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

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

Things are getting a little crazy around here waiting for John to get here, for Christmas to come... Nobody photo bombs like Miranda! I love how Miranda gave Rubí "new" hair! ... 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

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

"If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own back yard." ~Dorothy, Wizard of Oz   The same day we raked leaves, we went out again later to play in the backyard. Rubi just loves her new play "equipment" made by the cutting down of trees. Sometimes she wants mommy close by as she practices her balance in this maze of logs. Silas got the idea to take the wheelbarrow on a "ramp" he ... Read More

The weather has been perfect of late, and our yard really needs work. We are all trying to do a little each day. There is always time for FUN though! Rubí has a rake just her size. Well it's starts with some serious work and raking. Then the leaves start flying. Silas is really getting the hang of raking. Rubí had a great time outside. Then it was Silas's turn to let leaves fly. Miranda now buries Silas in the ... 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

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

Today wasn't as hot as it has been and the humidity was lower too. Seemed a perfect day to get out of the house, and why go alone when we have two active children in the home that aren't interested in taking naps. :) As we make our way out, Silas poses by my newly applied Australia Bumper sticker. He wants to go there so badly one day! Silas bends over to look into the drain by the side of the ... 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

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

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

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

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

From Wikipedia: Yowie was a brand of chocolate encased toy line, manufactured by Cadbury Australia and based on the mythology surrounding the Australian Yowie. Invented by Bryce Courtenay and Geoff Pike, they were similar to Kinder Surprises in that they are basically a chocolate shell around a plastic capsule, with a toy inside. Unlike Kinder Surprises, the toy is usually an Australian or New Zealand animal. There have been several series of Yowie toys; the first were animals, with limited edition ... Read More

...or as Rubí says, Miss Sipsipee This past Saturday, we were invited to Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis to say good-bye to Elisabeth, who is off to work and study in Wisconsin. She has been wonderful to have in our home. She will be missed. People come and people go in this household...who's next? :)     ... 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

I am far from the Grandchildren, but the internet brings us closer. I got a note from Silas via Miranda's Facebook, that he missed me. It was so sweet, I hurried on to Skype. But just because we're using the internet to catch up, doesn't mean we don't have to not act like we're right next to each other. And they don't.         ... Read More

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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

Winters in Maryland can be rough, especially if you're from Wisconsin, because of the lack of snow! So when our first little accumulation happened, Miranda quickly got Rubi and Silas outside but not before telling me to grab the camera for Rubi's first snow.   When it was over, Rubi learned about another great thing about playing in the snow, having Hot chocolate inside with nana! ... Read More

Miranda needed to go to Target. I really didn't have anything I needed to get there. But when she told me she was going, I offered to tag along, why? Oh, so as not to miss moments like these.... Who needs a reason to go to Target? ... Read More

Thorny devil that is. Some time back John sent Miquel a thorny devil figure. Vicious looking but delicate, it survived the trip from Australia to Maryland, but it wasn't long it broke and had to be glued back together. We didn't have the wall unit back then so I took it off Miquel to have it safely kept in my room. Later, we got the wall unit put up and created what I like to call, an "Australia Shelf." There, the thorny devil ... Read More