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.