Christmas Eve At The Herrera's

This year I got to do Christmas Eve at my house. Honestly, I think I may make it that I have it at my house every year! I LOVE that I can make dinner, everyone come over, have a great time, clean up, do our traditions and then Christmas Day be devoted to just being a family & not worrying about any hustle or bustle.
I have some pics posted, of course.
All out of order, but se la vie...I will walk ya through them...

This would be Santa & the Reindeer's treats, after they visited

And Before


My beautiful children before bed


Delayna "helping" mama clean up


Dominic putting stuff out for Santa & crew


The night wouldn't be complete without my goofy brother


Jess & Mark


Jessica & Delayna


Cuzin Sarah & Delayna


Game of good 'ol Mexican Train Dominoes


Tracking Santa


The Wallace's & Thompson's


Dinner (from left to right) Gail, James, Ben, Mom, Star, Dad


Jessica, Gail, James & Ben


Mom, Star, Dad, Jose


Delayna riding Dominic's bike (NO, she NEVER stops!)


Yaaaa, she's a big girl!


Woah hoa hoa, what do we have here? That would be your's truly with a torch...glazing my ham.


Check me out!


ooooooh, my yummy dipped pretzels & marshmallows, I think I had 1...LOL

That's All Folks!

Mama, Look, It's Rudolph!

Every year I have a tradition of getting my computer up and going Christmas Eve afternoon. The kids & I start tracking Santa. I have been doing this for about 3-4 years now and absolutely enjoy it!
Well this year, Dominic & Devin were at an age that they knew who Santa was, what Santa does and that Santa does exist.
I was lucky enough to have Christmas Eve at my house this year and I took my laptop down stairs and pulled up Norad, Santa's Tracking System around 4pm. Dominic & Devin absolutely lit up when they saw that I was tracking Santa! We were able to watch video of where he was, see where he was going and watch him get closer and closer to us.
About every hour or so (more or less), the boys would tell me, "Let's check on Santa!" I would go to the couch, pull out my laptop and put on the tracker.
Those boys are SO SWEET! They would light up with excitement every time they saw where Santa was...It literally put tears in my eyes seeing them so excited (every time I put it on!).
Right before James & Gail were getting ready to go home, I told they boys, "Let's go check on Santa one last time before Devin goes."
So we piled onto the couch one last time and saw that Santa was in Mexico! The boys were freaking out! "We gotta go to bed! Santa is in Mexico!"
So James, Gail, Sarah, Devin, Mark & Jessica all left.
I got the kids ready for bed and Dominic asked if we could go outside to see if we could see Santa. So we got some slippers on and went out. He first poked his head out the door and just barely looked out, but couldn't see anything.
So he took a step out onto the porch, looked up and around in the sky. He yelled, "Mama, look, there's Rudolph!" I looked & didn't see anything.
I asked him, "Where mijo, I don't see anything but stars."
So he pointed again in the same direction and said, "There mama, I see him, his nose is flashing red!"
I then realized, he in fact did see a red flashing light! It was the flashing light from an airplane...LOL!
But of course, I fed into his imagination and screamed with excitement, which allowed me to also let out my laugh. Then told him, "HURRY, GET INTO THE HOUSE! WE GOTTA GET INTO BED! Santa is going to pass us over if he still sees us up!"
So, Dominic & Adriana ran into the house and up the stairs. Dominic hopped into Anthony's bed, telling him who he just saw and that they better hurry and go to sleep!
Needless to say, I was able to "play Santa" early and tuck myself into bed.
I hope you had a WONDERFUL Christmas, and remember, there are always ways to make GREAT MEMORIES!!!

LOTS to update & cover...Lets start with Christmas Eve

Bear with me, I have ALOT to update!
***December 24th~Christmas Eve
We were at home. Jose went and worked until about 2pm. I had presents that I needed to finish wrapping & the kids were NOT cooperating with me! My mom was at work and I tried locking myself up in my bedroom. Well, I went up at 10am and the kids were all downstairs either watching T.V. or playing PS2. Dominic insisted on coming up to my room a bazillion times.
I called Jose around 11:50 and told him he needed to get home NOW. This was not working. Of course he said he would be home in a "bit", but anyone that knows Jose knows, he doesn't have a clue about time! He drives me INSANE sometimes,,,let me tell ya!
It was 12pm and I went ballistic on the kids! *I felt horrible after I did it, but the nagging & bugging & non-cooperation got to a mama trying to finish up so I could be with my family!*
Well, just as I was going off on the kids, my mom walked in and heard it. She was a lifesaver and knows when I am pushed over the edge (it really does take alot for me to be DONE). She got the kids and took off. THANK YOU MOM!!!!
I was able to get all of the presents done in 45 mins after they left.
Just as I was finishing up Jose walked in the house, came upstairs & was looking around for the kids. He asked where they were and all I could do is give him the stink eye. I told him, "Lucky for you my mom rescued them."
I was able to clean up, clean the kitchen and shower before the kids and my mom got back.
Come to find out she took them to McDonald's and then up to Los Rios Ranch to play in the snow.
Gotta love a mom!!!!

After Jose and I showered, we planned to take the kids back up to Oak Glen and take Ant's board & Snow Scooter out for the kids to play a bit.
After we went up to the snow, we drove down and looked at lights.
Got home, I made some spaghetti & cheese toast real fast & we watched a movie.
The night turned out great! We were all in bed by 10:30pm
Jose & I could not sleep all night though. I think the anticipation of playing Santa and making sure we woke up had us full of anxiety. Anthony even came in at one point waking me up saying, "Mama, did you forget?"
I told him, "No mijo, I have my alarm set for 4:45. I will be up."
So when my alarm did go off, Jose and I were practically awake already. We got up and did the stockings & 'big' present from Santa.
We went back upstairs & we could NOT get back to sleep! My mind was flooded with all the things I need to do before Baby 'D' is here. Then I realized....
I FORGOT TO EAT THE COOKIES & CARROTS!!!!!
So, of course, I threw the blankets off & went downstairs and took care of the cookies, egg nog & carrots.
Sometimes it's the little things that makes being a mom ALL worth it!!!!