Christmas Vacation

On the first day of Christmas, we went to Clackamas Town Center to see Santa.  After standing in line for 20 minutes and not moving one inch, the kids and I bailed.  Not without a visit to Orange Julius though.

On the second day of Christmas, I drove to Hillsboro to collect Luis' paycheck and then to a memorial service.

On the third day of Christmas, we went again too see Santa.  This time we went to Pioneer Place downtown rather than crazy busy suburban Clackamas Town Center.

The view from line wasn't bad though.

And the kids were happy and patient.  Plus, the wait was way less than that on Monday.

On the fourth day of Christmas, I went crazy cleaning the house.  For some reason this affliction hits me after I've been off of work for a few days.  Now I have the year long task of trying to maintain this level of organization.  Plus, the kids and I made this gingerbread house!

On the fifth day of Christmas, Siena's friend Alyssa came over for a fun playdate!

On the sixth day of Christmas, it was Christmas eve.  We told the kids they could each open a present after lunch.  Of course, they were ready for lunch at 8 am.  Finally, lunch came and was time to open a present.

Supervisory duty.

We gave Mason an electrical circuit set for which there are several hundred projects such as lights, music, and a fan that flies up into the air.  It is pretty fun.

I made cookies.  Caramel, chocolate, and pecan cookies.

We celebrated Christmas eve with the Cruz family.  Here is Jose and my sister in law Sara.  Sara made flan.

Luis displays the cheese.  We have no idea what this cheese is called but it's very good.  Luis' family eats it with guava paste.

Junior and Kendra demonstrate the cheese and guava paste.

Festive Gloria and Jose.

Awww.

Another Puerto Rican Christmas classic - the blood sausage.  Yes, this is stuffed intestine.  I have no issue with eating stuffed intestine, but it's a little too spicy for my liking.

Up close.

Luis embraced the music.

So did the kids.

And then I was attacked.  They may look small, but they're spirited.

Mandi and Joel.

Somehow Gloria and Luis, the 2 non-drinkers of the bunch, were convinced to do a shot.

Pffffff.....

Must...get...flavor...out...of...mouth...

Family shot.

All the kids were very excited to open presents.

Matching Lego helicopters!

And matching doodle pets.  These are cool in that the girls can color their animals and then wash them clean again.

Uncle Joel offers Mason some advice on his new toy.

Then tries to steal Mason's Lego Star Wars.

Uh, yeah.

The boys with glasses.

Hair check.

Group shot - friends and family.

On the seventh day of Christmas, it was Christmas day.  The kids were up bright and early to see what Santa brought.  It was exactly what they asked for - Wii games! Star Wars for Mason and Party game for Siena.

Plus some Silly Putty in their stockings.

Santa Kris was also kind to her Boricua husband.

After opening presents, we headed to my parents for Christmas morning brunch with the Torland family.

The kids table.  No, Berren isn't foaming at the mouth unless a carrot covered with too much dressing counts.

The grandkids with the grandparents.  Luckily both grandparents were feeling good today and came over to help us celebrate.  From left - Grandpa Art, Shelley, Shelley's significant other Adam, Travis, Tyson (in back), Amanda (in pink in front of Tyson), Grandma Bessie, me, Heidi, Dan, Chelsey, Matt, baby Calvin, and Luis next to Bessie.

Luis and I with the g-parents.

See, the older generation wasn't nearly a well behaved for their picture as us grandkids were.

The grandparents.  94 and still kicking.  Okay, almost 94 for Bessie.

Tyson may have eaten too much.

Berren didn't.  He was way on board with his candy cane.

And Siena liked her new skirt so well she wore it today.

Mason took this picture of mom and dad.

My favorite gift of the year - a book Mary Lou had made for us of our trip last summer.

After the big group departed, the kids opened their presents from Yaya and Papa Ron.  Pajamas for each.

And big coloring books from Aunt Annette & Uncle Walt.  No, Siena isn't on steroids.  We told Mason to keep his eyes open and she listened...

Luis' new shirt.

A new towel for Mason and a new blanket for Siena.

Siena LOVES her new doll from Yaya.  She's named Rosaliss.  She slept next to Siena last night and has already had her hair washed this morning.

Dad's official "Torland's Garage" sign.

I'm not sure who this Lego storage bin is more of a gift for - Mason or me. :-)

Mom loves her new earrings that dad picked out.

Did I mention that Siena loves her dollie?

Happy girl.

I hope everyone had as merry a Christmas as we did!