A Morales Minute

Generally we like to have a small party on Christmas Adam but this year it happened to be the day that the Morales extended family gathered together for their potluck and gift exchange. Most of the family was there. It was neat to see them all there.  Marty's family. Daniel, Marty, Oscar , Mimi, Janie, Dora, Ruben and Lenor (Great grandma Morales) with Amiyah wanting to photo bomb their immediate family picture. lol  

It has been so hard to keep this secret! Marcus's family and Marty and Diana are coming for Christmas. Lindsey knew because Bel slipped one time and told her. There were a couple other close calls but the kids never picked up on it! So this morning I got them all gathered together in the family room so that when Jaime walked in with some extra guests the kids would see them and be surprised.  And boy were they surprised.  The kids are so excited. They have already said how weird Christmas was going to be with both Naylor and Morales Grandparents going to be gone on Christmas but now they'll get to be with the Morales side! Marcus and Aide are moving to Austin in January so they decided to come for Christmas as well. Who knows when we will be able to spend Christmas with all of Jaime's family again. We're planning to cherish and make the most of this week that they're here!  

Jaime's birthday was a bit low key this year. Not because we didn't want to celebrate but because Olivia had a tournament that we were at all day. Bel came to watch as well so we were able to wish her a happy birthday as well. Olivia did great at the Best of the West tournament so it was a good day. We came home for dinner and then had a simple dessert of chocolate scotcheroos.  He's like me, picking a dessert other than cake. We don't particularly care for cake and would rather have a small treat like this instead. Happy birthday Jaime! I love celebrating with you. 😊 Then he opened his gifts. A new pair of nice work shoes. He always has such classy shoes for work. He looks sharp. I also got him a new game called Herd Mentality. It's a great game for a group and even a small crowd. We're excited to play it with others this month! Today was also Olivia's turn to open Koda's advent calendar. That puts a smile on anyone's face. Look how eager Koda is f...

Aidan has been practicing his piece for the Christmas piano recital. Koda climbed up and sat next to Aidan while he was playing one morning. It was so cute! I think the Koda vibes helped Aidan because he did great at his recital!  

Not only do we celebrate Tyler's birthday today but it's also the day Koda came home to us! He's still a cute cuddly teddy bear. He just has longer legs really. :) We love him so much and love how well he's fit in with us. So grateful to have a pup with the temperament that he has. He's never been destructive. No furniture or shoe chewing. He's dug in the garden a few times but nothing major and hasn't ruined anything. He still barks when someone's at the door but he does much better at listening when we tell him not to jump on people. It still happens he just stops it sooner. He loves to give snuggles. He asks me to sit on the couch with him or play when he wants me to throw his toys around for him to catch and chase. He's learned a few tricks. Is super fast and gets the zoommies and runs around the yard super fast.  Also, he loves his Christmas advent calendar which is super cute. He eagerly awaits for someone to open the day's door of his cale...

Tyler turns 14 today!  He's asking for more electronic things like ear phones than toys. And what toys he does ask for are more like things he collects like Transformers.  He asks for shoes now. :) And he's particular about which shoes. Definitely a sing he's a teenager.  One wish, one breath, wish comes true.  Happy birthday Tyler. He's grown so much in just the last year. I'm excited to see how much he changes this year. He's turning into such a great young man.   

Lindsey came home for the Christmas break. She didn't come alone. Well, she brought her cousin Jacob with her because grandma and grandpa are going to California to spend Christmas with his family lol. But Lindsey's boyfriend Isaac came as well. Jaime and I met him in September but he wanted to come and meet the rest of the family and mostly to spend a week with Lindsey.  It's safe to say Koda likes Isaac. 😁 We went to lunch with my parents where they met Isaac and visited to get to know him. We had a great time having him here. He's very helpful and funny. His humor and personality fit right in here.  We took a drive to Grandview. Lindsey wanted to take him on the swings with her at Grandma's house.  Cute couple! We enjoyed having Isaac here with us.