Christmas Eve at Grandma A's

After stockings we started the Grab bag. I got the last number, but we went in reverse this year so I was first. I ended up with a cool kitchen utensil set.

Eric's grab continued

Eric's still unwrapping ha ha. It turns out they were 20 lottery tickets! Dyann got them and won $8. I guess that's not bad.

Eric's grab

Megan had some fun wrapping her present. ha ha. Poor Eric

Christmas Eve Grab Bag

Our Christmas celebration always begins with a grab bag and Mexican food at my Grandma's house. This year's was so fun! I think it works better when people try to buy good gifts.

Opening presents!

Caption on the box I'm opening:
"Technology new to you. Unlimited Songs!"

I open it and there is an old transistor radio! Ha ha. Underneath it there's a picture of the ipod nano. I think it'll arrive in about a week. : )

I also got a rolling pin! I'm excited to go back and bake with Gusty & Chelsea now!

It's Christmas time in the city of Tucson (and Oro Valley)

We had C-mas dinner at my parents house then met up with the rest of the family for dessert. Zach got a little carried away roasting marshmallows, haha. It was nice though. We played Disney's Scene it as a group and my team dominated. Dyann & I were unstoppabe--finally we can work together on something without fighting!

Winterhaven

I went on a hayride with my family to look at the Christmas lights in this part of town called Winterhaven. Yes, I know what you are thinking...a hayride? I guess I am a hick. (There ya go Greg, I admitted it. haha) Anyway, it was a nice way to wrap up our C-mas celebration

Winterhaven Part Deux

It's really hard to take pictures when you're cruising on a wagon. But these are some of the attempts I made. There were def. some cool lights.

December De Colores

December De Colores was a blast. We met at Jamba Juice as usual on Friday and then headed down to Chula Vista where we stayed at Adolfo's house. John Frye and I led this trip with the assistance of Mark Celio who returned just for this trip. It was so great remembering old trips. We even sat in the garage and talked for the most of the night. It was so great. The next morning was crazy too, we slept in so until like 7 am! That's unheard of on a De Colores. We told everyone they'd be getting up at 4! Boy, were they pleasantly surprised. After we ate and cleaned up we headed across the border. We worked at a school called Martin Batista, where we have a long history. It was a big project that consisted of 3 cement projects. I wasn't sure if we could do it, but the group really pulled through. After that we were all pretty tired, but the day wasn't nearly done. We ate a delicious lunch then went to La Playa Tijuana for our first Posadas. We got there a little late because the traffic was terrible. We made it for the best part, though. The CANDY EXCHANGE! After that celebration we headed to the community of Salva Tierras. We have worked there for the past few projects and it really is quite an accomplishment. We did the Posadas there and it was adorable. After that we handed out gifts to the children and then ate yummy tamales. We sang De Colores and Feliz Navidad with the community and headed back to Tecalote for Reflection and bed time. Traffic the next day was absolutely terrible and the border crossing took forever. So, Sunday was kind of rough. We were all pretty tired and ready to be back. My day was brightened when my friend Carl stopped by to talk with me after I got back to LMU. I was still scrubby and disgusting but he didn't seem to mind. Overall it was a really great trip and I am so happy I got to go back.

More De Colores Pics

De Colores was so much fun and it was great to get to lead again.

One Tequila, Two Tequila, Three Tequila, FLOOR!

You gotta love partying with your professors. I was especially excited because Charles said he was proud of me. YAY! And I am very thankful to Josh and HAM for picking us all up and for hanging out. You guys all rock.

This Hacienda was good, but I can't wait for Spring because I will actually be screening. Oh boy, is that scary, yet also super exciting! I can't wait.