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

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

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

Has it been so long since she played with my son, since I helped potty-train her, or heard one of her stories in her little girl voice? Now she's getting married! ... 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

Carrying on in doing things like no other couple does, two weeks after our wedding, Georgie held a wedding reception for us. She asked us to dress up like we did for the wedding which I was happy to do, I'm such a girl. :)                     The evening was wonderful. But one part of the evening was truly special, listening to John's dad sing Around The World in 80 Days. Good song choice as John and I had to go around the world ... Read More

Dina called me some time back, "I know you can't have the traditional bridal shower, but when you go to Australia, you're going to need things, and we can buy you pretty lingerie, make up,  a wedding dress....What do you think Barb?" I nearly cried I was so touched at the gesture. And so, Dina and Chris made for me a  Bridal party.             It was good fun and I missed those that could not be there, but  ever grateful for those who came. ... 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

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

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

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

Today is Silas' birthday. He will have a party later this month, but today we had a small family celebration. ... Read More

Today we celebrated Daniel's birthday. With some fun at the pool... Miranda walks baby Rubí around the pool... ...while Aiden does a dive belly flop into the water. Silas preferred to try out a new bike that Connor and Aiden brought. Bikes going down the hill seemed like a fun idea.... Miquel waited around for the birthday party to start. Next, to the tire swing! Then we had party time! Silas loves cake and ice cream! Yaya helps Silas with the last bite! ... Read More

Well after a good day at the zoo, the next day came with a mini celebration for Miranda's birthday. With a cake... Ok, this post was supposed to be about Miranda's birthday, but Silas stole the show with ice cream cake! :) ... Read More

Laura's birthday party was a small gathering of family and friends. What wasn't expected was the HILARITY that made the meal and cake. Yaya made a funny and the laughter didn't stop all the rest of the night. We started the evening with one of Laura's favorites, Alaskan crab legs. Jenny was in from college and joined us for our family get-together. For her cake, Laura chose from Cold Stone Creamery, Strawberry Passion. Basically its a red velvet, strawberry ice-cream, with graham cracker crust ... Read More

Out of the two dozen or so pics taken with the webcam, I think I found two where John wasn't making a face or something funny. He is modeling one of the birthday presents I gave him, A Beatles shirt. Ice cream cake! ... Read More

Yesterday, Silas turned One!    ... Read More

As I mentioned in my Easter blog, Laura made Spice Cake for the occasion of our family holiday dinner. Here is the recipe for the Spice cake recipe I have been using for years. 2 1/2 c Sifted cake flour 2 1/3 c Sifted all-purpose flour    1 c Sugar    1 ts Baking soda   1 1/2 ts Cinnamon  3/4 ts Nutmeg    3/4 ts Cloves    1 ts Salt  1 c Brown sugar  1 c Buttermilk 3 Eggs Preheat oven to 350 degrees Grease and flour 2-9" layer cake pans or one 13x9" oblong pan. Sift flour, sugar, ... Read More

A few times in the past, some people have approached me about photographing their wedding. I have shied away from that as it seems like a lot of stress and I doubted I could do well. I do remember people offering advice at the time, and one thing that John said was, "It's all about the bride." Wow did this one lady take that seriously! She commissioned a wedding cake that was life-sized and resembled her.   As for me taking wedding photos, well, I ... Read More

  After months of preparation, the night of the graduation ceremony finally came. Not without a few tears, that's for sure. The whole day seemed a mad rush, but as the evening approached it all seemed to come together. Miquel had his favorite dish, "Fideus a la Casola" and as I was running late, felt like I was in the Indy 500 trying to make it to the church by the designated 5:00. (It was 19 miles away and during rush hour!) The ... Read More

Years ago, with four adults trying to pry us apart, as we tearfully clung to each other that hot summer day, I have often since cursed the Atlantic that has kept my dear Petra and I so far apart. Now, and for over a week, she is with us and is so wonderful to have her here again. She has been made right at home, I think...sanding the newly put up walls, shoveling snow, taking out the trash...she has ... Read More