A Very Cruz Christmas 2012 Edition

I've been saving up posting the last couple of weekends since I knew this would be a long one. Grab a cup of coffee and settle in.  I promise, I really didn't post every picture I took...

We spent Christmas Eve celebrating with the Cruz family at Jose and Gloria's house.  Luis got off work early that day and did some ancestry research that he's showing to his dad.

Cruz family friends Carmen and Leo Guzman.

Another Cruz family friend Melinda Cook with Gloria and Kendra.

Bros Joel and Luis.

And the cousins - Mason, Siena, Tristyn, Kendra, and Andre.

Siena is a little excited.

Happy kids getting ready to open presents.

And in they go!

Legos!!!!

Her very own video camera!!!  Siena was so excited about this.  She's always making, starring, directing, and watching films featuring herself.  Now maybe they don't all have to be on my phone.

Kendra wanted money...not sure she needed a bunch of one's in a Kleenex box...

Andre got his cash in the form of a fan.

Monster High doll!

Gloria and Jose had fun too I think.

X-wing fighters for the boys.

Santa Mason.

Santa Mama.

This is Christmas morning - bright and early.  We held the kids off until 7 am but then it was more present time!  Mason got the Lego White House set from Santa.  He had it put together by the end of the day.  Perfect gift for the kid who wants to be President.

Furby!!!

After opening presents, we went to Auntie Jo's to celebrate Christmas with the Torland side of the family.  Here's the morning spread:

Here's Rory looking adorable.

Heidi and Dan.  And coffee.

The big girls - Siena, Ellia, and Jocelyn.

Mason scored a new Nerf shooter.

Auntie Jo explains the rules of the gift exchange...no cheating, no collusion...

Siena displays a Monster High art set.

Heidi got a Timbers mug.  Of course this ended up at our house with Luis.

I'm going in!  Must choose wisely.

Dan photo bomb.

Papa Ron and some bungee cords.

Family picture with Grandpa Art who is now 95.

Mom, Siena, and I check out the 2012 book Auntie Lou gave to my parents.

We're having fun, right ladies?

Mom and her pal Rookie.

After that party, it was back to our house to open presents with my parents.  Mason was so pleased with his new black leather jacket.  Cool dude.

Out with the old wisk, in with the new.

Our little chemist.

We had a wonderful holiday and hope you did too!!

Sushi and Dancing

Mason started basketball last weekend but unfortunately those pictures didn't turn out great.  We'll get some better ones though as there are still a lot of games to be played. Mason and I have also been working on dribbling and passing in the garage on days he doesn't have practice to help him get better.

After his game last Saturday we went to our family's favorite restaurant Sushiland for dinner.  For fun I took some pictures.  Here's the boys.

Siena and her crab salad.

The sushi conveyor belt in action.

Looks like we went through a lot of plates.

After another busy week of work and school, it was another busy weekend with basketball and dance.  Mason had another game yesterday and got to play this morning on the Blazers court!  Luis got some video of that and I'll add a link later.  Also this afternoon was Siena's Christmas dance recital!  Below are some shots from the dress rehearsal.  Luis got some video of the actual performance which we'll add later.

It was Siena's first performance without any big dancers helping and she (and all the girls) did so well.  They knew their routine inside and out and danced amazing.  We are so proud!

Here she is with her big brother Mason!

She lost another tooth last weekend so now she has several holes to show off in her cute toothless grin.

After her performance, big brother Mason presented her with half a dozen pink roses!  She loved them.  They are in a vase in her room now.

Here's our special dancer!

We're not sure what activities Siena is going to start in January. She still likes dancing but also wants to try gymnastics and team sports next fall so we'll just play it by ear and let her try what she wants to try.

After dance we went to dinner with Yaya and Papa Ron.  It was a nice dinner and fun day.