R&R in Colorado

We had a great time in the States. We spent the first part of the trip in Colorado helping Steve's parents prepare for a very emotional move. They have now closed on the family home (they have lived there since Steve was 6 months old) and are headed to Arizona to the sun and more permanent grandkids. :)

While we were there, we celebrated the birth of the greatest country on Earth,


took the kids to Casa Bonita,



spent a day at the aquarium,




and took an overnight trip to Colorado Springs which included, Garden of the gods, Manitou Springs, Cave of the Winds and the Summit of Pikes Peak.





We concluded our trip with a visit to the Alpine slides, Slurpees from 7-11 for a "Slide well-done" and emptying out our portion of stored memorabilia. Some of it made it's way to the suitcase, but the majority will be remembered through photos and great memories.

Jos. A. Bank

There is a GREAT SUIT SALE at Jos. A. Banks through Wednesday.

Buy 1, Get 2 free!

Updated Link - The sale is for full-price suits.

She's 11 months old!

I wrote this a few weeks ago, but as her 1st bday is quickly approaching, it is time to post this.

She is the funniest, liveliest, most well-natured baby that we could have been blessed with. She laughs on a dime, is genuinely full of love for each or her siblings and loves the outdoors. She took a few steps of her own last night for the first time. A little gift for Steve in the limited time that he has with her.

She loves to give you a big toothy grin with squinty eyes when you say cheese. There are 7 for now.


She doesn't always sit still or behave during Sacrament, but her smile lights up the room and she'll laugh with anyone who gives her the slightest reason. She is pure joy.

P.S. And just maybe when the rest of her teeth are done breaking through, she'll sleep all night again. :) Update: She has returned to her old ways. If I could get myself to bed earlier, I would be well-rested.

An Investment Rental

After two other failed bids, we might have a four-wall investment...sight unseen. Buying a house has turned into a part-time job. We made an offer on this house just three business days before the auction date and the bank officially postponed it to Oct. 1 due to our offer. They have not yet approved the short sale, but odds are that they would not have changed the auction date unless they planned on accepting it.

THE STATS:
Surprise, AZ
Built in 2003
2387 square feet
9 ft ceilings
3 bedroom/ 2.5 bath
Plus Loft
Plus Game Room
Watering System in front and back (a must-have in the desert)
DIRT CHEAP!

And for those of you wondering if we are moving, the answer in yes - in May. No, not to Arizona.

Writers Block

It. Is. Terrible.

I have a month of photos, but I am just not "feelin' it". Maybe it is the return to the cold or the lack of sleep, but I have a serious case of writers block.

We're Home!

She makes me melt....


even when she has smeared a self-ink stamp all over her face. hands, clothes and couch. I just couldn't help but laugh. She was just so stinkin' cute.

We are home and and I have quite a few photos to post, but really we were having so much fun that I forgot to pull out the camera most of the time. A month in the US was exactly what I needed. Now I feel refreshed and ready to conquer the next 8 months!

It's been a decade...

since our fist kiss (yesterday). We were married exactly one year to the day later.

Happy 9th Anniversary to us!

And if we were to do it all over again, I might plan something like this... I love it! Do you think that Steve would play along? I do.

Beyond Buenos Aires: Tandil Part 5

Our dress rehearsal is tonight and maybe I need to blog a few photos to help me get out the nervous energy!

SUNSET and LA CABANA

We were only in Tandil 2 days, but based on the amount of things that we did, it felt like so much longer. We rented a great cabana right outside the main city. All of the cabanas are located in the same little area (what an Argentine surprise). Before we headed back for the evening, we stopped by the castle on the hill and the the grocery store. I grabbed 13 pesos ($3.50) of steak, chorizos for the kids and fresh bread. I managed to bring so much stuff with us (seriously way too much) for the ride, that we didn't need all of the extras. On our way up to the castle, we obviously had to drive through this entrance a few times. Peyton fell asleep, so she stayed in the car while Abe and I battled on top and shot a few cannons at Dad waiting below. Honestly, it was a bit strange, but what 5 year old boy wouldn't love this?










These bedheads had a wonderful time! We all did. They made smores and had our undivded attention, Steve had to wake up really early to keep the fire going to keep us warm and I was grateful that even though we smelled like a campfire, we didn't really have to sleep outside. :)

With just a few day left until we leave for a our big vacation back to the States (the first time I will have been back in 20 months, not that anyone is counting or anything), I feel like there are so many more photos I want to share from our trip to Tandil. Instead, I have been sicker than sick for 5 days. I can't remember the last time that I felt quite so bad. Flu really has done a number on this family. Abe was the first, then me, Peyton and now Sophia.

I have a big performance this week. All I can do is pray for health.

I might just post a few photos for you before I leave... I mean, you know that you are chomping at the bit to see photos of me dancing/acting in front of hundreds of parents and Kindergartners in a Robot costume. You might even have a little more appreciation for the Jasmine one.

Happy Father's Day

You'd be hard-pressed to find a Father better than this one...


Steve, you are everything that a great father is.

WE LOVE YOU!

Beyond Buenos Aires: Tandil Part 4

EL MONTE CALVARIO

Many Catholics flock to Mount Calvary during the Holy Week of Easter. They make a "pilgramage" through this monument and many have left messages tied to rags on the railing around the base of Christ hung on the cross. In an attempt to share our experiences and record this for our family journal, I am including each of the "Stations" and the journey that Christ made before his death. We talked about the crucifixion with the kids as we walked. Of course, they also played hide in seek in the rocks and Sophia finally took a short nap in the baby backpack.

Beyond Buenos Aires: Tandil Part 3

LA CENTINELA

The best part of our trip was the freedom to be outside. Here in Buenos Aires, there are high security concerns. We live in gated homes, with bars on the windows. You don't realize just how on-guard you are all of the time until you get out of the city. The kids loved the rock formations that were plentiful in Tandil (you will see more rocks in a later post). The balance of this rock was a sight to be seen. The kids were really amazed. Steve tried to pursuade them to push it over the edge before they realized that this was an impossible task. Abe was really concerned that we would ruin it and didn't want anyone to touch it.

The photo doesn't do it much justice, but notice Abe on the bottom right.

Nothing like a little graffiti...

I just love this one:

and this one:

... and no family vacation is complete without a little muscle. :)

Beyond Buenos Aires: Tandil Part 2

EPOCA DE QUESO

In a country lacking in variety, this was impressive. This quaint store and cafe was opened in 1920, but the business has been operating since 1860. It was like stepping back in time and we could have spent the entire afternoon sipping hot chocolate and sampling cheese and salami by the fire. The menu was as old as the cafe and contained a business license from 1947.












And we had to include Sophia and this dog who lived out on the patio. She was cracking up at this harmless puppy. He would jump at her in play and she laughed over and over.