Glad Tidings and looking forward to Twenty 12

Omg, we are down to the wire folks. Down to the wire. To all those I did not get an opportunity to wish a Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays (to my non-Catholic friends) to, hope you had a wonderful weekend (or week, for that matter) full of love, laughter, and glad tidings.

testing out our fireplace--first use

This year, my family and I hosted my Dad's side of the family for Christmas. We comfortably fit 30 people in our humble abode.  A bit comfier than the almost 80 people we had in our house for Micron's baptism (gasp!! and that's when we hadn't even finished unpacking from moving in and had one small sofa). It was festive with lots of merry-making in our house and lit up a fire in our fireplace (shhh--no telling on us). Vino was flowing, there was a multitude of dishes and desserts to choose from, and our Christmas tree looking like it threw up a bajillion gifts. No complaints there!

I'll never forget this Christmas as it was the first that Micro TRULY exhibited excitement about gifts. Not to take away the true meaning of Christmas, which is to celebrate Jesus' birth and God's blessings, but Mr. Fliz and I couldn't help marvel at his every giggle and awe with everything Christmas. We wrote his letter to Santa and mailed it. Last minute, though. 

We started off the season with Zoo Lights at Oakland Zoo, cozy nights recording and watching Christmas movies together, hiding gifts all throughout the house, and Mr. Fliz putting up lights this year around our house. His special assistant for the chore, none other than, Micro. And what a great helper he was. Daddy has his "Russ." Looking forward to many years of this. We paid two visits to Santa--both successful for Micro, but not for Micron. She'll wave to him and smile from afar. And that's about it. 

Our Christmas party 2011 was very fun, and though the hardest part was prepping our house and cleaning up, Mr. Fliz and I would be happy to do it again. Hopefully, the kids will be LOADS more helpful ;) Santa was very generous this year, despite some difficult economic times.

Maraming salamat to our good friends and family, because this year would not be much of anything, if it weren't for their continued love, friendship, and support. A heartfelt thank you to my wonderful husband of five and a half years (going on 8 years together!), who has been my pillar to lean on during tough times, my greatest cheerleader, and love of my life (sound vaguely familiar like my wedding speech? ha!ha!). To the other loves of my life--Micro & Micron--this year, I received the most awesome gifts--many memorable moments of watching you two grow closer and closer and loving each other like besties.

 

This is only the first batch of gifts from the hub's family