Four Christmases

This year our sweet cub had FOUR Christmases. How you ask? Well it all started on December 23rd at  Grammy & Pop's house. We went up to Kileen for the day and Jackson racked up some great gifts. Unfortunately for y'all I forgot my camera AGAIN but I can tell y'all that he LOVED his Radio Flyer AUTHENTIC all-steel wagon, trampoline and slew of small gifts he received. Expect pictures soon. 

In the meantime enjoy pictures taken by my dad on HIS camera to help narrate the remainder of this post...

Soooo, Christmas numero dos--we spent the 24th in Houston (specifically Kingwood) at my grandfather's house with about 30 aunts, uncles, cousins, 2nd cousins, 3rd cousins, friends and friends of friends. My family is part Latin part Greek and it's JUST like the movies when we get together--LOTS of laughing, fighting, fun and ALWAYS a great time. 

Jackson had so much fun opening his gifts and he was, as always, the center of attention. I wish we had  a picture of the whole group as they looked on our cub opening his presents but alas, my dad isn't the "best" photog (he'd beg to differ). 

The boy was EXTREMELY meticulous when opening the packages and refused to open the boxes until I cleaned up the wrapping. It was hysterical. I'm so glad a little bit of my OCD is rubbing off on him ;)

Christmas numero tres was spent in Austin at the cub's very own casa. His gifts from Santa were 'stamped' with Santa's face and the gifts from the lion cub to us were stamped with his own special stamp. Cute huh? He did good. 

Jackson wasn't as interested in his presents at home so instead he chose to hand out gifts and give hugs/kisses. It was really sweet... 

 

 

Jackson even got his momma and dada a gift! Apparently he made it at school with all of his amigos and we were instructed not to open it until Christmas...

 

It was a BEAUTIFUL fingerprint reindeer ornament and it just so happens to match our current decorations so we've decided to keep it! Just kidding folks, I would have kept it anyways. Maybe. Not gonna lie, I'm picky. Even when it comes to gifts from my beloved boy. 

 

Our fourth and final Christmas was spent on December 26th, 27th in El Paso. Jackson got to open a few more gifts and enjoy the ones he received last year. His old man pajamas were too perfect don't you think? 

 

 

 

 

We have since been enjoying some quiet time in El Paso with my cousins from Honduras. Jackson is OBSESSED with Aristides and has spent every.waking.moment. with him. I'm so happy he has made new friends with my cousins and relieved that they love him just as much right back. 

 

HoliDAZE

This holiday season has come and almost gone. We've had a WHIRLWIND of activities and I of course have not taken a single picture. Blame it on the busy busy/jolly jolly of it all. 

From play dates to Christmas parties our every day has been jam packed full of goings on. I DID manage to capture Jackson's school Christmas party. Turns out the cub's classroom is now down to 9 students AND they're all boys! What fun right? Jackson LOVES going to school so a Christmas party AT school was right up this kid's alley!

The teacher's surprised the parents with t-shirts the boy's had made with their fingers, cocoa and loads of cookies. Jackson enjoyed showing us around his classroom and pointing out all of his best buds. If you ask him about them he gets a huge smile on his face and says, "Andrewwwwww, Liam, Leo (in Spanish) and Baaalaissssseeee (aka Blaise). It was so sweet to see them interact in person.

 

Aside from parties and play dates our boy has been lending a helping hand in every other aspect of giving. We've had a few sick friends lately and visiting them/bringing them soup/help has put a big smile on a lot of faces. We've also had a whole LOT of visitors! But more on that later...

Gordo at Gordough's

Every once in a while you gotta live a little right? For us 'living a little' is going out to get some donuts. I know, look at us go all crazy and stuff... 

But seriously; we work hard, we work out hard, we eat healthy organic food, and when we see a trailer aptly named, 'Gordough's' we pull over and see what all this fuss is about.

Turns out they are the most.amazing.donuts.in.THE.world. Yup. They're that good. 

 

 Jackson cub was in heaven. So were his parents. Until all of their stomachs hurt and they retreated painfully back home. Hey, no pain, no gain. Donuts=BIG hit.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

 

 

Mexico...Minus Uno

After Thanksgiving we decided to hop on a plane to Mexico for a friend's wedding in Merida. I desperately wanted Jackson to come along with and had full intentions of him doing so but the truth of the matter is he would have been cooped up in a hotel room for the majority of the stay with some nanny I've never met before. Not ok. In this case Jack was right, we were better off leaving him behind in Kingwood with my aunts/uncles/tata/cousins. 

It takes a village to raise our boy, and in this case he got just that. His main 'conservators' were my Tia Sheila and Tio Ito whom he loves and trusts completely. I lost it (of course) when I left him but he didn't seem to mind a single bit and instead lined up all of his cars to play with my cousins Alex & Nikko as my Tata watched on. 

Everyone assured me he would be perfectly fine and most importantly, they had a slew of events planned for our cub. While away, I of course called WAY too many times but my aunt was always on point and answered every.single.phone.call. and was constantly updating us with pictures. In my book--perfect babysitting. 

Jackson had a blast in his huge luxurious bubble baths...

Was enamored with Duke & Duchess (who he still talks about daily)...

And even got up close and personal with a few jetliners! 

He was in heaven. These were just some of the events this boy got to partake in. I was told (and shown) he got to spend time with my Tia Brenda, Tio Swami, cousins, Swami & Danny and all the neighborhood kids/adults my family are friends with. He was given a whole LOTTA love during his stay and we are forever indebted to my family for watching over him. I know, he is most definitely a handful, but he's our handful and thank you guys for loving him just as much as we do!

And the wedding? Perfection. It was nice to have a family vacation and in such a beautiful location! We've promised to take Jackson back so that he doesn't feel as though he missed out on anything. I really did feel guilty the entire time. He's excited to visit!

Thankful

This Thanksgiving we had a whole lot to be thankful for. Our blessings have grown by leaps and bounds lately and it was good to share them amongst family...

 Jackson was especially thankful for all of this lovely comida he got to consume and especially loved Grammy's fruit filled jello.

Thank you for hosting us Grammy & Pops!