Christmas 2008

Before I start with a glimpse of Christmas...On the 13Th of December we celebrated Bayardo's birthday at Moki's.

We were lucky to have his birthday when Mokis's have their Luau. On the first Friday of every month at the Southern/Val Vista location and on the 2Nd Saturday of the month at the Dobson/Baseline location; Moki's have all you can eat Luau with entertaining. We love Hawaiian food. Here Bayardo is enjoying his dinner. Here is a sample of the entertaining.

Here is "Da Pidgin" Ten Commandments we encountered.
(A dialect of English spoken on the Hawaiian Islands)


On the 8Th and the 15Th of December, the kids had their Winter Performance. I included video clips of each of them: Hannah (the petite thing), Devan (first left front guitarist), Dorian (Behind the singer with the green skirt wearing "pink" shades).

Christmas Eve we spent it with the Alfaro's/Flores. This year we were at Kenneth's home. Unfortunately, Selena was tired and called it a night. But the Alfaro's don't stop, we moved it to The Flores and continued to "celebrate" Jesus B-Day until 130am-2am.
Nina, Selena, Baby K, Marysa

Kayla (holding her drink, Diana, Alexis,& Jordan playing Aggravation, Carly singing Karaoke.
Here you can see Carly singing and all the family spending a joyous time together.

Here sister Nina & Bayardo have a try at the Karaoke.

At about 2am-3am in the morning, after coming back from Queen Creek the kids open the family gift. Here are two clips of them opening the gift they were wondering about and after they opened it. Note: Ayla nursed until she was close to being 3 years. July 17, 2008 marked one year from being nursed free, however, she still begs me, you can catch that at the end of the first clip. It will rotate, promise.

Here the family is rocking with Rock Band. Ayla is singing ACDC and adding her own words of 'Santa Claus is coming to town" We didn't go to bed until 5am.

Christmas Morning, after about 3 hours of sleep, we had breakfast at Abuelita Jinette's
& Grandpa Mundo. Yes! We scored with Tamales Tico's (from Costa Rica), Tamales Mexicano's, Gallo Pinto, Platanos Fritos, eggs, Chocolate de Mexico, y Cafe.

Here my other favorite brother in law RJ, and his mama Bonnie enjoy some time together eating the delicious food.

Ayla spilled her drink and was drying her pants...It took about 10 minutes, but she was determined.

We were able to enjoy some time with my cousin Alejandro. Diego , his brother and Maren brought him to visit. He is so special. You can feel the spirit with him. He is blind, autistic, retarded, and two other disabilities that I forget. No matter how long it is that I've been apart from my primo, he always seems to recognize when I sing his name. He'll touch my face to kiss him and search my hand to softly tickle his arm.

Chelsea, our second oldest, came to visit from Virginia, here Dad and his first baby girl spend time together.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. Well not really, Abuelita Jinette would have been upset. The grandchildren gathered to visit with Santa after his long night. Hey where's Grandpa Mundo?

He was asleep on the couch...or was he? Here Evan tells Papa that he missed Santa.

When, what to our wondering eyes should appear, It was Tio Marco who flew by eight tiny reindeer...

Here mama shouts for joy when she spots Marco. She was sad that Tio Marco and Tio Jorge missed the holiday season with the family. Jorge was not able to come. We were glad that Marco was able to lift mamas spirit some.
Tyrel, our daughter enjoying some time with her nephew Leo'nel.

Here is Tio Marco holding Leo'nel, my grandson.

Here's Evan Rock'n with his new guitar

Here Evan is Rock'n with his guitar and Ayla vocals, Go Primos!

Olivia is enjoying her brother and prima entertain.

After 7 1/2 hours, the kitchen Abuelita Jinette and Grandpa Mundo gave to the grandchildren for Christmas, was finally assembled by RJ, C-Bass, and Stephanie.

Favorite Book Friday

Okay, I'm late, however, here is my choice. In celebration of Chinese New Year Soon, 2009 is The OX. So I chose the Tall Tale of Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, Babe. This version is retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg.

The tall tales of Paul Bunyan are continued into the next generation. This version tells that his children are responsible for making many well-known American landmarks. Author: Audrey Wood, Illustrator: David Shannon

My children and I enjoyed both of the books and their illustration

I also included a word search (Click on the word Search to go to the link).

I also included the video clip of Disneys Paul Bunyan, just click here.

Ciao for Now,

Arnnette

New Year's Giveaway

April Showers is having a great giveaway. Click here to enter. Here are the details:
1. To ENTER the contest you need to make a post on your own personal blog telling all your friends about this giveaway.
2. You also need to comment on this post and tell me: a) Your birthday and b) Three New Year's resolutions.
Prizes: One winner will be chosen, and will receive...
1. A $25 gift certificate to Bath and Body Works!

2. For EVERY comment made on this post, I will add $1 to a mark. gift certificate. So if there are 10 comments, the gift certificate will be for $10. If there are 30 comments, the gift certificate will be for $30! And yes...even if there are 100 comments...Holy crap!!! Cool huh? But you can only comment once :D

3. BONUS: Anyone who orders Blog TLC from me, or HAS ordered Blog TLC from me in the past will automatically receive an extra entry! But you still need to fulfill the rules above to enter.
4. It's a good thing you read this far down, because the first FIVE people to post a comment will get a mark. goody bag full of SAMPLES! Fragrances, lip gloss, body lotions, etc... Hooray!You guys rock my face off!P.S. Anyone who enters and doesn't win will get a 30% discount on any mark. products or Blog TLC item(s).
Good luck! The contest ends Saturday night at 8pm. The winner will be announced Sunday morning!
Ciao for now,
Arnnette

I've been tagged by my little cousin Cassie:{

Experience Tag
To participate, just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done.
1. Started your own blog (bnaalfaro.blogspot.com, hell-0)
2. Slept under the stars (In my front lawn when our AC broke when I was little & Camping)
3. Played in a band (Clarinet)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower (in San Carlos & Flagstaff, AZ
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (And a Pyramid in Mexico, That was worse!)
9. Held a praying mantis (Many a times)
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris (Paris, KY & Paris, TX)
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Taught yourself an art from scratch
14. Adopted a child
15. Had food poisoning
16. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
17. Grown your own vegetables (My tomatoes are growing in again now, and bell peppers)
18. Seen the Mona Lisa in France (Someday!)
19. Slept on an overnight train (no, but I've been on a train ride)
20. Had a pillow fight
21. Hitch hiked (Never!)
22. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
23. Built a snow fort
24. Held a lamb (At the zoo)
25. Gone skinny dipping (In a Pool)
26. Run a Marathon (A little one when I was a kid)
27. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (In Mexico City I have)
28. Seen a total eclipse
29. Watched a sunrise or sunset
30. Hit a home run
31. Been on a cruise (Does a yacht count? then yes)
32. Seen Niagara Falls in person
33. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
34. Seen an Amish community (In Tennessee and Mexico)
35. Taught yourself a new language (When I worked at Sprint and I also handled Italian and Portuguese, I can't speak it anymore, I could understand it though. And a little Japanese)
36. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (for a very short time)
37. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
38. Gone rock climbing
39. Seen Michelangelo’s David
40. Sung karaoke
41. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
42. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (The Missionaries and Occasional homeless people in McDonald's)
43. Visited Africa
44. Walked on a beach by moonlight
45. Been transported in an ambulance
46. Had your portrait painted
47. Gone deep sea fishing (I tagged along)
48. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
49. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (There is to much France questions, blah!)
50. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
51. Kissed in the rain
52. Played in the mud
53. Gone to a drive-in theater (Every Spring and Fall here in Scottsdale AZ)
54. Been in a movie (for 2 seconds)
55. Visited the Great Wall of China
56. Started a business (Lemonade? HA HA) I ditto Cassandra & Babysitting
57. Taken a martial arts class
58. Visited Russia
59. Served at a soup kitchen
60. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
61. Gone whale watching
62. Got flowers for no reason
63. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (I tried but was denied because I almost passed out)
64. Gone sky diving (Does para sailing count? then yes)
65. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
66. Bounced a check (That was embarrassing)
67. Flown in a helicopter
68. Saved a favorite childhood toy (Yes, but my EX threw it away, my bunny argh!!)
69. Visited the Lincoln Memorial (We drove by)
70. Eaten Caviar (Blah!)
71. Pieced a quilt
72. Stood in Times Square
73. Toured the Everglades
74. Been fired from a job (Actually, layed-off, but same thing)
75. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
76. Broken a bone
77. Been on a speeding motorcycle
78. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
79. Published a book
80. Visited the Vatican
81. Bought a brand new car
82. Walked in Jerusalem
83. Had your picture in the newspaper (The Beehive)
84. Read the entire Bible (3X's)
85. Visited the White House (Outside the gates)
86. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (If trout counts)
87. Had chickenpox
88. Saved someone’s life
89. Sat on a jury
90. Met someone famous
91. Joined a book club
92. Lost a loved one
93. Had a baby (4 and then added 6 more)
94. Seen the Alamo in person
95. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
96. Been involved in a law suit
97. Owned a cell phone
98. Been stung by a bee (And a WASP! That was more painful)
99. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
100. Learned to play an instrument (Piano, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Oboe)
Tag Since Cassie tagged Deborah my sister, I'll say Maren, Molly, and anyone else who is reading this.
Please let me know when you posted your tag so I can take a peak!
Ciao for now,
Arnnette

Feliz Año Nuevo!

Happy New Year Everyone! We didn't plan to have our Yearly New Years Party. Although we did have friends who came and our children as well, to bring in the New Year. May you have a Happy New Year with JOBS, Family, Friends, and good health.

Feliz Año Nuevo!- Spanish

с новым годом! - Russian

Buon Anno! - Italian

Happy New Year - English

Ciao for Now,

Arnnette

Favorite Book Friday

Reflecting on 2008, my Favorite Book Friday choice is Illustrator & author is Tasha (Natasha)Tudor. Like Beatrix Potter, Tasha Tudor illustrated her books and others as well. Tudor, who illustrated such classics as "Little Women" and "The Secret Garden" wrote and illustrated her own as well. Sadly, it's been 6 months since she has left this world for her own "adventure" in June 18, 2008 at the age of 92, just short of turning 93 in August.

"Einstein said that time is like a river, it flows in bends. If we could only step back around the turns, we could travel in either direction. I'm sure it's possible. When I die, I'm going right back to the 1830s. I'm not even afraid of dying. I think it must be quite exciting." ~Tasha Tudor

She illustrated nearly one hundred books, the last being the 2003 release, The Corgiville Christmas. She received many awards and honors, including Caldecott Honors for Mother Goose and 1 is One.

Ms. Tudor frequently said that she was the reincarnation of a sea captain’s wife who lived from 1800 to 1840 or 1842, and that it was this earlier life she was replicating by living so ardently in the past.

In the words of Tasha Tudor's family:
Her Vermont home, though only 30 years old, feels as though it was built in the 1830's, her favorite time period. Seth Tudor, one of Tasha's four children, built her home using hand tools when Tasha moved to Vermont in the 1970's. Tasha Tudor lived among period antiques, using them in her daily life. She was quite adept at 'Heirloom Crafts', though she detested the term, including candle dipping, weaving, soap making, doll making and knitting. She lived without running water until her youngest child was five years old.

From a young age Tasha Tudor was interested in the home arts. She excelled in cooking, canning, cheese-making, ice cream making and many other home skills. As anyone who has eaten at Tasha Tudor's would know, her cooking skills were unsurpassed. She collected eggs from her chickens in the evenings, cooked and baked with fresh goats milk, and used only fresh or dried herbs from her garden. Tasha Tudor was renowned for her Afternoon Tea parties. It was noted as well that she would not let females enter her home in pants only skirts and dresses.

Ms. Tudor’s favorite of all her books was “Corgiville Fair,” one of several she wrote about the Welsh corgi dogs she kept as pets, sometimes 13 or 14 at once.

The above rare photos were taken by Photographer Nell Dorr in 1940. I hope you do not get offended by the photo of Tasha nursing her child. I was so touched to see her nursing as I have nursed all my children until the age of 2, Ayla being the longest of a little over 2 and 1/2 years.

Receipt is the old spelling of 'recipe' and was always used by Tasha Tudor. As I end Favorite Book Friday and as a treat found in here, I will leave with one of Tasha's receipt from Jennifer her granddaughter.

Ginger Pennies

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp. ginger
3/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg
1/4 cup Grandma's molasses
12 Tbsp. butter
Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Soften butter. Sift together flour, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, baking soda and salt. Stir in, ensuring mixing. In another bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, egg and molasses. On low speed, beat in flour mixture until well blended. Scrape mixture into a large freezer bag and close securely. Cut off a SMALL piece of the corner of the bag. Pipe small dots (about 1/2" rounds) about 1" apart on lightly greased cookie sheets. Ignore any "peaks"; they will flatten as they bake.
Bake for about 5 minutes or until evenly browned. Cool the cookies on the sheets for about 3 minutes and then slide them off onto wire racks. They are small so be careful. You want them to crisp as they cool so keep them separate. This recipe makes about 25 dozen cookies!! You can store them in an airtight container for a long while but don't expect them to last very long!
Tip..I usually reuse my cookie sheets immediately, rotating as fast as I can. This particular recipe really needs the cookie sheets to be cool when you pipe your next batch on.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

Merry Christmas!

...the children were nestled all snug in their beds, While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads...

Click on the following Holiday Greeting by Jacquie Lawson.

Merry Christmas to all my Friends and Family.

May we remember the true meaning of Christmas today.