Paws.Play.Repeat: Merry Christmas!

Baby Jesus has been born! Christmas is here!
I know I'm writing a day late. But Christmas was such a great day for me beginning with Christmas Eve, when my family celebrates. This year was a nice, low-key year with no frills of only my small immediate family, eating good food, and sharing lots of laughter. We ate our traditional Panes de Pavo or Gallina rather (hen) and my mom's Spanish Rice,which has been passed down from my grandmother's recipe. My brother Raf became the life of the party reminiscing about when we were kids and reminding us how far we've come from when we celebrated our first Christmas as a family with my Dad back in 1988! He has the BEST vivid memory ever since childhood. Our family has since grown to include my two little sisters who aren't so little anymore and our angel in heaven, my little brother Gordo. May he continue resting in peace watching over us. On Christmas Day, we went to cut what would have been his 24th Birthday Cake at the Cemetery. He's our Christmas Baby and we will continue cutting him a cake as has been our tradition for every birthday for all of us. After the cemetery, we were off to see Christmas decorations hanged throughout the city and take even more pictures! One of my favorite things to do. We ended the night with a Round Two of eating Christmas leftovers. The BEST! I got exactly what I wanted this Christmas, quality family time which doesn't happen so often for us to all get together in one room like that. I also got to speak to my family in Canada in El Salvador. Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

Before CHRISTMAS, we travelled back to BETHLEHEM A.D., a live re-enactment of Jesus' nativity and the reason we celebrate CHRISTMAS!

Baby Jesus and the Three Kings bearing his gifts

Mary and Baby Jesus

CHRISTMAS DAY

Xiana cutting her Uncle's cake

Niner Pride! Playoff bound!

Group Shot

the SIBLINGS

I paid a visit to my childhood friend and fellow December birthday boy: Roberto.
I always remember you as my first crush in Elementary School!

Christmas tree in Noe Valley, we paid a visit after learning the story behind this tree on the news. I had spotted it one random night with friends almost three years ago and wanted to pay a visit with my family this time. The tree was planted as a baby pine tree when the owners first purchased the home and it has now grown into a full grown PINE TREE. The decorated house draws large crowds every year. I think it's so beautiful for the homeowners to share their Christmas spirit with everyone in this way!