HO HO HO!!

Merry Christmas! We spent Christmas weekend with Oma, Opa, Aunt Dawny, Grandpa and Grandma Fernelius! It was a fantastic weekend, full of yummy food, sweet gifts, and loving family. We also got to visit the Rodriguez family on Christmas day! An unplanned and wonderful treat!

Cute Girl

Pretty Tree!

We did a lot of eating

slicing limpa bread for the dopa greta

loves

see, eating again

opening Christmas Eve pajamas

wow!

Amali's

Grandpa and Grandma Fernelius

Smile!

pops got a guitar so Mauro played all weekend

Francis Family 2011

Mom did so good with the matching pajams

the boys

so so big

singing for our Christmas program

reading stories

grandpa reading

more singing

worn out bubbs

opening presents on Christmas morning!

what is this!

helping

mom and dawny

she ended up with wrapping in her hair

new boots!

she loved this art set from Grandpa Wayne!

they had so much fun at Grandpas!

Ricky just wants a hug

but Michael got all the attention!

grandpa with great grandkids

making smores

good?

bells

her favorite song- Jingle Bells! and Oma even got out bells for everyone to ring!

Uncle Cary's hat

my favorite gift- a new stove!

mauro's awesome new boots from opa and oma

even cinco got a gift this year! thanks auntie!!

O Holy Night

There are many ways to feel the Spirit this season; beautiful music, the love of family, the comfort of service, and the touching words of our leaders and friends. I want to share with you some of my favorite Christmas inspirations. A few things that make me stop, ponder, and appreciate the glorious night that was our Saviors birth.

Peanuts Christmas is one of my favorites. I am not much into holiday movies, I leave that up to Aleesha. But this one scene in this cute movie always touches my heart. Children are such a sweet reminder of what is really important. 




This song is so beautiful, and listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Chior sing it brings tears to my eyes as I think of that Holiest of nights.




Easily my favorite song of the Christmas season, maybe of all times, is the Little Drummer Boy. The innocence and pure love that is found in these simple words is so inspirational. I hope that my gifts to our Christ is as heartfelt and beautiful as the drumming song of the little drummer boy.




Anyone who read my newsletter this year knows this was coming. What a beautiful life Mary lived to have raised the son of God. I wonder her thoughts and hopes for her child, as she kissed him goodnight and rocked him to sleep.




Favorite Christmas story goes to The Littlest Angel. Amali loves to look at the pictures as I read her the story, and ask, "Is that me mommy?" I like to think that yes, she is the littlest angel, running the gold streets of Heaven, loosing her halo. And I know her box from Earth would contain the very same wonderful earthly wonders. I am pretty sure this book was written with Amali in mind.

That is all for now. I have a million more I could add, but hope you enjoyed the Spirit of the Season as you read through my inspirations. What are yours?

Mauro Rodriguez V !!!

Well, after much debate, we decided to find out the sex of the coming Bun. From here on out Bun will now be known as Cinco! Mauro was running late to the appointment because of work and rainy day traffic, but as soon as he walked in Amali yelled out to him "Daddy, I am having a brother!" We both got tears in our eyes as we were overjoyed with the news, and especially Amali sharing her news too. CINCO!!!! Everyone is so excited to carry on the wonderful name. Joy Joy JOY! He was more then happy to share with us his gender, spreading his legs wide open for most of the sono. I noticed when we first got the sono going the baby has a penis! But didn't say anything until the tech told me for sure at the end and highlighted it for our viewing. Just like we thought, a boy! She also mentioned numerous times and even told Mauro again when he came in the room, that he is an energetic and active baby! He wasn't still or sleeping for any of the sono. And he weighs in at a whooping 10 ounces.

A few things we learned at the appointment. One, he is measuring small so the due date was pushed back a week. They said May 13 but I feel like it will be sooner. And not sure why they picked that day. "Due dates" frustrate me. But maybe that gives us some extra time to get stuff done! Next, he is breech. Normal but he needs to turn around before there is no more room! Last, my placenta is low lying, which has to change before I deliver or it will be a c section. It can do this, so we will do another sonogram at 28 weeks to make sure both the breech positioning and placenta have corrected themselves. Other then that, our baby boy is healthy and happy! Having a son feels right. We are beyond excited.

So to our little Mauro Rodriguez V- you are so loved! 

BOY! view from bottom looking up

profile

his cute face and rapid heartbeat

legs and feet

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

We had Gabriel for a couple days this week so what better time to go see Santa! The kiddos were great- Gabriel was content and Amali was suspicious why she was sitting on his lap for a photo. I tried to get them both to tell him what they wanted for Christmas- Amali said presents! They play so cute together and watching them interact is so incredible! I love these two bebes and can't wait for Cinco to join them!

snoozing waiting for tires

Am found chopsticks and wanted to feed Gabriel olives with them

this is one of their favorite things to do- read to each other!

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree

Monkeying around at the Cluff's Christmas Party

She loved the fire, but not taking a picture beside it

big girl!

playing out back- which is where she stayed the whole party!

Sportsmobile Christmas Party- they loved the fruit!

Gabriel stole his gift- way to get in the spirit of Elephant gifting!

Amali got a movie

playing around being silly

auntie Kayla showing how to use a cane

sitting with Presley

Auntie Kayla, Aunt Jenne, and Gabriel

family shot

YaYa's after church

Auntie Kayla's new bike!

We had two Christmas parties to go to on Saturday night- and had a blast at both! We wish we could have stayed longer with the Cluff's, they caroled at the Retirement Home! But we had to get to west Austin so had to leave early. Next was the Sportsmobile Christmas party, a fun time every year! They did an elephant gift exchange, and it was so cute when Gabriel went and stole a playdoh pack from another little girl, without encouragement! Kayla wore a dress that I hemmed up for her that was my moms! And looked very good! Sunday Mauro went with Kayla to get a new bike! Big weekend for Kayla- new bike, new house, and new phone!