My birthday was nearly a month ago, but it's not over yet. Petra's gift arrived yesterday. Petra has already sent an assortment of Dutch houses and shops, so now that she's in Leon, it looks I will have at least one representing France. Love the Frenchman that came with it, carrying it's bread on a bicycle. I love my birthday present!   Along with this miniature house, I should add that Georgie also gave me something small, but sweet. Two dolphins to hang ... Read More

While Rubí turned 3, I was in Australia. When I returned home and I was looking at the photos of her blowing out her candles, she pouted at me, "Nana, you weren't HERE!" Fortunately, I already had a plan before I left Australia. Inspired by a pin on Pinterest, I had planned to make a special cookie for her and Silas. They looked so cute, I was sure I would be forgiven for missing the birthday party. So using Teddy Grahams for the ... Read More

Since my birthday and my time here coming to a close was in the same week, the day was a bit of an emotional roller coaster. Won't do that again. But it was also very happy, it was my FIRST birthday in Australia! John, in spite of the infinite about of hints given to him, didn't know what to give me for my birthday. Finally, that morning, I gave him a long list. Didn't really get any of it, though we looked. ... Read More

When you're far from the ones you love, sometimes you just do what you have to do to be with them, especially on important occasions. Enric set it up so that we would Skype when they would celebrate Miranda's actual date of birth, as it seems she already had a sweet weekend to celebrate, which is the Lopez way. So my Tuesday morning in Australia, and the family in Maryland their Monday night, we were off. It was just getting ... Read More

Any day that looks like it might have an interesting sky for  sunset, we usually head out to the beach. It was a nice way to wind down John's birthday. We chose a location we had been before. I am sweet on it, since he brought me here right before we got married, trying to cheer me up from my lost luggage. That had a happy ending. I never get tired of studying the water and how the waves come ... Read More

This day was John's actual birthday. He woke up as usual but this time with an excited wife and presents. Of all things, this day was voting day, a state election. We decided to take part in a guided bushwalk and then we would go to vote. As we drove by the polling place, a school, I got a photo. It looks much like an American voting place, I thought, Banners, lines, and volunteers helping their candidates. Introductions made, it was ... Read More

I've been known to give my children a birthday week, not just a birthday day. Sometimes it's even felt like a birthday month. I wouldn't love on my husband any less, and he had a birthday week. All week he had special things prepared for him and such. So, a few days before his birthday, I had Jeff and Jamie over for a special pre-birthday dinner. When the boys arrived they both took notice that the house is starting to have a ... Read More

After our Poker Run event, it was time to go to Dad's birthday party. His cake, a special card, and a coffee mug. Not all seen here, but there were about 50 people who came. Travis and Gemma Louise and Georgie, with a broken wrist. Georgie with her grandsons, and some help from Graham. Dad makes a toast with Grahams "Coke Christmas tree" Time to cut the cake. Dad and Iris with the Great Grandchildren. Dad surrounded by his children. ... Read More

Yesterday we had a small celebration for Jeff and Jamie's birthday. Both are born in January. We started out with pizza, and  I baked a cake for the occasion: I was limited in ideas for cake decorating,and found a site on the net with an M&M decorated cake. M&M's and I go way back, so it looked like a winner to me! But I am still nervous cooking and baking in a new kitchen. Jeff got a hat that says ... Read More

Some failed ideas of how simple it would be to take Jenny to New York City for her birthday, we ended up going to Washington D.C. Since I LOVE going to D.C. , it seemed like a good second choice. We picked a blustery, cold, day to go to our Nation's capital. We selected the American History Museum, since it had been eons we had gone there and there had been many changes since the last time we went. The miniature ... Read More

We make birthdays more than just a one day event around here. With Enric and Miranda away for her actual birthday, we saved the cake for one more day. Laura with her requested Moose Tracks ice cream cake from Friendly's Well it's official, she's 19. Waiting for cake and to watch Laura open presents. A lovely bracelet Laura had "pinned" on Pinterest and Miranda had taken notice of. A birthstone necklace from Heather A homemade card from Mama with birds and ... Read More

My baby turned 19, and yesterday was the very day of her birthday. The celebrations however, started some days ago. Her English class gave her  pizza party, then Jenny and Miquel spoiled her by taking her out, of course we had a sweet celebration at my sister's, and then it was time of her actual birthday. Well, I was going to make her wait till her other brother came home with his family to open my presents for her, but ... Read More

We had yet another sweet Thanksgiving, we missed part of our family, they were in Wisconsin. The tables were... ...all set and ready. This bunch came ready and excited to dig in. Daniel is all ready. Miquel knows how to relax, put his feet up, get a drink, and the TV has football playing. Time to eat all the delicious food. A different kind of Corn bread and crab dip were new items on this year's menu. Miquel and ... Read More

It was sort of a different birthday, but like the rest in many ways. Mom was sick, so that was different. He wanted lamb instead of Canelons, so that was different. The cooking of lamb ended up smoking the house out in the broiler and had to be finished upstairs in that oven. So the haze in the house was definitely different. The rest of the craziness was about the Lopez same. Even so, a 30th with the family is a sweet occasion. For ... Read More

Once again, October gives us another birthday. This one is special in that Enric turned 30. It's so hard to believe that I now have a son who is 30 years old. Even though it was an important event, Miranda had a few events to schedule around and finally decided to invite friends the day before his actual birthday. It was to be a surprise, and he was surprised. :) Enric is kind of curious as to why people are in ... Read More

October. Our month for birthdays. Silas, Miquel, and Enric. Alejandra, too, if you count our extended new "family" into Spain! The month is plainly full! So this day was Miquel's day. Miquel. The child I am sure my mother wished on me. Since we share this sense of getting into mischief, we so understand each other sometimes. I love that. You have a heart of gold. That's worth it all. Fideus a la Casola. One of Miquel's favorites. Mine too. Many people ask me ... Read More

Enric, getting the fire started to make Silas's requested birthday dinner, hot dogs! The tias pose for a photo. The girls pose with Miquel. Miranda gets in the picture. Miranda getting started cooking the hot-dogs. Meanwhile Silas swings on the tire. A blessing to have such an easy requested birthday dinner! After dinner, Rubí has a peep. Back in the house, Rubí points to Silas's giant cookie cake. Miranda had to tickle Silas to pose with his cake. Silas's ... Read More

A month after my birthday, we are finally winding this up. :) Mom got me a bag for my laptop that opens to reveal a handle and wheels! It's been so heavy carrying my laptop the normal way, and I desired something smallish that would do the job! Carry on from Kohls! John got me two pairs of shoes and two pairs of shorts. I broke a pair in Australia and now I have two new pairs! (John thinks I dress like ... Read More

Another year gone by, I was once again spoiled for my birthday. The birthday fun is likely not over. John sent me money for shoes and clothes. My mom also wants to help me for my next trip, a laptop luggage with wheels. I had a hard time carrying it this last trip through miles of airport. I am still looking for the perfect carry-on, I have a few bookmarked and hope to decide soon, she is anxious for me to pick ... Read More

Our little Rubí turned two today! Just one day after my birthday (I so wanted her to be born on MY birthday!), comes Rubí's special day.   Rubi had a very sweet second birthday. We are so blessed to have her in the family. ... Read More

The world is a rose; smell it and pass it to your friends. Persian Proverb Petra and Leoni sent me flowers for my birthday... Between mother's day and my birthday, my room has never looked so cheery! ... Read More

After the egg hunt, John and I were off to Perth Zoo for the Docent Birthday Party. At this point, he had his camera, and a good thing too, he took lovely photos of us!   ... Read More

Laura decided on a small get together at home for her 18th birthday. Of course this was her third such get together, this one was just on her actual birthday.   So Laura had a nice birthday month, and we had a very sweet Thanksgiving, and the Ravens won! :)     ... Read More

( Should be "Enric's Birthday" I know. It's just that this Wordpress doesn't like apostrophes in its titles. It crashes the whole blog every time). So October 21st is Enric's birthday and I fixed one of his favorite meals, Canalons. I also fixed Fideus, in case our guests, The Moore Family didn't care for them. Canalons turned out to be a success however, they ate the fideus too!   I forgot to get a photo of the cake, but Miranda got Enric a ... Read More

Today we had a nice family gathering for Miquel's 22nd birthday. Naturally food, fideus specifically, was part of the meñu. ... Read More

After an early party, Silas really did turn 4  years old today. Since rarely any in this household simply have a birthday DAY, we usually  have more of a birthday week or month, we carried on the celebration with just something small for his actual special day. It was decided we would have a fire in the back yard with the fire pit. He often likes hot dogs, but since they aren't the healthiest of foods, mommy doesn't allow them often. ... Read More

Today was the boys' birthday party. It had been ages since we'd been to the house, it was good to go! Here are some photos of the day: (Click on the images to see them larger)         Happy Birthday, Connor and Aiden. ... Read More

This year Miranda decided to have Silas's birthday party a little early. Just like last year, it was held at Lake Waterford Park.   Perhaps I should pause here and give the reason for the "dirt" cake: A while back Silas was annoyingly and repeatingly asking for something to eat. His dad, after being very patient with him finally said, "I am going to give you DIRT to eat." This upset Silas somewhat, and after he was told it was a joke, and we all ... Read More

We are not short of events in this household this week. Today Rubí turned one years old and got a taste of her first cake! Miranda made her something not too sweet, not wanting to introduce sugars yet.   ... Read More

I can't believe that sweet little bundle born a year ago is now walking and keeping our household well on its toes!   I am so thankful to God for our little precious and that I get to be such a part of her life. ... Read More

In time for Australia's May 11th, but a little early here, John's birthday present arrived. To say the least I was overwhelmed. What is it? What do I use it for? Obviously it's a flash for my camera. Am I ready for this? So, once I figured out how to fit it on my camera, I put everything on automatic and started shooting.   ... Read More

Mothers Day, Two Birthdays (mine and Rubí's), upcoming wedding).... This is and already has been a very busy week. Yesterday, besides celebrating Mother's Day, we also started celebrating the two birthdays. This is the beginning and so much more to come this week! ... Read More

Miranda chose to celebrate her birthday at Laura's workplace, the Texas Roadhouse. ... Read More

We, along with Silas, were invited to Cameron's 4th birthday celebration at Chuck E Cheeses. When I told John what we were doing, he said that was an awful name to give a place to eat for children. To an Australian, the name Chuck E Cheeses sounds awfully strange. So, I went to the party and was sure to take a lot of photos so John could, in a way, experience Chuck E Cheeses, that American children seem to love so much. Happy ... Read More

Yesterday we celebrated Laura's birthday. Heather and Chris arrived first. Then, Miquel and Enric get this wild idea. Since technically the addition hasn't yet  been approved for living in, and things have been left undone and could be for awhile, why not get the ping pong table from the barn and set it up ? And they did. ... Read More