Abilehi's Christmas Tree

We went to Story Time as usual this morning...and lucky us we didn't miss because there was a special visit today...

...from Santa Claus!!!

He read us the story of "Frosty the Snowman."

And then Santa's Helper Elf came to help as the children all got a turn on Santa's lap!

Why does Santa's Elf look so familiar...?

Alegria was not very happy to be on Santa's lap, though I wasn't surprised...she didn't like the Easter Bunny, either!

But then Santa's Helper thought to give Alegria her gift from Santa as she was sitting on Santa's lap and that helped a little, though we still never got a smile from her:

Alegria was very happy to get off of Santa's lap and even more happy to pick out a musical instrument to play during the "Goodbye Song:"

Afterwards, we asked to also get a picture with Santa's Helper Elf...and then I realized why she looked so familiar...it was Abilehi!!! ;) She's the CUTEST Santa's Helper EVER!!! :)

Back home, being silly:

Cameron called while Alegria was still napping to ask us to come to his office to see him for a little bit, so I woke Alegria up and off we went (we snag every opportunity to see Daddy!!!):

Alegria wrapping her blanket around her like a shawl:

Daddy's short break ended too soon and we had to say goodbye again. The good thing was we got yummy kisses!

The other day I posted a video of Cameron standing at attention when Retreat sounded at 5 pm. Well...we were leaving Post at about 5...and I had no idea what a big ordeal it is when Retreat sounds!

A few minutes before five, as we were approaching the main gate intersection, traffic was stopped and I saw a police car makes its way to the intersection itself. I thought to myself that someone must have gotten in an accident...the cop wasn't letting anyone advance.

At 5, when Retreat sounded, every person in uniform exited their vehicles and stood at attention. It was then that I realized that the cop was there to enforce the stop of traffic at the sound of Retreat! It was pretty neat. :)

As we waited prior to Retreat, I got a picture of the masses of birds that were on the power lines:

Finally, we got through traffic and Alegria and I headed over to Abilehi's apartment. Abilehi was still at work, so we let ourselves in and waited.

Alegria found all of Maverick's toys and climbing "furniture" amusing...

...but her bow she found annoying...and took it off:

Silly girl! That's not a hat!!!

Then we moved into the living room and Alegria enjoyed climbing up on the coffee table and walking around on it:



Alegria: "Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to check my Facebook."

I had forgotten Alegria's gift from Santa in her diaper bag, so when we found it there when Abilehi came home, Alegria opened it and played with her little gifts:

She especially loved the sticker:



After dinner, Alegria wanted to pet Maverick, so she cornered him in the kitchen:

Abilehi came to Maverick's aid:



Finally, it was time to begin putting up the tree!

Well...we had no instructions for the stree stand and it ended up taking us a lot longer than we'd anticipated! Abilehi figured it out, though:

While Abilehi worked, Alegria followed Maverick into the bedroom...in the dark! I was surprised she went in there being that it was so dark, but luckily the flash on my camera illuminated what was going on...

Maverick innocently laid in his little tower:

...and Alegria wanted to pet him:

But as soon as she got close, Maverick began escaping lower in the tower! Did Alegria leave it at that?

You guessed it! No, she didn't! She followed him in!

Alegria: "Cousin Maverick! Cousin Maverick! Where did you go, Cousin Maverick?"

Further...

...further...

...until there was nowhere else to go!!!

Ricky showed up later on...and it was a good thing he did! He helped us...well...helped Abilehi since I was so busy with Alegria. Alegria was pretty fussy since she was tired.

When we got the second section of the tree up, Abilehi and I thought it would be funny to just leave it as it!

Of course we didn't...they didn't:

Alegria wanted a part in the setting up of the tree, so she decided to help with the top:

Just the tip top of the tree would be a perfect tree for Alegria! It's just her size! :)

Alegria trying on Ricky's boots:

Then Maverick gets in on the action:

Alegria goes back to play on the coffee table:

Putting the top of the tree on:

Alegria saw Abilehi standing on a chair and wanted the chair for herself:

Since Abilehi was busy and wasn't budging, Alegria decided to join her:

Ricky gives Alegria a lift to the top of the tree:

Since Abilehi wasn't able to find a star that she liked when she was buying ornaments for her tree, I brought over a star ornament that Cameron and I used on our first Christmas tree as our tree topper on our first Christmas together. Ricky made it work on Abilehi's tree:

Now Abilehi needs to decide whether she likes it or if she wants to go in search of a tree topper of her own:

As Abilehi and Ricky begin the daunting task of checking the lights, Maverick becomes more curious about what's going on and explores:

Alegria fluffs up the needles on the tree:

Ricky playing with Alegria:

I never realized what a long process setting up a tree is. Growing up, my brothers always put the lights on the tree and since I've been married, that's been Cameron's job!

Alegria and I didn't make it. Alegria was super sleepy as was I, so we finally left close to 10:30.

Now she's in bed and I'm about to head off to bed, too. I can't wait to see what Abilehi's tree will look like! Ricky was doing a superb job with winding the lights on the branches!

Well...that's it for tonight!

We hope you all sleep well!!! :)

MAS (in Spanish) = MORE

Today in Primary, Beth was a substitute teacher and of course, she brought her little boy, Max with her. Well, she was holding him, so his car seat was empty...until Alegria saw it and wanted to climb in!

Why must she always take her shoes off when she's in a car seat? It seems every time we go somewhere, we literally have to dress her all over again when we reach our destination! Luckily, today she's wearing tights, so it's only the shoes we have to put back on, not the socks as well!

Since last night was a late night and Alegria still woke up at the regular time today (7:15 am), I knew she'd be exhausted by the time we got home...which she was. She went to sleep as soon as I put her in her crib.

And then it was my turn. Boy, do I LOVE a nice nap! :)

When Alegria woke up from her nap, I gave her a little something to eat since she hadn't had lunch before her nap.

Then we went to Abilehi's place so that Alegria could formally "meet" Maverick. Alegria just loved him and wanted to play with him right away...but Maverick was intimidated by her...

...and ran away to hide:



Alegria kept trying to coax him to come out of his hiding place, but he was staying put:



Since Alegria kept insisting that Maverick come out and play, he eventually did come out...only to go hide underneath Abilehi's bed! And what to my wondering eyes should appear...Alegria's little behind sticking out from underneath the bed, trying to get Maverick to come out of his next hiding place!

When she wants something, she REALLY wants it and she persists!

Finally we had to head out. Here's Alegria waiting at the top of the outside stairs for Abilehi so that we can go:

Our Little Texas Eskimo:

We went with Abilehi to the Institute "Break the Fast" dinner. It was delicious! We had Belgian waffles, sausage links, bacon and juice! YUM!

Then we went upstairs to watch the First Presidency Christmas Devotional. It was lovely, as usual. Alegria even danced to some of the music!

Now we're home and I'm pondering the day's events...and a thought I would like to end with is something Brother Robey said this morning during his testimony at Church. He spoke of an experience he had in school when he was about 13 years of age. It was Christmas time and he was in a class where his teacher asked (paraphrased): "What does 'mas' mean in Spanish? 'More.' So at ChristMAS, we should think of Christ more."

Good night to all!!!

But You Don't NEED Makeup!

At breakfast, we had Baby Signing Time on in the background. At one point, the babies and children on the TV were sleeping...and Alegria signed "sleep!" So I asked her to sign "sleep" again and she did:



As I was getting ready later on in the morning, Alegria was going through my drawers that have all of my makeup and hair styling products...as usual. Today was different, though. Instead of just looking and emptying, she decided to try on Mommy's makeup as well...my eyeliner, to be exact!

Alegria: "I have to put eyeliner on, Mommy...just like you!"

But you don't NEED eyeliner, Sweetie! And besides...you missed your eyes by a mile!!! :oP

After her nap, we sat down and had a snack while we waited for Abilehi to come over. Alegria is getting better at feeding herself with a spoon! She doesn't hold the spoon upside down anymore and she's able to get more on it!



Then we played in the living room while we waited some more. Alegria was climbing into the entertainment center shelf backwards and I was hoping she'd do it again so I could capture it on video:



When Abilehi showed up, I finished getting Alegria ready and we all headed out.

Our first stop was Party-n-Jump, a party supplies store. I had talked to Abilehi at about 9:15 this morning and she was going to meet up with another girl to get decorations for their young single adult Christmas party. At about 4, when I talked to Abilehi again, she was STILL out shopping! It turns out they'd gone to multiple places and couldn't find round red plastic tablecloths. So I called this party place in Copperas Cove (they'd been shopping in Killeen and Harker Heights) and they had some...YAY! :)

After that, we went to Wal-Mart, where we witnessed a beautifully-painted sunset sky:

God's the greatest artist!

Back home, Abilehi and I quickly unloaded the groceries. Soon thereafter, the Hawkins showed up...laden with good things to eat! They had come for dinner and to watch the Big 12 Championship game between Texas and Nebraska. Yeah, sorry, I don't know the team names. I'm more into the NFL...not so much with the college ball...yet. Maybe Cameron can get me to like it someday...who knows!

While we were eating, the little ones played. Little Josh had already eaten and Alegria was more interested in playing than in dinner, so I let her be. And be she did. She found my hoodie and asked me to help her put it on...and what happened next is so funny I wish I had been video taping rather than taking still shots...Alegria was walking around with the hoodie so far down over her eyes that she was literally walking blind...and she walked right into the wall!!! We laughed so hard!!! It was too funny!!! I would have won the $100,000 prize from America's Funniest Home Videos for that one! Darn!!! :(

So I tried video taping her afterwards to see if she would do the same thing...but the moment was over. However, she does look cute walking around like a little druid:



After dinner, Abilehi and I got busy sorting the laundry and starting a load to wash. Well...the children wanted to play in one of the laundry baskets and they were being so cute, I just had to take a video! (It's kind of long...so I'm guessing only those who truly love my child and Andrea's child will endure the whole 5 minutes of child's play!):

Don't ask. I don't know why she likes to pat his head and feel his hair! I've felt it. Yes, it's soft...but so is hers and I don't see her rubbing her own hair all the time!!!

Then we headed into the living room...but the kids kept wanting to play in the laundry basket! In this video, Little Josh ends up sitting on Alegria's lap and Alegria throws quite the fit!

The game didn't end until 10:30...and neither did the playing! Yes, Alegria and Little Josh stayed up the whole time! They are such good little play buddies!

Alegria went to sleep rather fast once the Hawkins were gone and she was in her pajamas, teeth brushed, and songs sung.

And now I should go to bed, too...

Have a wonderful night!!!