This is Sam, my older brother:



Not much to look at, but there you go.

This is Mister Sam, first born son and tenth of the Scions of the Bocanegras:



As you can tell, he's wearing the hat I was knitting for him. Fitted him rather loosely, which was alright.

I still have enough leftover yarn for a jacket. Maybe I can find the pattern for EZ's baby surprise jacket? hmm...

Now that I'm all okay right now, let me inform about last night, and the proceedings thereof.

We went over to Lisa's for a New Years party/firework/cookie swap. We were to make cookies [about five dozen a batch] and to just bring ourselves over. We decided to stay the night, which was unsurprising to everyone involved.

So we got there to find Lisa setting up cocktail food [stuffed mushrooms, chicken balls, buffalo wings, tamales, etc.] and she set up her Christmas gift from Mom: a two tray buffet warmer, which really came in handy. Gloria came in a bit after us with the kids, husband, and a bottle of Disaronno and sweet&sour mix. Soon after that she gives me a rather large tumbler of Amaretto Sour, which I gingerly drank in front of Mom [who rolled her eyes for most of the time].

Then we got all of our cookies together...



Clockwise, starting upper left: Orange Cremes [by Lisa], Chocolate Triple Chocolate Chips [by me], Choco-Nut Chippers [by Stan and the kids], Chocolate Chip Snowballs [by Gloria and the kids], and Lime Coolers [by Diana].

After that, we helped ourselves to the food. Gloria brought over deli rolls and her Deviled Eggs also. I had everything and another drink [pinapple juice and Malibu] that was mixed so strongly that I took a few sips and poured the rest down the sink.

The Swap occured after the guys went out for fireworks. We [including the kids] took a plate and helped ourselves to four to five of each cookie [the kids took two each], and we commented on them. Everyone said my cookies went with milk, which I agreed. I said that the Chippers were a bit on the salty side, but I'm guessing it was the nuts. Mom also brought her bunellos, which was okay.

Also had Gloria's in-laws come over, much to my surprise. They stayed a bit, had some cookies, and left.

Also got another Sour, this time alarmingly large. Drank half and poured the rest down the sink.

The fireworks were alright, didn't do much, since it was drizzling a bit and dampening things.

Midnight rolled around and I got to calling various people on my phone. Got to hug everyone and wish them happy New Years. Got another plate of food.

Soon everyone had to leave and I got my yarn skiens and started on the other sock. Read a bit and talked with Mom and Lisa [Diana and the kids left with Gloria]. Then we went to bed [around two a.m.].

This morning had me shower, eat a breakfast of eggs and tamales, knit, read, and chat with Lisa and Mom. Oh, and watch Soapy play with her new toy:



Combination walker and car. That will help her.

Went home with a better mood and a full stomach. Now I'm here. :D

Eh, it's getting there. Nothing really much of interest. Honestly.

Got a nice cool front that arrived yesterday. San Benito, home of wacky weather, how I have missed you. :|

I have photos! ( And they are here! )

Although I don't know how to play one...

Anywho!

Today was...okay. Mom and Cris took me to breakfast and I did the daily Sudoku.

Afterwards we went to Hobby Lobby. While I was looking at the many many yarns they had [and the ones they didn't have {c'mon! I want sock yarn! I want superwash yarn!!}] and the oodles of needles they had [oooh, bamboo...wtf?! Eleven dollars for a set of 10 circs?!?], Mom and Cris went through the patterns and found plenty for the kids...and for the dog.

Yes. For the dog. Mom wants to put Odie in a costume/photo contest/shoot for Holloween. :|

Then we went grocery shopping for the party we had an hour ago: Mom let me choose what I wanted to have, and we found a devil of a deal for lasagna with salad and french bread, alongside with icecream, so it was all good.

Crashed in front of the comp, going through the emails and thanking the folks for the birthday wishes [*hugs for unclebebby and xlana*] and spent some hours there when Cris whisked me off to run on some bill-paying errands [spent half hour waiting in line!], then came back home and lounged while Mom, Cris, and Diana prepared dinner and made my birthday cake.

Then we had dinner and the cake. Also took photos. :D

( Yes, photos... )

And now, I shall start on the Dobby Hat. Yay!

One, two, three, four
Can I have a little more?
Five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, I love you...

Alright, today was nice and good: we went to Edinburg to celebrate one of my nephew's fifth birthday, which was nice, since I pigged out on pizza and pasta, then went to Lisa's house and had a Bocanegra birthday party [barbecue with various other fixings].

While I was there at the pizza place, I took various pictures of the kids and family, and decided to post them here, so...

( Here they are! )

I am honestly disliking the front page of LJ. Is there any way to put it back to the normal newspage that I have grown to love??

Today's Terra's birthday party [she turned six on Wenesday], and none of the cousins are coming over. I call it bad timing, because Gloria's in San Antonio for something and Lisa's busy with a party of her own [from what I could gather]. We're making a good fuss over it, as it should me, since birthdays are days that are celebrated in good time.

However, unbirthdays are even more news to be celebrated. It's my unbirthday today. Howabout you? ;)

First project that might get unraveled later on: scarf with four[three?]-color stripe - red and two other colors, probably green, purple, and yellow. Might do it, dunno. Considering the weather and all, I mean. Scarves are not the thing of choice down here, y'know. However, once I get better, I'll do a Dr. Who scarf, since it is such a freakin' cool thing to make. :D

One last thing: rumor has it that there might a family reunion down here, on the Mom's side, on 4th of July weekend. The majority of her sisters and brother [she only has one] and their families are coming down, supposedly, so we might actually have one.

More news when it comes, k? :hug:

Photo taken a couple years back, from left to right: Cris, the third sis/eldest; Dad; Sam, the forth eldest and my older brother; Mom; and me, the fifth eldest.

Today marks the five-month anniversary of Dad's burial. It is best to keep such knowledge known by those who care the most about it.

I miss you, Dad.

mmm...Thanksgiving...

Lots of things done, not much writing done.

But hey, I spent the day with family, not infront of a computer, no matter how much tempted I was to do it, so it was a good thing.

So, I'm still in my Sister's house while the others are home. I just felt like staying here.

Anywho, the menu:

Entree:

Deep fried turkey, omg, fucking delish (Bro-in law did this)
Mashed potatoes w/giblet gravy (First sis did this)
Sausage & spinach stuffing (Second sis did this)
Pork butt stuffed with cornbread stuffing (Mom did this)
Green bean cassorole (other bro-in law did this)
Savory sweetpotato&apple cassarole (third sis did this, and she actually paused while I took a bite out of it, mmm)
store-bought whole berry cranberry sauce

Dessert:
Pumpkin pie (everyone pitched in and made them)
Pumpkin cheesecake (I made)
Chocolate cake w/pumpkin filling (Second sis did this)
Sweet potato cassarole w/pecan strudel (First sis did this)

You might be wondering where the others (bro and fourth sis) were. Out with the other families. More food for us, in all honesty. :D

Onward!!!