Our First Knott's Visit

Michael got a Snoopy shirt from Tita Carmel for Christmas; so we decided that Knott's would be a great place to sport his new shirt! The last time he wore a Peanuts shirt, we were at Disneyland, and none of his friends (thanks Nicole) pointed it out to me. Haha. We decided to get annual passes because it only cost $60 each. That's even cheaper than a day pass to Disneyland! Anyway, it took forever to get on each ride at Camp Snoopy, partly because of the huge crowds, but mostly because of the length of time it took to load and unload the kids. Knott's can improve on their efficiencies, but you can't complain with the cheap ticket prices and all.

Michael rode the airplane, the train and almost the "Huff and Puff" ride. When all the kids were loaded up and buckled in, he decided to stand...and so off the ride he went. We called it a day, had Pinks hotdogs for lunch, and took a boysenberry pie to go! Yummy!

Discovered my pockets because it's so cold

Like my Snoopy Shirt?

Little Friends Christmas Party

We had a little luncheon Christmas Party and gift exchange for the kids. Michael was Noah's secret Santa, and Sophie was Michael's secret Santa. She gave him a Discovery Kids Tent/Tunnel which he absolutely loves! All the kids loved crawling through the tunnel, and smashing whoever was inside it. Thanks to the Viramontes family for hosting, and thank you Sophie for the tent!

This is where Michael hides his cooda-cooda-cooda (cookies).

I love my tent!

Christmas Day

After going to bed past 1am, we woke up bright and early (at 11am) Christmas morning for Michael to unwrap a few presents from mommy and daddy. He unpacked his stocking that was filled with a buzz lightyear LED flashlight and a bunch of hot wheels cars to go with his garage track. He's not that excited about opening presents yet, so after about two gifts, he was content with playing with what he had open. Then we were off to Nana and Grandpa's house for an early Christmas dinner. Michael received a ton of presents! He was a little overwhelmed with all the gifts that Jason and I had to open his presents for him. He is definitely such a lucky kid. I don't remember ever having as many toys growing up.

Michael is grateful for everything and everyone he has in his life. He is fond of the Thomas the Train boots that he wears it around the house. He loves the train sets and colors on the Color-Me-A-Song toy everyday.

More cars??

A big boy baseball tee!!

Giddy up!

Tri-level garage playset

Christmas Eve

It has been tradition on my side of the family to celebrate Christmas on the eve until the wee morning of Christmas Day. Every year our family party gets bigger and bigger with the addition of significant others and/or babies, and it only gets more fun! Twenty-eight of us cousins participated in a secret gift exchange where we had to describe the person we had a gift for, and of course, every description was on point and crazy funny. The little cousins also had their own gift exchange. Michael was so excited to open a bag of Buzz Lightyear pajamas! He received a bunch of presents -- a matchbox tri-level garage track, thomas the train toys, a buzz lightyear gun, a real baseball tee, shoes and clothes -- to just name a few. It's been rather overwhelming to unwrap all the presents and make room for all the new gadgets and gizmos.

We also try to take family pictures in front of the tree, and its like having the paparazzi come and take your picture. You don't know which camera to look at and smile for, so that's the reason why it seems like everyone is looking everywhere.

The holidays are so much fun! We love being together as a family; after all it's our favorite place to be. =)

The only shot of all the little kids together

I got Buzz Lightyear PJs!

The Galzote Clan

The boy cousins

The girl cousins

The group keeps getting bigger and bigger;
we can't all fit in one shot anymore

Our First Christmas in Our Home

About this time last year, we were renovating our newly bought home. I will not post any before pictures, as it was ugly and uninviting, but we've come a long way making our house feel like a home. New ceilings, walls, flooring and window treatments really changed the look of this house. We love it and are so happy to spend Christmas in our own home. =)

Michael's photography skills

Our First Christmas Picture in Our Home

Silly Corns

La Habra's Childrens Museum

Michael and I visited the Children's Museum in La Habra, and I'm glad we did because he had such a great time. We were practically the only ones there so Michael didn't have any issues with sharing. Out of all the exhibits, his least favorite was the Nature Walk where there were deer heads hanging on the walls, and life-sized bears, lions and hyenas. He was terrified! Besides that room, he loved being in all the other rooms. He loved grocery shopping, driving the bus, pumping gas, cooking in a stone-pot, and singing on the theatre stage. It was a great trip that ended with lunch at the Corner Bakery. I love Michael and Mommy days of fun!

Pretty soon Michael will pump gas for Mommy's car

This is your stop, mommy.

La la la la la

Another Disney Night

We did a redo Disneyland visit this evening because we got rained on yesterday. So we thought we would make it up to Michael and take him on his favorite ride, Buzz Lightyear. This time we met up with Kathy, Mike and Ethan. I love going when it's not busy because we can ride on several rides within our 3 hour time limit AND have dinner! We all had a great time up until Kathy's bag got stolen, or should I say, found? Later she received a call from the Lost and Found saying they retrieved her bag except her ID, debit card and cash were missing.

Michael was so happy on the carousel,
he went on it twice!

I think I can!

The Carnero Wedding

Uncle Johnny (Michael's Godfather) and Jenilee were married at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Rowland Heights. This was the church where almost all the kids in mommy's family were baptized, including Michael. Michael was chosen to be one of the ring bearers, and he was so handsome wearing a little suit and black chucks. He decided he didn't want to walk so Jason became the honorary ring bearer and carried Michael down the aisle. What a champ, daddy! Lately, Michael has been really shy, afraid of crowds and not comfortable with getting attention. Any moms know why this is happening? Anyway, the reception was held at the Padua Hills Theatre in Claremont; a beautiful, intimate and historic theatre. Table 3, the table we were sitting at of course, was the most "spirited" table at the party! Congratulations Johnny and Jenilee! May your marriage be happy and your love be everlasting! Thanks again, you guys had a beautiful reception and awesome party.

Michael and Lolo

Had to stop and smell the flowers!

The ring and coin bearers: Jayden & Michael

Michael, being shy to take a picture with pretty Malia

Ok this was the closest he was gonna get to her

His grin says it all. He's up to no good...at church!