We decided to do an outdoor shoot this time, during the most beautiful season here in Maryland. Unfortunately we were a week late. There was little color and leaves left when we did the photo shoot. Never the less our good friend, Tiffany (TRphotography.com) did a great job! It was windy, hence the beautiful blowing effect of my hair. The wind also caused Nyle's allergy to flare up. Naia had ear infection and had fever that day. Should I mention too that Mike refused to wear his green cardigan. I wanted cohesiveness with our outfits but he really wanted to wear his plaid shirt! Well anything to make him happy, he is not a fan of pictorials.. yet, he loves it when the pictures come out and is grateful that I insist that we keep this tradition going. The kids really did great, we were done fast and we took a lot of good pictures... and Mike looked great in his plaid shirt.
the Snow Storm
I feel silly calling the big snow that we had, blizzard. Since I know that in other areas, it was probably just like a regular snow day. But it was the biggest snow we experienced. Mike got to use his "kanaka" strength to shovel our driveway and other people's too. The boys had an early winter break and Church was even cancelled that Sunday. We were able to enjoy playing in the snow for 5 days until the rain came yesterday and washed out most of it. According to the Weather Channel, there's going to be more snow on New Year's day. Hooray for that!
Mike shoveled our driveway 3 times on the day of the storm so he can spend the next day just helping other people. Isn't he awesome! 
Naia looked pretty cute in her snow suit but she hated the falling snow. She only stayed for about 2 minutes outside and she was done.
This was how our backyard looked that day and oh that's Mike armed and ready to shovel!
The boys had so much fun! They didn't mind the cold at all.Celebrating Christmas
Our Christmas menu:
Pancit
Lumpia
Pork Menudo
Pork Bar-b-que(Pinoy style)
Chicken Bar-b-que(Pinoy style)
Buko Salad
Chicken Macaroni
I enjoy cooking for Christmas more than Thanksgiving. I don't mind slaving in the kitchen for food that is reminiscing of Christmas growing up.
We were joined by the missionaries and some new friends for Noche Buena. Then Mike, the kids and I did our nativity play. Since Naia fell asleep, I had to play as Mary. The boys did double duty as the wise men and the shepherds. Mike was of course the narrator. I wish I took pictures of the boys and their made up costumes. We don't do the whole Santa tradition so we opened a couple of presents that night and the rest on the next day. Gramma Lucy, Auntie Ofie and Vinny joined us on Christmas day.
some of the Christmas cards we received this year
We got more photo cards last year. I love getting them. I keep them up until next Christmas and then I put them away in an album . So for those who didn't send us this year, we're expecting to get one next year!
Something that we added in our Christmas family tradition this year, Christmas PJs.so our last update for 2009..
MJ
MJ decided to drop the "y"s, now we're just Mom and Dad. He is growing up too fast. He told me too that his plans to marry Abby someday is a secret and I should not tell other people anymore. Ooppss, did I just type that one ;)!.. I miss those days that he comes home and tells me just about everything that happened in school. Now, I have to beg him to tell me how his day went. He is doing great in school. he is currently in the Principal's honor roll. I love doing homework with him and pretending that I totally get his geometry homework. As a big brother, I think he is great! He knows how to take charge of his siblings when I'm busy with chores. He likes to make sure that Nyle follows rules and he spoils Naia rotten. Last month, he lost his first tooth and is about to lose another one. His future plans: Aside from marrying Abby someday, which is by the way a secret, he wants to serve a mission in Italy. He wants to be an Author, a Lawyer, an Engineer, and Architect, a Librarian, an Air Force and Navy. Since we can't have a dog due to Nyle's allergies, he wants a pet fish when he turns seven. Nyle
Mr. Energy here! I do miss him now that he is in school. There's never a dull moment with Tino Boy. He always makes us laugh. He is doing well in school. He loves learning and is a chatter box when he comes home, telling us everything that happened and showing us what he learned. Though he has a lot of friends in school, to him MJ is his best friend. He also loves to compete with MJ in everything. He thinks it's his job to police Naia. He has encouraged MJ to not to be shy when giving prayers, he loves to pray and he says the sweetest, most sincere prayers. He loves books and movies and he loves talk about what ever I or MJ recently read to him or the latest movie he saw. Nyle's look in the future: He wants to be a Doctor and a Fire Fighter someday. He also wants to be an Actor and play the role of Spiderman. When MJ asked him where he wants to serve his mission, he said he wants to go where Mommy and Daddy are. He also told me that he'll take care of me when I'm old and sick :). Naia
Our tough, little princess is a perfect mix of a tomboy and girly girl. Naia is my workout. Having the boys very active when they're toddlers does not surprise me how active she is. Though I was hoping that she'll just sit in a corner and maybe play with her dolls. Like her brothers, she likes to climb and get into everything. But unlike her brothers who grunted, she has this sweet whine when she wants something. She loves to dance to any music and even dances to the beat of the washing machine. She adores her Daddy but is a Mommy's girl. I can't wait to see how her personality develops. Right now, she loves the camera and she'll pose on demand. Her favorite food are cheese, brown rice, strawberries and chocolate. She also, unlike her brothers will eat anything I cook. We love our Naia and we're truly grateful to have this little girl.Mike "Daddy"
He had a busy year. He's currently serving in our ward Bishopric. A calling he enjoys and faithfully serves. He is starting to work on his thesis and hopefully will be done with his graduate studies in the summer. Having Naia inspired him to start a new hobby> guns! Watch out future suitors ;0! So whenever he has opportunity or should I say, whenever I allow him, he goes shooting with his friends. We love our Daddy and we're grateful for everything he does for us.
Me "da Mommy"
I scraped my chin after sledding down the hill. Ouch! I should have expected that! It was the 4th day since the big snow. The snow was kind'da icy but I still decided to go dive down. Anyhow, I didn't do much else this year but took care of my brood, manage the home and lots of laundry :). Oh! last summer I tried my hand on tennis and racquet ball. I discovered that I actually enjoy these sports even if I'm not really good at them. I'm still serving in the Primary as a teacher, and I do love and enjoy my calling. I'm looking forward to 2010. Maybe a new station assignment for us.. or even pregnancy, we'll see.
So long 2009!!
