Raccoon hat

This was taken in Santa Fe, New Mexico at their '5 and dime' store at the old town square. Lot of goodies and junks. But we had fun at that store. It's always fun to go to that kind of store.

Jonah didn't want that raccoon hat on but I persuaded him to leave it on long enough for me to snap that picture. I think that hat gave him the willies?

Jonah.

Annabelle wanted to wear it and I was delighted. She kept pushing the tail back before I could snap a picture but in the end I had to hold the tail and snap it. Then she realized that the tail was the important feature of the raccoon hat and left it alone.

Annabelle smiling with the raccoon hat on.

Now where did Jonah go? Yikes.. It is very very hard to keep track of them in that store. Lot of neat stuffs for them to explore and I also want to explore. We were in a constant state of war. The store didn't have shopping carts. Groan.. so it was having to hold their hands and having my arm almost pulled out in different directions. He want to go that way to see the toy guns and she wanted to check out the colorful beautiful Mexican dresses! And I wanted to know where their papa is so he can have one kid with him and one with me.

He's being clever and hiding from me and having fun exploring the store. No fair! But I'm smiling because I know there will be a next time where he will be stuck with those kiddos of ours. Heh.

Our darling little cowboy & cowgirl

It was our first day of vacation beside driving and driving. We were at old town in Austin, Texas. We were sightseeing and came upon a cowboy boots store and we went in. We had a lot of fun trying on those boots and hats.

One of the many many.

Red cowboy kid size hat. We would have bought it for him for his birthday but he didn't want them. I was surprised!

Red boots and red cowboy hat.

Ooh there's a pink one too for girls.

Awesome picture of them.

OOOhhh Annabelle's a beautiful model!

All pinky pink!!!

I marvel how she readily posed for me. Such a beautiful girl! Wow!

She is soo girly girl. I keep trying to remember how I was like when I was her age. I don't recall me being so aware of pretty things.

They are pooped after an all day window shopping down in old town.

Our very own Shoestrings Thieves!

Our kids were playing with those shoe strings for an hour or so. I didn't pay attention to what they were playing with until I felt they were a danger to Jonah. Then I asked them where did they get it. They were giggling and sheepish running away. I knew something was up and I asked them again where did they get it from.

Then I saw where it came from and I laughed.

They took it from their papa's sneakers. OOOOooh Bad kids!

Of course they couldn't restring it back on the shoes.

See those mischievous kids playing with shoestrings.. And see their papa's resignation that he'd have to restring them himself.

LOL!

Bus Woes

Yesterday was their 2nd day of school and they were to have a pumpkin field trip. We got up early again. Their clothes already chosen the night before. They ate little of their oatmeal and got into the van. We got to the bus stop. As soon as the bus arrive, Annabelle was wailing. Jonah didn't have problem getting on the bus but Annabelle did but I got her in. But she would not cooperate. Then the bus attendant said they shouldn't ride the bus and that they're sorry. Jonah had joined Annabelle crying.

I was dumbfounded by all of this. They rode the bus home. I asked them, what's the matter. Of course, I couldn't get to why they were upset.

I drove back home with them to talk to their papa. Wondering if I should drive them to FSDB or not. I knew I didn't want them to miss school because of the field trip.

So I drove them the 45 minutes to FSDB. They were happy to be in their classroom and seeing other kids.

Then I discovered from the teachers that they had hard time putting Annabelle on the bus. Jonah was fine. Then I understood why I felt it was important for them to go on the field trip cuz they would be riding on the bus. I was glad that I drove them down and they'd get more exposure/experiences to riding on the bus.

From what I read in the note from the teacher that they had no problem on the bus with them to the field trip.

My senor was to go and get them at the bus stop yesterday so I can cook dinner and have it ready for them when they arrive home.

Their papa's face was kind of grim and concerned. He told me that the bus attendant says Annabelle has a problem with riding the bus. And gave him a business card.

Then he checked the VP messages, it was from the bus saying that the mother can get in the bus to help buckle them in. Then he told me to call them back today and he looked at the card and realized it wasn't the bus number. It was a business card for behavior program specialist.

We were dumbfound by it all. Our little girl has bus woes.

Then at bedtime last night, Annabelle and I had a talk. She couldn't explain why she didn't like the bus. They were soon fast asleep.

Their papa and I had a talk and we decided that they will stay home today. I will call the behavior specialist and find out what's what.

It's hard to believe that our 4 years old girl has a bus woes. I kept thinking how so many kids have gone through the bus rituals, even ourselves, our parents went through. I keep wondering how many of those has what my girl has. I know she'll overcome it but we just got to be patience and give her time to get used to the fact that she'd have to ride the bus to school and back. There's no escaping it.

First day of school at FSDB

Yesterday was their first day at FSDB. Everything was a first for Annabelle and Jonah. Getting up early in the morning. Having chosen their clothes the night before. Riding the bus. And all. First picture of them before leaving home for school. (eek! I cannot believe how dirty the window are behind them.)

Annabelle and Jonah with their backpack.

(No matter how I comb Jonah's hair down, it always seem to stuck up. Even when I wet it.)

Waiting in the van for the bus to arrive. It was still dark outside.

Here come the FSDB bus.

They would not get on the bus. We have already thought it might happens. I was prepared to follow the bus all the way to FSDB and to let them know they'd be riding the bus daily to school and home.

They're excited to go to school on FSDB campus.

Jonah lagging behind Annabelle.

Jonah has caught up.

Here I am in tears. I was emotionally wrought. My little babies are a bit grown up! Jonah was wailing when I left. Annabelle seem to be okay?

(I was told that Jonah was fine after about 10 minutes and that they had a wonderful day.)

I'm waiting for the bus to come and see my kids. And here it comes.

They're happy to see me and I'm delighted to see them too.

Their first day at school were a success.

Trash Finds!

We were late getting on the road to FSDB for our kids' intake testing when I spied the piles of fabrics on the side of the road waiting for garbage truck to pick it up. I was soo upset cuz we were already late and I wanted to look through those fabrics.. ALLL those fabrics????

My dear sweet senor said, we're already late what's a few more minutes? I just backed up and hopped out of the van and just load them in without inspecting. I was shaking and a wreck when I got in the van. I was giddy with happiness and I also was upset cuz I didn't want to be late for the kids' appointment at FSDB.

Thankfully, they didn't even bat an eye when we arrived so it seem to be a common thing among many parents who come in for intake testing. Whew.

It was sitting in the van for a few days because we were busy with this and that. And finally on a Saturday morning, I unloaded them all.

These are all those bolts I saved from the garbage truck.

It seem few there but golly gee, they were plenty.

I was in heaven!

It was a rare and unexpected treat! And one I truly enjoyed looking through and all.

More 'trash'. It may be another man's trash but it's my treasure. I know there's a saying for that kind but I forget the exact quote. That sentiment fit this perfectly.

Uh oh. Empty bolt fights between those 3 kids. 2 little one against the big one. Seem like the little one automatically teamed up against their big brother Joshua.

And they're having fun!

See their faces? Pure happiness.

More fun!

Folding them up and separating them. They were mainly upholstery fabrics but lots of white fabrics for the backing which I can use in my quilt and embroidery.

The folded fabric stack.

All those empties that we asked our little one to take them out. They just threw it there.

LOL!

More empties!!

I've been blessed!

The two of us pretty girls

I absolutely love love L O V E this picture of us, mom and daughter.

I'd look over that picture over and over and over.

I will have it printed to a 11 x 14.

We had fun trying out those cowboy hats.

Me and my beautiful girl.

Oh my gosh! Is that Burt Reynolds??

I could always mistake my senor for Burt Reynolds at times. He could easily pass to be him. At a certain pose. But I'd think Burt Reynolds is taller? Didja ever see his centerfold picture? Burt was laying down with his arm over his private and he is completely nude? I swoooned at that picture and I realize my senor look just like him. Hairy at the chest just like him. Ooooooh I got my own Burt Reynolds! I am soo lucky! Gigggggggling.. I am so BAD!

My dear senor trying on the boot. And oh, look at that smile! He sure had me all melted.

Gearing up, my senor, he sure is! LOL!

Ooooh!

Ooooh, looky here, a cowboy hat on top and that boot?

Swoooning.....

Isn't he sexy? Me oh my.

All mine! HAHAHAHAHA!!

LOL!

Early morning at Texas Welcome Center!

Here's the first of many many many many photos. Yes I mean many many! I just downloaded over 350 pictures from the first "sim card" and I haven't done the other one and I just checked to see how many photos. Whoa! Over 650!! Me oh my! I'm so glad we don't use films otherwise, we'd be broke or maybe lose some of those films. Or very bad pictures that we can't take a peek to see if it came out good. Eeeww! I'm so glad that those are SO over! :0)

Early morning in Texas. Sun rising up in the east greeting us a Good morning! We've slept a few hours in the van and we're up and done our bathroom business and walking around to stretch those sleepy legs of ours.

Already, Annabelle was climbing up and ready for adventures. I joined in the fun. Jonah too. Ain't we a good sport?

It's their papa turn and he chose this site, the state of Texas with our darling kids.

Just us! I marvel at how blue my eyes were and how brown his were. I love this picture. The soft glow of morning sun lingering.

It's October now!?!? Where have we been?!?

It's hard to believe it's October now! We've been gone most of September on a driving vacation out west as far as New Mexico and Colorado. We had a marvelous time. I think our kids did too, I can't answer for them. LOL.

I haven't download any pictures yet cuz I want to download the other "sim card" before downloading the new one. I have to find it first. Grrr! I just haven't gotten around looking for it. I'm kind of lazy there. I know it is in there or maybe it's in the other place?? Heh. We took a lot of pictures and most of them are repeats of the beautiful scenery in Colorado and New Mexico. And of course, our kids!

What I'll do now is list down the schedules we had while on trip and where we had stopped then later I can add pictures.

We left late morning of Tuesday, August 31 and drove all the way to Louisiana/Texas border. We slept for a few hours in the van at the welcome center in Texas. While we were driving we were talking about how we really wanted to see New Mexico and Arizona but we were stuck with meeting my Senor's brother Jose at Colorado Springs, Colorado. And we originally planned to take his Mama Lola with us and meet Jose then vacation together a few days then Jose and Mama Lola fly to Omaha, Nebraska same time pick up Jasmine. Then we go to ourRCI rental in Vail for a week with Jasmine then drop her off at the airport then we drive to Iowa to pick up Mama Lola and stay a few days before heading back home to Florida.

It was only a few days prior to leaving for our vacation we took Mama Lola along with us to eat out for breakfast. She was having trouble getting into the van and already was sort of complaining. She did not want to get out of van independently, someone has to be there to help her out. She didn't want to walk, wanted to sit in the half "stroller-wheelchair". We try to discourage her from sitting because it is not very comfortable and she really need to walk around more to keep her strength.

I, myself, was really dreading the trip with Mama Lola cuz somehow it will be a burden on me plus having our 2 wee kids. They're still wee although they are growing and growing. They can't belt in their own seat without help. So having them plus Mama Lola. I know my dear Senor will be there to help but it's not the same.

We have already bought 2 one-way tickets for Mama Lola and Jose. We also have already paid and reserved the condo. Isaac decided then that we cannot take Mama Lola with us. It will be too much inconveniences and all. I would not help him in making that decision but when he decided that. I felt all air inside of me whooosh out. Seriously! I was soo relieved and so thankful. I also felt bad for Mama Lola but then she'd not even remember the trip or even appreciate it.

So back to our first day of driving toward Texas, we decided to stop at Austin which again was not even part of our plan. We just changed them all and my senor realize we do not have to meet Jose and decided to cancel meeting with him as well. So picture changed and we suddenly realize we can go here, there, oh yes there too... We were hopeful and excited. He paged his niece Elisa if we could stay at their place??

Sweet Elisa replied we could and what's up? We stayed there 2 nights and had wonderful time sightseeing Austin although we were there before for their wedding. But it was different this time. They had time for us in the evening. Eating out at their wonderful local Mexican franchise, Torchy's Tacos. And going to see all those bats fly out of their bridge to eat up the bugs in the area.

We left early Friday morning driving toward Big Spring and we're still in Texas. It's a huge state. We stopped to check out the deaf community college, SWCID. It really has a nice campus and I was impressed. We stayed at Mark Myers' home. He is my senor's old college mates during Gally days. So they talked and talked and catching up on each others' lives.

Saturday morning we were on the road again driving north to Lubbock to check out the school, SIBI that my senor's brother and his niece and nephew went. Then drove northwest into New Mexico and arrived at Santa Fe at just past dusk. From what we can see, Santa Fe is a beautiful place. We couldn't wait til morning to see if we guessed right. Hoo boy, we did! We were blown away. I right away thought of an old college friend I knew at NTID living here at Santa Fe and tried to find him via Facebook and all. His name is such a common name. And I told my senor I'd not mind trade summer with him. He at our home and we at their home for the summer that way we can explore New Mexico. But, of course, I'd want to see his place first. But we never found him. Just as well.

We stayed at Santa Fe a few days, they had festival right in the middle of their historic section of the town. It was marvelous and we stayed there 2 whole days exploring and all. Eating Indian tacos, and tamales. Going to Indian flea market just outside Santa Fe was an experience for all of us.

Tuesday morning of Sept 7, we stopped at their farmers' market and wowow. It was just as interesting as the festival. Then headed over to New Mexico School for the Deaf. It's a beautiful campus. My senor was hoping to see his old college friend there but it turned out they are in Florida. Funny!! Then we drove up taking the scenic route to Taos. Stopping at old churches and all.

Wednesday morning, we zoomed to Taos Pueblo. The Indians still lives there. We walked around and explored. Then went into town in their shopping hub and there I was sooo delighted to see a quilt store. I was in heaven temporarily. I didn't lounge there long as I'd have liked to but I did get to buy a quilting pattern of chilies sampler. I was happy as a lark rest of the evening. :0)

Then we drove north into Colorado. All the way to Pueblo. It's a nice town and they hold an annual fritos and chilies festival that we would have loved to go the 3rd weekend in September. Grrr! So close!

Thursday morning of September 9th found us driving to Colorado Springs. We stopped at the Seven Falls and we had fun hiking and climbing all those stairs to the top of the mountain. It's soo beautiful. Then when we headed back, my heart was in my throat, looking down and climbing down was harder cuz our kids were pooped and did not want to go down. They also have scraped knees and were whining over it. I couldn't just put Jonah on my hip and just bounce down cuz I was pooped too and sort of scared! I couldn't believe myself. Me scared? But I was more scared for our kids than me. So I knew I'm a true mommy! LOL

I just stepped backward and coaxed Jonah to step down and we did that alllllllll the way down. Our kids really depended on bandages to feel better!! So thank goodness I had packed some and they quiet down once they were on! BAND AIDS!!! Not Mommy!! Boo hooing... LOL!

We headed into town to check out Colorado School for the Deaf. Nice campus and we didn't get to walk around the campus. The security lady wasn't very friendly and we just buzzed off to old town and we decided to stop at a car shop to check out our van's temperature. Ahh Water pump was going bad among other stuffs... Not surprising and we had them to fix half the recommended repairs. And we spent the afternoon there while our van were recuperating.... We walked around since the old town was right around the corner.

Looked for motel after picking up our van and stopped for good ol' Papa John pizza. Then the following morning found us at Colorado Springs' cliff dwelling place. Lots of pictures there to be shown later. We had fun there all morning then we rushed to Denver to pick up my Senor's dear daughter Jasmine.

After getting Jasmine we stopped at a Mexican place which my senor was sorely disappointed. Then we head over the mountain to our RCI resort in Vail. It was a beautiful drive. Mountains and mountains everywhere.

Our place for the week was beautiful. Had a loft which was our bedroom. The kids loved the circular stairway up to our bedroom. Of course we got complaints over our noisy kids! Sigh! We just relaxed and rode their shuttle bus over to town. They had Oktoberfest festival. Went swimming in pool and relaxing outside in hot pool. Cooked out.

Jasmine was seriously considering moving to Colorado and wanted to explore Denver and discovered that she has some old friends living in Colorado and she wanted to visit while she was there. Of course, she's a big girl and we can't keep her with us all the time. LOL! So we drove over to Denver Tuesday to do some sightseeing and same time drop Jasmine at her friends' home.

We went to Denver Zoo and we were impressed and we were there the whole afternoon. We all were starving and pooped out. The wee kids were already fast asleep in the van. We ended up dropping Jasmine at a hotel and she took care of herself and all. As of now she is still planning to move to Colorado. So I know there'll be a repeat trip visiting Colorado in the near future. I'm thrilled for her and also for us! :0)

Wednesday morning we drove south to Leadville, an old mining town that has railroad ride. We rode on the train there and then took the scenic route back to our resort. More pictures later.

Thursday morning found us checking out of our resort and heading over to Utah to Moab. But on the way there we were wondering if it was worth going for just a few hours then another long drive to Grand Canyon and again just for a few hours then more driving to Flagstaff. We checked the Colorado map and realize there is more to see and decided then to drive south and on the most scenic route in Colorado.

It was a hairy drive down to Telluride with a stop at Ouray. At Ouray, we never saw so many Jeeps there and they're proud of their title of Jeep Capitol of the world. And they also happened to have Jeep Weekender event there so there was gazillion of Jeeps!! And it also said the be the Switzerland town in Ouray which was true. Just smaller version.

We got to Telluride and it was late and dark and we didn't bother checking into a motel and just slept in the van. Thank goodness I had all of us to wear socks for it was a chilly night. My senor and I were cold and we look over to our wee kids and they were sleeping looking warm and snug and Boy we were jealous of them.

Finally morning arrived with warm sun! Telluride is a beautiful town. They had free tram ride and said to be the only one in the world to provide that free tram ride and use it as transportation to the next town and parking. They had Brews and Blues festival and my senor was sorely disappointed to miss it for it was $60 per person and we didn't have any lawn chairs or blanket with us so we could stay and enjoy. And we also felt that our kids were too young.

So we just rode the tram and checked our their farmers' market which was right at the entrance to the tram and sight seeing and drove out of Telluride and head south. Our next stop was the Mesa Verde National Park. I was soo happy to get to go there cuz they had old Indians stuffs. Hoo boy, it was the longest entrance and a hairy drive. We were dreading the drive back since it was already late in the afternoon. Then we spied hotel? We weren't sure but when we discovered it was, we knew we were staying there regardless of the price. And we did! And we had a lot of fun. I think I shaved a few years off my life there both days. I'm saving that news with the pictures. I'm chuckling at the memories now. Whew!

Saturday afternoon after the fun and the scare at the park we headed out and stopped at Durango, famous cowboy town. We were already kind of tired and wanted to get out to New Mexico so we didn't get to walk down the historic town of Durango. We stayed overnight at Cuba, New Mexico knowing we had about 2 hours left to Albuquerque. We were too tired to keep on driving and just pulled over.

Sunday, September 19, found us at the Albuquerque State Fair. It was an experience we loved and enjoyed very very much. Have tons of stories from that fair. Again I'm saving the news with pictures.

We left the fair at closing time and drove a bit to look for motel which we berated ourselves for not finding one before going to the fair. Shoot! Then we ended up just drive and drive and drive. Slept a few hours here and there and we arrived home.

Home Sweet Home!