WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR

Growing up in a very big family where every corner of our home gives you that needed, asked or no choice company may be chaotic sometimes. But, I can never imagine myself not living in one. That place where there's always small kids your "heed" is glued to as they do their stunts and live up to "being the apple of your eyes". That home where those jumbled socks may stay in the hamper before months of locating it's pair and those closets that seem never arranged even if you just did minutes ago.

During special days like welcoming the new year, makes me nostalgic of my chilhood days. I phoned back home in the Philippines, where 2008 came six hours earlier, and they were preparing for their outing to Asin. Asin for Baguio folks would be swimming escapades in the hot springs or swimming pools of Tuba Benguet. Nothing has changed, its somewhat a tradition that on New Years Day they have to wash away the 'libag'(dirt) of the passed year(lol).

For us here, we were glad that our friend Joel and Lorna's family joined us in welcoming 2008. Their three big babies Feona, Gelo and Lans, who're growing so fast cheered my boys with their jumpy, loud and fun presence. How it makes Lukie laugh seeing them bully each other. It would have been more fun if my nephew Roldan and her sister Noemi were with us. They can't because they might catch Dylan's Scarlet Fever.

Its really different when there are children filling the house with their noise and mess, they make it homier (aside from the excuse of a cluttered household hahaha). Christmas, New Year's Day or any occasion at that, they give you the reason to celebrate, to decorate and to be childlike - like them.

Above are some photos I took while carrying Dylan. He doesn't want to go down. Maybe a bit scared or he was feeling cold being out that late. But, he was so elated while watching his brother and his friends so hyped up with the fire works.