Here is a collage of pix of the Pastors and their wives in the Huasteca.

Fortunato & Florencia of Jalpa-Eduardo & Estefana of Tacial-Julio & Flora of Peclapixcla
Vicente & Rosalva of Xochiquatla-Miquel & Edith of La Isla-Juan of El Manantial (wife was unable to attend)
Candido & Nicolasa of Tamazunchale-Josue of Las Palomas-Chencho & Naomi of Rio Florido and Tampamalon

To see a snippet of Catherine dancing go to Youtube and search for Cat's monkey dance. It is too cute. Dana, I may call you later to actually get the video on my blog.

Here are pictures of 2 of the red and white ornaments I cross stitched. Actually, these are some I made a few years ago and are now on our tree. Dana was so kind to sew the ones I made this year, I then stuffed and hand sewed the seam. They've already been given as gifts

Thank you so much Dana!!

I spent the day in the kitchen making goodies. Here is the fruit of my labor! I made 2 of the these boxes (roasting pans) and 2 loaves of amish bread. I made my usual snickerdoodles and chocolate chip cookies with oats. The white things are cake bites and the others are oreo truffles.

I think the bread may have gotten a bit over-baked...hopefully, they aren't too dry...I have no choice but to give them away...I don't have the time or ingredients to make more. Of course Calixto thinks they will be fine...maybe I'm being too picky!

In case you are wondering- Cake bites: bake a cake (any flavor), when it is finished put it in a bowl (while still hot) and mix in a container of frosting (any flavor to compliment the cake). Roll that into balls when it is cool enough to handle and then dip them into chocolate or bark. I made a white cake with lemon frosting and vanilla bark.
Oreo truffles: you crush a package of oreos-either in a food processor or in a ziploc bag using a rolling pin-then mix the cookie crumbs with an 8 oz package of cream cheese, then dip them in chocolate or bark.
I used my cookies scoop to make both of these although they should only be about 1/2 the size (1 inch) Both are very rich and yummy. A friend told me the mint oreos are even better!

Yesterday Catherine had her Christmas program for parents. This is just a time to show Mom's and Dad's what they've been working on so far. In May she'll have the big-time recital.

She had a blast...last year she didn't do much but this year she did great. Hopefully she'll continue dance classes for a few more years!

Afterward we always have a little party. This cookies are beautiful. For those of you in Longview these are from edible art. They are pricey but, beautiful!

I have a video clip of her dancing, it is too funny but I don't know how to post videos, can anyone help me?

Christopher is home sick from school today. He came home yesterday, with a sore throat and hot ears (that's what he told me...hot ears!) Anyway, he came in the door and went right to bed...so I "knew" he was sick. I didn't take his temp but it was up w/i a few hours. Around 8:30 he threw up...praise the Lord that Calixto was home, b/c Christopher said...I don't want to be by myself, I want someone right beside me when I get sick. So, his Daddy stood beside him! He is still in bed now but I think his temp is done some. Hopefully Cat is well, but it is 8:30 and she isn't up yet, that is very unlike our early riser.
I'll be baking the day away...making cookies for some of Calixto's clients and making amish bread for some teachers...ok Cat is up, time for b'fast!

This afternoon we were at our old house for a party, the new owner graduated from LeTourneau yesterday. While there, the kids took that time to go play with their old neighborhood friends. Catherine went next door to play with Jasper, a few minutes later I looked out the window and she was riding a 2-wheel bike down the street all by herself! She has not ridden a bike without training wheels before!!! It was a milestone that no one helped her with and we didn't get any pictures of! I am so proud of her...of course I was upset that she was riding down the middle of the street...but, wow no training wheels! She is such the go-getter! When we got home she wanted to take her training wheels right off, it was too chilly but we'll do that soon! BTW our former house is up for sale already...they are moving to Alabama for a new job. I miss our house and wish we could buy it back, they wish the same thing b/c the real estate market is pretty slow right now.
Did anyone catch the Dallas-Eagles game??? Dallas lost! alright Eagles!! I do like the Cowboys but, I thought it cool that the Eagles beat them.

Friday night Christopher's school had their first annual Chritmas program. I don't have any pictures, as my camera didn't take good shots from the back of the church. The kids did a great job singing. They even sang one Christmas carol in Latin, it was sung in a round and it was absolutely beautiful. Since it was the first one...there were some kinks and the evening was very long!
Catherine enjoyed the program very much and told me she wants to be in kindergarten now! She informed me..."I'm going to kindergarten tomorrow!"
The next morning I drove Christopher and neighbors to school, I came home and started cleaning when I received a phone call from school. I was asked to substitute for Kindergarten (I'm not on the sub list but they had already called everyone on it) knowing that I had Catherine at home they told me that it would be fine if I brought her!! So she did indeed go to kindergarten the next day!! She was sooo excited and told me Jesus answered her prayer!
The class welcomed her and she joined right in with them. I didn't have time to prepare a good lunch and knew I was going to be hungry all afternoon. When I took the class to the cafeteria I was told it was a special day and lunch was provided for all teachers!! So, I got to eat a wonderful lunch (dessert too) and chat with other teachers who are friends. It was a fun day but, I must say I was exhausted by the time we got home. Catherine fell asleep on the way home! She did great but did have a little melt down at the end of the day...a very loud melt down! But, we got through it after we went to the supply closet for some discipline! When I left her in the cafeteria at lunch time, I told her I was going to eat in another room and she said "ok, I'll watch the kids"! too cute!
Last week I picked up a teaching application for next year...yesterday was a good test to see if that is something that I want to do...and I think it is. What better place to work (if you must) than your child's school?! But, we'll see if God opens that door!

Our Christmas tree!
From the picture it looks like we could use some more ornaments, in real life it looks pretty full! I promised Christopher next year we could do a kid's tree with colored lights and kid type ornaments...He thinks our tree is beautiful but would like something a bit..."less plain"! Maybe, I'll even do tinsel next year! I think if we continue to live in East Texas we may have to break down and buy an artificial tree...the Lowes trees just aren't so fresh when we buy them and they die quickly. This one is still drinking water but, is dropping tons of needles. I prefer a real tree b/c of the scent and the different shape we end up with every year. We could go to a local tree farm but, they don't have the type of tree I prefer. Ok, so I am picky when it comes to our Christmas trees. This year no matter how quickly it dies, I am not taking it apart to replace it...I did do that one year. Calixto was ok with it as long as I did it without his help, so one morning I dismantled the tree, put it in the back of the truck, picked out a new one and started all over again!!

I got this from my Aunt's blog and thought it was cute...

Dear Santa,
I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground. I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years..Here are my Christmas wishes:I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze, but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.
If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music, a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals, and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog. If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container. If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season.
Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family. Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is calling and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold. Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.
Yours Always,MOM...

Here are some of the ornaments I have been making. I saw similar ones in Pottery Barn and thought "I can make those" so far they've turned out pretty good...a few didn't work so well because the ribbon was too wide. I used some whimsical colors and some more traditional Christmas colors. I still have to sew the cross stictch ornaments, I'll post when I get them sewn. I'm not so good on the sewing machine so I might ask someone else to sew those for me.

Since yesterday was unseasonably warm...80+ degrees we threw on some shorts and t-shirts and embarked on cleaning up the back yard. We spent several hours in the morning mowing, raking and bagging! We ended up filling 11 bags of leaves and grass! At the beginning the kids did great, they worked hard and helped each other without arguing. Unfortunately the peace didn't last the entire time. Is it just my kids or do other siblings just not get along?! Somehow, I would like to get them to act like they love each other...I know they do, I just want them to act like it!! Anyway, we did get a lot accomplished so I treated them to lunch at McD's.
I know some of you are laughing that it is the 2nd weekend in December and we are out raking leaves in shorts!! I prefer cold weather in December but I am grateful for the fact that our heat is off for a few days...it sure does help the gas bill stay low!

Oops, I guess my parents will see that their car (in the back ground) is not covered!! We'll get to that right away!

Whether the whole work time was peaceful or not the kids enjoyed the work...well, they enjoyed the final product of their labor! We want to instill in them the importance and value of hard work, this project sure helps with that...it also helps them (me too!) appreciate the hard work their Daddy does everyday for us!

Catherine lost her first tooth on Friday!
Last week she told me that there was something bumpy in her mouth, I looked and it was her permanent tooth! It was already in-behind the baby tooth. It took me by surprise, I didn't think she was old enough to lose teeth yet...guess I was wrong because the tooth next to it is now loose too! On her way from the kitchen to her room she dropped the tooth and we have been unable to find it anywhere! Fortunately the Tooth Fairy went ahead and left her money for it anyway...way to go Tooth Fairy!!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow

Praise Him all creatures here below

Praise Him above all heavenly hosts

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost

Amen!

Catherine and her Mexican friends from soccer. These are the siblings of Christopher's teammates. What cuties! After she leaves them she jibber-jabbers words that sound like she is speaking spanish, she then asks me what she saying?!

A few months ago Christopher's class went to Safety City for a field trip. They talked with Firemen and Policemen about safety issues and then they got to drive these cars and trucks through a "small" Longview city, after they learn proper handsignals and street crossing etc. Here is Christopher driving the Stemco truck. It was too funny to watch the kids driving, when they accelerate they always go to fast and the vehicle bucks! It was a beautiful fall day but, it was colder than expected and quite windy!

After the trucks and cars they learned about bike safety when riding on or along streets.

I love the hairnet look!! They had to wear the hairnet under the helmet for cleanliness purposes.

Calixto brought back these 2 crosses from Mexico. He was telling the kids that Jesus tells us we must carry our cross daily. He had them pick them up and carry them as an object lesson. The next evening before bed Catherine said...Oops, I forgot to carry my cross today and quickly put it over her shoulder and walked around!!

A few weeks ago this cat showed up in our yard...actually, in our tree...Chessie kept chasing her up the trees. One day I finally decided to call her, she came right to us and purred! She started rolling on the ground and Catherine thought she was doing tricks!! She is the sweetest little kitty, we have named her Kittle Tilly...Tilly for short! I guess she is now ours although we haven't taken her to the vet. She comes in and out of the house throughout the day but, for the most part stays out at night. She must have been someone's pet b/c she is just too sweet to be a stray! Notice the heart shaped tiger patch on her side! Here she is eating dog food, this is the first day she came up to us. Chessie still doesn't like her and still chases her up the trees!

Here she is playing with Christopher's feet under the blanket. She is so playful...we play every night, it's a hoot!!

When Calixto went to Mexico for the Pastor's conference we all sleep together. Christopher sleeps in my bed...

and Catherine sleeps on the day bed in our room. She was actually sick while Daddy was gone. He left early in the morning and she came down with a temp late that same morning. We had a few mishaps but, the week without him went relatively well!

Soccer is finally over!
The Tigers did a great job in the tournament this weekend. On Saturday we won our first 2 games but, lost the last one of the day. the boys were very disappointed and all were in tears after the game. Playing in Dallas is a whole 'nother game! The players are much more rough and aggressive, it is obvious they are coached to play that way (In Longview you can't get away with that kind of play). In spite of losing the 3rd game, we were able to advance to the quarter finals as a "wild card" due to the number of points we had from those games. So we stayed another night and played at 8:00 the next morning.
Unfortunately, we played against the team who won 1st place in the tournament last year...we did not win! At the beginning it looked like we might be able to pull a win or at least a tie off but, it was not to be. That team was very disciplined and passed the ball more than we did. The boys again were very disappointed but we were extremely proud of them for getting that far.
Really, our soccer associations are so different that it isn't a level playing field. In Longview we have mandatory re-pool every 2 years, other towns don't have that rule and are able to keep a team together from the time they are 4 years old. I think it hurts the level of play as the kids get older and these dominant teams continue to improve while the other teams have to start all over with a different crop of players. Longview is thinking of changing that mandatory re-pool, we'll see if it passes.
It was a great experience...the kids got to ride a charter bus, stay at a hotel, play against some good teams, and get some good "hang out" time with their team mates and families. It was fun but, I sure was tired when we got home. Ok, I'm off to finish the mound of laundry.
Oh yeah...now it's basketball season!

The Tigers are off to Dallas today! Earlier in the month Christopher and his team won 1st place for the 3rd season in a row! Now they get to go to the Tournament of the Champions to compete against other North Texas teams! There will be over 60 teams competing in his age group...this is a huge thing! Tomorrow we play Allen, Arlington and Lake Highlands. If we win those we advance to the 2nd day of the tournament. It should be a very busy weekend...hopefully the rain holds off until after the game!
Go Tigers!

We are back!!! I have not blogged or been reading any blogs for the past 2 months. This is partly to do our busy-ness and partly due to our traveling and partly due to the fact that I so easily get sucked into reading blogs for hours! Anyway, I am finally updating our site...hopefully, someone still looks at it!!
Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. Christopher's school had the entire week off which was really nice. The first part of the vacation we went to Granbury/Glen Rose. A friend of ours holds an annual conference for Pastors which Calixto attended on Saturday. We had great visits with our friends in that area. While there we were also able to attend a memorial service for one of the birth mothers that was at Hannah House the same time as Catherine's birth mother. She had recently been diagnosed with Leukemia and passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 24! We were glad to be able to be there for that service. Then on Thursday we turned around and drove to Dallas to spend the holiday with Calixto's family. The last Thanksgiving we spent there "Mama" (Calixto's g'mother) was still with us, we all missed her. Christopher recited Psalm 100 before dinner in honor of her!
Here are some pix from Christopher's Thanksgiving fest at school...
Christopher wore this Indian costume to school when he was in 1st grade...it must have been super big on him then! The mocassins I made back then were way to small so I made some new ones this year. He said Indians didn't smile for pictures, thus his serious look!

As part of the festivities the kids made butter by shaking a baby food jar with heavy cream and a marble inside. Catherine loved this and was so proud of her butter. In fact we still have some of it in the fridge.

After they made butter they enjoyed the fruit of their labor on corn muffins.

This was our first Thanksgiving fest since 1st grade since we were in Mexico last year and we homeschooled the fall semester the year before. The kids had a lot of fun!

ok, more updates to come...

Continuation of puppies...This is the last pup to go. We really miss him, we called him Nana, which is short for Banana Split, his new name is Dopey...because of his eyes! I think the name is pretty dopey! If we kept him (which we thought we might) we were going to name him Jackson, now that is a cool name!

Chessie was happy to see him go I think! She kept attacking him, in fact on Friday I came home to the most horrible dog fighting sounds from the back porch. I thought a pit bull had gotten in our fence and was attacking our dogs, little did I know it was Chessie fighting her own pup! It sounded like we had a dog fighting ring going on, it sounded worse than it was, neither dog was hurt. One of the window panes on the back door is broken as I put my hand through it trying to knock on it to get her attention. It did get her attention as glass flew all over the porch. My hand, fortunately, was only scratched. Hopefully my dad can fix the pane this week.
ok, no more posts about the puppies!!