Celebrating Birthdays

On Saturday I had two birthday celebrations to go to... The first one took me to Colorado Springs where we celebrated the Twins 6th Birthday. The theme for the party was Strawberry Shortcake. One of the fun activities was the kids preparing their own Strawberry Shortcake Dessert. The kids had a blast! Then from there I went straight to Normando's 32nd Birthday get together. Some of his High School buddies were there. It was nice to see them all. Instead of having a birthday cake Jamie made some really good chocolate cupcakes with strawberries on top... Normando's favorite!
For his Birthday gift Jamie and I went in on a joint gift for him. He had been wanting a Jay Cutler Bronco Jersey so that's what we gave me. It was so funny because he was like a little kid...he couldn't wait to put it on and had the biggest smile and kept saying "I've been wanting this!!". It's cute to see that he is still my little boy. ;) Te Quiero Mucho Dito!!!

Our Little Helper

Last week we watched Bronwyn while Danny & Tara went out for the evening. I started by taking her to the playroom in the basement so that she could pick whatever toys she wanted to bring upstairs to play with. Once she was upstairs she realized that Mommy & Daddy weren't around so she went to the front door and starting peaking out the side windows.

She had a sad look but that didn't last long because then we starting playing with a Tic Tac Toe game we have. Then all of a sudden she decided that our christmas tree needed more ornaments so she started putting the X's and O's of the game on the tree. We were quite impressed because she was so careful and gentle. Once she had all of the game pieces on the tree Jim & I started to applaud...she got so excited that she started to applaud and celebrate, she even did a little dance. It was so much fun spending time with her.

There is much we're thankful for...good health, having a job, our Mom's still with us as well as some of our dear Aunts & Uncles, the friendship of wonderful people, caring siblings, cherished kids and incredible grandkids. I'm so thankful for the love of my husband and the joy he brings to my life.

Thank You Lord for this and the Many Blessings You have given me...Amen

Wishing You A Blessed Thanksgiving Day!!! Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias!!!

Hand Surgery

As most of you all know I finally had carpal tunnel hand surgery last week. It was a little rough the first couple of days but it's finally starting to not hurt as much. The most irritating part of the whole thing is not being able to do things I'm use to doing by myself and of course of sitting around doing nothing. It's driving me nuts.

I want to Thank those that have called to check up on me. Thanks Tara & Bronwyn for coming by and for the goody bag (great gift, works perfectly)...Thanks Art and TJ for coming by during the day to keep me company and having lunch with me...Thanks Jamie & Normando for coming over Friday night and fixing a kick butt Shrimp Pasta and Salad as well as baking the Chocolate Chip Cookies, Yummy!!! Thanks Mami, Annetti & Michy for the beautiful floral arrangement...Thanks Suyzel for being my personal driver, inviting me to the movies so I don't lose my mind at home. And finally I want to Thank the Most Loving, Caring Husband, Jim...thanks for ALL that you have done this last week to make me comfortable...I know I can be a pain...did I just say that. hehehehe

Now I'm looking forward to getting rid of the bandages and stitches out so I can get my Christmas Tree up and house decorated.

Happy Birthday To Me

Yesterday was my birthday...I had such a nice day. For lunch I got together with some of my girlfriends/co-workers/ex-co-workers (Manders, Portia, Erin, Teri & Heather). We hadn't all seen eachother in a long time so it was nice to see them all and celebrate my birthday lunch with them. When I got back to the office my boss, Joe had gotten me a cake and they sang me Happy Birthday.

Then in the evening we went to Danny & Tara's for dinner and cake...Normando & Jamie joined us. Tara had emailed me the day before to see if we had anything planned because she wanted to celebrate my birthday by cooking a yummy dinner for me and yummy it was. It was such a nice time.

Normando & Jamie got me a photo book of pictures of my kids and my honey...Thanks Jamie I know you put alot of work and thought into it. Miss Bronwyn, Danny & Tara gave me a candle burner...Thanks Tara you know how much I like nice smelling candles.

Where did this Year go?!?!

Where did this year go?!?! It seems like in the beginning of the year we had so many things we said we were going to do and looking back just never had the time to do. Jim's job is so time consuming and stressful that when he has a little free time we just try to relax. When you work 6 days out of the week and at times 6 1/2 days there's not much time left. Of course with the Holidays approaching his schedule will be even busier. Not really looking forward to that. The Holidays are stressful as it is and when he is so busy with work it just makes it worse. I'm not complaining believe me...I'm so grateful that we are both employed especially with the all of the Americans that are unemployed right now and having a hard time.

Christmas is right around the corner...I can't wait to decorate...and shop for all the little ones. We now have a total of 8 grandkids so shopping should be fun trying to figure out what to get each of them.

All of my family is going to my brother, Freddy's house in St Louis to celebrate Christmas. A total of 7 families will be there. Jim & I won't be going...I can't imagine being away from our kids and grandkids for Christmas Eve. One thing I'm looking forward to is spending New Years Eve with Freddy & Leni. I can't wait for them to be here.

I guess I better stop thinking about Christmas and go get all my fall decorations out. =)

Mi Viaje a Puerto Rico

Our trip to Puerto Rico was very relaxing and full of time spent with family and friends. On Saturday Mom had a get together to celebrate our arrival. My Tio Noemi and Titi Lydia (my Dad's brother and sister) were there as well as my cousins, Alma and Liana. I hadn't seen Liana in about 16 years so you can imagine how happy I was to see her. Family on my Mom's side were there too...Rafa, Maya, Tomas & Livia and of course neighbor friends. We had such a fun night...went to bed at 2:30am

Sunday we went to Old San Juan. If you ever get to go to P.R. you've got to go see this beautiful city that is full of history. Of course I had to go to the Coach Store, you can always get a bargain there. Yep my honey bought me 2 purses. While we were there it started to rain. That was the beginning of the on and off again rain that would follows us all week long.

On Monday we went to my Titi Ana & Tio Geno's house for our traditional non stop eating feast. They are my Godparents and 2nd Parents. Livita, my cousin (but is more like my sister) surprised me with a birthday cake.

Tuesday we went to "La Loma", that's what we call the mountain where the Rodriguez side of the family lives. They are awesome...love you guys.
Wednesday was quite the day. Tropical Storm Omar was headed to Puerto Rico so everyone started to prepare for it. The government closed at noon and everyone headed to the grocery store...hehehehe. I say this because we stopped at the grocery store to buy some stuff I wanted to bring back home and OMG it was packed. It was weird because at the time there were no real signs of Omar. It was kind of exciting that we would be there for the storm. Well after all the preparation the storm moved away from PR so all we got was just a bit of rain in the middle of the night.

Whenever I go home I get together with my high school girlfriends...Rosaida, Sandra & Myrna. Three great ladies.

Our final night there was so nice...more food and family. Thanks to everyone for everything. We really enjoyed you all.

Gracias a toda mi familia y amistades. Especialmente Mami!! La pasamos tan bien y disfrutamos encantidad. XXOO

Getting Ready

I'm so excited that we leave on Saturday to go to Puerto Rico to see my Mom and my wonderful family & friends. The only bad thing about the trip is the dreaded "Packing". Yeah I hate to pack, doesn't matter where I'm going...I just hate it. I can never decide what clothes to take so then what I do is over pack. I always end up taking way too many clothes that I don't wear. This time around it's going to be different. Yep you heard it it's going to be different. I will not over pack especially with the airlines charging for every checked luggage. Pretty soon they'll charge to use the bathrooms. They nail you when you buy your ticket and then the get you again when you check in. Although I did get an awesome deal on the tickets.

My Mom has a party planned for Saturday. Friends and family are invited as well as neighbors I've known since my parents moved to Puerto Rico in 1969. It will be so much fun. All of the parties Mom throws are great...she is quite the hostess. It's all about family, friends, food and fun and oh yeah some good Sangria. =)

Jones-Rodriguez-Zepeda Family Pictures

Yesterday, the Jones, Rodriguez and Zepeda Families went to have our family portraits taken. We've really never had one done before and since Jim & I are going to Puerto Rico next week we thought it would be nice to surprise Mami with one. Of course as well as all my other family members out there. I'm really pleased with how they turned out.
Jim & I
Jamie & Normando
Art, TJ, Suyzel & Isela
We also took the opportunity to do individual family ones as well as some of just us girls and the boys.

Kids Game

Yesterday was such a fun day for us. We started the day by going to Isela’s Soccer game. She really likes it especially after she scored a goal. Of course we all started yelling and celebrating. She looked straight at us with the biggest smile on her face. It was so cute.

Then we were off to the Springs to watch Taylor’s Football game. He looks so grown up in his uniform. Amazing how time goes by so fast. Kaylie and Alyssa along with some of their girlfriends were the unofficial cheerleaders. Tara and Bronwyn were also there to cheer the team on. =)