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Holidays 2014

We spent Thanksgiving in Sacramento with the cousins and had a GREAT time.  It's not often we get to visit, so we made this one a long[er] one.  While we were there, we even got  to celebrate Ate Kaycee's 12th birthday.  12!  I can't believe it.  Niece #1, granddaughter #1 on our side, and the most amazing kid you'll ever meet.  I still remember being 19 years old, leaving our Thanksgiving meal behind, to drive to San Diego for her birth.  TIME FLIES.  I literally blinked and she turned into this gorgeous tween.  


Something I never get tired of- seeing these cousins together.

New Bug things:
1- Faith.  Ella's faith (and knowledge of it) is growing each day.  She's become more inquisitive about Jesus and participating during mass.  I am in awe of her thirst for knowledge.  She obviously gets her "need to know" from dad and although I find myself scrambling to give her answers in a way a 3 year old understands, I am always amazed at how much she really does comprehend and retain.  Just when I think faith is too hard of a concept for a 3 year old to grasp, I find myself having conversations like...


        Bug: "Mom, where is Jesus' mom and dad?"
        Me: "In heaven."
        Bug: "Oh, way up der!  So if I am good and I love everyone and den listen to Jesus and God, I can go to heaven and meet Jesus and God!"
Stunned.  Or this one...
        Me: "Ella, you know who's birthday is on Christmas?"
        Bug: "Santa?"
        Me: "Nope.  Someone better."
        Bug: "Ninang?!?!" (Who knew Ninang was so high up there with Santa?)
        Me: "Nope.  Jesus!"
        Bug: "Oooh!  Jesus!  [Pause.]  So...it's God's birthday too then."

There is no greater example of her growing faith than when she prays.  This kid is so thoughtful when she prays.  We've taught her prayers, but sometime in the last month she's begun to take prayers into her own hands.  At the end of each prayer she says...

        Buggy: "I am so thankful for my Mommy and Daddy and so very thankful for Jesus for saving me."
WHAT?!?!  God was truly working in our home and in our lives.  

2- Growing tall.  Buggy's still on a mission to grow. The other day, in another attempt to grow, she tried mushrooms (and she hates mushrooms).  She ate it, but didn't "like it."  Hey, as long as she's trying things, I'll take it!  Whether or not she asks for another serving is a different story.  For now, her list of "acceptable" veggies are:  zuchinni, carrots, peas (and spinach if she doesn't see them).  New foods include:  dumplings.

3- Fears.  Each day we're discovering new fears.  After a month of talking about Christmas trees and begging for one, we went and got one.  After loading it on top of the car, Buggy decided that she is fearful of Christmas trees.  She refused to get in the car for fear of it falling on top of her.  Perfect.  That's all we need at 7pm on a Sunday night in a tree lot.  It took some convincing, but with the help of her "protective" Sheriff Callie hat, she reluctantly got in her car seat.


4- All things Christmas.  Thanks to KOST 103.5 and their two months of Christmas songs, someone has become all about Christmas (and the jingle, "KOST 103.5...." [cue Christmas song]).  She now knows the following Christmas songs:

         Santa Baby
        Feliz Navidad (her favorite)
        Jingle Bells
        Santa Claus is Coming to Town
        Silent Night
Here are some pics of Buggy at her Christmas recital.  She got a solo.  I'm not going to brag, but she rocked it.

While I'm actually on the blog, I should probably update you on our amazing Christmas as well.  This year (now last year), we spent Christmas in Oregon with Tata, Nana, Auntie Heather, Uncle Ben, Uncle Scott, and the girls tweens (Ate Rylee, Ate Madysen, Ate Kaiya).  It's safe to say they're no longer just girls, but even though they're on their way to becoming little ladies, they still made time for Bug.  (Even if they didn't, she'd boss her way in there somehow.)

Dad taught Buggy how to make snowballs...and throw them at mom.  (Thanks, DAD!)
Can't thank Auntie Heather enough for planning so many activities for the girls.  We had a great time making ornaments!

Then Mommy and Bug experienced chopping down a Christmas tree.

 Mommy and Bug also got to experience their first every snow fall.  MAGICAL.
 I will probably forever be hated for posting these pictures in our Christmas PJ's, but I don't care.  We look sexy-- all of us! :)  I feel so blessed to be a part of this family.  Whether we see them once a year or more, they always manage to make you feel like you belong.



This was taken on the day we left.  The sun came out and what a gorgeous sight!

 Seeing Uncle Kyle, Auntie Catherine, Ate Kaycee, Ate Myranda, and Ate Madysen is always a highlight of our trip up north and back down south.
I'm glad I was able to finally share our 2014 holiday season with you all!  Until next time!  Perhaps 2015 will be the year for my blog.  Maybe I'll be back at it!  ;P
God Bless,
Kat

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