!Los Ontiveros!: January 2018

December was a wonderful month! We had a blast celebrating the holidays all month long with family and friends. Wish it didn't have to end, but we are looking forward to the upcoming year that it will be as good or better then 2017.
The beginning of the month was a little rough, we had a flat tire, dead battery and a lot to fix on the PT...but luckily it's all fixed and we could relax the rest of the month. We decorated for Christmas, made lots of goodies, attended our ward Christmas party and Lily finished out her first season of soccer. We also got to go down to Tucson and went to the Gaslight theater to see their Christmas play. Kind of a tradition in Marks family, so it was fun to carry on their tradition. Lily had a blast.

Lily got to participate in a fun run at her school. It was their big Christmas event. She ran the perimeter of the park and school and I got to run with her. The finish line was meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus. She had a really great time and she did so good running! We've been running together lately and she does such a great job.

Then came Christmas break. We had a great holiday visiting Christmas lights displays, visiting with family and being in our home for Christmas. The moms in Tucson, Ricardo, Aunt Lynn and Auntie Clarice joined us Christmas eve and Christmas here in San Tan. We had such a wonderful holiday with them. We made Tamales, Enchiladas, Empanadas and lots of other goodies. Ate like piggy's and then went to see the Mesa Temple lights. We got to see the Nativities which were amazing. I wanted all of them in my display. Then at home, Lily told us the story of the Birth of Christ, which she did an incredible job. That girl just amazes me. Then we got ready for Santa to come visit our home. Jacob had fallen asleep, so it was just Lily getting the letter and cookies ready. I love Christmas with children. So fun to see the magic of the holiday thru their eyes. They are so much fun.

Christmas morning, the kids were having a blast opening presents. And so did the adults! My mom got an awesome blanket of all her grandkids from Andrew, a really thoughtful gift. I shed tears when I opened the kids gift to me, which was a snow globe. It was perfect. I did not cry because it was a snow globe, but I was crying just because of how happy I felt to have our family opening presents Christmas morning in our home, together, and have such a good time. That snow globe will now come out each year and it will remind me of the first Christmas we had in our home. I love that.

Lily got her Hatchimal and Jacob got like a million Ninja Turtle things. Grammy got them a piano, so looks like I've got to get them lessons! And Amma got them sand...which has been everywhere...sigh. I got knee sleeves and Mark got membership to a golf club...so we were happy.

Mark and Lily had the week off after Christmas, so we enjoyed some fun together at the AZ science museum and working out at the gym. Relaxing at home is the best. We also purchased two fish as part of the kids Christmas presents, Sparkles and Blag (Jacob named it). Unfortunately fishes have a short life span. Blag died day three and Sparkles died New Years eve. We had a garbage funeral for their short lives with us. Not sure when I'll for over 60 cents to get another, but I don't think we'll be getting a real pet anytime soon. Lily and I went on a Mommy Daughter date. We saw the movie Coco which had me crying like the whole movie. So many things in that movie that remind me of my family and the culture I grew up in. Such a beautiful movie and such a wonderful date with my favorite little lady. I love that girl.

we painted eachothers nails, Jacob wanted to join us. 'Mommy I look so pretty' lol

Kids also got to play in Snow at the Science museum...that is until Jacob biffed it in the mud. Messy!

New years eve we stayed in our home. We made cinnamon rolls and pizza, bought fun sodas and enjoyed playing 'Watch your Mouth' which was hilarious. We roasted marshmallows on the fire pit and talked about our goals for the upcoming year. I loved, again, being home to celebrate the holidays. Hopefully we will continue to be able to celebrate each holiday season in our home. It makes it all the more special.

The kids were a little cold and took refuge in Grammys cape. Does this remind you of the Ghost of Christmas future?

She did not make it to the ball dropping, but this kid still partied hard.

I also managed to accomplish another physical goal before the years end. I finally deadlifted 300 lbs! I'd been working of this one all year, inching to the goal by 5 lbs each time. I am so thrilled I achieved this one cause now I can move on. I'm now if the 300 club and can focus on other lifts. So happy to see progress!

Lily and Jacob are so much fun to be with. They keep me laughing all day. You can actually understand Jacob now and he will wake up in the morning to tell me what he dreamt about. Lily is such a powerhouse kid. Very kind to others and always looking to make others laugh. So proud to call them ours.
Mark is still doing well in his job. Focusing on some new goals both personally and together for the upcoming year. I always pray that our year will be a happy and safe one, but I know that as long as Mark and I are working to strengthen our family/home, we will be ok. Here's to a prosperous 2018!