Crayola power!

As some of you know, I used to sketch and just spend an afternoon drawing, coloring, or being engaged in some form of arts and crafts. Aside from reading, I like to try my hand doing stuff that calls for one's imagination and creativity. But work and health problems got in the way. I've been wanting to draw and sew for quite some time now, but due to time constraints, again, I can't for now :-(

Meanwhile, let me leave you with some sampling of my own hand's work. Happy new year, eveyone. I hope that we would remember and be grateful for all the things that God has done for us this year :-)

P.S. Yes, I'm still in Christmas-y mode :-)

Making a list (and checking it twice)

What happens when you put together the Sanchez, Viernes, Balucanag, Meginio, Dellosa, and Hidalgo families together, especially on Christmas day? Riot! Chaos! And well, lots and lots of food!

Red Christmas tree

Swingin' santa

The kiddies pose at the stairs. 1st row: Enrique Miguel, Franco David, JB and Ricah. 2nd row: Ella Monique. 3rd row: Jenny, Janna, Diego Reuben and Luiz.

I love tita. At least Monique is beginning to warm up to me now.

Rock star in the house. JB tries to play a tune in his guitar. Monique attempts to do that as well.

Who's been naughty and nice? :-)

Mama Car fixes Ricah's (naturally curly) hair

Did you forget my gift? hehehe

When will my name be called? hehehe :-D

I hid Diego's gift. Nyahahahaa!!!!!

Huggable

Food galore!

Check out the names on the ring.

Pretty baby

Merry Christmas, everyone! I hope you had a wonderful celebration the way we did. :-)

Funny Pic of the Day

Supermom and fellow blogger Enchie asked me to post a funny pic, so here it is. This one's taken in CCF's 2007 Single's Retreat. Why would moi would go hand-rafting (if there's such a word) through a swimming pool wearing that bulky life vest? Well, my group mates and I participated in the Singles' Amazing Race, and this was just one of the 'gruelling' challenges we had to subject ourselves to (Obvious ba na hindi ako marunong lumangoy???). We didn't win, but it was so much fun bonding with great guys and gals who love the Lord.

Thanks, Enchie, for this tag. And thank you too for the blog award (I'll have to think of what weblog award to give 'ya). :-)

Are there sharks waiting for the boat to capsize? :-D

The Little Drummer Boy

Come they told me

pa rum pum pum pum

A new born King to see

pa rum pum pum pum

Our finest gifts we bring

pa rum pum pum pum

To lay before the King

pa rum pum pum pum

rum pum pum pum

rum pum pum pum

So to honor Him

pa rum pum pum pum

when we come.

We all know that song by James Pierpont, don't we?

My youngest nephew, Enrique Miguel, participated in their school's play yesterday. Hahaha if only Mr. Pierpont could see our cuddly little drummer boy :)

How to Recite a Christmas Poem

...as demonstrated by my sweet, little, embraceable nephew Enrique :)

Jules @ 40

14 December 2008
Gumbo, The Atrium, SM Megamall

He had no idea how hard it was to act. Hehe :) Pang-FAMAS talaga ang pagkukunwari namin na di namin naalalang birthday nya.

He thought it was just a quiet late afternoon lunch-meryenda at Gumbo, SM Megamall. We chatted endlessly, ate voraciously (yummy pizza!), snapped picture after picture, and then...

...ta-dan!

Happy Birthday, Kuya Jules! Gumbo's staff helped us in springing the surprise at him.

He thought it was just the cake, but we still had more tricks up our sleeves...

...40 gifts to a guy who just turned 40 today! (Looks can be a bit deceiving hehehe)

Happy, happy birthday, Kuya Julius! Thank you for being a godly influence :)

Birthday Boy + Cool Camera

Gumbo's greetings

Yummy!

Yes, it's his 40th :)

40 gifts to commemorate the special day

Jules: "Ang dami-dami kong bubuksan! Yey!"
Evelyn: "Umpisa pa lang yan. 39 pa!!"

Uh, Indiana Jones?!?

Therese shows off her gifts.

Brad displays his Kipling mini bag.

Look what I got! Yummy goodies from Lord Stow's Bakery :)

Peach towelettes for Ate Evelyn

Anne, Master Jules and Jo

Julie + Lala

Moi, Julie and Lala

Hala at magsalawahan sa sarap ng mga choices :-D

Hay. Ang sarap mag food trip :)

Ubos agad ang pizza ah...

Let's try this next time: Kebab Factory!?!

Gumbo, SM Megamall

Yummy food + reasonable pricing

Maryjo and Therese

Jo and Brad

Robbie, Alona, Ate Miles

My CCF Cellgroup Family

One more time at The Atrium's lobby.

Teach me how to say good bye.

I'm currently too tired to do a blog. Let me just tell the story in pics.

Manuel C. Balucanag

August 6, 1916 - December 3, 2008

Loving and gentlemanly of a husband.

Devoted and supportive father.

Affectionate and generous grandfather and great grandfather.

Thoughtful and considerate neighbor.

Efficient and model employee.

Spot the youngest and most attentive attendees to the wake.

This is it.

Franco ponders the afterlife.

The list of descendants should have been longer. I should have brought more paper.

To this day, I can not believe that I saw my lolo in there.

Farewell.

Kiddieland: Franco David Viernes (great grandchild), Luis Meginio (adopted great grandchild), Carl Ricah Hidalgo (great grandchild), JB Hidalgo (great grandchild), Diego Reuben Viernes (great grandchild)and Janna Balucanag (grandchild).

Funny boy Diego tries to brighten up the mood.

Mama is flanked by her two eldest grandsons.

Last glimpse.

A hug of comfort from Bunsoy.

Ricah and me again. Si kulot at si tuwid (na buhok).

Portrait of a family.

Ang angkan kong samok hehe :)

All accounted for: Tito Rene, Tita Glo, Tita Luz, Tito Raul, Mama and Tito Ric
(Not in photo: Tita Lolit, Tita Syl and Tita Lourds)

Bunsoy demonstrates to me that he'll always be there for Tita Isa :)

(Translation: Let me get massive doses of Diego hugs hehehe)