Christmas ‘09

...for the Contreras Clan, it all started on December 23^rd…yeah I know 2 days before Christmas. We have been playing board games while off this holiday break and Big Raymond was ready to play a different game so he said, "Let's let Emma open up a gift!" Of course he knew which gift it would be, but that didn't matter to Robert, who by this time is a bit frustrated about our family traditions during this season being changed up a bit. Let's see it all started with the tree:

1. This is the first Christmas in 21 years that we didn't have a "real" tree, we always go out every year as a family and pick one out, I guess with lil Raymond working so much, Big Raymond not working as much that time and finances were not on our side, so I didn't think it was a big deal when my mom gave us her pre-light tree that she would not be using this year…didn't think anyone else cared until Robert brought it up at our last B12 gathering J
   
   
2. We didn't decorate the tree as a family, which usually consist of me doing the decorating, big Raymond sitting on the couch giving direction and the kids adding the their homemade decorations from over the years. This year lil Raymond was working, Robert brought down the decorations, however claims he didn't realize that we were decorating it. What really happened was that as he was searching for the Christmas boxes he found a box of football equipment (old helmets, shoulder pads and such), so as Emma and I decorated the tree he spent the evening playing/cleaning all his old treasures. Again, didn't think too much about it until Robert felt the need to share it with the B12 crew.
   
   
3. So back to December 23^rd, the gift opening…we always allow the kids to open up at least ONE gift on Christmas Eve, but when Ray suggested that Emma open one up the eve of Christmas eve, Robert just couldn't handle it, now it would have probably been fair for him to open one too, however since his gifts were limited in numbers, if he would have started on this day, he may have not had any to open on Christmas. Truth is we thought our 16 year old son would understand why we would allow his 5 year old sibling to open up a gift, which by the way was the game "Connect Four", and would give us another board game to play…needless to say he didn't. For Robert it wasn't a matter of age; it was a matter of principle/fairness. Let's just say, life isn't fair and who better to teach kids of this than their own parents! I'm sure he will thank us for it one day, or at least I hope so~

There are no pics of December 23rd…hopefully this memory will be forgotten and we won’t have to hear it from this year forward from anyone in particular…let’s just say, opening up Connect Four, just made this night a whole lot of fun, at least for me, I was on fire and no one could beat me…the more we played games during this break I have been reminded that I am a bit competitive…who knew?

December 24^th came around; all was well in the world once again, since the kids all got to open up their ONE gift. The Cheatham's came over and spent Christmas Eve with us as usual and we all had a great time sitting around the table playing "apples to apples". Lil Raymond was remind that he is getting older so his gifts are more of those that you get as you get older, you know, not as much fun with toys, but rather things that will come in handy throughout the year, or at least we thought so. Before the night was over Stacy, my mom and I hopped in the car and went to midnight mass @ Prince of Peace Catholic Church, it was a treat for my mom and a reminder to me of what church was like as a child.
Here a some pics from Christmas Eve:
How could he ever tell her no?Every girl loves a dollRobert loving on his grandmaYeah, he is still a kid at heart...Like I said he is growing up...funny thing is his uncle gave him one tooSuiting up to shoot someoneYep, he is still holding a grudge from the night before
Christmas Day, December 25^th the kids were up early, and no matter how old they get, they are still curious to see what Santa brought. After the gift opening we spent the day hanging out, I made a big pot of "Posole", The Cheatham's came over and not only spent the day with us, but also brought over their Christmas meal, which included, turkey, ham and all the fixings…I think everyone would agree we all had our fill and then someJ Overall it was a peaceful, fun filled day that reminded me that God is all around and no matter how hard things seem to get at times, He is always there and surrounds us with His love, we just need to be able to recognize it and not take it for granted.
Here a some pics of this awesome day:

Our trio waiting on us to get out of bed…mom, dad, it’s Christmas!Em and Rob figuring out whose gift is whoseRob sporting his new Championship t-shirt and a picture collage I made him to remind him of his sophomore football seasonRay likes his new shirt from the CheathamsEm is thinking “YES!” another board game, thanks Mrs. StacyDidn’t I just get one of these last night? Oh well you can’t have too much shaving cream when you’re a guy. Thanks Uncle Andy & Grandma.Rob is thinking, didn’t Raymond just get two of these..what are ya’ll trying to say? Thanks Uncle Andy & Grandma.So as soon as this t-shirt comes out of the box, in a blink of an eye (I didn’t even see it happen, is was sooo fast), the other one he just got and he put on so quick, came off twice as quick and this one took its place...thanks Raymond, I knew you were a cool brother.I love my cousins from Texas...thanks Katherine, Carl & Scott…you guys rock!this one is cool too…how does she know what I like, she lives so far away…love you aunt Patsy.This is an awesome bake set…thanks to the Farrell’s, Mr. Mike, Mrs. Lori & Miss Carson…you rock, I’m all set to make some mac-n-chesses and bake a cake…the apron with my name added a much loved personal gift!Yes…colors, markers and more, a special thanks to the Moody’s who did all they could to play Santa and make my Christmas a special one, all the gifts you gave to our Emma were much appreciated and loved!Putting her new apron to use as Emma and Mrs. Stacy put the finishing touches on a cake.Wow, it has my name! That’s what Em thought of the gift that Heather and her father baked for her, wasn’t that the sweetest thing ever… it came along with a handful of kisses.Game time…Celia, Sarah & Brandon join in the fun of what “apples to apples” has to offerMario & CeliaRaymond & HeatherBrandon, Robert…being Robert, & Andy talking about tigers in the bathroom or in this case the kitchen, all we heard this past week was a song that goes something like: “what do tigers dream of, when they take a little tiger snooze”, yeah we all saw it, not sure what to think about it, but it did bring some laughs this holiday break.

From our family to yours, we hope you each had a most Blessed Christmas,

Christmas Celebration…

…B12 Style! As the year comes to an end, we had a Christmas party for our B12'vers. It was very low key and uneventful compared to some of our bible study topics this past year, from what I could tell everyone had a great time.

I want to take some time to thank the Farrell's, Zamora's, Saunders', Bratton's, Cheatham's, Trudi Cheek, & Tanya Hicks for their support, love and belief in this service that began at the beginning of this past summer.

I want to thank the kids for giving of their precious time and those who kept coming week in and week out to hang out, fellowship, share, open up and let us into their ever changing teenage lives.

I want to thank everyone for their trust; confidentiality and making this a place where everyone was not only welcomed but also made to feel this way. Lives have been changed including my own, and I can't wait to see what 2010 has in stored for B12.

It was nice to listen to everyone and their family traditions during a round group discussion of everyone's Christmas traditions and favorite/best gifts they ever received. This time was followed up by playing "dirty Santa" also know as a "white elephant" gift exchange game. In the end Louie wrapped it up with wise words as always to remind us all of this awesome holiday and the best gift that was given for all.

Here are a few pics from yet another awesome B12 gathering:

eating some yummy food
Stacy showing off her new gifts from Lori & Randy
Justin and Randy showing Lori and Mike how to put together their new picnic basket.
Watkins with the perfect cap...it's a Buford camo hat, can't tell us it doesn't have her name all over it.
Brandon will be warm tonight with his new blanket
Katrina, Diana & Austin enjoying the gift opening surprises
Chad wants to know if it's his turn yet
Justin is trying to figure out how the Old Spice will help him with his "swag"... I think he stole it from Durden, who stole it from Libby, it went around a few times...
Carson is searching for the perfect gift to choose
Catherine got the brush set
Durden is happy for a bit as he stole the Old Spice from Libby
Libby can't get a break, 1st the Old Spice and now this men's shaving kit...she was such a great sport!
Rob telling JZ which gift to open as Libby looks on and is still thinking, "how did I end up with a shaving kit, oh well at least I can use the razor". They hit the jackpot with these "Transformer" walkie talkies...as Louie would say, "they are boys in men's bodies"
good time with friends, what else could a person want...Catherine, Carson & Elsie...three great, simply beautiful girls
Thanks again to each of you; you have given me a gift that I cannot put into words. B12 has given Robert and I time to spend together, it has helped our mother-son relationship grow and get closer than we ever would have without B12 & you. With much love and many blessing to each of you and your families,

Lanier Academy Presents…

…2009 Christmas Play at Lake Lanier Islands!

Which for us means that Emma gets to do her thing and sing; she is such a little performer and such a girly girl. I'm not really sure where she gets it from, or maybe that's how little girls are, but all I can say, it's nothing we ever experienced before with the boys, so it's new to us!

The class did a really great job singing their songs and we not only got to view a great performance, but we also got to see the awesome Magical Night of Lights @ the Islands, free of charge! Its times like this that it's good to know a "Star", and in this case it's our very own little shining star.

She is so funny and doesn't stop cracking us up. You just never know what's going to come out of her mouth and she has a personality that is just indescribable. As her class preformed tonight, she was right in her element, and in a class full of little hams, they did an excellent job and had a great time.

Here are a few pic from tonight and all the fun that was had:

Pre-show jitters...NOT...taking time to strike a pose
Show time.
Doing her thing, right in the middle of it all...center stage will only do.
Entertaining the crowd.
Taking her bow.
So very proud of herself as we all are.
Picture op moment!