffer for several more years until the girls are older.

One other thing, buffets are your friend if you have kids. I used to be a buffet snob growing up, but since I've had kids, I love them. You can keep on pickin' till they find something they will eat. It's great! I love you "Chuck A Grandma". That's what Gabriela calls it. Although I personally think Golden Corral has a much better selection and taste better.

A Ladies Date!

The girlies and I have been waiting a long time to see this and we all loved it. I took Gabriela and Sophia with me today. It was Sophia's first time to the movies and she was amazed, at first, by the huge screen. She eventually got ants in her pants and wouldn't sit still no matter where I put her. She would melt and slide down my lap every five minutes. That being said, Gabriela was a champ, and was soaking it up. I loved all the Southern characters and the thick accents. The "Shadow Man" was a little creepy and the voodoo was a little dark, but all the great music overshadowed it and we really liked the story. The music is by far the selling point of this film and we all love happy endings, now don't we. Once it was over Gabriela asked me if she could watch it again when we got home.

I'm glad we've got it all figured out.

The other day, while sitting at the table together, Gabriela and I planned out our future. I told her that she can't move away when she gets big and gets married. I'll miss her too much. (I know, I know, I shouldn't brain wash my child), but she shows a sudden spark and says, "don't worry Mom, I'm gonna move next door in that house (referring to the duplex the family owns). Just tell Papi he has to save it for me and when I get big and get married, I'll move over there."

Well hey, that was easy. Sounds like a plan to me. I just love that kid too much to let her go. Maybe it's because I miss my own Mom too much and I don't want Gabriela to do that to me. Sorry Mom!

Gabriela's Dance Concert

Gabriela had her Christmas concert for dance last night. It was a wild night for me, because I had to juggle all three of the kids by myself. It was definately one of those moments where I realized I am truly outnumbered. I had to stop by McDonalds to get dinner and tried to get them to eat on the way up there, but of course they weren't done so I had to carry it all in. Once there I had to put Gabriela's makeup on and while doing it I look up and see her class holding hands and walking down the hall. I shooed her off with red lipstick smeared all over her lips. Then it was on to the battle of the chocolate milks. Julianne wanted to carry hers around with no lid and when I refused she made a big fuss. What made the whole situation worse is that all the other mom's were there with No Siblings. I was the only one putting on a show with my entourage. Then Julianne, bless her soul, knocks over a chocolate milk and there are no napkins in the bathrooms to clean it up with. I have to resort to toilet paper. I guess while I'm distracted with that mess, Sophia grabs the makeup bag and hides behind me and is smearing black mascara all over her face. Gabriela is back by this point and I have a friend of mine putting makeup on her, because I can't seem to catch a break. I tried to take a couple of pictures and the next thing I know my other friend brings Sophia out from behind a corner and she has now got red lipstick smeared on the bottom half of her face. I was at my wits end by now. Where is Miguel? I was just trying my best to put on a happy face and grin and bare it. Thanks to all the mom's who saw my desperation and pitched in to help. Gabriela is the one inthe middle back row.
Julianne was excited to cheer Gabriela on.

Sophia and her mascara face.

Oh, but I forgot to mention the outfits. These beauties are sponsored by my ever so talented Mom. The were the hit of evening and we got so many compliments and looks. Someone even thought they were costumes for the show. I LOVE THEM!!! Oh and if you see us at any Christmas function in December, the girls will probably be wearing them. I've got to get as much use out of them as possible.

O Christmas Tree

When I was a little girl and would visit my aunt Marianne in FL at Christmas time I would covet her Christmas Tree. It was completely decked out in Hallmark ornaments. I would spend hours looking at each little ornament and wishing so bad I could pluck one off for myself. Well I restrained myself, but now that I'm all grown up, I've committed to having one for myself. Ever since my first Christmas with Gabriela, I've let the girls pick their own ornaments from the store. It's so fun to see what their interests are and it brings life and memories to our tree. We went today, and these are the ornaments they chose. Sophia chose a Barbie riding a horse, which is perfect because everytime she meets someone, her one-liner is, " I ride a horse." She's referring to her pony rides at Thanksgiving Point, but it must have really made an impression because she tells everyone that still. So now, every Christmas I will remember that when we pull that little gem from the box.

Gabriela chose a Barbie ballerina. She loves her dance classes and it will symbolize the year she started dance and her love for Barbie's right now.

Oh and Julianne, well this photo was taken after she threw the worst temper tantrum of her short life. You can't really see her ornament, but it is a baby bear sitting in the mommy bear's lap reading a story. That's her favorite thing to do right now, so I though it was fitting. I love how she backs up and then just plops down. I want to put a beeper on her, because she reminds me of a fork lift backing up into my lap.

I love the tradition and can't wait as the tree fills with memories over the years.

My dad helped us get a new fake Christmas tree this year and he has been dying to see a picture of it, so this one's for you Dad.

Just a little taste of what our tree looks like!

New York, New York, New York!!!

This past weekend I headed for the big city of NY with my mom and sisters. All in all we had a good time. My mom was so sweet to bring us all together and should earn a special blessing from up above for putting up with all the drama, but I won't go into that. The first night we ate at Tavern on the Green and it was yummy. This was my second time to the city, but watching the amazement of these first timers was a lot of fun. You wouldn't know by looking at it that I'm the oldest child. I look like a pip squeak upside these girls. And there is a six and seven year gap between me and those girls. We stayed right on Time Square which was fun and so convienient.

We hit holiday shopping at Macey's.
I hand delivered Gabriela and Sophia's letters to Santa to this giant mailbox at Macey's. Despite what you might think...I'm not pregnant. Note to self: don't button one button on your jacket when you've got a gazillion layers underneath.

I don't think my feet have ever hurt so bad from all the walking. On the third day there, we were able to go out to the Statue of Liberty and go up inside to the crown. It was awesome.

It rained that entire day and we had no umbrella. I sure as heck wasn't going to pay $8 for a poncho, so I just toughed it out for awhile.

Once we got off the ferry, it started to down pour. Some gentleman, and that's being kind, was selling umbrella's for $5 to all the suckers coming off the boat. We grabbed two and in less than 5 minutes the wind took my mom's. It was ridiculous, but gave us a good laugh.