Category: Thankful For

Christmas Memories

Growing up, Christmas was magical, no denying it. To start the giddy, months-long anticipation, one of my favorite activities was going to my Grandma’s house and going through her huge JC Penney and Sears Catalogs. I absolutely loved going through every page of the girls clothing and toys. I would circle everything I wanted! It’s funny to think that as time went on, each year I would limit myself more and more. One year, I could only circle two things on each page, then I did it, I made myself choose only 1 thing from each page. So funny to recall.

I remember going to the mall with the entire family, splitting up at times to shop for each other. We would see movies, play in the arcade and grab some food. Such good memories. Stores would be decorated to the hilt along with the corridors of malls, the big stores still put up huge window displays back then. I remember there would always be a school choir singing in the middle courtyard too.

My parents would buy us several smaller gifts, clothes and then they would always have one huge present from Santa. The big presents were always out and assembled by the tree Christmas morning. I loved walking out to that! One year I got a Holly Hobbie Play Kitchen, HH Lunchbox and HH Colorforms!

Found some pictures, you have to love the internet! How cool is it that we can see pictures of toys from our past?

photos courtesy of eBay

Another year it was a yellow banana seat bike with handle bars strings and everything!

Here is a picture I found courtesy of Pinterest

I loved that bike! Then I left it out in the driveway overnight and someone stole it! A lesson my kids hear about often!

Family

Christmas Eve was always spent at my Uncle’s house, then Christmas Day was split between the two sets of Grandparents. It’s interesting, I just realized this tradition still lives on in my own family now. Christmas Eve always involved traditional New Mexican Spanish fare. It is a night filled with family recipes passed down from generation to generation. Carne Adovada, Frijoles con Chicos, Tortillas, Sopapillas, Pork Green Chili, Posole and more! Christmas day was always about traditional American fare, ham, roast, potatoes, veggies and pies. I remember my dad’s mom used to always put out the most beautiful ribbon candy. I haven’t seen that yummy delicacy in years.

I am very grateful for the precious memories I have and I pray that I am giving my children special memories to hold onto and to bring to mind each Christmas Season. Our Christmas’ of late have been about celebrating the true reason for the season, Jesus. His birth was the hope of God coming down, in the flesh, the only king to truly humble himself. It is my prayer also that my children carry on that tradition with their families. Pausing, praising, worshiping and thanking God for all we have and all He has done.

December 13, 2024
Giving Thanks

So many wonderful things about the Fall but the one that causes us to pause, be reflective and spend time with loved ones is the best. Thanksgiving brings up so many warm and fuzzy feelings. I love it, it is so necessary to stop and reflect and be thankful to God for everything He has given us. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells: “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” For me, unfortunately thanks is not my natural reactions to most situations that I am not completely happy with. Thanksgiving makes me stop and truly ponder all He has done for me.

This year we invited my in-laws over for an intimate late afternoon dinner. Last year was my first time hosting Thanksgiving. I really enjoy it, who knew?

I did my research and picked the very best recipes I could find. The In-Laws brought the turkey and stuffing. I made all the traditional favorites (links to recipes at bottom of post) like mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, creamed corn, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and rolls.

I set the table with stuff from my craft bin, not too shabby…

Ooops, missing a plate!

For the kids table, I made it super special with an Iron Man tablecloth 🙂

The kids each received a gift bag with Thanksgiving stamps and a homemade stamp book, also a personalized turkey for a place holder. The adult placeholders were simple construction paper tents with dollar tree leaves.

All in all, it was a fantastic day with yummy food, football and family! Plenty of reasons for giving thanks.

Recipes:

Pioneer Woman Creamy Mashed Potatoes – made these the day before, just like the recipe

Yummy Sweet Potato Casserole -I added a few marshmallows to mine

Green Bean Casserole

Homemade, Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce – made the day before, this was a HUGE hit

Best Sugar Cookie Cutouts Recipe – I made these with the kids 2 days before Thanksgiving

And last but not least…. Brown and Serve Rolls from Kroger. I did not have the courage to make homemade bread. These are always a hit with everyone so why mess with perfection?

All in all, it was a great day! I am thinking of trying to pull of a Christmas Dinner next. Stay tuned!

November 20, 2024
Valentine’s Date – a Photo Essay

My husband and I usually do not do anything fancy for Valentine’s Day, maybe some candy and chocolates and a special homemade dinner. But this year when I saw a Living Social Deal for a Wine Tasting for 2, I couldn’t pass it up.

We went on Saturday afternoon the day after Valentine’s Day for or Valentine’s Date and since it was downtown we were quite excited about walking around, taking pictures and enjoying our time together. So that is how I decided to share our evening, in pictures.

Love you Honey!

So thankful for a loving, funny, caring husband.

I love you Craig you are my soulmate, a gift from God.

February 16, 2014
Easter Fun with Lego

Of course, I was again inspired on Pinterest! Last year I created a board called Easter Fun, where I pinned some really cute and fun ideas. Unfortunately, by the time Easter rolled around I forgot all about my little Easter fun board. This year I decided to look through my boards and do projects that I had already pinned before. That is when I came across this fun idea. Anything to do with Legos and my boys are game. This project covers the death and resurrection of Jesus. They know the story about Jesus being put to death and they know the amazing story of Him rising from the tomb, now to put it all together – what fun!

I grabbed some small cake pans from the Dollar Store and a bag of play sand from True Value hardware store, total cost = under $8.00. When I showed the boys their inspiration they loved it and JUMPED right in. They all started building Lego tombs immediately.

Cake pans, play sand, pebbles, sticks and Legos.

Placing the tomb, laying the path

This was a fun activity but I did want to make sure that the kids heard the story again.

It never gets old. It never ceases to bring me to tears.

He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our sins,

the punishment that brought us peace, was upon Him

By His wounds we are healed.

—

Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here, He is RISEN!

Enjoy this fantastic song!

April 3, 2013
End of Summer Moments to Remember

One of my favorite blogs, one of the blogs that was a huge help early in my homeschool journey is 1+1+1=1. I was at her site recently and I came across a link-up that sounds fantastic.

Here is the description:
“Moments to Remember was developed as a simple way to look back on our week as homeschoolers and find photos that encompass the memories we want to remember.
The week may have been tough, there may have been more bumps than smiles, but in the end these are the moments that keep us going, the ones we need to remember.”

I love this idea. Especially since I know this blog is basically my journal, something I can look back on in the years to come.

This week was our last week of Summer, we start school on Monday. We headed downtown for some family fun…

My youngest also turned four!

Here’s to a fantastically fun Summer, now on to School and my favorite Season of all Fall!

August 25, 2012
Some Sister Time and More

My sister took me out for a wonderful birthday celebration, just her and I. We used to do everything together. We even lived together. Then we had children. This was one of the first times with have been together without kids in years! It was nice to sit and chat, catch up. Thanks Sis!

She took me to a fantastic wine bar, the decor was purely Parisian, I loved it! It is called Off the Vine and it owned by a sweet girl living out her dream.

We ordered a meat and cheese plate, I got to try some cured meats that I had only heard of on Top Chef. They were pancetta and proscuitto. The cheese selection was yummy too. Brie, mozzarella, chipotle cheddar and Stilton with apricot (so delicious). Every bite was so delectable.

I was a great way to spend the day with my Sister. Oh yeah, only later did I find out this date was part of a plan to get me away while they setup my surprise party! What a surprise, I was overwhelmed. Thank you Mom, Sis, Dear Hubby and all the Family that was there!

My cousin, Sister and Mom cooked up the most amazing

New Mexican food (a family tradition for all occasions).

Click here for the Recipe page– it has the chili and rice recipes.

August 9, 2012
A Taste of Summer

4 Days at the Lake – that is what we did this past weekend. The boys ran, explored, fished, and played at the beach. They loved every minute. Preston says his favorite part was the s’mores, lol. There is really nothing like the taste of a perfectly browned marshmallow. We ate delicious food like hot dogs, cheeseburgers, cherries, grapes, cheese and of course, s’mores.

We learned that Preston is a natural fisherman.

We stayed in a cabin by the lake.

Dinner: Rib-Eye, Hot Dogs and Corn

Oliver roasting marshmallows

The boys enjoying a ride on the lake with my cousin and his totally cool boat.

Cousins creating art with markers and paper, the perfect afternoon break activity.

June 4, 2012
Give Thanks to the Lord

1 Chronicles 16:34

March 26, 2012
A Field Trip to the Denver Zoo

A Field Trip to the Denver Zoo

Thanks to Groupon we were able to spend 5 wonderful hours at the Zoo. We went in late November. It was chilly that morning but I checked the weather and it promised to be warm. It ended up being about 57 degrees, for a Coloradan(oan?) that is practically Summer, lol.

When we arrived we were all bundled up and the skies were gray, it was 9:45. By the time we left, we were hot, without coats and the skies were blue. I love Autumn in Colorado, bright blue skies, brisk fresh air.

There were not many people there, so we took our time, enjoyed every sight to see. We rambled along and learned a lot, talked about everything. We sat and had a leisurely lunch next to the Seals, they are so cute and fun to watch. We were happy to have Cousin Adam along with us. The entire field trip was fantastic.

How far can you jump?

Cute little Snow Fox

A Unique Creature – The Okapis – a cousin of the giraffe (look at his head). He had a super-velvety coat.

The Majestic Lion

Samuel with a lizard, I love his reflection on the glass!

Playing iSpy fish

Climbing the Hippo Statue

I love these animal flags! This picture was taken on the way out, check out the blue sky and compare to the first picture, that is why I love Colorado!

After such a fun-filled gorgeous day, we didn’t want it to end so we topped it off with some choclate milks at a downtown Starbucks.

Brothers enjoying a beverage.

Checking out the sights

In the words of my oldest “This was one of the best days ever!”

January 25, 2012
Merry Christmas

Here we are once again! Waking up today to a white Christmas, all the kids are still cozy in bed and I am getting ready for a wonderfully joyous day. After the boys open presents and see what is in their stockings we will have breakfast at my Mom’s. A family tradition, where we will have cream of wheat, toast and bacon. This has been my Christmas breakfast as long as I can remember, I love this warm breakfast. It is nostalgic for me.

After that we will head to my Sister in Laws house to share present and enjoy delicious food prepared by her Swedish Chef husband. The boys get to run around and have fun with their cousins, while we can all hang out and visit.

I love this time of year. What do I love especially most? It is when we celebrate God coming to earth to dwell among us, Emmanuel. I love that Jesus came to earth in the most humble circumstances, the King of Kings, so that we may have a relationship with God and become children of God. We celebrate the birth of our Savior.

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. ⁹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. ¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. ¹¹ For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. ¹² And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”^[c]

¹⁵ When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the babylying in a manger. ¹⁷ And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. ¹⁸ And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. ²⁰ And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

Merry Christmas from the Family O!

December 25, 2011