Ramos Family Christmas 2009

1. Christmas 2009 Silverdale , WA

2. Braided Blueberry Croissant 12/25 - The morning started with a fresh brew of hazelnut coffee and warm braided blueberry croissant.

3. Braided Blueberry Croissant 12/25 - Yummy! Get in my tummy! Oh yes, this is freshly baked!

4. Presents! Presents! Presents! 12/25 – Checking out the presents under the tree! This year I got a bunch of gift cards …works for me! I don’t have to pack anything 

5. Going to church Christmas morning 12/25 – Mom and I on our way to church Christmas morning. It’s cold here! I miss the warm Texas weather!

6. Good ole’ Ridgetop Boulevard 12/25 – Morning drive to church. This is a picture of Ridgetop Blvd. I use to drive on this road at least 4 times a day when I lived here; to school and back, to work and back.

7. Feeding the dogs! 12/25 – My brother feeding the dogs Christmas morning! These dogs eat really well! We are talking teriyaki chicken and fried rice on the weekends …that’s way better than I eat back home!

8. Early start on drinking! 12/25 – It’s never too early to start drinking on the holidays! Cheers!

9. Teriyaki Chicken! 12/25 – Per usual, Mom cooks her famous teriyaki chicken! Sarap! (Yummy!)

10. The scrumptiousness close up! 12/25 – This taste soooo good with a fresh cooked pot of steamed rice!

11. Dad is such a good sui-chef! 12/25 – Dad is in the kitchen slaving away with mom in the kitchen. They both love to cook! And we, the kids, love to eat! It’s the perfect arrangement! Ha!

12. My bro and Melissa finally make it! 12/25 – After work, my bro and Melissa finally join us for the holiday festivities 

13. Time to catch up on drinking! Cheers! 12/25 – Eat, drink, and be merry …rules of the house 

14. My wonderful parents! 12/25 – Words can’t explain …I am truly blessed with such great parents! They are still in love after ten million trillion years of being married, and have been so supportive and rock sturdy for their kids!

15. A short break to have dinner with our neighbors across the street This is their tree This is their little winter wonderland

16. Chihuahua time! My bro and Melissa with the neighbor’s dog What do you think? Should I get one? ;-)

17. Ramos household Fear Factor 12/25/2009! A balut is a fertilized duck (or chicken) egg with a nearly-developed embryo inside that is boiled and eaten in the shell. It is commonly sold as street food in the Philippines. They are common, everyday food in some other countries in Southeast Asia, such as in Laos (where it is called Khai Luk), Cambodia (Pong tea khon in Cambodian), and Vietnam (Trứng vịt lộn or Hột vịt lộn in Vietnamese). Popularly believed to be an aphrodisiac and considered a high-protein, hearty snack, balut are mostly sold by street vendors in the regions where they are available. They are often served with beer. The Filipino and Malay word balut (balot) means "wrapped" – depending on pronunciation.

18. Ramos household Fear Factor! Mom is preparing the goods! I’m hosting the event! Ha! 

19. Ramos household Fear Factor! Melissa Lawrence – the brave contestant! Go white girl! Go white girl! Here we gooooooo!

20. Ramos household Fear Factor! “Oh my gosh! I can see its beak!” “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!”

21. Ramos household Fear Factor! “Oh my gosh! It has a beak! It has eye balls! And claws!” Yuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck!

22. She got it in her mouth! Trying hard not to gag! Ramos household Fear Factor!

23. Keep it in! Push through the pain! Maybe if I tilt my head it will go down faster! Ramos household Fear Factor!

24. Melissa trying the “tilt your head” method …come on gravity, make it go down faster! Eeeks! It’s not going down! Ramos household Fear Factor!

25. The picture says it all! Not a happy contestant! Ramos household Fear Factor!

26. Mission complete! Washing it down with coke! Ramos household Fear Factor!

27. She did it!  I gotta strange feeling Melissa won’t be doing this again!  Ramos household Fear Factor!

28. Time to open presents! Getting mom cookware is always a safe gift! She loves to cook! I got a year membership card to COSTCO …time to stock up on toilet paper!

29. Time to open presents! Best Buy gift card! (Another) Best Buy gift card!

30. Time to open presents! ANOTHER Best Buy gift card! ANOTHER Best Buy gift card! See the trend! We were all lazy shoppers this year! Ha! We got each other gift cards! 

31. Time to open presents! The dogs had a great time too! Here they are helping mom open presents  3 fur balls 

32. 12/26 Day after Christmas The eating continues! Turkey and Prime Rib! Sarap! (Yummy!) The dining room table spread! So much food! Food, family, and friends – the best things in life! 

33. From our house to yours! Merry Christmas from the Ramos family!