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

Sunday brought Christmas! We went to church and family came soon after. I didn't get many photos, perhaps after a few rounds of presents, I was tuckered out. :)   ... Read More

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

Presents bought and wrapped, cookies baked, house and tree decorated, what's left to do? WAIT for Christmas!   ... Read More

There is a big mistake that we can often make leading up to Christmas. Too much rushing around and not enjoying the MOMENTS. For many years now, I have treated the whole holiday like a season, and not allow all this preparation to be for ONE DAY. So I am glad I can pause and enjoy the moments. Like ... ... Read More

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee" (Psalm 56:3). The Bible verses you learn as a child, really come back to you as an adult at the most appropriate times.   Yesterday, an explosive storm hit Pasadena area. I will admit, I was afraid. We are thankful that we are ok, the house is still standing, but our yard took quite a hit. I did trust in the Lord during all of it, but was most happy when everyone was ... Read More

I promised Georgie a few photos of our house and such at Christmas. She has a Christmas village and my mom likes to make one too. Our Tree at Christmas Eve The Christmas Village The tree and presents on Christmas Eve ... Read More

I went to Lake Waterford the other day, and my son Enric pulled me aside to show me a tree that had been struck by lightning and was completely stripped of its bark: ... Read More

For mom's birthday, Petra and family sent this adorable little squirrel (eekhoorn, in Dutch) that can be hung, say, in a tree. Not seen here: Our crazy cat Jasper, having a fight with it and becoming so frustrated that the squirrel didn't move. ... Read More

Hopefully soon, we will adding on to our house. Enric and Miranda will be adding another floor to the house, but one of the physical first steps was to remove a rather large branch from our tree near our deck in the backyard. Silas and Miranda secured a prime front row seat to see everything. Chad made sure that I was photographing his "good side." Starting off on the roof. The 'hairs' as Chad called them on the ground. Enric loosens and tightens the rope ... Read More

I know there is a lot of talk about ACORN these days, and I almost didn't notice the ABUNDANCE of acorns that are falling from our trees. Not only are they early and plentiful, they are BIG. The mere girth of these things are making awful sounds when they fall and hit the pool, the roof, and the shed. My first thought was 'is this a sign of a horrible winter to come?' Then I happened to think about it, is that ... Read More

It's not even Christmas yet, and alread I am feeling the blessings of the season through gifts, and as usual I like to share with them to my blog readers. My very FIRST present this year was from Enric and Miranda. They noticed my reaction to the lovely birch trees in their area of Wisconsin. I was smitten with the white trunks and branches, even stopping in the road to take photos of them. What a very thoughtful surprise to open ... Read More

So much more fun with Silas here! ... Read More

We finally put the tree up at our house. Mom always goes with the blue lights... ... Read More

I took advantage of this little graphic that came my way via a graphic's yahoo group, and decided to fill in my family tree. Years ago in High School we had to do a family tree project, and I worked so long and hard on it. I remember hours at my grandmom's dining room table telling me stories of her brothers, sisters, mom and dad in the mountains of West Virginia. I remember going to my Great Aunt Jesse, and her ... Read More

Recently I blogged on my magical backyard and posted photos of its treasures low to the ground. I was amiss in showing one of the treasures, high in the sky. A special tree. One that always conjured up stories between my friend Lisa and I. It's built kind of odd for a tree. It starts with one trunk, then mid way up (which is already high) it starts to split. After this rounded split, it twists back to looking like one ... Read More

Miquel and Laura selected a kitty each. Miquel named his Dante, and Laura named hers Yuna. Now Dante is sweet, timid, and cuddly. Yuna on the other hand, is crazy like a bullet. She is all over the place, attacking our feet, chasing everything, generally wreaking havoc with the household. It should have come to little surprise that Yuna upset the whole household today by running away afraid from a bigger cat in the yard, and climbing up a tree.....and getting stuck ... Read More