Saenz Xmas 2011

Christmas 2011 was extra special because it was Carmen's 1st Christmas!

She of course could care less what Santa or anyone bought her. I really should have just bought boxes and water bottles for her, but she ended getting a few good things... noticably, the ball popper that she loves playing with and dancing to the music and her new bike! Vince got too many things to count. Santa was extra generous to him. He even bought him "Cranky", a huge crane that carries Thomas trains around, controlled by a remote!

Vince only got one train because we have the other 65 and there is not many left! But there is one or two that are unavailable at stores that we don't have. Think we are going to leave it that way... :)
A few picks before the unwrapping began...

The ever famous, Cranky!!! and Grandpa!!

My sister's family came over Christmas morning and we all had a great time playing with all the new toys!!

Another of Carmen's big gifts... a tricycle that you can push that converts later to a real trike. I don't know why she isn't wearing pants here!

Carmen's 1st Christmas and Vince's 4th was a big success!!

a couple more pics..

this is at the Gaylord.. I have pics of Vince on this sleigh when he was 1 and 2!!

4 cousins!!!

Tiana is 30!

My birthday falls a three days before Christmas. Some view that as a bad thing, thinking less presents. I actually like it because I get to spend my day with my loved ones.

Especially my little ones - here is Carmy looking too cute...

David suprised me with that wonderful double dozzie cookie cake - my favorite! He also showered me with several gifts when I woke up. One special gift was my baby bracelet that he and my family got fixed for Carmen, with her name inscribed and all (with my birthday still there).

As I mentioned, I get to be with my loved ones... and a big family we are! Most of my past birthdays in recent memory, we have gathered to make Christmas tamales! It's so fun to get together with my mom, sisters, cousins, aunts, and extended family... to drink wine.. I mean make tamales. We even have our own aprons...

notice my special "30" cup!

It's was a big milestone birthday, the big 3 - 0. And I couldn't have spent it in any better way then hanging out with family, and tamale making (and eating!).

Myca's Birthday - Dec 2011

Myca - Carmen's buddy, or slightly older cousin turned one mid December. Our whole family had a blast getting together to celebrate at her cupcake party!!

Grandma helped Myca hit the pinata. Everyone had fun hitting it, except Warren! Unfortunately for him, we went in order of age... but we forgot cousin Jacob is a baseball player... he tore the pinata apart easily! (One day we'll watch him play for UT! - I said it first here - of course he is only 9ish, so we have a few years).

Here is baby Carmen, 9 months old, with cousin Erica.

Myca really enjoyed her cake...

and here is one bonus pic of my kiddos that night! I love them!!