Yolanda Avila and I, Cynde Contreras, had the honor of co-hosting a joint baby shower for Ginessa Avila and Laurie Dolan - best friends who are BOTH pregnant with their first children. We had a wonderful turnout and a great time with everyone who came to celebrate with us. Thank you, everyone, for making this a very special event. I hope you enjoy the pictures! (Thanks Desiree (and others who contributed) for your GREAT photographic talent!

Willy and I enjoyed a Fall Weekend Getaway to Boston, MA!

We, along with my father, my sister Laurie, her husband Tom, my brother Jesse, and his entire family, visited Chicago for four full fun-filled days!!!

To celebrate Sonia's engagement, Sandra, Mona, and I treated her to a fun-filled weekend in Austin, TX! We ate great food, attended great shows, learned from informative tours, zipped over and enjoyed beautiful scenic hills and lakes, and had a great time of fellowship through it all! We give God all the glory for blessing this trip from beginning to end!!

This year's convention took place at the new church building in Cd. Victoria. Events began with the dedication of the building and the praise & worship team from Cd. Victoria. The Word was delivered by WHTC founder, Max Boggs and current pastor, Jonathan Boggs. The praise & worship teams from Voz Campesina and the church in Edinburg also led praise between services and during ministry. The convention was a huge success and blessing to everyone who attended.

This is Cristian's second trip to Monterrey for my father's annual family reunion. The food was good, the weather perfect, and the time with family precious!!

Laurie and I enjoyed a WONDERFUL fall extended weekend visit to New York City, a relaxed drive to a friend's lovely home in Connecticut, a quick jaunt over to Martha's Vineyard and ending with a rainy weekend in Boston!

Willy and I were BLESSED to both be invited AND to be able to go to this wedding of dreams! You might wonder just WHO plots out this type of incredible wedding...well, to answer that question...two of the most generous souls you would ever meet! This trip / wedding surpassed our every expectation! We give God the thanks and glory for allowing us to celebrate our 15 year anniversary in such style.

Cristián turned 1 year old this month...and is showing more and more of his personality each day! In the way of milestones...there weren't that many achieved this month...he still only has two teeth, and hasn't added any new vocabulary...and yet, he's changing in wee ways everyday! :) Thank you to everyone who couldn't stay away durin' his birthday...he sure did enjoy his cake!

Ok...so I haven't really slowed down on the picture-taking...just the uploading! These pictures are sorted most recent first...and I only uploaded a few of the MANY I've taken. As baby's gettin' older...the time's gettin' shorter! :) Updates: At the end of January Cristián weighed 22 pounds and measured 29 1/2 inches tall. By the end of February he had added a pound and an 1/2 inch to his height. He's started standing unsupported (when he's focused on something and doesn't realize it) and can climb down our stairs now on his own (don't worry...he's ALWAYS closely supervised when doin' this). He still loves balloons, balls (fruits and vegetables qualify), books, and things that go "Burrrr" (mostly cars and motorcycles).

Aurora Luna turned 80 this past weekend and was surrounded by MANY of her loving family and friends. We were especially blessed to see many come from out of town to celebrate this wonderful day with her! We had a great time seeing everyone again...and introducing our son to them as well.

Cristián turned 9 months old at the end of December and weighs 21 lbs and is 29 in. long. He enjoys making loud noises with his wooden toys, applauding his every move, turning on/off light switches, climbing stairs, bopping to music and singing and "cruising" around the whole house! He is a VERY happy and well-behaved baby...a complete joy to have around!

We celebrated Jesus Garcia's 85th birthday with style! Inviting his imeediate family members, we all got together to eat a great meal at Restaurante Los Balcones in the Hotel Quintal hotel. We had a great time!

Pictures from our Christmas Eve dinner and evening with the Contreras Clan...followed by our Christmas morning with Meme & Rosita and Jesse, Nelda, Zachary, Bekah, Savi, and Zoey!

Pictures of our son, Cristián, during his 8th month. He's now weighing 20 pounds and is 29 inches long. During this month he pulled himself up to standing for the first time...and now does it CONSTANTLY! He also gives big sloppy open-mouthed kisses on demand! He's fascinated by ceiling fans and lights, and loves being "chased".

This year's Cosecha Mundial took place at Voz de Campesina.

Pictures of our son, Cristián, during his 7th month. He's weighing 18 pounds and measures 28 inches long. This month he quickly mastered sitting on his own and LOVES to bang things together. He has to have two of everything...one in each hand. As soon as he does...he bangs 'em together. He's also experimenting with sound (translation - he's SCREAMING a lot) and loves to drench himself making raspberries (noises). He STILL loves to eat too! He hasn't turned anything down...and has yet to reach a limit!

Cristian finally accompanied Daddy on one of his trips into Mexico! We stayed at Jose & Jeanette's house near Llera, went to church in Cd. Victoria...and then visited a zoo before heading home.

General and random pictures of Cristián taken in the month of September...his 6th month. He weighs 16 pounds and measures 27". He's makin' all sorts of babbling and wet noises and is really enjoying his jumper and bathtime. He's been creeping around quite a bit...and grabbing things too. He loves being sung and read to...even when he's fussy...singing or reading quiets him down immediately and every time! He's also been sleeping longer stretches at night - 8-9 hours, YEA!!!

Some photos of Cristian during his fifth month. He's weighing 15 pounds and measures 26 inches long. Baby is doing GREAT! He smiles all of the time...and on cue! He eats with gusto...meeting every bite with a loud, "AAAAHHHHMMM!!" He likes being read to...especially rhyming books! He's also now VERY observant, focusing on lil' things and looking to investigate all new sounds and sights.

You'd think we got our fill with the San Diego Zoo...but I guess it just whet our appetite. We took a much more leisurely zoo stroll at our local zoo in Brownsville, TX.

Our first trip to California with baby...and parents!Although Willy, Laurie, and I had been to Disneyland before...this was Daddy, Mr, and Mrs. Contreras, Sandra, and Sonia's first time! Thank you for joining us and making this trip so memorable!

Here are more pictures of Cristian between 13 weeks to 4 months old! He's now weighing 13 pounds and measures 25 inches long. He's now rolling over (but mostly accidentally) and noticing EVERYTHING. He also did extremely well during his first trip to California! We had NO problems whatsoever! There were MANY more taken this month but I'm going to put those pictures in their own album - one highlighting our trip to southern California.