Support for our new President!

Looking Forward

I am so looking forward to President Obama's inauguration tomorrow. I'm looking forward to a presidency that brings hope back to this country. I'm looking forward and trying not to dwell on my disgust for the past administration. That's finished and cannot be changed. I'm looking forward to having a positive attitude about my leader and hope he can get America back to where it needs to be. I'm looking forward to our country having a positive image across the world. I'm looking forward to a President that has the best interest of the working citizen at heart. I'm looking forward to my children's future and feel encouraged that they will inherit a country worth living in and a country to be proud of. Welcome President Obama! We've been waiting and praying for you!

Holiday in the Park

Long day of people watching
Eli pinned in by the other bumper cars
Nick and Eli in a big boot
Eli and Taz
Eli and Scooby

The Cecava family was fortunate enough to receive tickets to Six Flags Holiday in the Park this year, so we decided, one day before it ended, to take advantage of it. I think Nick and I were secretly dreading hauling the boys up there and hoping the guilt wouldn't get to us until after it was over. But it did and before we knew it, we were shelling out $15 to park (they should call it "Highway Robbery in the Park" if you ask me). Anyway, we knew we made the right decision the moment we got there and saw the excitement on Eli's face. It was priceless. While we were there, he got to see Scooby Doo, Sylvester, Tweety, Daffy Duck, and Taz. I was pleasantly surprised at all of the rides they had for kids his age. I thought we were limited to Looney Toon Town, but there were several rides throughout the park he was tall enough for. Nick and I took turns watching the kids while the other rode the Titan, so we even got a big kid ride in for the day. Poor Sam really couldn't do much of anything but ride in the stroller and people watch, which, luckily for us, is one of his favorite things to do. He'll be able to enjoy it more next year. The only disappointing part of the day was that Eli never got to see Buzz Bunny (Bugs Bunny). We scoured the park for him, but he must have had the day off. I have to say our Holiday in the Park experience was way better than I had anticipated - so much better that I promised Eli we'd go back next year.

New Year's Eve Party

Steph and Jill

John mixin' it up!

Kelley, Jill, and Michelle

John and Nick - The Bromance continues

Our neighbors Brett and Michelle Warren hosted this year's NYE bash. We all had a great time, but I think Eli trumped us all. There was a bounce house in the backyard - 'nuf said. He even outlasted me. I brought Sam home around 10:30 to sleep (the main reason I'm not in any of the pictures) and Nick and Eli partied it up with the rest of our neighbors until about 1 am. We all payed for Eli's sleep deprivation the next day, though. We were so glad that our good friend Capt. John Ritter was able to ring in the new year with us. He's been deployed overseas and was able to make it home for a couple of weeks of R&R. I know Nick has been glad to have his movie-quoting buddy back to laugh at his rididculous antics. We'll be sad to see him head back. Anyway, this is wishing you and yours a very prosperous, safe, and happy new year from the Cecavas.

Christmas Photo Extravaganza

I know it's taken a while to get my Christmas photos up and running, but you know how it goes - there is so much going on during the holidays you're lucky to even get to sit down to check email.
The Cecavas had a wonderful Christmas as always. We have very loving and generous families who shower us with love and great gifts. On the 19th, Johanna (Nick's sister) and Grandpa Gene (Nick's dad) stopped in on their way back to New Mexico so we got to visit with them a little and exchange gifts with Johanna. She did a co-op this fall semester with NASA in Alabama, so we got some cool space-related gifts. We received two boxes a few days before Christmas, one from Grandma and Grandpa Cecava and another from Uncle Ben and Aunt Casey. We let the boys open them on the 22nd because we knew we should spread out the gift madness so Eli would know where all of his presents came from. Then my parents arrived on the 23rd, bringing in loads of gifts to put under our tree. Because my children get way more gifts than they'll ever need, I tried to limit my mom to only three wrapped gifts for each boy, and I have to say, she did a great job. Nick and I put a limit on our gifts for the boys as well (three wrapped presents, but I think they each ended up with four), and it made opening presents a calmer experience. Eli wasn't so overwhelmed and hopefully a little more appreciative. All Sam was concerned with was the tissue paper. The boys opened presents from Grammy, Paw Paw, and Nat Nat on Christmas Eve, then presents from Santa on Christmas morning. The first thing Eli was concerned about when he woke up was not his presents, but whether or not Santa ate the gingerbread cookies he and Sam left for him. He was super excited to see that Santa had eaten one whole cookie and left part of another with his teeth marks in it. He kept looking at those teeth marks all day.
Later Christmas day, we headed to Keller to visit our friends, the Pierce family. We stayed long enough to hug each other and exchange gifts for the kiddos, then we went on to Aledo to my cousin Aaron and his family's house for Christmas dinner. Aunt Bon and Uncle James were there as well. It was a wonderful time of eating, visiting, and watching the kids play the Wii and open gifts. Good times! We are so very blessed with great families. God is good!
I'm kind of sad to see the season end, but a little relieved as well. Maybe things will slow down a little. Now if that pesky Christmas tree would just magically disappear from my living room...

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Welcome 2009!

Before we head to our neighbor's home for a New Year's Eve celebration, I want to wish everyone a safe and happy new year. I plan to sit down tomorrow and blah, blah, blog all about our wonderful Christmas season and share the many moments we captured. Stay tuned...

Samuel David's One Year Pictures

Here are a few pictures we had taken of Sam to mark his first year. I know I'm his mother, but he is one handsome little boy. Enjoy!