we wish you a merry christmas...

I know I'm a few days late, but it's been a mad house lately. I remember Christmas as a little girl being so relaxing...all we did as children was open presents! I tell ya, those were the days!! Now as a Momma, it's nothing but relaxing...Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Christmas and wouldn't change anything now...but it's CrAzY... My house looks like a tornado went through it...

In the end, Christmas was WONDERFUL this year. It was the first year the girls really understood the meaning of Christmas and definitely became the targets of ALL the Barbie commercials...Yes, they are drifting away from Princess (I say drifting away for a reason) and now are in the land of Barbie. Santa brought them LIFE size barbies, a Barbie Diamond Castle and about 15-20 other barbies....yeah, that's what I say too...

We spent Christmas Eve at church with my Tia Andie and then headed over to my Tia Irene's house. It's been about a year now that I've met this side of my family, but it really feels like it's been forever. They all have accepted us into their lives with open arms and I couldn't be more thankful. Santa made a quick stop at the house and gave a present to each child. It was the only pictures I got of the girls with Santa because every time we went the lines were way too long to wait with 3 anxious little girls... Anyway, the twins were were excited to see Santa this year and sat on his lap with a smile...a nervous smile, but a smile... Char wasn't too fond of Santa when she was on his lap, but enjoyed him when she was on Daddy's lap! My momma and fam came over on Christmas morning for some breakfast quiche, which is a new tradition and then we headed down to Dave's sister's house for more food and family!

The Yad's are excited to see what 2009 will bring! For starters...I'm turning 3-0...eek!!

Char found a perfect size rocking chair at Tia Irene's and refused to get out!

Alyssa, Jaiden, Hannah and Dreya...can you tell their related???

Uncle Jorge and Hannie

Alyssa says "Merry Christmas"

Hannah does too!

Char wasn't too happy to sit with Santa

Charlotte, Jake, Hannah, Alyssa, Justin, Jessica

Merry Christmas from the Yadrick's

Kirby

Yesterday, while I was minding my own business at home a salesman came to the door and offered to clean the carpet in one of my rooms for FREE. So, thinking this man was offering a carpet cleaning service, and we need our carpets cleaned, badly, I accepted with pleasure. I happened to have my vacuum out in the middle of the room I wanted cleaned and he commented on my Dyson....and quietly mentioned that the man who would clean the carpet was going to be using a Kirby.....he also happened to mention he was selling them, BUT, I was under no obligation to buy one.....HUH!

Well, 2 hours later and convincing me how much I needed and how my life would be so much better, I was this close () to spending $2300 on a vacuum....Crazy, huh??? Well, I still don't think I was that crazy to want one. I mean, these vacuums can do EVERYTHING and I mean everything. From vacuuming to painting to massaging your scalp! For those of you who know my husband....just think for a moment what would have happened if I bought the Kirby??? Let me just say, I wouldn't be here telling you about it!

I'm warning all my friends out there...DON'T answer the door or JUST SAY NO to Kirby!

5 more days...really??

I'm officially starting to stress out a little considering Christmas is 5 DAYS AWAY!! Where has this year gone.......geez. and of course, I've come down with a cold (what's new, right?). I can't tell whether all 3 girls have the same thing or if Char is teething and the girls just have another stuffy nose.

Aaaand, I'm admitting that I haven't even started xmas shopping. Since the times are tough this year the family has decided to only get the kids gifts, so that has my list down to 14 kids...... Ha!

Anyway, Happy Holiday's to all my friends and family who aren't able to celebrate with us. Even though I'm under the weather I'm still definitely in the Christmas spirit! HoHoHo!!

5 years!

So yesterday my hubby and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary! 5 whole years filled with so many emotions, memories, bickers, kisses, hugs.... and much more I can't divulge!

It was a perfect night. The girls sang "Happy Anniversary" to us (didn't even know there was a song...). Dave and I had pizza and wine after we put the kids to bed early and we told each other the first thought of what married life has been like for the past 5 years .... Dave said.... amazing (I know, creative....) but mine wasn't much better....unforgettable.

To think back, we've experienced so much and we are still as in love as we were 5 years ago on our wedding day, well sometimes we are... Along the way...3 kids, 3 houses, 2 dogs, and acquired a lot of crap.....oh yeah, don't forget 2 fish...but I wouldn't have changed anything (except maybe adding a little boy into the mix) ;)

Happy Anniversary Sweetheart!

caring 5th graders

My mother-in-law is a school nurse at Esqueda Elementary School and the bright and thoughtful 5th graders had an idea....

and so they approached the principal...

they wanted to raise money for the troops in the middle east! For those of you who don't know, my husband is in the Coast Guard and his unit is deploying in a month. Thankfully, my hubby will be staying back with a support unit! phew...

anyway, we got a call from the school and the 5th graders wanted to present my hubby and his unit with starbucks coffee for their deployment!! i know, what a fabulous idea....coffee.....no one needs coffee more than our soldiers! So this morning the fam went to the school where they held an assembly for my hubby and SGT Gonzalez, US Army (an older brother of one of the 5th graders) and the kids presented them with coffee and letters from the WHOLE student body. What a wonderful experience to be apart of....they even were asking my hubby for his autograph! I felt like a celebrity's wife..

it was really such a heartfelt moment to watch these kids look at my husband with amazement and honor and then to hear my hubby speak to kids with such pride and honor...i guess i take advantage of his career and the fact that he protects this wonderful country of ours because to me, i often just think it's "his job"...well not anymore... I've always been proud of dave but today i saw a little twinkle in his eyes and i will be forever grateful and blessed i married him!

SGT Gonzalez, US Army - LT Yadrick, US Coast Guard...my hubby

the 5th graders presenting the letters

a 5th grader presenting the Starbucks coffee....ummm

principal Jimenez, SGT Gonzalez, my hubby and meeee!

Dave with his Mama and "Hannie" (her new nickname)
As the ombudsman of his unit, I am setting up a pen pal program with these 5th graders and over the next several months they will be writing back and forth and will eventually meet when the psu (hubby's unit) returns! I'm so proud of my husband AND so, SO proud of the 5th graders of Esqueda!!

mama's lil' helper

Whenever i vacuum, I always have a little helper following me around the house. I think she has my obsession with vacuuming.... ;)

ps. it was really hot in the house....

USC vs CAL

Our friends Matt and Lori invited us to go to the USC game last Saturday. We had a blast watching SC beat CAL 17-3!

the twinkies

the Clarke's