Ismael still didn't really know when to expect presents under the tree, but was definately excited to see that Santa finally arrived. It took a couple of hours to get through the presents since he wanted to play with everything just as he opened it!
This morning we put up the Christmas tree. Ismael helped put the ornaments on the tree, then off the tree so he could play with them. 
We made a Gingerbread house this afternoon from a Wilton kit... ok, I did it and Ismael tried to eat all the candies....
On the flight from San Diego to Atlanta, Ismael was invited to the cockpit by the pilot which he loved of course. The pilot even acknowledged him over the loudspeaker when he introduced himself during the flight.
Of course it didn't take long for his to find the lawn mower and insist on getting on...with the dog of course, his new best friend.
Lining up the piggy banks....
He gave a tour of the grounds on day, wanting a picture in front of everything. Here he is in front of the pool with the house in the background.
Here is Papá with Pelusa the dog, Ismael and Hugo the turtle. Ismael wanted to do everything with the dog, eat, sleep, watch tv, read books... From the moment he woke up to the moment he slept he wanted to know where Pelusa was.
This is Francisca the wonderful maid. Ismael always wanted to know what she was doing.
He also liked playing soccer with dog and sometimes even the turtle.
Los novios...Fernando (aka Funny boy per Ismael) and Pilar after the wedding in front of the church.
Mamá and Papá at the reception.
For Halloween Ismael picked out a Buzz Lightyear costume. They had a party at school, but as I expected he did not wear his costume for more than 5 minutes. At night we went to the mall to go trick-or-treating, and again, he would not wear his costume. He wore only the legs and still went to get his candy. The next morning he lined up all of his candy on the floor, again, because everything must line up....
Ismael got to celebrate his birthday twice this year. Grandma Yaya came to visit a couple weeks prior and so he got to open presents early. Of course, they also made cookies.
As requested, Axel made Ismael a blue airplane for his cake (he was/is still crazy for the Blue Angels from the airshow).
He opened his presents like a pro...here he is with the computer he wanted so much.
Here's Ismael with his airplanes, all lined up, because he lines everything up, in front of the track he rigged up for his cars. 
We almost melted, but we did visit the zoo, another favorite past time of Ismael. I also took him kicking and screaming from there, as I was about to pass out from the 100 degree heat.
So here are a few more adventures in Mexico. We went to a water park that was partially indoors, so it didn't matter that it wasn't that hot outside. There were only about 15 people in the whole park, so when we wanted to go on a ride, we just had them turn on the water for that ride. It was pretty nice not to have to worry so much about where our stuff was & where the kids were going since they were the only ones there!!
Ismael was too scared to pull the whistle when the conductor offered, but once he left his seat, Ismael ran up for his chance.
July 4th we flew back to KS to visit for a week since we were no longer concerned about moving. We first spent a few hours with some friends in Kansas City & went to Parkville so Ismael & Victor could go on a few rides. 
In southern CA, the cloudy month (it's really only cloudy until 10am and then it's the normal 80 degree sunny weather) is referred to as June gloom or Marine Corp fog/haze. This June was hectic as usual but everything seems to have worked out for the best. It was the last month of internship and being on call 6x/month. My orders got changed from Great Lakes (Chicago, aka Antartica) to stay here at Camp Pendleton (aka beautiful sunny southern CA). Granted, they waited until 2 days before I was having the movers get my stuff to settle the deal, but whatever, I didn't have to move. 
The first 2 pics are from Knotts Berry Farm. We went with some friends for a birthday. Ismael only "drove" the truck about 5x...
This is from the anual "hail & farewell". Basically it's a dinner with video skits that each resident year has but together about the past year, usually poking fun at themselves, the hospital & our staff.
This is Ismael just before I took out the 2 stitches under his nose. He had jumped off of the sofa & hit his face on the coffee table edge. I have to brag that he got no numbing medicine for the stitches & didn't even cry. He even told the doc thank you afterward.
This is Ismael's massive (about 10' long) train track. The motorized Thomas & Percy don't fit in the bridge & so they often need Mom to come help repair it. I'd be rich if I had a dollar for each time I've fixed it.
Another of Ismael's favorite things to do is lining up all of his cars.
Grandma Yaya came to visit for a week in May, so in came the cold & rain along with her (it hadn't rained since December!). We visited the USS Midway in San Diego, where Ismael got to sit in the cockpit of an old plane.
Here we are at Legoland on one of the new rides that we rode several times.
Ismael & Bob the Builder at Legoland, CA.
The day Gma Yaya left, so did the cold & clouds (I think I've seen one cloud since she left!). Ismael & I went to the new Children's Museum in San Diego. Here he is molding some clay to make a rocketship. He also got to paint a VW bug, race wooden cars, go through a maze, build a city out of pillows, "swim in the ocean", rock climb, & lots more.
