Christmas Eve 2008

Christmas Eve is spent with Ivan's family. We spend most of the day making tamales, which, I have to say are the best tamales! Then we go to church for Christmas Eve service. We come back to the house and fill our tummy's with all kinds of good food. We hang out til around 11pm and when the kids can't possibly wait any longer we all pile in the living room to open presents. It's tight and cramped but we wouldn't have it any other way. We love it and the kids love it.


Here are all the grandkids and great grandkids with Ivan's dad. From the left top is Joshua, Jailynn(his little girl), Grandpa, Jose Jr, Layla(Jose's daughter), Nivia, Israel (Nivia's son), Jessica, Bailey. Bottom from the left is Allyson, Benjamin, and Lysette. Whew! that's alot of kids.

The Martinez family: Lionel, Nena, Dad, Alfonso, Ivan, and Jessie

Ally had her Karate test on Saturday morning. She was testing for her yellow belt. She was so nervous, but we practiced and practiced, she had to learn the stances, punches, kicks, student oath, John 3:15, and some info about her instructor. She did great. There were 4 different levels that she could have tested into the lowest being a plain yellow belt then there were 3 degrees or stripes added to the yellow belt depending on how many points you accumulated during the test. 3rd degree yellow belt is the highest before testing for green belt. Anyway, all of that to say that Ally got 2nd degree yellow belt and she has only been in the class since September. We are so proud of her! Her instructor told me that he has been so suprised how fast she has learned and how well she is doing. In May she will be testing for her green belt.......ahhh that's my girl :)







I got to put on her new yellow belt as part of the ceremony......so cool!!!!!!!

Bailey Grace

Bailey had her pictures taken last month by my good friend Kristy from Inspirations Photography. She always does such a good job photographing my kids. Anyway, here are some of my favorites. They aren't edited yet but I thought I'd share them anyway.