Christmas traditions and new goodies

Cookie party at Michelle's has become a yearly tradition for me and the girls...Jaylin making candy ornaments...Jayme was home sick so she missed it :(
I did rolo turtles and these oreo balls...still trying to get these right, the dipping is so hard! Luckily the paper cups cover the bottom :) otherwise okay to make since just one pack of oreos crushed mixed with 8 oz. pack of cream cheese, rolled, dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled
Ashley made Magnolia's recipe for whoopie pies...amazing!
Moxa did frosted flake wreaths, yummy except for the red hots :)
between Michelle and Caron...butter balls, muddy buddies/chex mix, sugar cookies...always too much, but good to take home to Jay and the kids and the rest of our team...Zappos "Wolf Pack" right here :)
I decided to copy Michelle and did a Goodie party at my house for my team...we made treats for our buying partners, all 55 of them...silly girls making oreo cake pops, which is the same as the balls just with a stick in them...Mayra refridgerated the balls for a while before dipping so that it holds better, so I will do that next time :)
Mayra is much better at making them than me...
as well as obsessed with printing all kinds of fun labels :)
working hard to make snowmen cupcakes
somewhat cute maybe?...it's the thought that counts right :)
discovered they sell huge marshmallows at the store...easiest thing to make now, I'm obsessed...dip half in chocolate, sprinkle and stick in the fridge, poke a stick in them...
I think I love these clear baggies, makes everything look cute :) make cute, quick favors too.
My team is so sweet, got me this gift basket with a bunch of my favorite things :)
including Chocolate Shop Wine, which was pretty funny since they were all leaving with a bottle as well...I love these, these were also my Christmas gifts to cousins, couples, friends...I figure a fun wine that I have tried and like would be a good treat for others too :) tried the chocolate one, still have to try the cocoa and strawberry chocolate one! Try it!
Holiday dinner with the entire team. We went to Holsteins Shakes and Buns at the Cosmo for dinner and Secret Santa
I loved it! I'd say one of the better burgers I have had...kobe beef with potato chips and a thousand island dressing inside! And sweet potato fries!

birthday cake shake...couldn't even taste the alcohol in it :)
did more cookies with the kids before we left for CA...got this idea from a co-worker and wanted to try it. Sugar cookies, chocolate pretzels for ears and m&ms for eyes and a nose...super easy reindeer cookies...you do have to put the ears on fast before the cookie gets hard or use frosting, that was the only tricky part

Club 33 - a day at Disney

Had a quick girl's getaway mid December. It was a quick trip, less than 48 hours, but so worth it to see some of the girls and get a once in a lifetime chance to dine at Club 33 in Disneyland, thanks to Loan. We stayed over at Loan's sister's house in Huntington Beach. From the minute we got there, we felt like we were on a little retreat since her sister spoiled us with yummy meals and her house was just so beautiful, all decked out for Christmas...seriously like the house from Home Alone...it was just so cozy and perfect...Thanks again Loan!!!
korean beef for dinner...then before the park, pho and Brodard rolls! if you haven't been, should go in SoCal, known for their secret sauce
Full day at Disneyland, so different without the kids, but fun to actually ride a bunch of roller coasters/rides...so many I didn't realize existed for adults! been too long!
the Tower of Terror being one of my favorite... and scariest, free fall dropping always is crazy! and of course Miss Christina knows when all the pictures are taken and looks fabulous while I look like a mess :)
after a full day of riding, ready for our dinner at Club 33
a very exclusive place...members only...you have to ring the bell, knock on the secret door...they come to get you when they are ready for you
then transport you up to the second floor
inside it's pretty traditional looking with the dark colors
fancy plate
food was good, the wine was better :)
and always nice to see the Castle lit up at night...we were there for 13 hrs. 11am to midnight...I really do love Disneyland!

Fa La La La La

Christmas this year started a few days early for us...first year we weren't going to be with the Pena's so we celebrated at our house early, the Thursday before...kiddos with their fun hats and our very own Santa!
food, presents and Just Dance!
rematch to come with Uncle Marv!
girls attempting to make a gingerbread house
this one just ate graham crackers and frosting
could not get the roof up right so we settled for a flat house :)

Friday was our family day...went to church, which was an awesome service, always amazing music
this year, 3D glasses for part of it. After, we let the kids exchange the gifts they got each other. Christmas eve morning did our stockings before hitting the road to San Jose...excited for these car slippers he had been wanting :)
Christmas eve at Melissa's...just in time, arrived at about 7-8pm
anxious!
with Auntie Tania and Uncle Mark
Christmas Day with my dad's side of the family...Great grandma with all the kids
lovely cousins
spent the rest of Christmas Day with Jay's family...the day after had a field trip to McDonald's...they all got gift cards from Auntie Kat & Uncle Perry, so wanted to let them all go together before cousins had to leave...they went to town with those cards, excited to pay themselves...meals, cookies, apple pies, mcflurrys
spent the rest of the week hanging out, sleeping in, no big plans, which is what Jay wanted...He said we always have an agenda :) so this time we really didn't do much...eat, sleep and hung out at home
the kids got to play with cousins & close family friends they haven't seen in forever
we did some shopping, got a couple's massage, ate lots...
Love Honey Berry...tried an ice-cream waffle sandwich which was good, but still like their Roti Buns better!
what is a Roti Bun? :) my weakness, anything pastry related!
got to celebrate Tyler's 4th birthday at Bounce-O-Rama...Jayson favorite part of the trip, this and going to Starbucks with daddy :)
had dinner with Rosalynn's family...my godson Christian does not like me, would not even say hi to me, even spit out a piece of gum when he found out it was from me :( was so funny, but sad...hee! I have to come around more often!
Melissa's was our home for over a week so had to open up some presents...was supposed to help daddy build it, but daddy pretty much did all the work :)
Ruby was able to get the gang together for a last minute brunch the day before leaving...
What a Welcome! Thanks Nora! Was so nice to get a cheers for coming :)
finally saw some of the new babies...Mari!
Chase wouldn't go to me, but liked Jay
finally saw the Abar girls...big fan of Miss Eden's hair, finally saw it in person :)
New Year's eve I was a happy camper, all I wanted was to be with my husband eating crab...and that's exactly what we did, he picked up boiling crab to go...is it scary I almost ate this whole thing alone :)
Ended our trip with a Crab Feast on New Year's day, a new tradition Uncle Son started...back to back crab days...I was happy!
played with some of them first
the amazing stew it cooked in
ready to eat...I was the last one at our table :)
kids even enjoyed it...well Jaylin and Jayson anyway. Jayme not into seafood, but loves her bread & butter and corn
Hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year!!! Many of you have seen this, was trying to be funny with the Spirit Hoods :)
Thanks to everyone who donated to charity water for the kids...they were so excited every time they got a donation :) They raised $615. They are so lucky to still have gotten presents! We are blessed by all of you! 2012 is going to be great!