I heart Christmas

I heart Christmas

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both, I boutght this roll of paper from Costco 3 years ago and it just keeps on going, it's the never ending paper and I don't even like it that much. But bags are always easier.

2. Real tree or Artificial? REAL
3. When do you put up the tree? Usually Day after Thanksgiving, this year Sunday after Thanksgiving. THANKS MR. DUNBAR
4. When do you take the tree down? New Year's Eve-ish
5. Do you like eggnog? I despise anything with eggs.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? Clothes every year... Oh but I did get this Barbie Rock-Star stage once along with the pink Corvette...

8. Easiest person to buy for? Myself... ha. Ummmm, all of my guys are pretty easy.

9. Do You have a nativity scene? Yes, I have four or so. That's the true meaning behind all of this. Only one "Santa" goes up and he's a St. Nicholas in a green suit.
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I hated getting cheap candles or teddy bears when I was teaching, .

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? Miracle on 34th Street
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? November. I usually try to be done by Thanksgiving... not this year though.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Yes... something has to be turned over to the White Elephant.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Tamales and fudge.
16. Lights on the tree? Lots.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Rocking around the Christmas Tree and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? Both, but the travelling is pretty local.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Foresure
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Both. We open with the Dunbar's on the Eve and my family on the morning of.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? Rude people.
23. Favorite ornament theme or color? I love all of my Hallmark keepsake ornaments and I go with gold accents.
24. Favorite Christmas dinner? Tamales, baby!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? Lots of stuff. Most of which can be found at the Home Depot... new ladder, new cabinets, molding, baseboard trim, paint, hinges, knobs...

I will post my list soon, for all of you folks with lots of extra mula...

Turkey Day Re-cap...

Several years ago my mom started the tradition of having Thanksgiving Breakfast to ease the travelling between families for my brothers and I. This year with all of the chaos of my Grandpa's passing my sister-in-laws and I put the meal together, which I think turned out fabulous. And with all of the work divided, nobody was super stressed. Amber made eggs, a fruit platter and cinnamon rolls. I made a ham, some of our traditional side dishes (yams and green beans.) Erica, ok Adam, made the potatoes and brought tortillas. Us Mexicans always have tortillas instead of rolls for breakfast. Anyhow, here are a few pictures of our day...

All of the V cousins, all six, even the G-Man who slept pretty much the whole time.

Trying to get a family picture... yeah right!

Bogie and I.

The kids table... Cinnabon cinnamon rolls, now that's Thanksgiving!

I made the ham, Monkey helped. Check out the recipe here.

Thankfulness

Give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples.
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; Speak of all His wonders.
Glory in His holy name. Let the heart of those who seek His name be glad.
1 Chronicles 16:7

I am thankful for a God who is bigger than I am. I am thankful for all of my blessings, and even those things that I am not counting as blessings right now, He knows.
Have a happy day.
Oh and if you are reading this, I am thankful for you, too!

Friends and A Funeral

Yesterday was my Grandpa's funeral. It was a cold (California cold) day. Gloomy, supposed to rain. The services were in in Spanish and actually not that long... My brother gave a beautiful speech of my grandpa's life with my grandma.

We didn't take the boys. With all of my family attending the service I was in need of a babysitter. I had two friends offer to watch my boys. TWO.

I am so blessed to have such wonderful women surround me and love me.

If you know me, you know that I am not the "nice one" (that's another post coming soon). But I am so lucky to have such wonderful friends. My friend Erin offered to watch the boys with no time attachment as soon as she heard things were towards the end for my Grandpa. As soon as my friend Katie found out my grandpa had passed, she immediately offered to watch the boys. To be honest, I don't think I would have ever thought of offering such a relief if the tables were turned. (Hence, I am not the nice one.) But I will think of it now. It was a such a comfort to know that my boys were going to be taken care of and I wouldn't have to worry about them.

I did pick the boys up and take them to my Grandparent's house for the reception afterward. Babies have a way of calming everyone and bringing joy to those around them.

Thanks friends for your prayers, your wonderful thoughts, and your love.

Gerber

Doesn't my kid look like a Gerber baby?

Hot Topic

Money seems to be a hot topic these days. Or atleast the lack of money seems to be a hot topic.



I don't like the word "budget". I think it should be considered a four-letter word (aka bad word.)



I like to spend money, well I like new things. I do.



When Mr. Dunbar and I got married he put me on a budget. Talk about a source of contension. I was so angry and frustrated. We were on a dual income with no kids and a small house. I wanted to do what I wanted when I wanted. ( Because that's how marriage works, right?) Mr. Dunbar stuck to his guns and didn't let me waiver on what money would be allocated where. I was still sore about the whole budget thing. But you know what, it gave me boundaries, it gave him a sense of leadership, and it put money in the bank. Hence, I am at home now. I wish I would have gotten to read this article five years ago.

Wordless Wednesday

What I loved about Grandpa Elias

Grandpa Elias passed away yesterday morning. He had his wife and all four of his kids by his bedside.

I was told it was peaceful.

I've been keeping myself busy. Busy, busy, busy... its what I do to keep functioning. But I was eating lunch with the boys today and my memories of him kept flashing in my mind.

I loved how my Grandpa would open the door and in his broken english accent say "Who ees theees moooo-veee starrr??" (Who is this movie star?) Every single time I rang the door bell to my grandparents house.

I was also his " Aww-glee g-errrl" (Ugly girl) that pee peed in his car. Hey I was two!!

He would always always buy me a package of saladitos on his 7am run to the store.

No matter how early I got up he would always be sitting in his chair.

I loved hearing the stories about how he and my grandma would put records on the player and dance in the living the room.

My grandpa was a great dancer, always booogying on the dance floor.

I loved how he would wear shorts with dress socks and loafers and his twiggy white legs sticking out.

I love how he always just smelled the same.

I love how he looked at my boys like they were angels.

He was a sentimental man, kind, old school, dedicated... and loving.

I will miss Grandpa Elias.

Stats

Husbands: 1

Children : 2

Parents:2

Siblings: 2

Brother-in-laws: 1

Sister-in-laws: 3

Nieces/Nephews: almost 6

First cousins: 30

What about you?

Taking it Old School...

Yesterday we celebrated Monkey's 3rd birthday. For the past month Mr. Dunbar and I went back and forth of whether or not to have a party. I wasn't feeling very "theme-ish" and I am all "pirate-d" out, so I sent an evite to our closest family and friends inviting them to come over and play. The turn out was great and I think it was actually a whole lot of fun. It really reminded me of the birthday parties I had growing up: some pizza, cake, ice cream, lots of family, some friends, and maybe a some colored napkins. No theme. Just birthday.

Here are few of the pictures...

Notice how my kid chose a pink and yellow cake! I didn't even ask why.