IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Boy, this has been a hectic week! I haven't been able to blog because I started work last Monday, and then of course, almost every day I came home from work, someone would pull me to go to the mall. Papa and Gogi were at Penrith Plaza almost every day since Gogi got here!


Christmas Eve was celebrated in Angelica's house in Baulkham Hills. It was a wild party, with 10 kids running all over the place! The Christmas tree was just flooded with presents and after the opening of the gifts, no one could see the floor as it was covered with wrapping paper! We ended early because Mari and family, and Tito Chiquito and Tita Vicky had to go to the other side of the family. Besides, a lot of the kids were getting cranky na.

It was fun, but I really miss the Christmas celebrations in the Philippines. I missed the mass at Xavier, then Noche Buena dinner at Tito Jim's, and the crazy gifts that the titos and titas give each other. And of course, the DELICIOUS food that people bring to our Noche Buenas! At least we had Mom's lasagna and Abu's cookies. Puede na.

Today, we are just staying at home, catching up on sleep, and for me, doing the things I don't get to do because I'm at work. It feels so good to say that, "because I'm at work..." Music to my ears!

I will try to cram as many pictures as I can here. Picture-taking was a lot of fun!

The boys -- Francis, Tito Chiquito, Edge and Mari

The Sicam-Gutierrez family (without kids)

Me and Mom, Mom and Chinny

My family of origin

The Sicam women

Magkakapatid na baliw!
Mari, Chinny, Angelica and Francis

Baliw..... Baliwer.... Baliwest!!!!

Take a good look at his shirt....it actually says "Horny Peter and the Sorcerer's Daughter"

When 2 or more Misa women gather together, you can expect a lot of craziness to come out!

Sisters hamming it up

Sophie and Diego, best friends!
They look like they could be brother and sister

The following pictures were taken at home, when we had our own "opening of the gifts".

Modelling my beautiful pashmina from Kitkat

Welcome....won't you come inside?
(Curtain beads from Mom and Gogi)

Mom loves Diego!

Merry Christmas to you all!