The Morning After Christmas

Our Christmas was fun, darn chilly and white!

What we thought as simply ice drizzles last night turned big snow in the morning.  I saw the little guy by the glass window, his eyes widen at the sight of snow fall.  Sister, on the other hand, bundled up for some serious shoveling at the driveway.  Long story short, everybody has gone out-of-door to shovel  to play with a kid who was close to hysterics when we refused to bring him out of the house.  It was obviously freezing, little kids like him might not be able to handle the biting cold.  But, in the end, we just couldn't say no. 

Our morning after Christmas, in photos.

Christmas In Style

Happy Christmas!

Feeling under the weather after staying up late from the blue party last night.

Yes, the color -- blue.  We have been color coding holidays, parties and events at our house for pure pleasure.  Glad I end up with a sister-in-law who loves to dress up like myself, so there isn't ever a time we'd drag ourselves to look fancy when an occasion calls it.  Hee.  I kid.  Don't take me so seriously.  I just meant to say, dressing up is fun.  Nothing wrong with trying to look good and feel good every once in a while, right?

Color blue aside,  some of our dear guests came in their red ensemble.  Please don't shoot them.  We were actually very forgiving than you seem to expect.  Hee.  They came over last year's red party. Apparently, they thought we'd all wear red outfits each year.  Christmas is very much associated with red too.. so, you get it.

We pretty much invite the same people on some of our gatherings.  And, obviously just very few of them.  We appreciate the fact that these awesome girls (more of sister's. their friendship is over a decade!), would always find time to celebrate with us.  Not to mention, show up wearing whatever color we call for!

Christmas also surprised us with pretty dust of whites and ice.  A little unexpected as it never snowed this much, since winter started.  So, we all put on our coats and boots to join the pseudo-reindeers.  To gush at the naked trees.  The snow-coated rooftops.  And pinetrees.  Dancing lights.  Blown-up santa. 

From our family to yours, a wonderful Christmas to you.  And you, and you.

 

Hello, New Jersey!

Hello again, New Jersey!

I can no longer recall the number of times I visted NJ, but I do know for sure the very reason we come by, every time,  is to dine in at Max's and Jollibee.  This time though, it is to witness a very special occasion for Steffanie and family--

Kelsey's Christening.

We love babies, so we couldn't say no!  And are we ever glad it was on a Thanksgiving weekend?  That meant I skipped the hassle of arranging a leave from work as it was a long stretch of a holiday. 

After loading our bags, and settling Geb in his car seat, I realized this trip is our first ever road adventure as a family.  Awesome!

Let's face it, long drive with a small kid isn't easy as pie.  Thankfully, Geb slept most of the time, so we survived.
 

The day we arrived, we went straight to a mall where we had lunch, and passed the time reading and playing at Barne's.  It would have been more fun at a park, but the weather had other plans.  Freezing cold to be out!

Welcome to the Christian world, Baby Kelsey!  It was lovely meeting you and your family.  We had a great time at your party too!

A Prelude To Halloween

We are in the middle of a storm while typing this post.  A nasty one, called Sandy.  We had real scary forecasts the days prior.  Heavy rain, gusty winds outside at the moment.  We are fervently praying this storm will spare the whole of east coast its worst.

In our quest to lighten up a dreadful time, such as -- well, in the middle of a storm, we thought of some creative ways to stay calm.  Perhaps, spellbind Sandy to cease.  And distract, entertain a bored child who's been unspeakably cranky since morning.

1.  Boo Sandy, boooooo!!

2.  What storm?!  Too much sunshine.  Too bright.  Hate you, sun glare.

 

Geb did everything he could to keep the oversized sunnies in place.  It keeps falling off the teeny bridge of his nose!  

3.  The untold story begins. -- Spider Man

Note:

The third one is apt for the real weather situation.  Buh-bye cold feet!

And, hopefully buh-bye Sandy too.

It's That Time Of The Year Again

For somebody coming from a country that celebrates Halloween in a far different way--

for one, we refer to the occasion as All Souls and All Saints Day; although I'm also aware that my dear, westernized fellowmen in the Philippines have adapted "Halloween" in recent years.

.. it is rather fascinating to notice how apple picking and pumpkin patch are very much part of this oldest holiday, each year.  For foreign settlers like us, however, you go apple picking at least once (which by the way, is an awesome experience as I have never seen an apple tree until three years ago) you would just let Octobers go by sans the giddy feel to visit a farm or patch. 

But, I digress.  Larriland Farm pretty much made it to the top of my to-go-list the moment October rolled in. And will probably be in the same top spot next year and more.  This said farm is the very same place we went to, in 2011.  See post here.

Here's a celebration that is definitely stashed in our tradition folder for 2012.

Apple picking and pumpkin patch, in photos.