This year, like the last 4 years, we stayed in Texas to celebrate. My sister and her family came down and my brother and his wife live here. Seiuli was actually off work for Christmas Eve and day for the 1st time in 4 years. He was scheduled to work, but was able to get both days off. He worked Thanksgiving (and like I said, Christmases for the past 4 years…) so I think it was time he had this special weekend off.

Earlier in the Christmas break we took the whole family (courtesy of my in-laws and bro-in-law) to Six Flags: Holiday in the Park. It was Liv’s first time to go and OMGosh!!! This will definitely be a new Christmas break tradition in our household. She LOVED IT! The entire family (+ my lil sister, Ali) had a wonderful time. It wasn’t too cold. The lines weren’t too long and the decor was so festive. It was just a super amazing time.

In my family our tradition is to open up gifts at my parent’s home on Christmas Eve. Yes- ALL gifts… not just pajamas. So we decided to open the gifts in our home a few days early since one of the gifts was a Wii and my sister was giving the kids more Wii games… Also, our 3 oldest had to go to the ex’s on the 26th, so we wanted them to have a chance to enjoy their gifts a few days. Every year before opening gifts the kids and Sei and I watch “The Nativity” with Amy Grant’s “Breath of Heaven” playing. It really brings the Spirit of Christmas into our home. You can see it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icilgwdHiZg

Then… we opened our gifts!!!!

Alec and I were there too, but there seems to be no photographic evidence of attendance…

To be continued…

Taj and Isabel had free tickets to Six Flags Over Texas for reading during the school year. Sei scored free tickets from work. We decided while the older boys were at scout camp that we’d brave the heat and the crowds and go to Six Flags. Livie stayed with a friend 1/2 the day and my brother and SIL for the evening. Thanks again Cheryl, Woogs and Lissette!!!

Y’all- SIX FLAGS ROCKED! It rained all Monday nite and was still raining Tuesday morning. I checked the weather radar and the rain was moving away from Six Flags. We decided to hope for the best. We got there and the parking lot was empty compared to how it usually is. We didn’t even have to take the tram from our car to the gate.  There were NO LINES at all. For example, Isabel and I road Batman: The Ride which is one of the newest, fastest, coolest roller coasters there, TWICE in a row without waiting. We rode, got off, ran back around and got back on. Usually you would wait an hour or more just to get on. We rode most of the roller coasters at least twice. And Taj was awesome! This was his 1st time and he was barely tall enough to ride everything. But boy did he RIDE!! We road coaster after coaster after coaster. Even Shock Wave and Flashback which have loops that take you upside down. It was rad.

I’ve been going to Six Flags since I was little and I can’t ever remember such a small crowd and so little heat. It was cloudy for most of the day, but didn’t rain again until 9pm- when we were walking to our car. And by “rain” I mean POURED. We were drenched, soaked to the core, by the time we got to our car. But wow- it was so great!!

Oh- and Tony Romo was there too. He came up to Judge Roy Scream (awesome coaster) and got on right after us. I text my dad and he said, “Tell him to keep his arm in the car.” LOL Taj was cute. He yelled, “Hey Tony!!!” as the coaster cruised by.

Anyway, it was a really fun, great day. We weren’t grumpy, hot and tired when it was done. We were happy and talking about all the awesome rides we rode. We rode probably 20 rides and 1/2 of those twice. Awesome.

How has your summer been so far?