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

After all the Christmas celebrations, it was finally New Year's Day. The day began doing my favorite thing to do with New Year's Day, watching the Tournament of Roses Parade. A fine tradition my dad started with me. This year it was even better as the whole family, even Silas and Rubi, and John got to watch it with me. The children got excited with the different floats. Laura gave Miranda a rare treat with some touches of make up. ... Read More

After many days of preparations, early celebrations, Christmas Day with the family was finally here. To honor my dad, and make him feel part of the day, I had put out his favorite Christmas greeting on a prominent place in the living room. :)He liked to kid, but really, behind the scenes, he along with my mom, did a lot of work to make every single Christmas, MAGIC. While we were still getting ready for the day, John got a ... Read More

After going to church and tucking Rubí to bed, it was time for the "Grown Ups" to open their presents. Just what Laura needs, another nail polish. No Miquel, Laura didn't name her laptop Jesus (Hay-soos), she has an ASUS! Miquel video records the silliness. Ooooh...........................All the colors! Miquel got...Big Bang Theory Season 3, then season 2, and last season 1! That's what he asked for, a neon lime green vest from Hollister. Kookaburra with a Santa hat, perfect! A ... Read More

Each Christmas Eve we go to church for its Christmas Eve service. This year, we decided to try to get some photos with the lovely poinsettias in the background.   The children were kind of wiggly during the service. Had to got one of John and I Laura and Jenny Jenny is so sweet, she wanted one with me. Miquel and Jenny Some didn't want their photo taken, like Silas here. Baffled kind of how to handle Silas's mini meltdown not wanting ... Read More

As I blogged yesterday, Laura got a wall decal for her bedroom as a birthday present from Yaya. Miranda was quickly enlisted for help, and she accepted. The wall decal was split up in several sections. This is section "A" Silas busied himself at Laura's desk. He soon got into the spirit of joining Mommy and Laura on the bed (and jumping off it). Rubi, in turn, busied herself right outside Laura's room on the steps. This child created her ... Read More

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ~Philippians 4:8 My son preached last night at Anchor Baptist Church in Millersville. He was given by the Pastor one of my favorite verses in the Bible. He preached it well  and perhaps a little differently than I've ... 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

Advice from a Tree – By Ilan Shamir Stand tall and proud. Sink your roots into the earth. Be content with your natural beauty. Go out on a limb. Drink plenty of water. Remember your roots. Enjoy the view! So I love trees as much as the next person. I don't know if I have a favorite, but Weeping Willows, Maples, and Birch trees are very sweet. When I went to Australia, I couldn't stop marveling at all the different trees they ... Read More

  Saturday we had as much of the family as we could assemble for a swim/picnic day. Of course there was food. Some of us couldn't wait to dig in. Roger had the boys playing ball. Aiden has a turn at bat. I think Lois was the umpire/catcher. Relaxing by the pool is a must. Best seats to watch the kids too! Silas in his own world with Kenny's watch. Lois shows the triplets how to swim. Rubí who is very ... Read More

Today the Fletchers had a surprise birthday party for Uncle Arthur.           ... Read More

We had a quiet 4th of July this year. We had some tennis watching time, swimming, and cookout. Alejandra and Miquel played tennis. After that, a good American tradition over a fire, Smores. ... Read More

We have an addition to the family, at least for the next few weeks. Alejandra arrived Thursday afternoon. She was ready for bed early, but she tried to stay awake at least till 9 o'clock. She just couldn't do it. After a day of travel, she went to bed at 8:30 PM. Friday, I thought a relaxed day was best. It didn't take Alejandra a long time to soon learn that Maryland is a state of extremes. When we left the ... Read More

Now, when I say beside the pool, I mean BESIDE the pool. We have a pool, and it's a blessing to have one. Even after all the labor that is involved with opening it, closing it, maintaining it, it's wonderful to have a pool. The thing is, we live on a property with a LOT of trees. Another blessing really, except when it keeps the SUN off of our water, and in June it still feels mountain stream FRESH. In other ... Read More

Around the house all is looking ready for preparation for summer. ... Read More

Heroism is latent in every human soul. However humble or unknown, they (the veterans) have renounced what are accounted pleasures and cheerfully undertaken all self-denials; privations, toils, dangers, sufferings, sicknesses, mutilations, life-long hurts and losses, death itself ? For some great good, dimly seen but dearly held. ~ Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain   Yesterday at church, I couldn't resist taking my cell phone out and grabbing a video of my son in the men's choir singing and reminding us about the price of freedom.   ... Read More

It's blue. Ok, I know more than it's color!   Ok, so we're all a little happy for Miquel and Jenny. :)       ... Read More

We have a big yard. As Miranda recently found out, it's a little overwhelming to cut the grass with a push mower. So, a new mower was purchased for the house! ... Read More

Well a good way to surprise a mama for Mother's Day is to send her flowers 2 days early! :) Roses no less! From Enric and Miranda! ... Read More

There is a lot of sadness around being apart from one's spouse. I know people in the  military do it all the time. Often they don't even have the ability of communications as John and I have. Looking for a silver lining in the dark cloud of separation, and one of the perks is definitely the grandchildren. John was sweet enough to get Rubí a tee shirt that says "Born to Love Nana." I am guessing that shirt was as much for ... Read More

Friends are forever, cousins are for life!!! Anonymous Cousins by blood – friends by choice. Darlene Shaw Cousins by blood, best friends since birth. Anonymous Cousins are those rare people who ask how we are and then wait to hear the answer. Ed Cunningham cousins are friends that will love you forever. Constance Richards Cousins are those childhood playmates who grow up to be forever friends. Anonymous A cousin is a ready-made friend for life. Anonymous   We try to see the Fletchers more often than we do....but ... Read More

Rubí was tucked into bed (Silas was allowed to stay up) and we continued our Christmas. ... Read More

Every Christmas Eve we try to have a nice family dinner. This year was a little different since Christmas was on a Sunday, we didn't want to be up too late. So, we had an early dinner.       We went to church and came back to charcoal burnt appetizers and a smokey house. :( Another Christmas Eve to remember. :)   ... Read More

Last Friday, Solutions Fabricating where Enric and Jenny work, had their Christmas Party and Laura and I went to photograph it. ... Read More

As many already know, Laura and I are keen to start our journey into portrait photography. Laura got her first dslr camera, and we are looking forward to our second wedding gig this month. I like to practice and perfect this craft. I have a family willing to help me too. Perhaps there is a lesson in here somewhere, in any profession, there will always be days...you know how it is. But, wow, each year I try to take portraits of Enric, Miranda, Silas, ... 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

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

This weekend we carried on putting down the new flooring. Last weekend we finished the dining room area, and this weekend it was time to tackle the living room. The living room was more challenging as there was a lot of cutting to do. It went a little slower and it didn't get finished.   ... Read More

Today we began in earnest pulling up the carpet from the living room/dining room and putting down new flooring. This is an important event in our household, number one, because it means so much to Mom, and number two, so many people were involved in making it all possible. We are so excited to get this done for Mom! She was all smiles and very happy. I do believe we have a skate in our socks scheduled for this evening. :)   ... Read More

Yesterday, we went as a family to Patapsco Valley State Park (the Avalon entrance). It has been awhile since our last trip out there. This area is within the southern end of Patapsco Valley State Park. The primary entrance is located off of South Street in Baltimore County. Three distinct areas are featured in this section of the park. Avalon, once home of the Avalon Nail and Iron Works, has only a few remains of the bustling ... Read More

This year Laura completes her last year of high school. We couldn't let the occasion pass without a party! ... Read More

I had a ball at the reception getting to talk and be with friends and family and capturing some candid and posed shots of everyone. (Click on photo for larger image)   Rubí was a bit of  a show stealer. Mom joins the family table. Mom with Uncle Arthur Jim, Chris, and Britney. Amy (our personal cat whisperer) and Forrest. The groomsmen's table. Groom and Best Man. Brothers. Two Sillies. After being held a long time during the ceremony, Rubí was ready to take off on the open floor. So ... Read More

During my birthday Chris suggested for us to go out to eat as a way of celebrating the occasion. Sounded good to me. Jimmy jumped on board with the idea too. Chris's idea was to go to the Cheesecake Factory, and since I had never been, sounded perfect to me. We postponed going out until after all the wedding chaos was over. Jenny and Miquel well into the Bahamas and all the wedding over, we set a day to go to ... Read More

Well Miquel took me to lunch this week, and today, Enric and family brought me a bouquet of flowers, with so many lovely blooms, but sweetest of all, a sunflower! I do love them! We can't grow them here as we don't get much sun with all the trees. So with that, I will just wish all the moms out there a very Happy Mother's Day, using a photo of Enric's flowers and the suggestion of my children and I ... Read More