The End of the Year Wrap-Up

This morning Joey and I were sharing about Xmas.  I told him that he received some really great presents.  He asked, "Like what?"  I replied, "For instance, you got some great presents from Kathy."  He assured me, "Because she's a teacher.  She's really smart. . . She's smarter than YOU, Mom."  I replied, "Maybe so."  Joey said, "No one is bester than Kathy!"

I dropped Joey off at my parents for a few hours before we go out to dinner tonite.  I told mom that I'd probably wear a dress - since I rarely have a reason to wear one.  Mom decided that she may wear a skirt. Joey called me over to whisper in my ear - "Mom, I want to dress nice, too.  Will you bring me a black suit?"  Where does he come up with this - he's never owned a suit?  Gotta love this kid!


Joey's Imaginext figurine collection.



We visited Texas Road House for dinner.
Joey enjoyed the "bull."


 

Happy New Year!


 

My Family!



My Family (again)!



Oreo, participating in the celebration!



Me and my Joey - he's usually up for some fun!


 

A game of Dominoes (Chicken Foot)!



Joey's created game - write a letter to someone!



Kathy and her Oreo!


 

Yes!  This is it!  Jose in his tiara, "Drama Queen!"



Christmas 2011

Joey woke up and didn't rush downstairs????  I waited it out.  I think he was so excited about Xmas eve that he was still distracted by it.  When he realized Santa had come, we had a lot of fun!  Definitely the best Xmas yet.  He is so excited by each toy and wants to play with each one.  He even used manners and would say, "Thank you, Santa!" after opening toys.  Jose tried to hurry him through, "See what else you got!"  We found a happy medium.  Somehow, Santa stuffed the wrong stocking, but that didn't confuse Joey at all.  I thought maybe it was because we don't have names on our stockings, and Santa stuffed the stocking that was Joey's last year.  Hmmm. . . .

Later in the day, we visited Mom and Dad's house and exchanged gifts.  I have never spent a Xmas without them.  Good memories!



Joey received quite a few secret spy toys
from Santa.  This is a voice changer that has
 10 different voice settings.

 

Joey's excitement with all of the toys in his stocking!

 

Mommy and Joey!




Opening gifts!




Daddy and Joey!


 

Looking at all the fun toys!




Off to Maria's house to deliver her presents.  He was so proud
to give presents this year.  He is always thoughtful in his gifts, too.
From Maria, he received a "Shrinky Dink" maker.



Maria and Joey!



Joey demonstrating use of his night vision goggles.




Off to Papa and Nana's house.  Joey had to give
Papa one of his silly gifts upon arrival.  A blinking Rudolph nose!




Joey, Oreo, and Mom.  Look at all those presents!




Kathy, Joey, and me!  Getting ready to share the joy with
present giving (and receiving)!




Joey received a new "fort" - you had to sign to enter.
I was eventually the guard, and couldn't let anyone
else enter!



Joey and Oreo opening presents!



Nana sharing her new gift with Joey!

 

Oreo opening her own present.





Nana and her new nutcracker ornaments.  She has
passed her love for nutcrackers down to me and, now,
Joey.  He has really enjoyed them.


 

Dad and Joey building bugs with his new building set.


 

My first apron!





My beautiful boy in his clubhouse!

  

Nana and Papa are so wonderful with Joey.  Who would believe
their ages?  Papa is down in the clubhouse with Joey!




Joey found these stocking for Papa in November. 
He brought them to me at the store and asked if we
could get them for Papa for Xmas.  Joey has a
great sense of humor.  (So does Dad!)



A short video clip of Joey at his stocking.

Christmas Eve 2011

We have always had Christmas Eve dinner and celebration at our house.  We have both families and invite some friends.  This year was especially fun. 



Joey started the evening with placing his
reindeer food out in the lawn.





He was so patient while Jose and I prepared the
house for our guests.  He worked puzzles on his own.



Joey and Abuelo Chano

 

Joey and Abuela Nina


 

We purchased some mistletoe a week or so before Xmas.
Joey had a lot of fun with it.  He was sure to point out who
had passed under the mistletoe and needed to be kissed.




Joey and his Papa and Nana




Frances and Karl

 

Kathy and Krista (me) - Sisters!




Joey and Vonn (Joey giving one of his
super strength hugs.)




Reuben - the entertainment for the night!
He is so into imaginative play and gets everyone
involved in his fantasy world.  So much fun!



Oreo enjoying her gifts for the night - she kept track of each animal.





Joey opening one of his gifts - Creepy Crawlers!
The same gift I got when I was five!




Kathy and Dad




The Frey family - I was trying to get a good family photo.




Tia Karina, Uncle Adrian, and Joey

  

Jose, Joey, and Abuela




Joey and his Nana



Joey "helping out" by opening their gift for them. 
He was so excited this year to give presents.



Vonn enjoyed Joey's nativity set

  

Me and my wonderful parents


 

Joey proudly wearing one of his Xmas presents.


 

Jose and Krista


 

Rosy and Shawn (and Dot) - they both worked Xmas eve, but
 were able to show up later in the evening.