It's not what it looks like...

Tristan got a Handy Manny tool set for Christmas. Apparently this is his favorite thing to do with the saw. Maybe it's Tristan's idea of a Father/Son moment. Pretty funny.

Proud of our Baby!

The last few weeks Rylie has really taken an interest in the potty. Now, let me remind you that she is only 18 months old. The last few days she has actually been telling us before she has to go. She has successfully gone on the potty over 10 times in the last 2 days alone! 3 of which have been #2! That's right folks, it looks like our baby is growing up! We are not sure if it is because she sees Tristan go, but we are so proud of her! I would post a picture, but the one i took she is naked in and i just can't bring myself to post it for all the world to see.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone! Here are a couple short videos from our morning. We woke up around 7:30, ate some waffles and spent 2 hours opening gifts! The kids wanted to open and play with each toy before opening the next one so it was interesting to say the least. We had a good time though, and the kids loved all of their gifts. Then Jay had to go to work for a few hours and when he got back I went and visited Lauren in the hospital. She is looking and doing great and we can keep Layla in prayer for her surgery tomorrow morning at 11:00am. Lauren will be posting updates on her blog here and will hopefully get a picture of her up in the coming days. If Jay and I get to visit her I will take a video as well and post it for everyone. Anyway, Merry Christmas to all... and to all a good night!

Say.. Birthday Cake!

I have been complaining for a few years now about not having a video camera to capture all of our family moments. This year my wish came true! Jay and Stacia got me a pink Flip Ultra for Christmas (!) and let me open it early tonight. I had to try it out and thought this video was funny. We celebrated Jay's dad's birthday last night with a gigantic chocolate cake. Tristan wanted some tonight so this is how he asked for it. Sorry that it is sideways, I will have to learn how to fix that! I am so excited that you all (especially family in California!!) can see videos of our kids now! Stay tuned for all the action from tomorrow morning. Yay!!

COLD!

Ice skating

We decided to go down to Centennial Olympic Park to go ice skating tonight. It was super crowded and COLD so we decided to just watch.
Fun times.

We are family!

Jays dad and sister are in town for a few days. Lots of good family time!

Pray for Baby Layla

Derrick and Lauren Lewis are 39 weeks pregnant with a girl, Layla. They found out this week that baby Layla may have a problem with her heart. Please lift this family up in prayer during the next week especially as Lauren is due the day after Christmas. I believe that the Lord can heal this baby, and I am asking you to join me in prayer for them. You can read more or hear updates at their blog, here. Thank You!

Gingerbread House

We put our annual Gingerbread House together last night.  Rylie was too tired to last, so Tristan and Dad got to do it together.  They had a great time.  Odds were against them when they started out with a broken piece on the bottom, but they persevered.  That is, until the roof started to slide.  That's when they said forget it and just started to eat the candy!  Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!    Enjoy the pictures!  

 

 

The evil lime auntie

Guilty as charged...

The Limelight

You share things you love with those you love. I happen to love limes
in my drinks and on Mexican food. I wanted to share my joy with Rylie.
She is not what I consider shy with food...

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

I apologize for our absence the last few weeks.  There are no excuses, but we really have had a lot going on.  Since we didn't post about Thanksgiving I wanted to tell you all (whoever reads this, that is) that we had a great time.  Jay had to work, but was home in time to have dinner with us at 6:00pm.  Since we don't have any family in town, (besides Stacia of course) we decided to have Thanksgiving with our neighbors.  They have a son who is about 6 months older than Tristan and they always have a good time.  (Though Tristan is becoming a bit of a bully.. I digress) Sandra and I pulled out all the stops and cooked enough food for at least 10 more people!  It turned out really great. 

 

Jay and I have been doing a little redecorating at the house since the robbery (Thanks to home owners insurance!).  It is finally starting to really look good!  We decided yesterday to pick up a few more things that we needed, and planned go to the local Christmas Tree farm to pick out a tree.  Well, some things don't turn out like you planned.  Our errands took longer than expected, and the farm was going to close in 30 minutes.  So, we decided to just check out the trees at Walmart.  I know, I know, it isn't quite the experience I was hoping for.  But, we got a great tree for $30!  What a deal!  Tristan helped me decorate it and I must say he did a great job!  It was fun seeing him actually start to understand what was going on.  He loved helping.  **On a side note, Jay and I have been picking up gifts for the kids here and there wherever we go.  Most of the time the kids are with us but I never thought they really understood they were gifts for Christmas.  That is, until prayer time before bed... Tristan likes to run through his whole day in his prayers.  Last night he started thanking God for playdoh, carmine (remote control cars, he calls them Carmine from Little Einsteins), Manny (Handy Manny) and a puppy.  I guess he understand more than we think!  He named most of his gifts, except the puppy.. that will just have to stay a prayer!**

 

Merry Christmas everyone!  Stay tuned, we are putting a gingerbread house together tonight and I will post pictures after.  It is sure to be a fun, and messy experience!

I'm Proud To Be Mexican

I swear Tristan is not Filipino or white. He's Mexican at heart. He
loves beans and rice, especially at La Parilla. Tonight we went there
when the Mariachi band was playing and he sang along.

She got her hair did!

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I always wondered how Rylie would look with her hair flat ironed, so I decided to try it this morning! What do you guys think?!? Last week I cut her some bangs, her hair was always in her face. Though I swore to never do it I think they turned out pretty cute, especially swept to the side! I really love having a girl!

You are soooooo Brave!

Stacia and I decided to brave the cold 45 degree air and take the kids to the park tonight. It didn't take long for Tristan to get accustomed to everything. In fact, he got so brave he decided to go to the 9-12+ year old section! Those slides were super fast! Then Tristan saw it, the "seashells, tall as a mountain!" lol, he wanted to climb the rockwall that was literally like11 feet high. Freaked me out but he didn't think twice. In fact, he did it over and over again. What a brave kid! It was a really fun, and cold night!

'THE Talk'

Jay just had 'the talk' with Rylie. He said soon boys were going to be
chasing after her. But, he is the only boy allowed in her life. It was
cute! Apparently Ry didn't like it too much!

Robbed

Yes, this is what it looks like. Jay, and our (wonderful!) neighbor are replacing the entire frame and back door at our house. We came home last night to our back door completely kicked in and wide open. We were robbed. Luckily, they didn't take too many things and we have good homeowners insurance. This is something i do not wish on anyone. Your home should be your refuge, we feel so violated. Needless to say, we are reinforcing our back door, and getting an alarm installed right away. Our things can be replaced, it's the fear i am worried about! Please pray for us.

All grown up!

Happy Halloween!

We just got back from going Trick or Treating around our neighborhood. Tristan got enough candy to last him a year (if mom, dad, and auntie don't eat it!) and Rylie had a great time cruising around and going to a few houses. It was fun to see Tristan actually understanding what he was saying and 'getting it'. We got home in time to pass out candy to some of our neighbors as well, which Tristan loves. He runs to the door when the bell rings and gives each kid a piece. When they say Thank You he says 'Your Welcome, Have Fun!" So cute! Unfortunately, Jay had to work tonight, but i am sure Tristan will tell him all about it when he gets home!

Like their costumes?! Yep, Auntie had a little influence on them, and they turned out so cute!

Study buddy

Tristan is helping me do my online French homework.

He Found His "Seams"

Jay likes to confuse his son. I asked Tristan where his belly button is, and he pointed to it. Then Jay asked him where his seams are. This is Tristan finding his ethereal seams.

Breakfast of Older Champions

The only way I can take vitamins is with a cup of coffee and a splash of soy milk. I'm getting old.

Update about Tristan

Yes, i am so very proud! Tristan has either told us or gone to the bathroom himself since yesterday. He is doing so well!! Although we have been training for so long this really is a big deal for us as he never really told us and definitely never went by himself. It is so cute because he is so proud of himself too! He goes around yelling, "I did it, I did it" all the time!

You know you're a Mom when...

Your son goes potty (first clue that you are a Mom, you use the word 'potty') standing up for the first time EVER by himself and it has totally made your day!

**Our babysitter just called and said she heard the toilet flush when she was getting Ry out of her highchair after lunch. Tristan ran out with his pants at his ankles yelling "I did it!!!". Oh my goodness, I am so excited! The toilet seat was up and no mess too!!**

In case you need clarification, we have been potty training Tristan since last March (25 months old). He has done very well, but has NEVER gone in and used the bathroom by himself. He also very rarely has told us when he has to go, we would just take him in. The last few weeks he has been having a lot more accidents than normal. So, i decided to teach him how to go standing up and he loves it. I put cherrios in the toilet for him to aim at and he gets all excited. So, yes.. this is monumental for us. I am a very proud Mom!!

Julie Cruz
Sent from my Iphone

Pumpkin Carving

We decided tonight was the night to carve 2 of our pumpkins. I think Tristan was more interested in eating his apple, and all Rylie wanted to do was kiss them.. but hey, it was fun. Jay did a great job carving and the finished product looked great. But if you ask Tristan, it was so, so, so, so scary!

Pumpkin Patch

We went on a family trip to a local pumpkin farm today and went on a hay ride, which Rylie loved! We also went in the field and picked a bunch of pumpkins. We got one for each of us, even one for Auntie Nicole, who is in town for the week.

Yes, she is that cute!

And look at her poor right arm in this picture! She swells up a ton after getting any kind of bug bite!