The Cortez Family: Christmas 2008 Part 1

Our first Christmas with Lauralyn was great! We had so much fun telling her all about the reason for the season and why we celebrate Christmas. Here are some pictures of what all we did and some explanation for the pics.

Lauralyn and I drove down on Thursday, December 18. We went straight to Trail Dust for a birthday dinner for my Grandma (Lauralyn's GG-Mom). On Friday, I went to spend some time with my very good friend Melissa and her son Tucker (Lauralyn's future hubby...lol). We have been best buds for a while and have always planned start having kids around the same time, and God totally made that happen. So here are some pics of the kids "playing"...let's just say Tucker already LOVES her to death...and she loves him too!

L: "What is going on?"

T: "C'mere Lauralyn and give me a kiss!"

T: "You're not getting away that easy. L: "Mommy!"

Pals forever!

T: "Here, hold these for me, would ya?" L: "Sure thing!"

Friday night, we spent some time with Lala and Lolo (short for Abuelo and Abuela - Adrian's parents).

Sunday, December 21, was the Living Nativity at my dad's church (Northview Baptist), and my sister, Bethany, played Mary. She had been telling my dad all year she wanted to be Mary since she has never done it...lol. Anyway, even though Lauralyn wasn't baby Jesus, we still had Beth take a couple pics with her to pretend.

This is Emily, the pastor's daughter, and she was an angel in the nativity. She is best friends with Beth and is part of the family it seems. We call her Auntie Em to Lauralyn. She was showing Lauralyn how to "break it down" in the next pic and it was cracking Lauralyn up.

My sister, Bethany, as Mary, and Tucker as baby Jesus.

Then at the end of the service, Tom, my bro-in-law (Tiff's hubby) said "I need the baby...it's a surprise." So he took L and then after the prayer, I see him on stage with her and he sings the song called "Joseph's Lullaby" and had L wrapped up like she was Jesus. I just started crying and took lots of pics.

One verse from the song (my favorite) goes like this (it's by MercyMe if you have heard it):

Go to sleep my Son

Baby, close Your eyes

Soon enough You'll save the day

But for now, dear Child of mine

Oh my Jesus, Sleep tight

This song just really got to me. Joseph is holding precious baby Jesus and just wants Him to sleep tight and not to worry about the dreary road ahead. Joseph wants to do all he can to protect him for as long as he can. I get chills just thinking about it. Ok...gotta move on.

On Monday, Melissa, Tucker, Lauralyn, and I went to spend time with one of my best friends (since 8th grade) and her two kiddos (Jackson and Evie). It was fun catching up. Love you Amanda!

My sister, Bethany, and I went shopping (last min. Christmas shopping) on Tuesday and we waited in the very short line to snag a picture with Lauralyn and Santa. They actually allowed me to use my own camera.