One Down Two to Go!

I don't know why but we always get our Halloween costumes last minute.  Ariana is always dying to pick one out, and we are always trying to convince Viggo of how fun it will be to dress up.  So after this weekend I got one down and I got two more kiddos to go.  It's been really foggy lately and Ariana wanted to try her whole costume on.  So we thought it would be fun to go out and take some shots. She is so funny! She wanted to be so serious because, well she is a witch.  She is such a little actress.  She cracks me up! 

Keep your eye out on all Hallow's Eve for my cute little witch. 

 

Summer's a Blur

I just realized that it was October 25th.  I thought it was Oct. 17th.  This month is flying by.  Before you know it I will be sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner.  Summer was wonderful but it went by so fast.  I have been editing some pics of my gorgeous niece and nephew and as I was backing them up to my hard drive I found this little ole' file.  Fourth of July.  We had just arrived to Spokane I think maybe a week or two before.  David's sister and her hubby Charlie were so kind to let us stay with them, while we searched and searched and searched for a home.  

Their back yard is amazing. So big with large trees, a cute "park" as my viggo calls it, a swimming pool, basketball court, fire pit, a rock water feature which I loved sitting by on their porch as the day would come to an end. Oh, did I mention the chickens.  They have chickens that would wonder around their yard.  They would tend to hide under the porch when the kids would be out and about. Seeking refuge I'm sure.  Ahhhh Summer I look forward to seeing signs of you again.  You made me so happy this year! You did not let me down!

 

*click on pics if appear a little fuzzy.  They are in print size for when I print my blog :0)

Turbo Dad!

 My hubby has been busy since the moment we were married.  And now it feels like he is in turbo busy mode.  We have been trying to find a routine that works for us both.  Some weeks are easier than others.  But no matter what our week is looking like he makes sure we all feel loved.  A couple of weeks back he had some evening lectures so he wouldn't get home till late and he would show up with flowers and some vanilla yogurt ice cream for me.  ( I'm old! My tummy can't have real ice cream.  I have become lactose intolerant. I know soooo sad. )

This week Ariana had a Donuts with Dad breakfast at school.  She has been asking him since she found out if he would be able to go.  Like EVERY SINGLE DAY! David tried his best to try and see if he could arrive a little late to school but it was a no go.  She was pretty sad.... until this morning when he swept her up before both their schools commenced to have a yummy just daddy and me breakfast.  He may be in Turbo mode but it is only enhancing what an amazing Dad he is. Thank goodness for awesome Dad's everywhere.  What would we do without them?

 Look at that face.  So happy to be whisked away in the arms of her Dad. I've said this before but she was his the moment she was born.  And he was hers the moment their eyes met.  I still remember looking at David and realizing what someone falling in love looked like.  His face said it all.

You are the Crunch Beneath My Feet!

Drove down to Manito Park today to enjoy some lovely fall trees.  I was so excited to have my kids run around and hear the crunch of leaves underneath their feet.  And we got plenty of crunch! 

Have you ever noticed that when you spend time outdoors all these things that you think you need no longer take precedence in your mind.  Things, they can be so fun to have but sometimes I think they just get in the way of us truly enjoying life.  

We put on some fall gear and packed up a couple of snacks and away we went.  Kids can be a lot of work.  But, boy they can truly amplify what really is important in life. These kiddos make me want to go out and live life to the fullest everyday (on certain days they can make me want to hide underneath my bed). I call our outings together as a family "Adventures." Our little adventures bring me so much joy.  Today Micah went down the older kids slide, and you should have seen his eyes! You could see he was so scared and exhilarated all at the same time. The best part was hearing him giggle with joy at the end, and see how proud of himself he was.  Not the best tv show, newest gadget, worlds greatest shopping excursion, or new car smell could have brought me as much joy as that moment did.

photos via iphone

Viggo asked to take my picture.  Can you believe he took that! 

If you are feeling a little overwhelmed, stressed, bogged down by media telling us what we need and don't need.  Just walk outside.  You won't regret it!

Happy Hump Day Everyone!

Smelly Memories

David and I have been moving around a lot from the moment we were married.  I have never been so far away from my family as I am now.  I have been doing really well with not missing family too much, but this past week my little brother left for his mission.  We had our last conversation together over the phone and it just made me miss them. When he gets back from Argentina it should be around the time David has finished up school.  So hopefully the kids and I will be able to pop down to San Diego and see him.

Something that I do whenever I get a tinge of homesickness is make the foods I use to eat when growing up.  This week I did a lot of that. There is something about making my family's favorite foods, and having my home be filled with familiar smells from my childhood that warms my heart.  Even the smell of a burnt tortilla over the comal has the ability to make my memories come alive. I made Caldo de Rez this past week.  My mom on cold sick days would always request that my dad would stop by their favorite taco place and pick her up some caldo de rez.  My sister Jessica and Mario loved it so much.  It took me a while to appreciate it.  But now that I am miles away from family I find myself missing them so sometimes I make their favorite foods, and find myself missing them a little less. 

I have found that it is a great way to share with my children my childhood memories.  Which consist of a lot of yummy food.  I don't know if it's just a Latin thing but growing up whenever we got together with family food was always around.  Mole, Flour Tortillas, Chile Rellenos, Enchiladas, Rice and Beans, Pozole (not my favorite but my mom loved it!), Albondigas, Sopes con Chorizo, Huevo con Nopales tomate cebolla y chile, Champurrado, Buñuelos, Pan De Dulce, Tamales, Flan, and of course Carñe Asada Tacos.  All these foods trigger certain events and memories that I hold dear to my heart.

- I haven't made Flan in a while I think that may be the next food I try to perfect. My last memory of that was making it with my mom and as we were blending the eggs with the condensed milk it sprayed everywhere. 

  

  My Dad added Tabasco sauce to everything growing up.  I don't add it to everything but I can't have Caldo de Rez without adding this to it.  It makes it sooooo yummy! And don't forget the LIME!

 Mis compañeros, while I cook.

I totally forgot that I had taken these before we left Arizona.  Look how big Micah has already gotten.  It's amazing how time graces us everyday without even realizing it.

I am falling for Fall

It has been very cold but this past weekend was gorgeous.  We went up to Green Bluff to go pick some pumpkins, and I just fell in love with Green Bluff.   I am just enjoying so much getting to experience the Northwest.  Today I was driving in my car and I was noticing how some of the trees are slowly starting to change color.  As I was admiring this, I found one tree that was full of red and gold leaves, and right then and there the wind picked up. I wish I could have stayed there forever.  We were showered with gold and red leaves.  It was short but sweet.  My boy had his window down head out just enjoying watching this beautiful tree perform it's fall dance just for us.  

Happy Fall!