Fernandez Family of Five

Christmas 2011...

Since Christmas was on a Sunday this year we had to be creative on how to plan our day. We let the girls do their stockings as soon as they got up and then we had breakfast and birthday cake for Jesus. After breakfast the girls begged us to open the Dollar Tree gifts so we did those before going to church. We started the Dollar Tree gift exchange tradition 2 years ago (thanks to the Stepp's for the idea) and it has been the highlight of each year. Everyone takes $5.00 to the Dollar Tree store and we all split up and buy gifts for each other. You cannot go down the same aisle someone is already in and you have to try and keep your gifts hidden if you run into someone. Then, we all go home and wrap the presents and the girls try to keep their gifts a secret until Christmas. We enjoyed a wonderful family service at church and then we came home for more present opening. Later in the day, Uncle Joe, Aunt Abby, Lizzie and Josh came over and we exchanged gifts with them. We had fun hanging out, acting like kids - Nerf/Marshmallow gun war, Hot Wheels racing, exercising, spying (the guys were videotaping us while we were doing Zumba without us knowing) and eating lots of food. We also got to Skype with all our family and even with my sister in Australia, so that was nice too. Here is a lot of photos to capture the day.

Reece got me a Whoopie Cushion. She was very pleased with her selection and I was laughing so hard I was crying when I opened it. Leave it to our little entertainer!

Riley got me an oven mit that matches my placemats and kitchen towels.

Riley thanking Regan for her stuffed animal dog.

Reece also got Riley a stuffed animal dog and Riley was very happy.

Reece got Regan this Caterpillar stuffed animal. Originally, she had picked out a dog toy that was of a raccoon with tire marks across it's face but luckily she put that gift back. Tony had seen the raccoon gift in Reece's basket so we were surprised when it was not the raccoon.

Reece got Daddy a nerf football.

Riley got Regan a cowgirl outfit for her stuffed animal bear.

Regan and Daddy are laughing because Regan got Daddy a Rubix Cube and I got Regan one too. Daddy is challenging Regan on who can complete it first.

Regan got me this nice Reindeer Christmas decoration.

Daddy got Reece some Hershey Kisses Chapstick. Reece loved it.

I got Tony a Sports Crossword Puzzle book.

I got Reece a wooden race car kit. She loves to do woodworking with Daddy.

Daddy got Riley a cute dog puzzle.

I got Regan a rubber snake that grows bigger when you put it in water. Regan really wants a pet snake so here it is.

Reece opening her gift from Aunt Kim, Uncle Jeff, Katie and Jonathon.

Tony playing with Riley's maze game she got from Aunt Kim and Uncle Jeff. Kim, who is this gift for?? :)

Regan got a flute ornament and is pretending to play it.

The girls are opening their big gift from us. We got them all a horseback riding lesson/trail ride.

Reece likes her new Hello Kitty shirt.

Regan got a bunch of books from Aunt Kim and Uncle Jeff. She laid them all out on the floor and then got this excited look and said, "y'all are not going to see me for a while!"

Riley showing off her "Jumping Puppy" ornament. We always get an ornament for the girls with something that represents a part of them that year - Riley's Indian Princess name is Jumping Puppy so that is why she got this ornament.

Regan wove a bookmark for daddy at school.

Tony and I usually do not get gifts for each other but this year he broke the rule and got me a deep fryer so we can make buffalo wings.

Riley got this cute Santa dog puzzle from Aunt Kim and Uncle Jeff.

Regan made this clay tile for me at school.

Tony received several books from my parents. He was very happy. He and Regan are planning to disappear with all their books.

Reece got this pretty outfit from Grandma and Grandpa Crissman.

My parents got me this neat cart that you can use at the beach, pool, sporting events, etc.. to carry coolers, blankets, food, all kinds of STUFF. This will be very handy since I am always toting all kinds of stuff. I wonder if I could fit three kids in here?! :) Thanks Mom and Dad!

Regan got a Webkinz snake that she had been wanting. I think this was her favorite gift besides her books.

Riley got a Webkinz German Shepherd that looks just like her dog pal, Chaz.

Reece got a giraffe pillow, blanket, stuffed animal all in one. She has been wanting this since last Christmas.

Regan with her new snake, Stripey. She has been wearing him everywhere.

My parents got Tony a gift certificate to Home Depot.

The Stepp's got us this neat Children's bible.

Reece enjoying her new Giraffe pillow/blanket/stuffed animal.

I think we had an explosion in our den.

Snowman dip that I made.

Riley got a cake pop maker from Uncle Joe and Aunt Abby.

Reece got a soccer/skating Polly Pockets set from Aunt Abby and Uncle Joe.

We have lost Regan to more books...she got these Abby and Joe.

Lizzie excited to see what Uncle Tony got. It is a book from Joe and Abby.

Josh opening his Cars Playdough set from us. He is trying to figure out what it is. Once he figured it out he was ready to play with it.

Riley trying to beat Uncle Joe at Stratego.

Tony and Joe used to have these kind of racing tracks when they were kids. Josh got some for Christmas and Tony and Joe are trying to see who still has the fastest Hot Wheel cars.

Christmas Eve...

On Christmas Eve we did some baking, went to Aunt Abby's house for some fun and decorating cookies, and then went to our church for Christmas Eve service. It was a good day.

Regan and Lizzie decorating their sugar cookies.

Reece's finished product - lots of sugar!!!

Regan with her nicely decorated cookies.

Here is Riley's pretty cookies.

The girls after Christmas Eve Service.

We did not get daddy in the photo because he was quick to change out of his Christmas clothes. So, it is just us girls.

Riley making the birthday cake for Jesus.

Rescue Mission...

On December 23 our family went to serve lunch at the local Rescue Mission. The night before we went to serve Reece came running into our bedroom at 9:50 pm to share an idea she had. She told Tony she wanted to bring some of her own money to the Rescue Mission to give to the people we served. Tony tried to explain to her that she could give the money to one of the directors at the mission and he could determine how to best use the money for the mission. But, Reece did not like that idea, she insisted she give it to the people we served. Tony explained to her that there would be about 3,000 people being served that day and she could not give money to everyone. We were really impressed that she was lying in her bed late at night thinking about this and her willingness to give her money away. She ended up not taking her money the next day because she did not want to give it to the director. We introduced her to the director while we were there and explained to her what he does for the Rescue Mission. Next time I think she will be Ok with giving it to him. :) The girls really seemed to enjoy serving at the Rescue Mission and asked if we can do it again next year and other holidays too.

Regan's Piano Recital...

On Monday, December 19th Regan had a piano recital. She did very well and is getting more and more confident. She did find it hard to play on a piano other than ours since the feel is different and the pedal on this piano was stiffer. But, we were proud of her for staying confident and pushing through the obstacles. I had a dad come up to me after the recital and said, "your daughter plays beautifully so don't ever let her give up." It was a nice compliment. Now that Regan is playing harder songs I find her at the piano more and more. It is so neat to see her love of music growing and Tony and I find it very soothing to listen to her play.

Regan playing a duet with her piano teacher.

Regan with Ms. Elena

Sorry that some of these videos are cut short, my phone would not let me email the whole entire video because it was too long.

Riley's 8th Birthday...

Riley turned 8 on December 17th and she had a wonderful day celebrating in many ways. We started the day by being in a parade near daddy's store. The girls threw candy out of Tony's truck and they also got to hang out with the Chick-fil-A Santa Cow. Riley told Matt (Tony's manager) that this was the best birthday ever and it was only 9:00 am when she said that. After the parade we went to daddy's store for Peppermint milkshakes and then headed down to the local minor league ballpark for a holiday openhouse. They were allowing people to tour the clubhouse, bat in their indoor batting cages, and meet two of the Bull's baseball players. It was a lot of fun and Tony enjoyed getting to hit a baseball with a wooden bat again and did very well. Unfortunately, we thought we were taping him but I forgot to show Regan how to push the "on" button so it did not tape. :( After going to the ballpark, we went across the street to Riley's favorite local wings place. I love that Riley enjoys eating wings. She and I shared 20 wings and ate all but 2 of them. After lunch we went home and let Riley open her presents from us. She got some dog pajamas, guitar lessons and we will be buying her a guitar very soon. She was very excited about the guitar lessons because she has been wanting to play for over a year. In the afternoon, the girls and Tony went on a 4 mile bike ride while I went and bought Riley a cookie cake. It was a very busy and fun day. Riley you are such a compassionate, tender hearted, sweet and energetic girl. We love your positive attitude and joyful spirit. You are such a blessing to our family and we love you very much!!