Parra's Christmas Story 2010

Scene 1
Bethlehem, Joseph, Mary, the donkey and the inn keeper
Scenery: piano bench with blanket over it and donkey head sticking out, Mary sits on bench, Joseph stands beside her


Narrator: And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judæa, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Scene 2
The stable, Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus
Scenery: manger with baby doll wrapped in blanket, stuffed animals

Narrator: And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Scene 3
The countryside, the angel, 2 shepherds and a sheep

Narrator: And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Scene 4
The stable, Mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus, Shepherds and sheep
Scenery: manger with baby Jesus doll, stuffed animals

Narrator: And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Shepherds and sheep leave

Wise Men enter

Narrator: Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, …and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

FELIZ NAVIDAD Y PROSPERO 2011
- Familia Parra

FIFA World Cup 2010

The FIFA World Cup 2010 has come to an end, but the most magnificent sporting event in the world left us with over 140 incredible goals, controversial plays, bad calls, a few injuries and a new World Champion: Spain!

For the last month, we have been able to spend some very good quality time as a family as we engaged in this wholesome family activity and together watched the history of world soccer written before our eyes. I have to say that due to a series of circumstances, this has to be the world cup that I have enjoyed the most of the 9 that I have been alive for. I really enjoyed watching the best players in the world perform magical plays on the field, "El Mago" Forlan with his belssed left leg, "La Pulga" Messi, "El Guaje" Villa and his 5 goals, "El Chicharito" and of course the great "Cuahu". The most exciting thing about this World Cup was that I had the opportunity to enjoy it with my family. Everyone, from me to Jabulani had the opportunity to enjoy the cup in their very own way. I have to say that I had been counting down the last 365 days for this event and when June 11th rolled around I was more than ready for it.

I had my flags hung on the walls, my shirts proudly displayed, my Jabulani in hand, the Chilaquiles and Sabritones on the table etc… I was ready for the game. I got together with my brothers Hugo and Moy and their families several times and we also spoke every day on the phone about the latest games and World Cup news. I can truly attest that the World Cup brings families together!

Because of a series of events, Ashley was able to watch all of the games from the comfort of her recliner or couch. I was very proud of her when she would talk about a great play or a player and for her new ability to call off-sides. She is absolutely fantastic. For the month of June, soccer has ruled our schedule and Ashley (the best wife in the world may I say!) was in perfect agreement with it. She has enjoyed the World Cup to the fullest. I think that together we watched all of the games and all of the goals, inculding Televisa Deportes every night from 11:00 to midnight to make sure that we were getting all the coverage from South Africa. It has been one of the best months of my life. Now I have to wait 1460 days for the party to start again, this time in Brazil. I will start getting ready to receive this great event with the excitement that only a sporting event of this elephantine proportion deserves. The FIFA World Cup Brazil 2014.

Spring Break

I convinced David to take Wednesday through Friday off for Spring Break and go somewhere. This is a major miracle...David taking work off so I was ready to take full advantage of it. And then Matthew got a double ear infection and strep throat so there went my traveling plans. Instead we stayed here and played each day. The weather finally got nice and we were able to go to the park, swimming, walked around BYU campus, attended a BYU softball game and BYU's spring football training. Yes I know we're a little overboard on the BYU things but the kids really like getting candy at the Bookstore. Here we are getting ready for the football scrimmage.

Before the football practice they hold a kids clinic. The kids get to go down on the field at LaVell Edwards stadium and run drills with the football players. The boys loved it and were sad that they didn't get to wear their helmets.

I love Adam's face on this picture. Open your eyes!

Jacob and Adam lining up like the offensive line.

Easter

David is completely opposed to Easter baskets, bunnies and egg hunts. He thinks it's completely ridiculous that to celebrate the Savior's resurrection we have bunnies bring us presents in baskets. He grew up in Catholic dominated Mexico where they celebrated Easter with reenactments of the Savior's last week of life complete with real crucifictions. Thus Easter was something LDS Mexican saints shied away from celebrating. He doesn't even remembering having special sacrament meetings. Anyway he is not very comprising on how I want to celebrate this holiday but he did agree to baskets this year as long as we didn't tell the boys that an Easter bunny brought them. They got baskets full of swimming stuff: towels, flip flops, swim toys, goggles etc. Matthew trip and landed in Adam's baskets. We all thought it was funny but as you can see Matthew was rather traumatized.

After General Conference we went over to my mom's house for dinner and an indoor easter egg hunt. David has the boys use their halloween pumpkins as yet another way to mock Easter's commericalization. The boys had no idea that they were supposed to have Easter baskets not pumpkins.

Searching for eggs...

Grandma gave the boys more Easter presents too. Then we had a Easter lesson and played a Easter memory game and the kids how to say what their match had to do with the Easter story.

Matthew - 15 months

Matthew is 15 months old now and still hardly eats a thing. He eats yogurt, milk, bread and crackers. Occasionally I can get some peaches or bananas down him but it's only about 5 bites before he refuses them again. I've actually stopped trying so hard to make him eat new things. It's just not worth the fight.

He loves balls. All kinds of balls. He loves to throw them on my wood floor and go chasing (or crashing) after them.

He has finally learned how to go down stairs. But not by turning around. He sits down and scoots down on his bottom one stair at a time. Hey, whatever works! At least he's stopped sitting at the top screaming until I come get him and take him down to where ever his brothers are.

He's 15 months old but doesn't say a word. Well I suppose he says mama but not unless you tell him to. However he has the point and scream method of communication down pat. Check out the curls on this kid's head. Matthew has the most amazing hair in the world. Now most of you are placing bets on when I will finally cut the rag muffin's hair. But you're going to be disappointed for awhile yet. Yes, when his hair is wet to goes below his nose but then you rub it with a towel and it springs right back up into his curls.

Matthew is in that stage where he gets into everything. I don't remember it being this bad with the other two. Matthew wants nothing to do with his toys but everything to do with the bathroom including the toilet brush. He is undeterred in his efforts of opening the child proof cabinets to get to those toilet brushes. Soon he's going to have enough strength to actually just rip the cabinet doors off. As you can tell, we adore him.

P.S. Amber, Matthew's 4th tooth came in on the bottom. So he's not toothless like me. At least I hope that's his 4th tooth and not someother tooth. The point is don't give up hope.

Jacob's birthday

Jacob turned 6 years old last month. We had Grandma and Grandpa and cousins come over for dinner and a party.

Jacob got way too many presents but I have a hard time stopping myself. He really wanted Legos Star Wars for the Wii and Amazon had a great deal on it so I couldn't pass it up even though I had sworn I was done buying presents.

His big present was a new bike. He can't wait for his dad to teach him how to ride without the training wheels but the weather has cooperated much with that goal.

Usually I am very proud of the birthday cakes I make my kids. This is the worse job I have ever done. I was so embrassed. He wanted an UFO and alien. I'm just not even going to explain that massive problem of a cake.

Then on Saturday he got to choose a birthday activity and he chose the dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving Point. We invited his friend, Jake, to come along also. We watched a 3-D movie....

played at the sand and water table forever...

and saw lots of dinosaur bones (and got to dig them up in the sand too.)

Happy birthday, Jacob! We love you very much. At six years old Jacob is a brillant student. He has a killer memory (finally my kids inherit something good from me.) He reads so well and now writes stories too. He's also good a math and runs his own experiments at home. They almost always include the bathroom sink. He loves to draw and color and is a very good artist. He loves soccer, football, swimming and he's getting into baseball again. He loves to be outdoors but loves his video games too. He especially loves conning his dad out of his cell phone and playing games on it. He is a picky picky eater and a terrible slow poke in the morning getting ready for school. But hey I'm a horrible morning person too so.... Jacob is a bit dramatic, a great sleeper, and he's super healthy. He hardly ever gets sick. It's amazing! And he still likes to sing. He's a great singer. My chubby baby boy that I sang to all the time is growing up and now he sings to me. Love you, Jacob!

This pictures makes it look like Jacob had red hair. He never had red hair but he did have blue eyes for almost a year before they went hazel.