Holiday Cheer

I'm happy to report that December has kicked off nicely. Now that Christopher is one year older Christopher seems more cheerful about Christmas and all the holiday spirit. It is all about the children. That is what Santa would say, right....
Our house is all decked out with Christmas decorations, lights strung over all, our stocking hung by the chimney with care LOL, and our beautiful tree is lit up with all our wonderful Christmas ornaments. This year we bought a train the runs around the tree, we let Chris open it the day after Thanksgiving after we had the tree up. When he seen what it was his little eyes lit up with joy. It was a wonderful feeling inside. I hope his eyes light up like that after he wakes up Christmas morning and sees Santa has already came and gone. Me and Jaime want to make this Christmas special for him. We got out our calendar and have made some plans on doing several fun Christmas outing this month. He was luckily enough to get to attend a Christmas light parade in corning this year with Grandma and Grandpa Ramirez & Grandma Sides.

• Dec 3rd Downtown Madera 09 Candlelight Christmas "Wine Stroll and Tractor Parade"
• Dec 5th
  
• Dec7th Christmas Tree Lane - Huntington Blvd Fresno, Ca
• Dec 9th Amtrak Ride Madera-Hanford for Lunch and downtown Stroll
  
• Dec 11th Christmas Party at his School
• Dec 11th Crafts and Cookies with The Ramirez Family
  
• Dec 13th Disneyland "They have a Winter Wonderland Theme for the month of Dec"
• Dec 14th Legoland
  
• Dec 19th Winter Wonderland Downtown Fresno
• Dec 21st MomsClub Christmas party
• Dec23rd Zoolights

Well I'm very sad about what I'm about to say, but it is totally true. Jaime and I love being with our family during the holiday's, but we feel that when we lived in NM we took being home with just the 3 us of for granted. We were always sad to be away from California and our families during the holiday's or any other time of the year. But last year when we moved back we were truly blessed to be close to our families again. Last year after we got home from our parents house, we were alittle sad. We felt sorry that Christopher did not get to experience Christmas Eve night and the arrival of Santa in his own home. We felt we kinda robbed him of that experience. But both agree to get over it and move on and be thankful to be with our families. We also agree that Chris was still to young to really understand. So 2009 is a new year and Christopher is really starting to enjoy the holiday's. This we have elected to stay home and travel to see our families after Christmas so Christopher can enjoy every minute. Not that Santa won't find us in Corning. Our parents are made that holiday's special for us and now it is our turn to start our own memories and special times for our family.
I know that Mark and Lynn made Christmas a great time for Jaime and Joe. And also for Tamra and I when we came into the family. And that still has not changed since all the grandchildren have arrived. Each year Christmas changed, and more special memories are written. I would love to hear what Jaime remembers has a child. I sure remember my parents making Christmas special for me. We may not have done alot of Christmas events. But being with our family was very important. I remember many snowy Christmas's with grandpa and grandma Sides up in Whittmoore, Ca. With lots of family around and Santa's visits. I also remember being at home with just my mom and dad. One memory was when we lived in Pearblossom, Ca. I remember waking up early in the morning and the Christmas tree was on and all lit up. I remember seeing all the wonderful gifts Santa left. I also remember looking outside and seeing a blanket of white snow that was not typical in the desert. But every memory of mine included being with family. I don't remember lots of gift or few gifts making a difference. My mother and father could have a different story on that.
But we would like to teach Christopher that Christmas is about giving. About enjoy our times together. Watching Christmas movies, reading Christmas Books, enjoying our home during the holiday with all the lights and the fires and the great times. That is what we want to remember.

"Remember, If Christmas isn't found in your hearts, it wont be found under a tree."

And with that being said, everyone have a wonderful Christmas and new year with your families.