December... Where did 2008 go?

Ahhh...December...love this month! Today is December 31th - the last day of the year 2008! It seems unbelievable! It went by so fast. As I look at these pics of my girls, I must say, it's a little bittersweet. The year went by so quickly. Did I say that already? And, at times, I find myself wishing the world would just slow down a little so that I can have a few extra moments to enjoy my little ones, while they are still little and so precious. The Lord is bringing us another little one in the new year of 2009, just 5 1/2 weeks away. And that is very exciting - but at the same time, it is just another reminder of how quickly the ones I already have are growing. But, I have to say that I have had a great year. And, this December was especially special. I love Christmas time and watching my kids during this time of year - Kyla was absolutely excited to wait for Santa to come on Christmas Eve. She could barely sleep and kept waking up to see if he had come yet or not. And Emery, on Christmas morning, just followed along with anything that "Sissy" did. So, she was just as excited. And, Kyla just turned 5 on the 19th! So much happens during this month. Here are a few snap shots from the month of December. Such a great time of year!





Hey Mauro, where did my head go? Needless to say, this pic did not make it onto the Christmas card.



Kyla and Auntie Holly at the park near Auntie Holly's new San Fran apt. Michela and the kids were there too to make Christmas cookies.




The HUGE buzzard that landed in my back yard - and no, it is not a Hawk - it's a turkey vulture - or as we call them, "Buzzards".




Kyla and her birthday gift. Her my Twinn Doll, "Lyla". Get it - Kyla and Lyla! Ha - I'm so clever!




Yay, SANTA!!! But notice how Emery was not too excited about seeing him??? I'd be careful if I was her. Doesn't he see you when you are pouting, and naughty and nice and such... Oh wait... He was right there, of course he saw her...




My mom made me a pair of pajamas for Christmas...Something doesn't feel quite right??? Do these make me look fat?




Emery opening her Diego doll on Christmas Morning - it even says her name! And it tells her when it is time to wake up, eat, take a nap, and go to bed. So cool! She is totally in love with Diego. Can't blame her - he's a hot latino - she is her mother's daughter, after all!

Christmas Time!

We love Christmas here at the Cortes Casa. I love to decorate the house and plan what the girls will get from "Santa". I attempted to take our Christmas card pics this year. They are not as good as when my friend Nicky does them - actually, no where near as good. But it was a challenge and I was up for it. We even got my sister Holly to do a Christmas Picture as well. She recently got her hair cut and she decided to get a makeover just for the picture. We had a lot of fun!






Auntie Holly's makeover. Compliments of Kyla! Kyla had a lot of fun doing this. So did we. We did not even plan to get pics until after the makeover was done. I told her to put on that huge, red, maternity sweater (it's even huge on me) and to stand in front of the tree. I was laughing so hard I peed my pants a little. No joking - remember I am pregnant and have a baby pressing down on my bladder! Sneezing, caughing, eye blinking, any amount of added pressure - VERY DANGEROUS!