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

So it became the part of the evening  before church when the children were allowed to open their presents... Rubi starts... A book about a koala! Silas gets something real happy! Rubi gets a kitchen from Yaya. Ready to play Magnetic paper dolls from Nana and Pop Pop. Just what Silas wanted, Lego Star Wars! Rubi quickly got the hang of opening presents. In come Aunt Jenny and Uncle Miq! Rubi clutches a present from them. Silas loves his racetrack!   ... 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

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

  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

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

...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

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

Laura decided on a small get together at home for her 18th birthday. Of course this was her third such get together, this one was just on her actual birthday.   So Laura had a nice birthday month, and we had a very sweet Thanksgiving, and the Ravens won! :)     ... Read More

Recent events, if my cell phone photo album told the story... ... 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

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

Miranda chose to celebrate her birthday at Laura's workplace, the Texas Roadhouse. ... Read More

What do you do after a day of the most marvelous weather of the year so far? When the evening comes and starts to chill, you build a fire and roast marshmallows! (and Miranda gets to try out her Christmas present) ... Read More

21 years old would seem to ask for a big party...but still dizzy from travel, Miquel seemed happy enough to allow his mama to get away with a small family birthday party. I suppose on his birthday, all is well as long as there are FIDEUS! ... 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,  mom,  (Yaya to many) is 80 years old. ... Read More

Every year our yard turns into a carpet of yellow flowers. (Mom calls them weeds) Anyway it was a perfect day for Enric to make a tire swing for Silas... Silas waited patiently while he watched his daddy making a swing for him. Silas gives the swing a try... ...but is a little afraid, so mama and daddy take turns going on with him... Jasper watches on very unimpressed... Silas tries with Daddy again, but is still timid to go on the swing by himself. Daddy makes ... Read More

It rained all last night and most of today. In fact, as far as rain goes, we have had a lot of it this spring. It's even chilly today. So instead of working outdoors, or making repairs to the pool, or even enjoying a good walk in the sunshine, what to do? As I was finishing my lunch, my daughter informed me that Yaya was insisting we come watch a classic old movie on the TV. I didn't need much convincing. Good-bye ... Read More

John and I, no strangers to online webcam conversations, had a chance to talk to Enric, Miranda, and Silas! Enric was playing Classical Gas for me, or trying to, as Silas decided to help. Yaya, John, and I got to witness as Silas learned how to spin a ruler on a pencil. A treat for all of us. ... Read More

Yet another rainy day for John's holiday in Maryland. Fortunately we had Cameron here to entertain us and us entertain him. Now Mr. Dolphin isn't a stranger to Cameron, as they talk on the webcam each Wednesday. So in short order, Cam was on John's lap and looking out the window, through the rain, watching the birds and squirrels. John also built Cam a train track to play on. John himself took some photos, show how much Yaya and I love the dear little Cameron.... Tomorrow ... Read More