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The first picture is cousins Selene (Manny's daughter) and Diego (Miriam's son) Diego is sporting his special suit his Grandma Julie bought him from Mexico!

We did some fun things this weekend - but unfortunately did not have our camera with us!! On Friday night Grandpa and Grandma took the kids to Curtiss to the 5th Anniversary of the Curtiss Travel Plaza. The main event the kids were looking forward to was the piglet catching contest!! Their dad was practicing with them - teaching them all the techniques that he knows on how to catch a piglet!! Even though my kids were, I'm sure, the most educated and the most practiced in pig catching . . . .they seemed to catch a dose of the scardies!! Vanessa talked the smartest . . . but stayed the furthest away!! Needless to say - the kids came away with some great story's . . . but not the championship trophy!! The kids took a fishing trip on Saturday with their dad . . . . but ended up getting skunked. The best thing about their trip was the ice cream cone from the Root Beer Stand in Owen on the way home!! Sunday, we celebrated Grandpa's 55th birthday with good food and family! The kids took full advantage of swimming in the pond after dinner! Since we didn't have any weekend pictures, Raquel wanted to share some of her artwork!! She is helping me out with taking pictures to create some marketing materials for the City!

Fun with Baby Chet!!

weekend with baby Chet

This past weekend Ben and Maria brought there son Chet over while they went to see country jam. We had to jog our memories remembering baby ways. I think the kids did just about everything with him. We took him to the park, and we watched movies -Chet perfered the floors instead of the boys comfy spiderman chairs, and played. Chet was in paradise.

Awesome Florida Vacation

Last Thursday after I was done with work, the girls and I headed out to Milwaukee to begin our vacation. We flew out of Milwaukee on Friday morning, which meant we had to be awake at 4:45 a.m. to catch the shuttle to the airport at 5:25 a.m. All went like clock work and we departed Milwaukee on time at 7:10 a.m. We arrived in Florida a little before 11:00 a.m. (after loosing an hour due to the time change) We had been looking forward to renting a convertible for months . . . . but . . . . after riding a shuttle away from the airport to the car rental place; we were sadly informed that with out a credit card . . . we were unable to rent a convertible. We would have been able to rent any other vehicle on the lot with a debit card, but not a convertible. ((Of course with a few added fees)) After some discussion with Trisha, it was decided that she would just pick us up in Orlando and we would forget the car. Picture number one shows the disappointed faces of the girls after realizing there would be no convertible. On Friday we spent the entire day in Orlando visiting Down Town Disney and watching the fireworks from Down Town. Trisha and Ian treated us to a fancy seafood buffet for dinner, it was a real treat. Saturday, Trisha took us to her favorite beach (on Anna Maria Island). It was picture perfect. The weather was hot and perfect. The girls swam, snorkeled, and built sand castle's all afternoon. We finished up the perfect day watching the sun set in the ocean. Sunday, the girls were so amazed to have the luxury to get out of bed and immediately get into their swim suits to hit the pool at Trisha's house!! Sunday afternoon Trisha swapped her car with her sister-in-law to allow us the opportunity to fulfill our dream of riding in a convertible! We drove about 20 miles to a blueberry patch to pick berries . . . on the way home, the girls were hoping to close the top and turn the air conditioning on!! The stop lights were killers in the heat!! Sunday night we went to a Japanese Steak House and had the meal of our lives! The food was prepared on a grill at our table. Vanessa loved watching the show so much . . . . she forgot to eat!! Monday, Trisha and Ian scheduled a professional photographer to take our pictures! We had so much fun and are so excited to see how the pictures turn out! Tuesday was a long day of travel; but we are happy to report that we made it home safe and sound. It was definately the vacation of a lifetime!

Vanessa's 7th Birthday!!

We're a little behind. Last Friday was Vanessa's 7th Birthday!! She got all dolled up for her birthday meal!! We went to the movie - Kung Fu Panda. On the way home, there was the most awesome rainbow on the night of Vanessa's birthday. The picutres do not do it justice - it was a full double rainbow!!

More wedding pictures!

Here's more pictures from the wedding - everyone had a good time! After a full day of food family and fun - the night ended after 3:00 a.m.! Above is Jimmy's two sisters and niece (he cleans up pretty well)! The photo with Jimmy in it - includes his sister Elva and his mother.

Erika's wedding

Today is Erika's wedding. Everyone is all dressed up - just waitng for the reception to begin. Gavino is part of the wedding party - his job was to help with the train of Erika's dress.

Here are the girls - our cousins Jenny and Pamela are here from Georgia!

Jimmy's sister Franscisca is also here from Dallas - she is posing with DJ and Gavino!

National Anthem

Raquel got the honor to sing at the State Division 4 Semi Final Baseball games today! Sorry - I couldn't get her face!!

BREAKFAST HELP

Mateo was a big help - thought he needed to count the eggs this morning when we were making breakfast!!! He can now count all 18 broke on the floor! This was one example of where it was very handy for DJ to have her drivers license!!

The kids were having fun this morning . . . .they have so much energy after Karate!!

Last concert of the year!

Vanessa and Gavino had their last concert of the year tonight - as always the gym was packed to the gill with proud parents! Here is the pair after the concert!! Vanessa styled straight hair for the concert!!

DOWNSTAIRS PAINTING PROJECT

I'm not quite sure about the purple color for the family room, but . . . at this point I'm not interested in repainting it! I have a few finishing touches left on that room that I hope to finish up tomorrow. The downstairs bathroom was looking good when I left it . . . . but sometime (I'm still not sure when) Mateo decided to help out. Notice the purple toilet seat, sink, floor, and streaks on the wall . . . . there is a reason why most people choose not to paint with four kids in the house!!

The weather is beautiful and the kids are taking full advantage of playing outside!! Our favorite trees are in full bloom - the whole yard smells sweet from the blossoms. This is my favorite time of the year!

Reading to School Board

Raquel got the honor to read one of her stories to the School Board last Monday night!

BOYS

This is why I can not keep ahead on the laundry!!!!!

BOYS