Christmas Day 2012

Most of our days begin when Cruz wakes up.  If you read our blog often then you will know that it usually is very early.  Lately, though, he has been sleeping later.  By later I mean until 6:30- 6:45.  That is late to us, haha.  On Christmas morning he slept until 6:50!  Wow!  I was up, dressed, and waiting on him before he even woke up.  We had to wake Ben up too so we could all go open gifts together. 

Ben waking up on Christmas morning

We then headed into our living room to open gifts.  Here is a short video of Cruz when he saw his gifts.  He noticed his bicycle right away.

Cruz had asked for balloons for Christmas.  I had several blown up and tossed around the room.  Ben was more interested in them than the gifts.

Since we now have a bathtub for the first time since moving to Guatemala we decided to get the boys some bath toys for Christmas.  They have had so much fun this week playing with their new toys in the tub!

Cruz got a lasso that we brought him back from the States.

He also got new boots that he LOVES!

Cruz wearing his new Batman costume and new boots while trying out his new bike.

After unwrapping everything and then cleaning the room up I decided to take a few photos of all their gifts.

Cruz got an Elmo car seat cover.  We got Ben a monogrammed hooded pool towel to match his brothers.  He also got a Sesame Street pillowcase in his name like his brothers.  You can see a few of their books, markers, tub toys, Cruz's rope, and bicycle.

They got finger paints, Sesame Street toothbrushes, boots, and some lace-up activity things that are good for motor skills.  I plan to use them mostly when eating out in restaurants to keep those little hands busy. 

Cruz got a Sesame Street kids cookbook.  He loves helping me in the kitchen.  He got several Crayola mess free Color Wonder books and markers.  He got a t-ball set, and a Batman costume.  There were a few more little things as well.

Afterwards I cooked and we ate breakfast.  We always eat French toast on Christmas morning.  I make it up the night before and let it sit all night.  All I have to do the next morning is put it on the griddle.  It's fast and easy.  This year I added some bacon to our meal.

After breakfast it was more play time.  Ben got this new toy. He loves chewing on the balls.

Our Christmas lunch consisted of turkey, carrot souffle, homemade macaroni and cheese, green beans, sweet tea, and pecan pie.  It was delicious!  I did most of the prep cooking the day before so I only had to assemble everything and pop it in the oven. 

We ate lunch and then all four took a nap.  It was much needed!  We spent the rest of the afternoon playing and then shot fireworks again that night with our neighbors.  We ended the day with another reading of the Christmas story and singing a few carols before calling it a night.  It had been a very fun day for all of us!

Our sweet boys on Christmas day

We hope each of you had a blessed Christmas season as well.

Happy New Year from our little family to yours!

Christmas Eve 2012

It has been our tradition to eat a Guatemalan breakfast on Christmas Eve morning.  So this year we enjoyed black beans and eggs.  I spent the rest of the morning prep cooking for our Christmas day lunch. 

In the States we celebrate most on Christmas day.  Christmas Eve is the big day of celebration here in Guatemala. 

We drove into Chiquimula and had lunch at McDonald's.  We usually eat lunch somewhere on Christmas Eve that has a play land so Cruz can play.  I am sure we will be continuing this tradition for several more years and then maybe we can all eat a nice restaurant meal together when the boys get older.  It was fun though and we enjoyed it just as much as the boys.

David and Cruz eating lunch at McDonald's on Christmas Eve

Ben chewing on a French fry box

a little play time

We got home, took a nap, and then walked up the road to our neighbor's house.  They were hosting a party for all the kids in our neighborhood.  This is the same family that hosted the Independence Day party for all the kids.  It was a lot of fun! 

In addition to food, they had games, prizes, toys, balloons, and lots of candy for all the kids.  They are very generous!

They had face painting also.  Cruz got a Christmas tree painted on his cheek.

They did a scavenger hunt.  Here are all the kids "lining up" to get their prizes.

sack races are always fun

For one game two people had to put a balloon between them and try to pop it.  This was fun to watch.

They had three pinatas.  Cruz LOVES getting a turn to hit them.

They even let Ben have a turn.

My favorite part about Christmas Eve in Guatemala is eating tamales.  They are always so delicious!  I ate two at the party and then took another one home for later.  YUM!  We were also served a homemade hot chocolate drink that is popular here. 

I looked over at one point and David was feeding tamales to Ben.  I guess I can now add that to his list of new foods he has tried. 

 Look at him licking his lips, haha  He liked it!  There is not much he doesn't like to eat. 

It is also our Christmas Eve tradition to have a birthday cake to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  It was the first year for Cruz to sort of understand that.  When I told him we were having a birthday party he asked if we could have balloons.  I did hang some streamers and several balloons in the kitchen for him.  He loved it.  I tried teaching him the first half of John 3:16 this year -"For God so loved the world, He gave his only Son."  I used that as my teaching tool for the cake and party- and Christmas as a whole. 

our "Happy Birthday, Jesus" cake

I used red and green M&M's to make a heart to signify the love of God who sent His Son for us.

singing happy birthday and getting ready to blow out the candle

Before I cut it he grabbed an M&M off and ate it.  He's a funny boy!

When it got dark we returned to our neighbor's to shoot some fireworks.  Fireworks are HUGE here at Christmas.   

me and my sweet baby Ben- his first Christmas Eve

Cruz is a big fan of fireworks.  Here he is holding a sparkler.  He was literally laughing out loud.  I am not sure what was so funny, but it had him tickled.

me and my boys on Christmas Eve

We came home and put the kids to bed.   

Cruz sleeping on Christmas Eve night

Ben sleeping on Christmas Eve night

We finished getting their presents together and setting everything out.  Here in Guatemala everyone shoots fireworks at midnight on Christmas Eve.  It is VERY loud, but also very pretty.  We decided instead of going to bed for just a few short hours we would just stay up until the fireworks were over.  We enjoyed watching them, and could not believe that both boys slept through it all.   We wanted to wake Cruz up because I know he would have loved it, but we didn't want to take a chance on him not wanting to go back to sleep.  There will be plenty more years for him to enjoy the midnight celebration.

Here is everything set out and ready for Christmas morning.  Cruz had asked for a "red" present, some balloons, and dulces (Spanish for candy).  He got that and a whole lot more. 

We both got in the bed that night, tired, but full of excitement anticipating what the next day held!

Mission Christmas Party 2012

Last Thursday we had our annual mission Christmas party at the Hardeman's home in Guatemala City. It is always a fun time of being together with our IMB mission family. 

We all bring covered dishes and have a large lunch meal together.

Carol and Ben

Roger, Gary, Jeff T., Jeff M., Noemi, and Vicki

Margie, Karen, Helen, and Glynis- sweet ladies!

Bethani and Cruz

After our meal we always play some wacky games.  Here are David and Daniel trying to string small wreaths onto chopsticks that they had to transport to another table and place on a Christmas tree.  It is always fun to laugh at and with each other during this game time.  I was involved in a snow ball fight game but did not get any photos of it. 

One game had people tossing marshmallows through a wreath into a basket. 

Cruz decided to start picking up all of the marshmallows as they fell on the ground and eating them. 

This picture makes me laugh out loud!   Look at those cheeks! He was hilarious gathering up all the marshmallows.  He was fast about it too.  We all got a good laugh watching him in action.

he loves marshmallows

The MK's usually draw names during our time together for Thanksgiving and swap gifts at the party.  Here is Cruz opening his gift.

He got this remote control truck.  I am not sure who has played with it more- him or us.  We love his new toy.

The adults bring gag gifts and play a white elephant game.  It's always interesting to see what kinds of gifts are brought. 

A group photo of the MK's- many were home from college to spend the holiday's with their family here in Guatemala

A group photo of all of us- minus one or two

We have a great mission family and we are thankful to be able to serve with these wonderful people!