Christmas parties

It was a packed Christmas weekend, but lots of fun. Christmas Eve was in San Jose with Jay's side and Christmas Day with my side

deguzman kids after after asking them who wants to open presents...

then adult time...white elephant...we made out pretty good, speakers and a griddle... Jay had actually been wanting one for a long time :)
off to Tracy first thing Christmas morning...first my dad's side for brunch, then my mom's side for dinner, both at Melissa's house...thanks for hosting Melissa, everything was beautiful!

Jayson's favorite spot...

I can't even count how many cupcakes he had, he kept sneaking them and only ate the tops

more cousins
showoff!

Robinos side of the fam...again,who wants to open presents?

Gamo side of the family

daddy tried to beat Jayme, but not so much!

this a brave boy, stood still while daddy shot

adult time again...we did a secret santa and a themed white elephant, "as seen on tv," the funny thing is that I just had this same white elephant with co-workers and there was only one duplicate gift, but at my family's there was pretty much team "slider"

and team "perfect brownie"

at the end of the night were surprise Santa presents...the kids were so excited that Santa found them in Tracy :) they couldn't believe it and were so dramatic about it. Jayme said she wanted to cry and that she had been naughty so she didn't expect him to send her anything. Then Jaylin said, "it's because Santa gives second chances, maybe he is still outside, I think I see him on the neighbor's roof." It was so funny!

She asked Santa for a robo hamster, backstage passes to Hannah Montana, skinny jeans and a special necklace...Santa got her a special cupcake necklace, the first two request were not so easy to get :)

she loves it and has been wearing it everyday since...Jaylin got a DS jewelry game and Jayson got cars from Santa

from family and friends...everything they asked for and more. Thanks to everyone for all their special gifts, the blog would be really long if I added all the pictures of their presents :) The kids are so lucky to have you all! personalized mugs from Auntie Carrie and Uncle Marv...too darn cute, right!
Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!

post Christmas fun - The Happiest Place on Earth

This year we decided to take the kids to Disneyland as part of their Christmas gift. They had no idea we were going, we just drove straight there from San Jose. They thought we were going home. Jayme was wondering why it looked so pretty where we were at, not the normal desert drive home...they screamed in the car when they realized where we were at. We stayed at our favorite hotel, Paradise Pier...highly recommended, so convenient and close to downtown disney and the park, especially if you have little ones.

first stop...run around their beautiful grounds

check out the waterfallsand wedding area :) My plan is to brainwash one of the girls to get married here!
walked around downtown disney to get autographs books
then dinner at Goofy's Kitchen, where they got their first autograph from Pluto

followed by many others


This character dinner was definitely worth it because of the one on one time with the characters. They come out to dance every 15-30 minutes plus come by your table for autographs, pictures and even to chat a little...plus they had plantains and lox...and Goofy's special PB&J pizza which was actually pretty good :)
After dinner, Jay and Jayson went back to rest and I took the girls to see Princess and the Frog at the theater in Downtown Disney, was a cute movie, we were surprised with fireworks as we were walking back

Bright and early the next morning was Disneyland Park. The nice thing about staying at the resort is that you can get in an hour before it opens to the public, which made such a difference on the kiddie rides

went to check out Pixie Hollow first, but were too early, the fairies weren't up yet

so started on the rides in Fantasyland...carousel

dumbo

teacups
which they were having a hard time turning
storyboat ride...they were so nice to let the girls sit at the front of the boat
train ride
we also rode the snow white ride, which the kids couldn't run out of fast enough, they were terrified, felt bad because I made them ride it...hee! and back to Pixie Hollow to meet Tinkerbell
the longest line we had to wait in were to meet the princesses, like waiting for a ride, they are no longer just out and about in the park

by afternoon, kids were pooped, so we went back to the room for a nappy

poor daddy :)
back to the park at night to ride some more
Nemo submarine ride...Jayson was a little scared
then to drive cars...Jayme was a bit frightened
then mickey ears...kids suckered Jay into personalized hats
fireworks were too loud for Jayson
and of course, we could not end the night without funnel cake :) I usually just get strawberry, but now they have brownie, so had to get both

It was a great time...not stressful at all as we went in with a plan...okay well I made a plan for us...hee! The main goal was to see Pixie Hollow and ride most of the rides in Fantasyland...we got through it, so it was a great, happy day! I have to admit I felt like it was a trip for me just as much as it was for the kids :)