Pen Pal and Drawings

So Gramma Jan's sister in law Amy Palmer is Violet's pen pal.  

I had to include her latest letter to Aunt Amy because I thought she did an amazing job.

I did not help her at all.  

It's always fun to get mail. 

 Lucia has become obsessed with drawing... we found these books at the dollar tree and she has taken off with it. 

 New drawings everyday, so much so that she is even drawing book covers. 

 Sure love our artist.

Space Center Houston

This year I decided to get the yearly pass in order to take this little guy to the Space Center. 

I was excited to find out he was still free this year and that made the deal even sweeter.

He loved looking at all the astronauts and the robots.

We were able to visit the new exhibits.

He loved every minute of it.

Flying the Space Shuttle...

and heading to Mars....

but first you have to go thru a lot of training.....

Good thing I didn't plan on taking to many Selfies....

We had a lot of fun.

The next day I was asked "Can we go to the Space Center?"

Look at this HUGE pumpkin at our local Kroger..amazing, the funny thing is he really wanted to buy the little pumpkin.  

 

So I'm running around the house getting things done, and Benicio says "Mami look at my rocket."

He made this bad boy all by himself.  

Watch the ADORABLE rocket video bellow!

Maybe we have a future Astronaut on our hands?!?!?

Benicio's Rocket:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QiQDIa6Ooc

Kayaking and Fiesta Patria at the Church

We went on a kayak adventure.  Chad wanted to try out the windsurfer board and use it as a paddle board.

Getting ready to try it.

Chad was able to stay standing for a lot longer than I thought....

Benicio insisted on Papi buying this little ore so he could help.

Then Chad fell off and I gave it a try.

This windsurf board is not as wide as a true paddle board.  The balancing I was having to do was legit.  I couldn't even look at the houses or around too much or I would loose my balance.

I fell in the water at least 3 times.

What I was able to do was sit on the board and use it like a kayak and it was very easy to maneuver. 

Funny video bellow of the kayaking experience.  Must watch. 

Here is Bianca the friend that lives down the street.  Violet and Lucia love playing with her.  We had her over so she could open her birthday present.

That night we went to the church to participate with the Kemah Branch and celebrate the Fiesta Patria.

One of Benicio's best buddies Dani was there. 

They were so excited to see each other.  

His mommy Yara use to take care of Benicio, but now they moved to another city close by.

Come to find out they are being taught by the missionaries.

We had a wonderful day together.

Kayaking fun:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjjM2xCE7vI

The funny thing about the kayaking experience is afterwords they said that they had a really fun day. 

Fiesta Patria Dance:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EoXgqoBCONw

Benicio Fun

A friend from church gave us a package of brand new socks that her son never wore.  So Benicio saw them and immediately decided that he needed to try them on.  

I told him they will not fit him, but he insisted and said "See they fit Mami"

We have been making it to library toddler time once a week.

Someone is really enjoying it.

He saw me working on the pumpkin crafts and insisted he paint also...so here are some spooky posters he his painting.

He has decorated his side of the room with these removable stickers given to him by his friend.

This boy loves his legos.

We sure stay busy when Mami's not working.

Our little Bombero:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5M_u9xDZg0

Labor Day!

 We enjoyed our day together went to one of the kids favorite restaurant Pollo Tropical and then headed to the hotel pool.

On a side note here are some of the Super Saturday crafts our Relief Society did:

I was in charge of the pumpkin craft.

I thought they all turned out great.

Girls Weekend

Franchesca, Erika and I have been friends for 23 years now!

We were very close all throughout school and most of collage.

Then I got married and started having little people, and we moved.

Erika also has a beautiful family with twin girls and a boy.

We still made it a point to keep in contact thru facebook and when I would visit Florida.

Now when Franchesca got married this past February we decided that we needed to start a girls weekend.

We love each other's company and these beautiful women are like sisters to me.

So I got a text last May and it was "What are we doing for our girls weekend?"

I found a very reasonable cruise out of Miami in September and we all decided that would be a great vacation.

I flew into Orlando and my Dad picked me up.  It was nice to spend time with them, Mom also but she was at work when I took this picture. 

So I flew out a day sooner than planned due to a potential hurricane that was going to hit the Tampa area.   Thankfully it did not effect the area so we rode down to Miami a night early and stayed with my Mom's Uncle Tio Nelson and his wife Noelia.  I LOVE this couple to pieces.  They are so welcoming and loving and Tio Nelson has an amazing sense of humor.  It was a wonderful visit.

 The next day we headed to our boat!  We went on the Norwegian Getaway Cruise Line and it was beautiful.  Apparently this is the first year this cruise ship sailed.

 Representing Palm Bay!!!  

We also sprung for a balcony room which was really nice.

 This ship had some serious slides on it.

 Bon Voyage Miami!

We had a good lunch and then headed down to get our bathing suits on.  

Erika and I went down the orange and red slides after waiting in a long line.

After our mustard station briefing it was time to get ready for our dinner.

We ate at the Tropicana restaurant

The food was delicious and they had a live salsa band playing so you could eat and then go out on the dance floor.

 We then checked out the comedy club....then the theater show they had on board

 and did a little dancing.

We arrived in the Bahamas nice and early. 

It was fun watching us park from the comfort of our balcony. 

 We were among the first to arrive to Cabbage Beach.

 Our relaxing beach chairs...

 The water was crystal clear...

 7 years ago I got a massage at this beach and I decided that a repeat was in order.

 Around noon time the beach got super crowded and we headed back to the boat.

We had lunch and then Franchesca and I went down the green and blue slides.

Now the name of these slides is "Free Fall."
Your looking at 3 decks high of slide and you stand in this chamber thing they close the glass and you hear 3-2-1 and the floor beneath you disappears and you free fall straight down.  It is the craziest/scariest feeling ever.   

I'm not sure why but I did go back on it and did it again.  

 Erika and Franchesca decided to go and relax in the room and I was wanted to go and try the rock climbing wall.

 It wasn't as easy as it looked but it was fun.

 I did make it to the top!

 After checking out the gym, the professional pictures and getting a snack I headed back to the room.

Time to get ready for our dinner.

 We got to experience another restaurant and we went to the salsa dance party on the pool deck.

On Sunday after a good breakfast we were off the ship at 10:30 am.

We headed to Ft. Lauderdale beach, as I was flying out later that day from the Ft. Lauderdale airport.

 I had never been to Ft. Lauderdale beach and I loved it.  The water was super clear and a lot like Miami Beach just not as crazy busy.

 We headed to a Peruvian restaurant for lunch and I got dropped off at the airport.

Just rocking in a rocking chair at the airport waiting for my flight.

Although I had a wonderful time and it was very relaxing..... I was ready to get back to this cute crew... Thank you Papi for supporting me and taking care of the little people by yourself.

 Back home!

I had an amazing time with these beautiful ladies..thank you for the fun and laughter. 

I loved catching up with you both, looking forward to our next gathering!

Arriving to the Bahamas Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OI-daG6xb0

In the Bahamas:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECiD0DRJvhU