Better Late Than Never - Carlo's 0-3 Month Photobook!

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Our 2011 Summer Vacation Photobook

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Laurie Dolan's Baby Shower (RGV)

Nelda, my sister-in-law, and I were so blessed to host nearly thirty guests at my sister's baby shower in Weslaco, TX this past Saturday. At first we weren't at all sure many would come, but lo and behold...our family on my mother's side came through! My sister now lives in Austin and although I live here close by to them, neither of us see them very often and often feel guilty because of it. This shower not only provided a great avenue for a showering of blessings for my sister's growing family, but we were ALL blessed with the opportunity to bridge gaps and catch up with loving family.

After enjoying an afternoon of good food and cake, and games and prizes, we almost immediately made plans to follow up with a family get-together the following day at my mother's only surviving sibling's home nearby. There we enjoyed even MORE great food and fellowship and took lots of pictures while we were at it.

Enjoy my personal album of the shower and the next day's get-together here. A close friend of ours (THANKS DEZ) also took pics at the shower...I'll be hopefully posting those soon as well. :)

Sweet Home Chicago

I know it's been ages since my last post...but we had such a fantastic time in Chicago with the entire family, I decided to take the time to post a link to my online album!

Celebrating 15 years of Marriage at Los Cabos!

I'm spending a small fortune on Internet time uploading pics...if you want to read / see more on the WONDERFUL time we're having while in Cabo...check out my photo album on Kodakgallery!

Cristián de Jesús Contreras...is walking!

We decided to make it "official" today since today marked the first time he consistently preferred to be left standing every time I'd place him on the floor. He also did considerably more standing, squatting, walking, stopping, and pivoting than he ever has before...and on his own (without prompting) too! We didn't do much coaching (we weren't anxiously awaiting this milestone)...but we know Grandma did the last two times she babysat! We might have her to thank!(?)

Happy Easter!

Cristián's first Easter was BLESSED! After a great church service, we headed over to Willy's uncle's home to celebrate with the family...and it seemed everyone had a great time. The weather was perfect, the food good, and Cristián enjoyed watching his many cousins runnin' around cracking confetti eggs everywhere. I look forward to seeing him join them next year! :)
Thank you, Tia Stephanie, for the beautiful guayabera...he got lots of compliments on it and took lots of pictures IN it! It was the perfect "look" for the day we had!

Cristián is One Year Old!!!

I know these pictures came late (and the rest of 'em will still come later)...but we took SO MANY!!!
We hadn't planned on a "party", but were blessed by family and those close to the family who wanted to be here anyway. We had two family gatherings in honor of baby turning one...one on Saturday evening (with Willy's parents and my brother, Jesse and his entire family), and then on Sunday afternoon (with Tio Meme & Tia Rosita and a family friend, Mercy). We were especially blessed by Tia Laurie who made the trip all the way from Austin to be here for Cristián's big day. Willy and I are so very blessed to see him so very loved by all. :)

Happy Birthday, Tia Aurora!!

Dad, Willy, Cristián, and I had a GREAT time with family at Tia Aurora's 80th birthday party this past weekend. Many family members came from far away to celebrate this special day...and I'm sure it was worth the trip! Sharing GREAT food, music, and memories made the party one I'll never forget. I'm so happy to have been able to be a part of it. See more pictures from the party here!

García Reunion 2008

We were especially excited to join our family in Monterrey for this year's reunion because we were "+1"! :) Our son, Cristián, made his first trip to meet his abuelito's family (many for the first time). Altho' he started the afternoon a bit hungry and sleepy at the church service, after a good meal and an hour nap, he made up for it with lots of smiles and time in everyone's arms at the dinner party. No desconoció a nadie y estuvo de buen humor toda la tarde. See the rest of my photos from the event at my gallery!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

This Christmas Day, Dad (Abuelito) turned 85 years old! We celebrated in style at Restaurante Los Balcones in the Hotel Quinta Real in Monterrey, N.L. with his immediate family. We enjoyed great food, time and talk with family, and took some great family photos. Check them out here.

Rock & Roll San Antonio Marathon & 1/2 Marathon

My sister, Laurie, along with her friend, Ginessa, ran their first marathon and Willy ran his first 1/2 marathon this past weekend! Congratulations Laurie, Ginessa, and Willy, on this GREAT accomplishment. I'm so proud of all of you!

Oh yea...and not to be outdone...Cristián crawled (non-commando style) for the first time while in San Antonio! Willy took it as Cristián's way of personally inspiring "Daddy" to do his best!

I've been promoted!

I am VERY proud to announce that I will no longer be working as a librarian for the public school system but will now devote 100% of my time to being a DOMESTIC ENGINEER! Here's a pic of me in my old office with my new boss. Please be in agreement with Willy and I as we depend wholly on God to provide for us and our growing family. We know it is His will for me to make this family my number 1 priority and ministry. I praise God for the opportunity to raise this child for Him. He is already blessed...AND a blessing!

p.s. We've just uploaded our May photos of Cristian! Check 'em out here!

Cristián is 1 week old!

I apologize for bein' so behind on uploading pictures...but I'm findin' it very difficult to take pictures with this bundle of cuteness at arm's length! Everyone is absolutely in LOVE with Cristián! Everything's goin' well...he's nursing well, sleeping well (as you can see), and his first couple of doctor's visits and reports confirm he's perfect in every way! Praise God!
For more pictures...click here!

Cristián has arrived!

Cristián de Jesús Contreras
March 29, 2008 (on his due date!) ; 1:18 a.m.
7 lb. 5 oz. ; 20 in. length
Well...I must say, a certain newcomer had me distracted from my usual photographer duties...and I apologize for that. This is the best we have for now...but that will soon change!

Willy and Cynde +1 :)

Early on Friday morning, my water broke...and thus began the expansion of the Contreras household. :) The weekend was an especially busy one so please forgive us if we weren't able to contact you personally concerning Cristián's arrival. Needless to say...we're two very proud parents right now and enjoyin' every moment. Pics soon to follow...

Here's Cristian's nursery (and me at 36 weeks pregnant!)

Being the librarian that I am...I had to choose a "theme" for Cristian's nursery based on a book character...and so Curious George it was! Willy and I have been soooo blessed by everyone! The crib and dresser/changer were provided by my father's family in Monterrey, the bedding by family and friends' gift cards, and the Curious George diaper stacker and blanket by my sister, Laurie! Cristian is already so blessed AND a blessing!

Jesus Garcia - 84...and still going strong!

Here's Dad...looking great on his 84th birthday! This picture was taken outside my brother's house just before celebrating Christmas with his family. We praise God and thank Him everyday for my father's health and speak and believe MANY MORE to come! Just the weekend before he was celebrating his family's yearly reunion in Monterrey. See pictures from the Garcia Reunion 2008 HERE!

Happy Thanksgiving from the Garcia-Contreras-Dolans!

Happy Thanksgiving from Austin, TX! It was here we enjoyed our 2007 Thanksgiving Feast...and a feast it was! Turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, creamed corn, broccoli cheese casserole, green bean casserole, sweet potato casserole, plenty of gravy and buns! And for dessert? A pumpkin cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory, a pumpkin and pecan pie from Marie Callender's, and two homemade apple pies! YUM! We hope everyone had as great a Thanksgiving as we did! Happy Thanksgiving all!
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A Family Pic

Hi everyone! Willy and I just got back from a GREAT weekend at TBI's Youth Fall Retreat with 17 members of our beloved youth group! Everything went REALLY well and we've returned a BETTER youth group! You can see pics from our weekend on our Kodakgallery page! Here's a pic of Willy and I before we headed back. I know many haven't seen me in a bit...so rest assured, I'm definitely showing. :) Here I am 20 weeks pregnant with our first baby, Cristián de Jesús (yes, I know, the name's a bit redundant...but we hadta get my dad's name in there and it just sounded better - and more Mexican - with the "de" in it. :)). We're takin' good care of him and he's lookin' forward to Thanksgiving with Tia and Tio Dolan in Austin.