This past weekend we were invited by some friend's of ours to join them for the "Santa Train" at a park near our house. They have a little girl who is 8 months older then Dylan . Of course this past week it has been some of the coldest nights we have had in a long time, so we knew that we would have to dress warm.

As we were driving into this park it seriously felt like we were driving into the winter wonderland of Christmas. This place was so cool and I had never seen so many lights! Dylan was looking at everything. The train is about 15 minutes and it takes you to the north pole where Santa is, so all the kids can meet him. It was pretty crowded and had to wait in line for almost an hour, but let me tell you it was all worth the wait when we saw the look on Dylan's face. When we got to the front I thought this was going to be the biggest disaster ever as this was the first time Dylan would meet Santa. I guess I thought wrong.. Dylan was the only one that smiled and laughed and thought Santa was the coolest thing he had ever seen!

 

Have you ever seen a kid so happy to meet Santa??

They also had snow, cookie decorating, fishing at the north pole and lots of other fun activities. We had so much fun that I told Greg this will be a yearly tradition for the Lopez family! We have been enjoying our Christmas cheer so far this month and we look forward to the next couple of weeks with more holiday parties, shopping and of course Christmas day!

School For Dylan

A few months ago I was introduced to a program at a school that is close to our house for Dylan. This is a Pre, Pre-K class for special needs children that starts at 18 months and goes until they turn 3.  At that time they transition into preschool. I was put on the wait list and got a call last month that Dylan was accepted. Greg and I were so excited to get Dylan into this class as it will give him the opportunity to play with other kids and for Greg and I to meet other parents. This program is every Tuesday for 2 hours and they work on fine motor, speech, therapy, snack time, singing, arts and crafts and play time. It is a parent participation so I will be their with him every Tuesday. Also every first Tuesday of the month they have a swim class to help build and work on there muscles and swim. The pool is indoor and is so awesome!

Today we got to go and observe the class and participate. Dylan can't start until January as he will not be 18 months till the end of this month. I was so impressed by this class and all the teachers. This program comes very highly recommend and I am so thrilled we get to be apart of it.

Dylan did great with all the other kids and had so much fun playing. We met and talked to the other parents and had a great time! It was so sweet seeing our little Dylan playing with other kids and having the best time ever. This will be such a great thing for him and the socialization will be awesome for him!

 

Someone is having a little too much fun!

Dylan's first Art and Craft

I did not even drive out of the drive way and he was fast asleep

First day of School

Deck The Halls

Well it is officially December and I am so excited! This is my ABSOLUTE favorite time of the year. I do have a confession to make...I have had our Christmas stuff up since the weekend before Thanksgiving. I know I am crazy! If I could have a Christmas tree in my house all year round, I would!

I know Dylan is still a little young, but last year we started the "Elf on the shelf" with him and it was so much fun! So last night we watched the movie as a family and Elfie was right there with us to watch it... Now we just hope Dylan will be a good little boy so Santa will bring him all the presents he wants. Elfie will be watching!

Cheers to the holiday season...

Thanksgiving

Another beautiful Thanksgiving for the Lopez's. This year we had Thanksgiving at Greg's grandmother's house with his mom's side of the family and my mom. This year was extra special as Greg's brother Bobby was here to spend the holiday with us as he has not had a Thanksgiving with the family in 7 years. He lives over in Hong Kong and usually only comes out once a year. We were so excited to have him home! It was a great day and of course stuffed our faces with food and lots of dessert!

The next day my Mom, Dylan and I headed off to Palm Springs for the weekend for a little shopping, relaxing and a little time away. This was also to celebrate my mom's birthday that was on November 24th. We stopped at the outlets on Friday and yes it was BLACK Friday. I know we are crazy, but we actually found some really amazing deals! Dylan was such a little trooper and just watched all the people walking around. After shopping we checked into our hotel and had a very nice dinner. They had there tree lighting ceremony so that was very fun to see. We had a great weekend and enjoyed spending time with my mom and Dylan!

And were off...

Dylan being silly in the hotel room

Happy Birthday To My Beautiful Mom

Sweet Moments

Moments like these just melt my heart. My two favorite boys snuggling together before bed time! 

Hope in god, Not your bank account

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” (1 Timothy 6:17NIV)

The only thing in all of creation that worries is human beings. Plants don't worry. Animals don't worry. Only human beings act as if we don't have a heavenly Father. When you worry about your finances, you're basically saying, "I think God is a liar. I don't really think he will meet my needs.” But God will, if you meet the conditions.

When I was a kid, I'd go to my dad and say, "Dad, I need some money.” Not once when I was growing up did I ever wonder, "Where is he going to get it?” It's kind of an unwritten rule: Dads make it, and kids spend it. Kids never wonder, “Where is my dad going to get this money?” I never worried about it.

Worry is really a form of atheism. Every time you worry, you're basically saying, "I don't believe there's a God who is going to take care of me.” If you're a Christian and you worry, you're acting like an orphan. You're acting like you don't have a heavenly Father who has already promised over and over again in Scripture, "I will meet your needs if you will obey me and do what I tell you to do.” Trust forces you to live by faith.

Worry is a warning light. Every time you worry about your finances, it's a warning that you doubt that God loves you and will take care of you. We always get into trouble when we doubt God's love. Always.

Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need” (NLT).

As long as you love anything more than God, that thing is going to be a source of anxiety. There was one thing meant for first place in your life, and it's not your family. Anything you put first in your life besides God will create anxiety, because that thing can always be lost.
Your bank account is not your security, no matter how big it gets. The Bible says in 1 Timothy 6:17,

"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (NIV).

Put your hope in God, because he will assume responsibility for your needs if you'll trust him.

Funny Faces

The other night when we were out to dinner, I took my phone out to take a picture of Dylan and this time I said "Cheese" and Dylan could not stop smiling. Greg and I were laughing so hard and it was the cutest thing in the world. The pictures explain it all!