Day #25 Happy Birthday Jesus

And finally the 4th birthday celebrated in December; Happy Birthday Jesus. Letter from Santa with an annual pass to Universal for all of us. Thanks Santa For the future fireman IPOD companion Sheena gets 14 cans of vienna sausage Thanks Cheeky! Breakfast

Day #24 Christmas Eve

This year we celebrated Christmas Eve at my sister Cindy's house. We ate appetizers for dinner and dressed in pajamas. Still kids at heart. Cindy's Tree Karokee

Day #23 Ginger Bread House

This is the Gingerbread House we were suppose to make but never got around to it. Oh well, maybe it will keep for next year.

Day #22 Happy Birthday Cookie

My sister Cookie a/k/a Veronica celebrates her 35th birthday. This is the 3rd birthday that we celebrate in December.

Day #21 Mom is here for Christmas

This will be the first Christmas since we moved to Floirda 12 years ago that I spend with my mother. Should be fun. She is already making some of my favorite foods especially bacalaitos a/k/a cod fritters. mmmmmmmmmm

Day #20 Christmas Lights

Another great Christmas tradition is Christmas Lights. You gotta love them. We usually do a nice job on our house but this year we just couldn't get it together. So instead of a picture of my house this is a picture of one of the houses in the hood.

Day #19 Ready for Christmas

Groomed and dressed for Christmas.

Day #18 Nativity

While driving on Sample today, I got a glimpse at this nativity scene. Of course, I just had to make a u-turn and get a better look and a picture. I just love Christmas deco.

Day #17 Hospital Employee Holiday Luncheon

During our annual employee holiday luncheon, my friend/coworker, Dolores's son, Orlando, played his guitar. Very talented kid. I could listen to him all day long.

Day #16 Office Party

Today we did our annual office lunch/gift exchange. There are 10 of us and we do grab bag. Our Christmas Tree. Game we play after lunch. Write something no one knows about you and we guess who it is. Cool game. Elementary School Carolers This is what I got.

Day #15 Midnight Quilters Annual Dinner Gift Exchange

Today we went to the Cheese Cake Factory for our Christmas gift exchange. As usual we ate too much, laughed a lot and had a great time. Judy, Beth, Lisa and Me.

Day #14 Dreaming of a White Christmas and Jason Castro

I was hoping Jason Castro would come out with some Christmas music and true to his very giving personality, a free download is available on his website http://www.jasoncastromusic.com/

Day #13 I Celebrate the Day

I'm sure there are plenty of lyrics that express the meaning of the birth of Jesus but this song, by Reliant K, a christian rock band, is awesome. Go to iTunes Check out their music. I Celebrate the Day Lyrics by Reliant K With this Christmas wish is missed The point I could convey If only I could find the words to say to let you know How much you've touched my life because Here is where you're finding me In the exact same place as New Years Eve And from the lack of my persistency We're less than half as close as I wanna be And the first time that you opened your eyes Did you realize that you would be my Savior And the first breath that left your lips Did you know that it would change this world forever And the first time that you opened your eyes Did you realize that you would be my Savior And the first breath that left your lips Did you know that it would change this world forever And so this Christmas I'll compare The things I've felt in prior years To what this midnight made so clear That you have come to meet me here To look back And think that This baby would one day save me And the hope that That you give That you were born so I might really live To look back And think that This baby would one day save me… And the first time that you opened your eyes Did you realize that you would be my Savior And the first breath that left your lips Did you know that it would change this world forever And the first time that you opened your eyes Did you realize that you would be my Savior And the first breath that left your lips Did you know that it would change this world forever And I I celebrate the day That you were born to die So I could one day Pray for you to save my life

Day #12 Papi's Bread Pudding

I'm not sure if bread pudding is a traditional Christmas dessert but it is in my family. For as long as I can remember my father would make large platters of bread pudding during Christmas. I think he use to take it to work. One day I finally got the recipe out of him and started to make it and taking it to my job back in NY. Everyone affectionately called it "Papi's Bread Pudding". That was at least 15 years ago and I'm still making Papi's bread pudding.

Day #11 Happy Birthday Honey

My husband's birthday is the 2nd birthday of 4 that we celebrate in December. He celebrates his 46th birthday.

Day #10 Eggnog a/k/a Coquito

When you hear eggnog you know its Christmas time. Puerto Ricans call it Coquito. A few years ago, while flipping through Latina Magazine, I found a recipe for Coquito. I'm not a big fan but it is a traditional part of Christmas soooooooooo

Day # 9 Favorite Christmas Photo

I would be here forever if I posted all my favorite Christmas pictures. Let’s face it; if my kids are in it, I love it. But I have to say that the picture to date that holds "My Most Favorite Christmas Photo" spot is this one. On my worst day, I look at this picture and I know that my life is perfect. There is nothing like laughing your woes away. Christmas 2006

Day #8 Happy Birthday Cindy

There are four birthdays that we celebrate in December. First is sister #3, Cindy, celebrating her 39th birthday.

Day #7 Decorations

I love decorating for Christmas. I love the vibrant reds and greens through out the house. I love the smell of my Yankee Candles and the glow of the Christmas tree. Too bad it’s only up for one month. Oh well, I must enjoy it while it lasts. My beloved Christmas Quilt Around the house

Day #6 December Daily Album

Today I spent a couple of hours at Scrapbook Central creating the Torres Christmas Album. It was fun and easy. I completed 31 days and all that is missing is the pictures and journaling; a work in progress.

Day #5 Christmas Music

Another favorite about Christmas time is the awesome Christmas music. Even Country Christmas songs sound good to me. Below are my old time favorites and some new favorites that can be found on my IPOD.

Day #4 Christmas Movies

I love Christmas movies. I love them all. My absolute favorite is "It's a Wonderful Life" which still makes me cry. All of the animated movies, espcially Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. "Home Alone", so funny and with so many wonderful memories of the whole family watching during one of Christmas movie marathons with my babies in their Christmas jamies. OK, I think I may cry. "Santa Clause" and of course all the Life Time Fa La La Christmas movies, my most recent favorite "A Divas Christmas Carol". I love the wonderful, magical feeling of love, hope and faith in man kind and the wonders that is Christmas.

Day #3 Rockefeller Center Tree Lighting

It's around this time that I really miss NY. I use to work one block from the Rockefeller Center many years ago before the kids. A group of us would walk around and enjoy the oversized decorations.

Day #2 Christmas Tree Part 2

I went out today to buy tree lights. I put them on and began to organize my ornaments. Guess what I found? Yep, the lights. Don't tell Matt. I had him searching everywhere. Finally. I'm usually done in one day. Hallmark Mary's Angels series. 1st in a 21 year long collection. Tree skirt that I have been using since my daughter was born. My favorite ornament.