Daisy, Daisy

Mike is always singing songs to Doménica. The song 'du jour' changes from time to time but lately the song has been the one about the bycicle built for two... She has always loved singing and sings that song to the top of her lungs whenever she hears it but the funny thing about this is that a while back, someone asked her what her name was and she anwered very matter of factly " Daisy"! And since then, she refers to herself as Daisy or Daisy, Daisy... silly girl!

Cesar Chavez House

If you live in the Laveen/So Mo. area, you will get a kick out of this...

On Tuesdays, I always try to take Doménica to story time at our local library... So last week I tell her that later that morning we would be going and very excitedly she asks as to confirm our plans: - mami, are we going to Cesar Travis' (this is how she pronounces Chavez) house? I smile to myself and say 'yes'.

Later that morning we go to story time as planned. At our library, they rotate the person that does story time about every month, so the last few times it had been a man; whereas this time it was a lady. After story time was over, Doménica looks at me very seriously and proceeds to say : - but mami, Cesar Travis was not there today, where was he? Only then I realized that she thinks the story time man IS Cesar Chavez! I dare not correct her, she is too cute!

Laveen Soccer: Season 2

Gabriel started his second season of soccer a couple weeks ago. He has come a long way from the shy little boy who would not even touch the ball , that was two years ago at the Y. Now he loves going after the ball and scoring ME some goals... He always tells me - mami, I am going to score 16,000 goals for you!
Of course it is always so funny to see how ALL of the kids run after the ball at once... Hey, they are only 4 and 5 :o)

Here he goes running to get the ball from the opposite team....

And he got it, now time to kick a goal! Maybe next time...

Corner kick. Check out his moves....

And goal!!!!!

The Eagles about to shake hands with their opponents. Go EAGLES!

Fall Break : Carlsbad, CA

Not having had a summer vacation, we were really looking forward to Fall Break. Gabriel's school is on an extended school year, therefore he has two weeks off in the Fall and two in the Spring. We were very inclined to going to California and Legoland and although it was not clear where, or if we would go out of town at all, Mike still took those two weeks off so that we could spend time as a family.

All summer long we prayed that God would provide the means and a place for vacation and provide He did! He provided a great place to stay in Carlsbad, CA, overlooking the ocean, about 75 stairs away from the beach (within our budget) and free tickets for Legoland. We were so thankful, could not ask for more!

Our time in California was very refreshing. Other than making it to Legoland on one of the days we were there, there was no agenda, no place to be, just hang out. The majority of our time was spent at the beach. They boys rode the "surf" on a boogie board while Doménica and I relaxed in the sand. I read, run and unplugged totally from phones, blogs, Facebook, email, bills and more.... ahh...

Below an afternoon view from our "room".

Doménica chilling in the sand
Neni meeting Wendy at Legoland
Boat ride in Legoland

Pirate ride at Legoland

Gabriel "surfing"

Neni, incredulous that brother and papi are in the water when it was so cold and windy

Passing time in the sand. Gabriel wins (brown rocks)!

Our last sunset

Silly sibling time

Gabriel passing time waiting for Neni and papi to wake up (Kindergarten has done wonder for his concentration and ability to focus in one activity at a time).

Sleeping Beauty

Gabriel building in the sand

Our California trip was during the second week of Fall Break. During the first week, we stayed close to home. Mike completed his honey-do-list, took the kids to the Museum, the library, played ball, soccer, rode his bike and I enjoyed sleeping-in and having my husband around the house all the time. We feel truly blessed.

For the full collection of photographs, please click here.

D-backs game

Mike spent a weekend in September alone with the kids while my heart was being fed at the GBC women's retreat. Among other things, he took them to a D-backs game. Apparently they had a blast. Gabriel is now big into playing catch and batting, something he had never been interested in before... It is such a blessing to witness how Mike loves the kids and how they love their daddy time.

Mike had a good time too. When I got home he explained the seats they had were in 5th row, behind the home plate, whatever that means!

A long weekend in Flagstaff

We always go to Flagstaff in the summer but this particular weekend was extra special because our friends the Herbrandsons and the Williams were also there, so we got to spend some time with them and we invited to go hiking to my all time favorite trail : Kachina.
Gabriel making friends with a local boy... Our stays in Flag are usually pretty low key. Consisting of lots of time outdoors, hiking, hanging out at the local parks, etc.

Doménica just being cute :o)
The men and the children during the hike at Kachina Wilderness.

One of the evenings, Gabriel and Mike tried their luck at fishing but came empty handed. Above Gabriel reeling in his last cast of the night. Doesn't he look so grown up????
The main reason our friends were in Flag was to see the Cardinals at camp. Y'all know I am not into football but I happily went along ... Above a photo of some guy who wore red tights the whole time... Fitz.... something or other.... :o)

Playing Catch up - summer visitors

I just realized how long it has been since I have blogged! So here I go playing catch up... In early August we had the privilege of having Mike's mom and his sweet grandma come visit us. They were here for both Gabriel's and Mike's birthdays. It was truly special and we were so spoiled!

Mike's mom took us all to see the Cirque de Soleil show Saltimbanco, wow! It was so awesome.
We enjoyed their visit very much, we love it when the kids spend time with extended family because it really does not happen very often.

Doménica with her Greatgrandma Carmen, the giver of the beautiful red hair!
Doménica with her Grandma Sandy, dark from the Florida sun.
The night before they left, they treated us to an adult dinner at Casey Moore's. We love you grandma and greatgrandma, come again soon!