Dizon Cousins' Xmas Gift Exchange '09

Hi Mama,

This year the Dizon Cousins decided to do something different to celebrate Christmas Eve and it was a HUGE success! You would've been so proud to see how much fun this holiday season turned out to be!

The EMAIL that Started It All:

Happy Holidays Dizon Cousins! We all know it is a rough time right now, but as a family we can definitely find ways of showing our love an appreciation for one another by being a part of this fun activity and rejoicing in Christmas cheer. Let the Cousin Secret Santa Exchange begin!

Details:

• Minimum $20.00/Maximum $25.0o
• No gift cards! Let's try to think outside of the box!
• Try to include gift receipts just in case.
• Shhh...this is a secret so don't tell the person you got!

How it Works: Joan and Bea will randomly select everyone's Secret Santa by drawing names out from a cup. If anyone gets their spouse or sibling, we will just reselect for that person so each of us gets a cousin.

Wish List includes:

• Shirt size
• Hat size
• Pant size
• 2 of your favorite colors
• Top 3 wish list items

See you Christmas Eve! - Bea

How It Came To An Exciting End:

Bea & Omar start the exchange!

Marc just wanted to jump up and down to pump up the crowd! And it worked!

Princess unwraps cute shorts from Michelle O. while Myrnelle poses with a bottle of Heaven.

Marc and Joan continue to jump around for the sheer joy of jumping!

Erin shows off her velour pants while Rowell sports his new white hat.

Ate Krys and Joseph give each other a BIG hug for getting each other!

Michelle O. & Bea say, "Cheese!" While Joey Joe shows off his new lime green.

Gino holds up his gift from Joe.

Neil and Omar get ready to open gifts.

Kuya Allan and Gino take a breather from all the craziness!

Whew, I hope you followed it all!

Thank you, Ma for showing us how special giving can really be!

With Love,

Your Grandchildren

Thank you Mama.

Dear Mama,

Hello po. First of I want to say sorry for not writing to you until now. It might have taken me a year or so to write but hopefully you hear me talk to you in my prayers every night.

Mama, I graduated from college on December 18, 2009. I DID IT, MA!! I DID IT!! :) I graduated with an Associates Degree in Baking and Pastry Arts. I was sad to not see your face during my graduation ceremony but I knew that you were just right there watching me walk to accept my diploma.

Family and friends ALWAYS ask me why I went to school for cooking and baking. And to be honest I never really explained myself well enough for people to understand. Not until Princess asked me (on Christmas eve) did I have a straight answer. It’s because of you, Ma. You.

Mama, for many years you watched over the Dizon family. You watched us during gatherings and put smiles on our faces with your delicious food.

“Kumain ka na?”

Even on random days or nights, you always made sure we’ve eaten and I miss that. I miss hearing you ask me everyday after school if I’ve eaten yet and then again in an hour. I miss you watching me eat because you would always be there just smiling at me. It was like it made you happy to feed people.

You inspired me to do what love and enjoy. I love art and food, why not put it together by making artsy food. Cakes, cupcakes, sweets, etc. can be created with an artistic flair. Chocolate sculptures and sugar work can’t really compare to playing with play-doh, but it’s close. Garnishing and presentation plays a big role in the art of food. And these are what I love and I enjoy all of these simple things. I enjoy seeing others eat the food I make and see that they are happy and satisfied just like how Mama used to watch us all eat.

My initial plan is to open a cupcake store. Inspired by Cups in La Jolla. If you have not heard of Cups, it is a cupcake store where they serve cupcakes individually, by a dozen, or even hundreds of them. The store also holds cupcake parties, where children and even adult can hold special events where they will be able to enjoy frosting and decorating cupcakes together. This is what I want to see. I want to see happy people enjoying their time together. I want to hear laughter. I want be able to look over people having fun just like the Dizon family gatherings.

Plans do change over the years but right now this is what I want to work towards even if takes me 5, 10, or even 20 years to get there. And plus I still want to bachelors degree in hotel and restaurant management.

Thank you for being there for me to look up to. Thank you.

I love you Mama.

Love,

Jen jen

Hi Mama and Papa,

More family Xmas pictures as promised! We had a blast celebrating at Tita Emma's house. Family, friends, and new babies oh my! How we wish you could've been there.

Amaya's 1st Xmas

Merry Christmas Mama and Papa!

Amaya (with her Lolo's help) opened her many presents!
Lolo didn't mind at all even with all the mess she made.
She just kept on unwrapping box after box like a pro!



Lolo waited patiently as she carefully examined all her gifts.
Just what she's always wanted butterfly teethers and more turtle toys to add to her growing collection!




Lolo introduced her to her 1st Christmas Mickey Mouse dressed in a festive scarf (courtesy of Tita Bea).
Amaya was shy, but soon she was ready to give Mickey a big kiss!
"Muah!" right on the nose! Lolo just laughed.

















It's no wonder that by the time "Santa" arrived, Amaya just couldn't help but look closer. If she could talk she'd say, "Hmmm...this Santa character sure looks like my Lolo!"

Love and miss you!

Dizon Family Xmas '09

Hi Mama,

We had a great Xmas this year! We hope that you and Papa had a wonderful time too. We love and miss you both very much!

With Love Always,

Emma, Tessie, Ging, Connie, Anthony, Froy (and Bott)

P.S.

More pictures to come!

Amaya's Xmas Turtle

Hi Mama,

Look what I got from my Ninang Myrnelle for Christmas! I'm still a little small for it, but luckily my Lolo was there to help me! I'm getting bigger everyday and I just wanted to stop by to say hello and I miss you.

Love you,

Amaya