Christmas, New Year's & all that we missed

Posted by: Jennifer

 

Well, my mum finally managed to guilt us into updating the website. It seems we never have the time or energy to get it done. We meant to send out a Christmas letter, but we never got around to getting a family picture done, and so it just never happened. Hopefully this post will make up for all of that. We've put together tons of pictures, and below this post, you'll find a copy of the Christmas letter that should have been.

 

Granddad and Sue entertain James	Checking out presents with Granddad	Opening yet another cool gift	James enjoys Luke the Lion
Getting ready for bed in his Christmas jammies	Opening up a new drumset from Uncle Paul	Trying out the drums	The shirt we gave Claire (and no, I'm not 300lbs, it's the housecoat)
Catherine looks sad because she thinks the car set we gave her will never be used	Catherine finds out she does in fact have a car afterall and freaks out	A doctor's kit from Auntie Claire	Checking out what's inside the kit
Nana sees the ultrasound of the new baby, but doesn't quite get it	This is James hanging up his stocking!	Sammy gets a yummy present from Papa Toño	Family shot
Jose's very happy with the Fox shirt from his mom	Papa Toño is thrilled over his pacaya	Papa Toño and Mama Loli have their turn getting the ultrasound pictures	The moment of understanding hits
Jose gave me a really nice baby and me set for the hospital	Christmas morning with our stockings	James liked the ribbons just as much as the presents!	Papa has to have a turn with the ribbons
Nice mother and son shot	Playing with Play Doh (AKA Tibo)	Staking out the kitchen with Tio Chico	Chico runs away from the firecracker he lit
More tibo	Opening presents with Nana on Boxing Day	Trying out his new razor on Nana	Papa needs a shave too
A lazy holiday morning	James gets a lesson from Papa	Claire's 22nd birthday	James tries out his brand new big boy bed at Nana's house
Night night!	New Year's Eve	Sammy rings in the new year	Sam and Scamp (AKA Dump)
Trying out Papa Toño's bed	Natalia's birthday - Jan. 6	Mama Loli cooks the mother of all pupusas	The birthday kids with their mom
Jose and Natalia blow out their birthday candles with James' help	James supposedly going to bed	Lighting the candles on Jose's birthday cake (note the tummy)	Jose and James N. at Jose's b-day party
Goofy times under the table	Trying out Papa's new remote control Mario Karts	Opening up some new slippers from his mother-in-law	Auntie Claire and her favourite nephew
Little homey!	Papa's toque and Mummy's slippers

Christmas Letter

Posted by: Jennifer

 

December, 2006

Dear Family and Friends,
Another year full of blessings has passed, and we’re eagerly awaiting what the new year will bring.
We know for sure that the New Year will bring a new member to our family! We are expecting a brand new baby in July, and are feeling the usual mix of “wow”, “holy crap” and just plain stupefaction. So far, everything is going great, and Jennifer is feeling fine.
This year has not been without its own major activities. March was a big month. James turned one, and had a big celebration with family and friends. He was thoroughly spoiled as everyone celebrating their first birthday should be.
Also in March, Jennifer went back to work first as a brand new Mary Kay consultant, and then off maternity leave to return to the real world as a teacher. Rather than returning to Gilbert Paterson, she went to Mike Mountain Horse Elementary, and filled in for a grade 1 teacher leaving on mat leave. It was quite a switch from middle school, but made her realize that elementary was the place she wanted to be, and decided not to return to GPMS in the fall.
In August, Jose had his second corneal transplant up in Calgary. The surgery was successful, and now his right eye is in the process of healing. He will have the stitches in for a year or so and still has to take it a bit easy as far as activities go (no snowboarding this year). We were very grateful that the call for surgery came during the summer so that Jennifer could take care of Jose. James stayed with Nana for a few days, and had a great time.
In September, Jennifer started a new job at Galbraith Elementary School. She is teaching grade 4 and loving it. Galbraith is an awesome school with a unique climate, and many challenges and rewards.
In all, we’re a healthy, happy family. Jose is still happy working at Hi-Way Service, James loves going to see “Nayna” every day, and Jennifer is enjoying the challenges of teaching a new grade. In the midst of our business, we manage to find time to just relax and enjoy each others’ company. Don’t forget to check our website: www.samayoaweb.com.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, and a blessed New Year.

Lots of love,

Jose, Jennifer, James, Baby, and Sam Samayoa