Martinez Rules!: My Girls Want To Party All The Time!

We've had quite a whirlwind of Christmas-y social engagements over the last couple of weeks, and instead of doing a separate post for each event, I decided to lump them all together into one giant post. I'm sure that the wait will be worth it for you (whatever that means).

HOME CHURCH PIZZA PARTAAAY!

Nothing says party like a bunch of crazy Christians and some homemade pizza. I think that what makes our parties so fun is that our house looks like a frat house on Sunday morning after we get through with it. We love it though. Our group is so fun and cool, and not just because we're in it. Props to Greg for showing up despite some "minor" discomfort and feeling "a bit under the weather." Rick and Heather were uncharacteristically late, and we thought that they might be practicing tardiness due to their impending foray into parenthood. But, alas! They came bearing Chic-Fil-A, that heavenly, heavenly chicken. Thanks guys! Oh, and we had a DVD gift exchange, the kind where you can steal from each other. You can see the Lius' delight in the first picture below after they landed the much coveted Polar Express. James and the Paik clan are on pins and needles as each of the DVDs is revealed, and Fi is hanging out with her favorite new-parent-to-be, Rick.

Of course, no home church gathering is complete without a gluttonous amount of food and Luke asserting his manhood by wandering around all night with no shirt. We ended it all with a screening of A Charlie Brown Christmas that all of the kids and most of the adults were way into. Aren't all of our kids adorable?

Carter's Cookie Decorating Party

One of Maddo's oldest friends (she's known him since she was in the womb), Carter, had a neat little shindig where many cookies were decorated and eaten. James and Amber posed for me, while Jill slept snugly in her car seat, and Sar and Dar showcase a cookie shaped like, well, something, I'm sure.

Please take note of the differences between boy and girl cookie decorating techniques. While Andrew and Carter are dumping loads of sprinkles on their creations and licking their fingers, Maddie gingerly places each jimmie in its place. Even the eating of the cookies is gender influenced. Annie picks up the cookie with her hand and takes a bite, while Davis puts one in his mouth and sucks on it until it's gone. Fie on you who say boys and girls are the same. Pshaw!

Carter and Maddie posed for me, but only after I agreed to take a picture of Carter's lobster as well. Baby Fi is partying her way, which means cramming food in her face fast and furious.

The men had to redeem themselves for being at a cookie decorating party by playing Guitar Hero.

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

We had a birthday party to honor the birth of out King, Jesus Christ. The kids heard a story about Joseph and Mary travelling to Bethlehem and finding no room at the inn. They learned about Jesus being born in a manger and the angel's visit to the shepherds to herald the coming of the Lord. They made cute little jingle bell bracelets, sang songs, and decorated cupcakes to celebrate Jesus' birth. Then, they ran around and played like crazy until it was time to go home. It was a really fun and special day.

Storytime and cupcake decorating. I'm gonna be finding sprinkles until March!