Jose and I just got back from our very first adults only mini vacation. We spent 2 nights sleeping in and going to restaurants and eating in the bar to avoid the wait. We went skiing yesterday. Well actually I fell and Jose snow boarded. I used to be so fearless and now the speed just scares the bejeebers out of me! For a Mexican Jose does very well in the snow. He finally is good enough he is ready to take on teaching Eric how to board. It is so funny how excited we were to get away alone but the whole time we were gone we missed the kids so much! So we have made plans to take the kids to he mountians in three weeks. Jose will take Eric down the slopes and Maya and I will go tubing. We figure they won't last longer than a couple of hours. It was nice but I was glad to be missed back home too.
It was so strange trying to figure out where to go eat,,we did no have anything to consider but ourselves....so we just said where do we love to go that the kids like to act out...and when we got there and were told seating would take 45 minutes we didn't have to consider if a child might have a melt down in the foyer of the restaurant.
All in all great fun and we have decided to go for atleast 1 night every 3 monthes.
If nothing else, we can enjoy dinner without someone on our laps and I can take a bath without someone banging on the door yelling that they need me..and we can watch a adult action movie to gorry for their precious eyes......then we can come home and enjoy dinners with someone snuggling up on our laps...I can take a bath and smile as my heart swells when someone is begging me to get out because they need me, and we can all curl up and giggle over some totally appropriate for all movie together!

Seeing santa

Yesterday was Eric's garage and pinata party. Today was Santa at the cannery.

Long lines and lots of Whining we found Eric had no desire to talk to Santa because he had already sent a letter and Maya was scared of him.

Wonderful!

Thanksgiving was nuts. At the last minute 7 additional people decided they wanted to join the fun.. You would think after being married 9 yrs I would be used to the unexpected company...but it still puts me thru a loop. I had a mini panic attack but once I decided just to let it go I actually had a pretty good time with these 7 stangers....funny (that is usually what happens). Elvia, Rosey and I woke up at 3 am to do black Friday. We had it mapped out totally OCD style. Yeah,,,,not very smart. After waiting in line for 2.25 hours just to pay for Elvia's two sweatshirts at Kohls we headed to walmart where they were sold out of almost everything I wanted but the kids pj's was the real bummer. Every year they have kids pj's for 4 dollars. So we went to Freddies, target, jc penney's and Toysrus. After all the crazy lines ets. and no stopping for food or potty breaks (as any real shopper knows food slows you down and drink increases the chances of needing potty breaks) I thought both girls might die or kill me (this was thier first yr tagging alog....and probably their last). We got starbucks and headed home where our kids and boys let us all take naps! What a blessing!

So now I have the wrapping and cookie itch.

Then we went to church and I was reading that the next sermon series is called real simple and it is about the holidays and christmas. And for a moment I froze and really thought about why I do all of this...3 am shopping 9 pm cookies and closet wrapping...and I wonder if in my effort to make the holidays a wonderful and memorable time, do my kids really get what it is about...yeah, I tell them, but does it sink in?

I know, I know, it has been a while. We have been keeping busy running through leaves and other fun fall stuff. Sarah and I made apple sauce to last 2 years a couple weeks ago...then there was halloween. Lots of fun with the ages we have now. Eric is doing great in math but hates sounding out words. Lisette is the teachers pet...because she adores the teachers more than any other child. Maya has been having a blast at home playing with Evan most days. Jose is loving Annie Wright and Panera is the same ole same ole....I really love being the boss more than anything. Oh yeah and Jorge moved in (Jose's younger brother)

Pumpkin Patch

So much fun at Spooners....we got pumpkins, hot chocolate, taffy, and carmel corn. Thekids thought it was a blast. They had a good time picking a pumpkin they could carry by themselves...they tried many before picking one. Jose's brother Jorge (HoreHey) came here Friday and has been staying with us. Today I madesure they taught him how to use the vacuum, and washer and dryer. Tomorrow we will learn, dust rags and wndow cleaner :)