Christmas with the Castros....

Holidays have always been a little bit crazy for us, many places to go and lots of people to see. We celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, Christmas Lunch and Christmas evening, so we spend a great deal of time on the road. Its just one of the great parts of being blessed with such a large family!

Adolfo does not get off for holidays, since he works at a 24-hour post so we have to lay out our game plan early to make sure we get to spend our holiday time together. We always do our Christmas with one another early, we are really bad at waiting to open presents and when they are sitting under the tree they are such a temptation. So we opened presents early last week and then Wednesday night we loaded our cars and we were on the road. Both my Grandma Marie and the Castros celebrate on Christmas Eve, so since Adolfo works during the day and on Christmas Morning he stayed in Austin and celebrated with his Family, I headed to JC and spent Christmas with the My parents and my Grandma Marie and the Heavners. It was so fun just to relax and get away. Although I missed Adolfo I know our arrangements are only temporary! Next was Christmas Morning, I always wake up at my parent's house. We celebrated Christmas together, minus Claudia, but her, Jaime and Adolfo came in later that evening and we had a small Christmas again! After that we always have Christmas Lunch with the Summy side, there are so many babies, it is so fun seeing everyone and watching the little ones attack the tree because they can't wait to open another present. This Christmas ended with the guys getting out their guitars and having a small jam session, it is so relaxing just being with family, and enjoying some great music, they are awesome.

So after that we met Claudia & Jaime and Adolfo at the house and had a small Christmas again. But Claudia and Jaime had to be on the road because they had a Christmas Dinner they had to get to. Adolfo, Tay and I went to the final Christmas with the Ribera's. It was a great way to end the holidays, we just relaxed around a fire, sang a few tunes and played some games.

I really slacked with the camera this Christmas, I just kind of relaxed and did nothing else, lol...so here are a few traditional pics.....

Sisters on Christmas Day 2008......

Family pic 2008......


Our First Christmas as The Castros 2008.....

Christmas has come and gone and now we are home, just relaxing and spending time together. We are so grateful for family, friends and the many small treasures God has brought in our lives.

Happy Holidays from us to you! I hope everyone is still enjoying the much needed time off with all the ones nearest and dearest to your hearts.

Love, Ces.

The Lord protected my Grandparent's Today....

Adolfo and I received a call early this morning around 2AM from my Aunt Julie that there had been a terrible fire at my Grandparent's house. The house was completely destroyed, but my Grandparent's were safe and on their way to the hospital. All Adolfo and I could do was jump out of bed and get on the road to my family.

The fire started around 1AM towards the back of their house, while my Grandparent's were sound asleep. My Grandpa awoke to the smell of smoke and jumped out of bed to see what was happening; as he rounded the corner towards the kitchen he noticed flames coming into the living room from the patio sun-room. He quickly went back into the bed room and woke my Grandma. By this time, the house was full of black, dark, thick smoke, and all he could do was hold my Grandma and get her out of the house through the front door. After my Grandpa got my Grandma out safely he decided to go back into the house to try to save some additional belongings, while he had gone back in the smoke and flames became more dangerous, and his only way out was through the large glass window in their bedroom.

My Grandpa was able to get to a neighbor's home and call 911 and my family that lives near by. Adolfo and I got to their home around 4AM, it was one of the most horrifying and unbelievable sights to walk up on. It was so dark and I have never felt so helpless.

My Grandparents were taken to Seton Hospital in Burnet. My Grandpa received 2nd degree burns on his head from this 2nd attempt into the home and stitches in his arm from pushing himself through the window to escape the house. My Grandma will have to stay the night this evening in the hospital because of the amount of smoke she inhaled in her lungs, but should be out sometime tomorrow. Today Adolfo and I spent the whole day with her in the hospital and by the time we left this evening she was being really strong and able to walk without getting dizzy or winded.

My family and I would like to say thank you to the Blanco County EMS and the Johnson City and Round Mountain Volunteer Fire Department for everything they did to protect our Grandparents. Your unselfish acts helped minimize and control the damage, and kept our family safe. We appreciate all you did for us.

The Lord watched over my Grandparents today. Tonight my Grandparents are safe and being showered with love. Our family is humbled by the amount of support and love that has been shown today and will continue to be shown. Thank you for your calls, visits and prayers. They really do help lift our spirits.

Remember each day to tell the ones you love, I love you. If you are blessed to be with them everyday, give them a hug. Life is a gift so appreciate each moment because each day is not promised, it is a blessing.

Watch News 36's coverage of the story below.....

Is this nerdy?

OK, so for the last week all I have wanted to do is reconcile my checkbook and compare my Christmas Budget to what I have actually spent. Each night I tell myself, ok Celeste Get it done! and each night it doesn't get done, an hour getting it done or an hour getting forms done in caseware for work, hmmm let me see....

So today when I got home I did it! The books are reconciled, and I am under budget for Christmas Shopping at the moment, and I have got some amazing things already! Even all my wrapping supplies!! Each year it is a special little game for me to see if I can actually get everything on my list that I want and stay within my budget. Ok, it is getting to sound more nerdy, but it is a great feeling to know where all our money is going, and for Adolfo and I to really sit back and see what our habits are and where we can tighten our belts for future enjoyments.

Maybe it is the accountant in me, lol, but if I am stressed all I have to do is get my calculator out, reconcile something and the weight of the world is off my shoulders and I can move on knowing that everything flows, lol.....NERDY!

I remember when Claudia and I were still at home, and I had my license and we could drive into Marble Falls and run errands for my Mom. It was always fun for us to take my mom's Shopping list, and she would give us a budget, and tell us "Girls, Take this money and see if you can get me everything on this list, and bring me change." We always did, it was such a challenge to find the best deals for my parents and come home and show them how we did. Keep in mind we are the same girls who hit our allowance in folder cans in the back yard, ha!

So as we are grown up, the lessons have stayed with us. Claudia and I are both Budget queens, I like the numbers but I have never seen anyone research and find the deals like she does, lol, memories.

Well thanks for letting me share my little nothings with you, I hope everyone has a great Friday and beautiful weekend! I am going to enjoy the moment, Love Ces.

It's beginning to feel alot like Christmas....

As I stated in the previous blog, this past Sunday Adolfo and I put up our Christmas tree and a few Christmas decorations to get into the holiday spirit and enjoy them all month long. Since things around here don't appear to be slowing down anytime soon, I didn't want to miss out this year. So we unpacked all our Christmas decorations, put in our new Christmas CD that I have listened to a million times, lit my DIVA candle which I love and just enjoyed our Sunday evening together.

Our Snowman's 1st Christmas, lol, we saw this at Target last year after the holidays and he was on sale. We loved him so much Adolfo got him for me, and since then I have been waiting to take him out, lol, he glows...

I found this cute pillow with our initial, and it also could stand for Christmas so I got it, I love pillows.....


So I needed a little red on Adolfo's chair, and this cute pillow worked perfectly, its one of those great under your neck nap pillows, lol (note to JJ: remember our first sewing project together,lol, I think that is why I love them!)

It is important to me that our tree reflect our journey with one another. Adolfo bought me this little Christmas tree on our first Christmas together for our house in Abilene, memories....So each year we go together and pic one ornament that we love, well now that we are married we will start getting one ornament a year that represents special things for that year....well Adolfo has become an avid hunter and fisherman in 2008, so I wanted so badly to find a cute fishing ornament. It is not as easy as it sounds, but on Black Friday as my mother and I were in Michaels, look what I found! Isn't it so cute? And yes, that is Adolfo's Christmas gift under the tree, we are really bad at surprises, looks like I loss this discussion, lol...

So I said just one ornament a year, but this year is special, so we got another one. This year we were married and Suzy Q's was such a big part of our special day, so it only seemed right that our first ornament as a married couple was from no place other than Suzy Q's! It is a little of both of us, the classic little snow flake (Adolfo) with a little lace and sparkles (me), lol there is a rhinestone in the middle, I love it! It is so sweet to me that one day our family will be putting up our tree together and we will be able to share stories over and over again about each special ornament, lol, I will sound just like my mom....

Our stocking are up, lol, and with the new addition to our family, lol, TAYLOR, we thought it only right to give her her own little stocking too....She wanted to make her own but we nixed that idea because, well, we all know how creative Tay is, lol.

Our Tree

One of the most cozy feelings this time of year, is coming home and turning all the lights off and just being wrapped in a blanket on the couch by the glow of our Christmas tree, my sisters and I could stay up for hours in the living room in the dark just looking at our Christmas tree, we always had the best conversations, and now it is time to carry that over to my home. So, sometimes the conversations are a little one sided, lol, but God has blessed me with an amazing husband, who is extremely patient with me and loves being with me and letting me talk!

Well I hope everyone is enjoying getting in the Christmas spirit, we watched our last Christmas movie tonight, so we need to stock up on some more, let me know if you have any suggestions. Well off to bed, and I hope everyone has a great rest of the week. Love, Ces.

I thank God everyday for the joy he brings to my life!

All I can say is I need many more moments like this! I enjoyed myself so much and took every opportunity to step away from all the business of my life and just enjoy the holiday moment with my family. I got into JC on Thursday evening and Tay and I were volunteered to be Mom's little helpers. We were in charge of preparing Thanksgiving desserts, Pumpkin Pies and Banana Pudding, YUM! Since we were wound up, everything was a competition, lol. Starting with who could make the best pie.....

I couldn't even get the can open, but once I did I looked like a pro, lol....

It was a piece of cake for Tay....She probably was talking crap here...Which one is mine? Tay won, mine is on the right....

We had many places to visit on Thursday, we visited the Gonzales Family, and welcomed the brand new addition, baby Emry....

We went to Gma Marie's house to see Jughead, he got a quick break, and we got to see PJ too..Thanksgiving was at our Nana's and we ate great, lol, we were so tired and full that we had to make our rounds because if not we would have just slept.


So Friday evening my Mom and I came back into Austin, Adolfo had to work over the Holiday weekend so I spent time with my family until he got off on Saturday. Friday night my Mom and I came to my house and watched UT crush the Aggies, it was so great! We mapped out our Black Friday shopping Trip and then we were out. Friday morning we were up early and headed to the stores and shopped our little hearts out, its hard work I tell ya! Friday night we went back to JC for our traditional Lights Spectacular celebration, This is my most favorite celebration in JC!

Me, my Mom and my sisters waiting for the lighting of the courthouse....

Our Church booth, lol, oh the many hours we dedicated to this place....


The park full of lights and cute decorations....

My favorite, Gingerbread Men....

Me and my sisters playing in the park.....

Jen and Sid being great community volunteers!

Claudia and Jamie playing in the park....

Our traditional picture with Santa for my Mom, lol........

I am so glad Claudia came in so we got to spend time together and enjoy the lights. It truly is my most favorite thing, there is nothing better than cold weather and the joy of Christmas! So that night after Claudia and Jaime left, we decided we would go to our Aunt Emma's house for game night!!!!!

There is never a dull moment with the Buentello's they make me laugh so hard, my cheeks hurt! Fern definitely wins the most creative player, I have a new favorite game...

I am so happy my cousin came home, I love getting to spend time with all of them doing nothing but enjoying one another's company.....

Saturday night my Hubby came into town and enjoyed lights with me! Thanks babe. First we enjoyed time together and watched Four Christmases to get excited for Saturday Lights then it was time for the parade. This is what it is all about.....If you are ever board drive to the hill country and check it out it is beautiful. Friday night we had fireworks, I always get excited with fireworks....

Adolfo with his Hot Chocolate waiting for the parade to start.....

Tay with her Coca Cola waiting for the parade to start....
Adolfo and I waiting for our JC horse carriage ride....can't wait for our city ride...


Snugglin'

Playing in the Park...I'm in love with the little gingerbread man, lol....The one time I get to be taller than him!

enjoying the lights....
The Castros
We were cold, so it was time to go home, but not without a picture of me and my Mom at PEC!

Sunday we all slept in while my parents went to church and brought us back breakfast. It was a lazy day, and it was really hard to come back to Austin, with so much down time it is hard to get back into the swing of things again. But we got back into Austin, shopped for our Christmas Party this weekend, and then just enjoyed being home. Sunday evening we put up our Christmas tree and decorations, and he were in such spirits we went to Blockbuster and rented 3 Christmas movies for the week, and cookies and milk, lol, we watched our first movie last night and have 2 to go....it was so cozy with our lights glowing and our tree sparkling, did I mention I LOVE this time of year! Well I have to go finish a few things before I go to bed! I hope each of you enjoyed your short break surrounded by all the things you love!

Next post....our Christmas decorations.

Hex Rally 2008

Thanks Tay for inviting me! I had so much fun and am ready to cheer my heart out in support for THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS our Texas Longhorns! It is our year, and I can't wait to celebrate in ATX once it is all over! Now for the pictures...

lol, it is the 1st Thanksgiving I don't have to worry about what to wear, I am loving it! Hope everyone had a great day the work week is almost over and then its great food, family time and relaxation! Love Ces.

Random nothings, lol.......

I am finally back in the big ATX and I am so HAPPY, I really missed home! When I got to the front door I found a sweet note from Adolfo and Tay, they were up to no good as usual, it was so nice just being able to come home and relax in my own house and my own bed.....Thanks for the note guys, lol....

This weekend Adolfo got the chance to go hunting on one of our family friend's property, so that meant down time for me at home. He called and killed an 8 point, so he had a good weekend! All I did this weekend was relax! Tonight as I sit here watching the AMAs with Tay I am at peace because my laundry is done, my house is cleaned and my close are ready for work tomorrow, it is a short week and I can't be more ecstatic. Tay and I are going to the Hex Rally tomorrow and I can't wait to get fired up for the big game this week, it is our year, Hook 'em Horns!

So since my camera is working at this moment, I thought I might post some of the beautiful, sweet gifts I got for my 26th Bday! I love them all.....

Thanks for all the sweet cards, I love reading and re-reading all of them....

I love my new overnight bag, Thanks Mom! It's for Castro, not Celeste, lol......

I am already using it all.....

Tay got me this cute angel, she said it is so I can always be reminded of her, lol, sure Tay....

Adolfo got me a new coat just in time for the beautiful weather....

Well, I hope everyone had just as an amazing weekend as I did! See yall tomorrow! Good night and sweet dreams, love Ces.

A note from Tay, Part 2

I don't have anything to say besides this: "Fishy, WHY are you sleeping?"

Oh so many things.....

Lots of things have happened in the time that has passed since the last blog. For starters, my camera is acting up, and we don't know what is wrong. It might be awhile till it is fixed so there might be a lack of photos for awhile. I am still at a client's in Kerrville until Thanksgiving, it is nice getting to get away for awhile, but I do miss my home. I miss spending time next to Adolfo, just being on the phone doesn't cut it anymore. I miss my bed, yeah the one here is fluffy and nice but it is not mine. These past few weeks and weekends I have put in alot of work hours and that means I am sacrificing personal and family time, so I am ready to get things done so I don't feel like I am neglecting all the things I love, its hard but it has to get done. Last night Adolfo was setting the timer for his morning coffee and it made me miss the mornings I wake up to the foldger aroma in the air. I just miss home.

Well this past week Adolfo and I turned 26, It felt so weird! It was one of those moments where you sit back and think, wow the next 5 years are going to be some of the biggest years in our lives! We have alot of goals and now is the time. Our family celebrated us this past weekend on Friday and Saturday.

I got to my parent's house on Friday night, and Adolfo met us for dinner. I was showered with lovely gifts and sweet cards, cards are my favorite. If you know me you know there is nothing better than receiving a sweet heart felt card, remember I am the girl who can stroll Hallmark for hours!

So Friday after my birthday Dinner with the Family, we all decided to help Miss Heather complete some of her Christmas Joy shopping. We had so much fun, Thank you Heather for letting us be a part of such a special project. My mom and I got to shop for a little girl and boy, it was so fun, but stressful because you know what you like, but that does not mean that is what they like. You should have seen all of us matching outfits and playing with toys, we had such a great time. It reminds me of a quote I read for the Holiday season, and it these current times we need to be reminded what this Holiday season is about, "In the gift of giving we receive", yeah its as simple as that. We are blessed and very fortunate and I believe it is our duty to help others not as fortunate.

Saturday Morning was Suzy Q's 1 year anniversary. If you don't know this is one of my favorite boutiques in JC. It is the place Adolfo and I registered for our wedding, and I got a bunch of my Thank you gifts, this place is amazing, I feel like if I had my own store this is exactly what it would be like! So anyways my Mom and I were on the look out for a cute overnight bag for me for my Birthday and Adolfo and I had plenty of generous gift cards to spend on our home. This place never lets me down. I got a cute green over sized tote with a dark brown border that my Mom had monogrammed for me in chocolate brown, love it! I also left with cute magnets for our fridge, a black and khaki apron, a sweet coffee table game, and our first Christmas Ornament as a married couple! Oh yeah, and with our present money I bought this beautiful antiqued white round mirror that I imagine will one day dress up a dining room. It was one of our splurge items and she called my mom to let us know it would be on sale at this big event. Thanks Susan! After our great shopping experience my Mom, me and my sisters all enjoyed lunch at the old Soda Shop. I love these days!

Saturday evening was the monthly family birthday celebration at my Aunt Lydia's house. We had fajitas, rice, beans, chips, salsa and dips, and lots of desserts, YUM! It was great just getting to relax and watch football together. Heather brought the DVD version of Family Feud and we also played that, my team lost but that is ok, we can't win them all.

Sunday I worked and got ready to come back to Kerrville, as soon as I got to my parents, I started to not feel so great! Monday I felt horrible, I was drugged up on meds and cough drops, but I am gradually getting better so that is positive. I would rather be sick now than the Holiday time. These past few nights instead of working all I have been able to do is take medicine and go to bed, so maybe tonight I can finally catch up on all I need to do by Friday, so I can enjoy my weekend and prepare for Thanksgiving!

Confused, lol...

As busy season approaches so does the travel bug. I am at a client in Kerrville for the next two weeks. I must say I enjoy this client because I get to be in the beautiful Hill Country, such a special place in my heart!

You can take a girl out of the Hill Country, but you can't take the Hill Country out of the girl, lol.

It just does something to me, its like a permanent smile is on my face, and I can't get rid of it. Everyone is so polite, and seems to just take the time to slow down and enjoy the life that is happening around them.

Anyways, so as I have grown accustom to packing for these great outings, I sometimes occasionally forget things, ha. This time I seemed to have forgot my conditioner.

So after a long day on the road and working, I decided to take a hot shower, relax in the room and just catch up on some work before bed time. Well, you know how hotels have their little favors in the bathroom, just in case people like me forget something. Well, here is my question.

Why would they put shampoo, a shower cap and lotion together. The shampoo said shampoo, the shower cap said cap, so I just assumed that the bottle that said moisturizer was conditioner. I mean what else would you put with Shampoo and a shower cap! Well, I missed the memo because the obvious answer to the Hampton Inn is lotion.

Yeah that's right, I was confused, I put a hand full of lotion in my hair! Well life goes on, but let this be a lesson. Take your time planning and packing to ensure you have all necessary items you will need, cause if you forget you might get a hand full of lotion in your hair, lol.

Well, hope everyone had a great Monday! Bring the cold weather already, Sweet Dreams, Ces.

Election Day Eve.....

Monday has been a great day, I woke up really early and got to work early, I love it when it works that way. I worked late tonight, and well, am still here spread out on the bed getting more things done. I want to get ahead so I have time tomorrow night to follow the election.

I can't wait! Ever since we were little it was our favorite thing to watch, we got to stay up later. It was so much fun watch the polls close in each state and see all the states change Red and Blue. Lol, we would fight our sleep to take it all in.

So not much but work went on today, Hope everyone had a great Monday and jumped back into the swing of things, sorry for the boring post, now back to work.

Until tomorrow, Ces.

Sweet November!

November is finally here, it is the beginning of my most favorite time of the year! It is time for me to start the holiday planning, from outfits for Christmas parties, mailing lists and shopping lists! I can't wait.

This past weekend was pretty fun and relaxing I must say, Adolfo and I stayed home in Austin this weekend, because we had plenty to do!

This year we were able to receive Trick-or-Treaters at our apartment, so this meant a trip to the store on Thursday night for Tay and I. We had a Halloween party Friday morning at work, and I had wanted to carve a pumpkin, but let this be a lesson to myself, lol, you can not try to buy a pumpkin the night before Halloween, there are no more....Also, Wal Mart on 620 doesn't sell fabric, learned that too....

So Instead I came home with Yummy candy for our guests....YUM! And the note on our door to say come get some Candy....

And of course I couldn't leave the store without getting treats for my sweet. I surprised Adolfo with his favorite Treats...sour patch kids and brownies, for our Halloween movie night coming up...
Halloween night, lol, I was a Kai-o Alum and he was a cubs fan,lol....
Just kidding that just what we were to the movies....



Yeah know dancing in the Theatre....Gosh I love my sweater.....
So that was our Halloween, lol, eventful I know. We had dinner at the Roadhouse and watched a great movie. It was so cute to just see all the people out and in costume, never really been into that seen myself, but I do love people watching. There were so many cute little kids who will probably be sleeping and wearing their costumes till Mom and Dad give them away, so Fun!

Saturday, Adolfo and I got up and finally went and purchased out Pots and Pans, love them, you're all invited to dinner at our house, lol, come at your own risk, I am still in training! We ran alot of errands and just got things done, I love those days. Adolfo worked on Saturday night, so I just stayed home, watched some Football and relaxed so we could get up early Sunday for the Race for the Cure in Austin. Claudia and I had one of our great 2 hour conversations about everything under the sun. Love you shasha, I love just getting to laugh and discuss things with you! Can't wait till the next one.

This morning was the race, we got up early and fought all the traffic downtown. It amazes me how the center of Austin just shuts down for these events, parking was too fun, lol. Adolfo and I were part of Team PSCO, for our first year we had such great involvement, the ideas are already rolling for next year!

Us sporting our Team Captain hats, love the Red.....they gave me two so I let Adolfo wear the blue...I had never done this race before so it was all new, there were people everywhere...

The race started, on our way to the Capital. It was so refreshing seeing everyone in great spirits and up early in support for such a great cause, we had Team members walking and running, we were all over the place....
Thank you again to all my co-workers and friends who came out and made the race a success for Team PSCO, I can't wait to do it again next year, it was such a treat to see all your sweet smiling faces outside of work so early in the morning, lol.

After the race, Adolfo and I headed to his parents ranch for a little rest and relaxation, we were beat! It is so cozy I can't help but fall asleep each time I go out there. We just lounged around, watched football, took naps, ate ice cream and enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with the family! It was such a pretty day and weekend.

I hope you all had a great weekend, this week is going to be so eventful, can't wait!!!!!
Love, Ces.