'tis the season

And the season comes earlier each year. We had our annual tree lighting last weekend, if you can believe that! But mindful of being thankful, it was warmer than it's ever been before.

I definitely need to practice night shooting with my camera...it's so hard to get a good shot! There was another mom right beside me trying to do the same thing...her kids were sitting on the same bench as mine, squirming and not looking, just like mine. I don't know why we always try to get these posed shots...the candid ones are SO much better.


Having kids makes you do things you would NEVER do if you didn't have them. Like stand in line for an hour for a balloon. I joked as we were the next ones up, "Let's go, I'm tired of waiting." But it was so worth it. Their balloons fit their personalities so well.


And somehow, I took this shot and loved it. These cheap light up toys sure make the kids smile. (And they keep them quietly mesmerized, too.)
I love this season...I hope it goes by slowly.

sightseeing

Our one and only sightseeing trip while Juan Pablo's dad was here was to DC. I know it seems we must go there a lot...and that's because we do! There's so much to see! And we keep seeing the same things over and over again, so there's still so much to see.

This time, Juan Pablo hatched a great plan to bring the wagon to cart the kids around. He actually pulled it through the museums, too. Too bad Diego didn't want to sit in it. I still had to hold him almost the whole trip. Coupled with the fact that my lower back has been hurting, I ended up in the wagon with Diego at one point. We got chuckles and fingers pointed at us, but I dug my head in a brochure and enjoyed the little ride.


First stop: Air and Space.


We got separated for the entire museum without planning, but ended up meeting at the entrance right on cue.


Down the mall a ways...this time Abuelo pulling. I'd say Joaquin always gets the most use out of the wagon.


This great book fair was happening the same day. And being that I love books, I really wanted to see it. (No one else did.)


I was the most excited out of everyone to see the Magic School Bus.


But we headed on to the Natural History museum. The kids remembered this cave from a story we read recently, Ghost Hands by T. A. Barrow., a great book by the way.


Pit stop at the bathrooms and a look at a cool totem pole. Then we hit the museum shop. We always do. And it always takes a LONG time.


By this time, Diego and I are ready to go. So I decide to head out to the book fair with him while the others continue on in the museum. Best decision I've ever made. I sit in the first tent, in the first chair I see. Turns out it's the PBS tent and a show is getting ready to start. Front row seats.


Then we saw some famous people and got our picture taken. No lines whatsoever.


And Diego loves these characters...the cow at Chick-fil-A taught him not to be afraid.


Look how happy.


We met up with everyone again and headed over to the sculpture garden. Still warm enough for a little dip.


And some beautiful flowers.


We finished the day off with a wonderful meal with my uncle and aunt. The kids were crazy in the restaurant. I'm glad we lost no arms in the carousel door. Another great day in DC.

pictures aren't for everyone

Welcome to DC.

This photo has a nice story behind it.

We were all walking along the mall, kind of spread out, taking in all the action. I had hung back, since I had my zoom lens on and was trying to get a nice shot of Isabela and her Daddy, who were strolling along holding hands. There also happened to be a HUGE national book fair going on along the mall, with all kinds of tents and attractions being set up.

So I had snapped a few shots of them, and noticed out of the corner of my eye, two ladies on a bench nearby, holding large magazines up over their faces. My first thought was 'Wow, they must need glasses if they can't read that.'

But as I passed by, checking my camera to see if I had any good shots, they put down their magazines and said, "No pictures, please."

I quickly assured them with a smile and a few words that I wasn't taking it of them, but up ahead. (After all, wasn't that the Washington Monument over there?)

But they were antagonizing. And I could tell they were trying to be mean about it.

I tried to size up the situation. First, they were twins. They were at LEAST 60 years old. They were dressed the same. Maybe they were famous authors here for the book signings....

....So out of my mouth comes, "Why? Are you somebody?"

Niceties were somehow behind us now.

They quickly retorted indignantly, "We're citizens of the United States and our image belongs to us." Then I realized I wasn't dealing with some famous authors, but some crazies.

I said, "Well, that's my daughter and my husband up there and I want a picture of them," and decided to cut my losses and walk on.

I WISHED I'd said, "You might want to sit somewhere other than on the mall of the tourist capital of the world if you don't want your picture taken," but I didn't think of it at the time.

Yep. Welcome to DC.

abuelo at work

I think this was taken bright and early, the first morning Abuelo got here. He replaced the roof on our bay window that has looked disreputable for years. Lowe's is definitely his favorite store.


I think he's probably been there five times. He's also replaced our front steps...the first of which was going to give any day now.


And there's the rain gutter on the back porch...it used to overflow and come pouring out over Isabela's window and right into her room. Not anymore.

Yes, my front porch looks like this. But the house has never looked better.


The fun Uncle has been taking our daredevil for rides...and letting him play way too many games on his phone.


And Isabela is enjoying her cholita outfit. She can really balance that hat on her head!

Sorpresa!

Saturday night, we head up the familiar I-95 to DC on the way to the airport. JP's brother was flying in, and instead of sending Juan Pablo by himself like we normally do, I suggested that we all go. It would be a late night, but it would be fun to welcome him as a family. I even bring balloons to blow up and wave when he arrives.

During the drive, I mention, "What if your dad comes with him?" We've been wanting him to visit ever since we got married and moved back to the states. JP shakes it off with a "Nah. I don't think so."

It takes us two trips around the airport to find the correct parking area, but we arrive on time and head into the terminal. We light up at the moving walkways like it's Kings Dominion, and you can hear squeals of excitement echoing down the halls.

It's not like the old days...or even like they still do it in some movies. You're not waiting at the end of the plane's walkway to greet your long lost relatives as they shuffle off the plane looking dazed and disoriented. You're not even allowed over there, of course.

We wait at baggage claim for him. And wait. And wait.

At one point, Isabela sees someone in a teal blue shirt and exclaims, "I see him!" And we all crane our necks saying, "Where? Where?"

"Right there!" she points. I can tell she wants to hop off the seat and run over to him, but I'm holding her back because there were a lot of people. He gets closer and closer and we're still asking, "Where is he?"

It turns out... that's not Uncle. Looks nothing like him, really. But the shirt did seem like something he would wear. Her face turns a light shade of pink, and we all bust out laughing at the guy who wasn't Uncle.

Searching the oncoming faces, we're still waiting anxiously to surprise him. And we start to get a little worried. The crowds aren't coming as strong now. I suggest he might have gone to the bathroom after the long flight. But JP decides to take Joaquin and go find him.

They're gone for awhile. Isabela and I continue to scan the crowds, while Diego waits unusually patient as I hold his hand with a tight grip. The baggage carousel is great entertainment and little too tempting, I imagine.

Then, far off in the distance, I see balloons. I can't tell who's carrying them, but those are definitely our balloons. And then my eye catches a distinctive head full of grey hair on a man with a suit. IT'S HIM! Hid dad! Those sneaky Medinas. They managed to it a secret for weeks. It turns out the surprise is on us!

We run over and give big hugs and shy looks from little faces who are unsure.

And it's all so incredible. We're all there to greet them. We have the big mini-van and are able to fit everyone in. And that sneaking suspicion I had on the way up. I do sometimes think I'm a great detective. Most moms are, after all. I think what gave it away was the fact that his dad didn't call us to say Julio had taken off from Bolivia. They always call.

Still, I love a good surprise.

a family of leftys

Diego has taken up detailed drawing to pass the time. I love how concentrated he is when he's doing this...and he's very proud when I hang it on the fridge.


And it turns out he's a lefty...just like the rest of us...that's right...Juan Pablo, me, Isabela, Joaquin and Diego are all left handed! What are the chances of that?!!

a wedding dress

In the middle of us purging the house of things we don't need, I came across my mom's almost 40 year old wedding dress. I'm not sure how this thing keeps popping up in my house. I know it went to my grandma's house at some point, but I guess I got it back and have never been sure what to do with it.
So I was on the verge of throwing it away when Isabela said she wanted to try it on. What a great idea! I'm sure it hasn't even been used since that day long ago.


She was so excited and surprised that she could actually fit in it. ( I know I wouldn't!) She even suggested she could wear it when she got married one day.


I always thought the long sleeves and high neck weren't me, and I'd love to have heard my mom's story about picking out her wedding dress. Maybe one of you aunts know it?


So for now, we're holding on to the dress. Sentimentally, it's a tangible piece of the grandma Isabela never knew, but it's also a great piece to add to the dress up collection.


(I had fun playing with the effects on these shots. I've just recently discovered how to enlarge my photos on the blog pretty easily using Flickr and am very excited about that.)

Happy Valentine's Day

I did the good mom thing this morning. Heart shaped pancakes, made from scratch.

I even tinted the batter pink for the last three...note to self...that's not necessary because they still turn brown when you cook them.

The kids were most impressed with the heart candy on the side of their plate.

And that's why I love them. Easy to please.

Hope your Valentine's day is filled with LOVE and FRIENDSHIP!

it was very merry.

The first Christmas. The first for us with just us. No other family. We made it ours. And it was special. And it was happy.


Angels and wise men at our Christmas Eve service.


I love this image of Santa and Wiseman...so conflicting for me.


Hop on Pop. We had a beautiful fire for the first time in two years. I'm not sure why we didn't use it last year, but its warm glow mesmerized us all for a bit.


New pjs on Christmas Eve!


Lasagna and Texas toast. Lasagna on Christmas Eve has always been the tradition. This was the only meal I cooked all weekend.


Thanks Nancy and Lew! I think the box was his favorite present.


Santa went overboard, as he usually does. But lit-up faces on Christmas morning are priceless.


My cake for Jesus' birthday would NOT come out of the pan. But I made the frosting from scratch and it was delicious.


Diego opened all his presents with his teeth.


We wrapped up their passports that had arrived a week ago.


The giant lion and tiger were my favorite gifts this year...I thought they were for Diego but the big kids confiscated them.


Diego's checking out Isabela's new dog, Jingles. Looks real...just doesn't smell or sound real. That's good, right?


Diego's playhouse. This is why you haven't heard from me for weeks. Sorry about that. I'll post more about that later.


And the wagon was waiting for them in the big room after all was opened. There's nothing better than one more present.


After lunch we headed up to my aunt and uncle's house. Leah Ann got a Wii for Christmas, and I'm telling the truth, the kids played it for two days straight...and we let them. The morning after we got home, they both woke up complaining about their arms hurting. I thought they had slept funny, but then we figured out it was from bowling and sword fighting.


Ava and Diego...she's always super patient with the kids....and they love her.


Far away cousins.


And a Merry Christmas was had by all.

mountain top

For now, I'll let the pictures tell the story.