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

Before we left the U.S., Laura, John, and I (part of what makes up Moonfall Studios), had a family photo session with a very unique and awesome family, The Petersons. It might not have snowed as Janelle wished for, but John sure felt the cold. Nathan liked John's fish-eye lens, oh look there is yours truly in a nice warm blue sweater. Laura, in action. Caught being caught. And now a few of the family... Nathan and Chad The family. Hard ... Read More

A drive to Easton, Maryland (where Laura could get her earliest appointment), my youngest got her license to drive! Always a stressful time, hoping to pass, she didn't need to worry, she did a great job! Laura sending me a signal after her test, that she passed! She's very happy. Calling family and friends to tell them the good news.   ... 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

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

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

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

Christmas Eve was suddenly here. We had a few snow flurries and then it was time to begin our evening together. John and I always take the photos and it's rare we are the ones being photographed. Seemed for our first Christmas together, we should pose for a few. Besides we wanted an image in our new ornament for the tree. So Laura was our photographer...or was it Silas? :) John liked this one. I kind of favored this one. His ... Read More

Sunday was a day of going to church, having a big lunch, shopping at Bj's, watching the Raven's game, baking oatmeal raisin cookies, and then Laura drove John and I around so we could take photos of the Christmas lights around the neighborhood. First, Larua's favorite house in Pasadena. One house made a statement with only ONE light, a spotlight.   ... 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

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

Laura's history teacher promised extra credit to anyone who visited Fort McHenry in Baltimore. So off she and I went on a little "field trip." Fort McHenry, in Baltimore, Maryland, is a coastal star-shaped fort best known for its role in the War of 1812, when it successfully defended Baltimore Harbor from an attack by the British navy in Chesapeake Bay September 13-14, 1814. It was during the bombardment of the fort that Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The ... Read More

Not everyone in Maryland was so lucky, but for our household, hurricane Sandy was... A time to catch up on sleep... ...to play in the "fort" Tia Laura made... ...or to write messages on the steamed up windows. Don't get me wrong, we treated the event seriously, prepared for it, and knew its potential for harm. We just were so blessed to not have any trees knocked over, not experience flooding, nor did we lose power. One glitch was Miranda was ... 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

  But I am so grateful that I can see The wonder of it all... The splendor of experiencing God's paintbrush in the Fall. ~ Joan Cronin Damiano Laura has had her permit for a while now. It's hard on parents when their children get their learning permits. I am a nervous mama each and every time. After awhile though, a parent can learn to relax and enjoy being driven for a change. Today, since autumn is starting to peak around us, I decided while she ... Read More

Enric and Miranda wanted a date so that left Laura and I with Silas and Rubí! Laura has been working and studying a lot and was excited about the time with them. She suggested a trip to Menchies. On a side note, when they built the frozen yogurt place in Lake Shore Plaza, I didn't think it would do very well, was I ever wrong! Laura and Silas at Menchies in the Plaza. Rubí was quick to get evidence of ... Read More

  I guess I've blogged about walking at Kinder Farm Park many times by now, but rarely do I mention the community garden they have there. Yesterday, Jenny, Laura, and I decided to go to Kinder Park and take Silas. (Rubí was still taking a nap). We couldn't do the full loop as Silas isn't up to it, so we went to the playground area which is across from the garden. I decided to take a closer look at what they were ... Read More

Note: Not all of the photos I took this day could be put up here, but I have a set uploaded to my gallery here, two pages! I had been to the Amish Country before, once with Marta and Pepe, and it rained and didn't really know where we were going, then went with John and around Lancaster got lost and not sure where we ended up but we saw nice scenery. So when I found out that my sister and ... 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

I told Alejandra, I wouldn't say good-bye, I'd say, "Until the next time." We should be used to good-byes around here, but they're never easy for me. She made it back to Spain and this morning when I woke up, her room seemed SO EMPTY. Well, she might not be close by, but we all feel our family grew a bit this last month. Love you, Alejandra, fins la propera vegada. ... Read More

Alejandra was fascinated with the cupcake shops in Annapolis, so I decided we should make the time to bake some cupcakes and decorate them! ... Read More

Sunday after church we organized to go to Baltimore's Aquarium. Doing it this way, Miquel and Jenny wouldn't have work and could go too. In fact, Miquel did the driving, which was perfect for me. He put on Queen radio, and a few Queen, Journey, and Bon Jovi songs later, we were into Baltimore. Most Marylanders love our Aquarium and most outside visitors are very impressed by it. It's showcase of more than 16,000 animals including sharks, birds, dolphins and jellies. What ... Read More

Yesterday, Alejandra, Laura, Miranda, Silas and I went to Washington D.C. We wanted to give Alejandra a chance to see the White House and the Capitol, which she had asked to see. Her father suggested she would also like the Natural History Museum, too.           ... 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

Yesterday during our walk, Alejandra noticed how many people owned boats. I explained to her how much water surrounded us in this part of Maryland. This morning after showing her a map of our rivers, the Bay, and how it all leads to the Ocean, we decided on this hot day to go to Sandy Point. The first thing she noticed was how HUGE the Bay Bridge is! We explained to her when we go to Ocean City, we will cross the ... Read More

Today after church, we went to see Jim play with his band for a benefit. This was my first time hearing him play, ever. I was very glad I got to hear them! Here are the movies I took with my phone. Not great quality but it was the best I could do. ... Read More

While Enric and Miranda were busy working on the steps (sanding and staining them), Laura and I took Silas and Rubí to Kinder Park for a walk, fun, and a picnic.       ... 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

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

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

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