Project 365-2010 October

Thanks

I just checked on the girls one last time before going to bed. They are both sound asleep in a comfy cozy bedroom. PR Dad is at work, as the retail super star that he is, this is the biggest day of the year at his work. Last year we decided that trying to fit 2 thanksgivings with both our family's in one day is too much. We decided that starting this year we were going to alternate family's for Thanksgiving. This year it was PR Dad's family's turn. We were in charge of pies and we spent the day with family. We all sat at one long table in the back yard. The kids got to go swimming and while Lou napped in my arms I got to watch a movie with some cousins and our nephews. The food was wonderful, the desserts were amazing and The Phi had a blast with her twin cousins and Lou enjoyed being passed around the family.

I missed being with my family for the holiday. I have gushed about my family here many times. We even sent a little poster so that we could be there in spirit...

But today I was reminded that I am also thankful for PR Dad's family. When PR Dad and I were first dating we were out and about and he stopped in front of a house. I asked him where we were going and he simply said "we are going to meet my grandparents". That night and meeting his family really sealed the deal. They were amazing and so much like my own wonderful family. Over the last 7 years I have really become a part of their family. The aunties, uncles and all the cousins are wonderful and I am so thankful to have them in my life. They welcomed me with open arms and I appreciate that so much. All the "Ette's" and all the "twins" are such beautiful, unique, funny, loving and strong young women. I am happy to be part of their family and so glad to gave them as role models for my girls.

Stopping that day and having me meet his family was one of the best things PR Dad ever did. It was the thing that let me let go and fall completely in love with him. Knowing that PR Dad came from such wonderful people showed me a lot about who he is and the kind of husband and father he would be.

It's A Book Jackass

A few weeks ago The Phi picked up the book "It's a Book" by Lane Smith at the library. The illustrations were adorable and I was excited to read it. It turned out to be one of the best kids books we had read in a long time.

A simple, short and sweet story that hit home for us. Joey and I are both frequent facebookers, tweeters and of course bloggers. We are often seen with our eyeballs glued to our iPhones. I recently entered the e-reader crowd when my parents bought me a Kindle for my birthday. The Phi knows what Facebook and twitter are. She can even navigate many kid websites. This story addresses the next tech savvy generation and is a not so gentle reminder of  books. You know hard bound with pages you have to actually turn and not scroll.

 

It was a good reminder for not just The Phi but for me as well. I love books. I love how they feel and smell. Since I was able to I have been a reader.Really I am never not in the middle of reading something.  I can remember when I was a kid counting the days until Mom would take me to Nicholby's book store to get the latest edition of Sweet Valley Twins. I am hoping that our weekly library trips and our daily bed time stories will give The Phi and Lou the same love for book. Actual-physical-hold in your hands kind of books.

Top of the Dome

Joey and I have a love for art. Having 2 kids has not stopped us from enjoying an art show now and then. That's right. We have become "those people". You know the ones in the middle of a crowd of hipsters with the 5 year old in one hand and the 5 month old in a backpack on my chest. That's exactly what we were a few Saturdays ago. We headed to downtown LA to the gallery district to the graffiti art gallery called Crewest. They had an opening reception for an exhibit called "Top of the Dome". A very cool idea, where they gave artist a blank skull and let them do whatever they felt. The reception was packed with lots of cool people, a DJ, and lots of amazing art pieces.

 

I know when we go to these things with the girls there has to be one person who thinks "OMG I can't believe they brought their kids!" But I do not let this intimidate me. When I was a kid an art gallery was something other people went to. I guess I thought they were for rich people. I was intimidated by the idea of fine art. I did not feel like I belonged. It wasn't until I started studying art that I lost that feeling. That I begin exploring art gallery's and museums. I can spend hours at a gallery looking at the same pieces over and over.

George Yepes

I take my children to art gallery's so that they grow up appreciating art and artists. To learn to love different type of art and give them the opportunity to interpret art in their own way. To feel like they belong in places like gallery's and museums. I take my girls also because they are well behaved. Lou can chill and just hang out and The Phi is such a well behaved girl I don't have to worry about her running around or acting like a fool. This makes going to places like this fun and easy for us. Thank goodness! And we take her to opening receptions so she can meet the artists.

On the night of Top of the Dome, the gallery had a small exhibit of George Yepes pieces. And even better, Yepes was there that night.

George Yepes

Art is so important to me. We do what we can to keep a collection in our homes. So we can surround our kids and our home with beautiful things.

It was hot in that tiny gallery and Lou needed some cooling off so Joey took the kids outside for a few.

Me, Phi, Schmonk, George Yepes and our signed print.

When we went up and had Yepes sign out print I was able to tell him a little bit about us and our history with him. One of the first things Joey and I did as a couple was go to an art opening in Santa Monica with my sisters. It was an opening for a George Yepes show. This was back in either late 2003 or early 2004. We got to meet Yepes. When we saw him at Crewest I told him about that art show and how 6 years later we were meeting him again, this time married with 2 babies. He said "he has that effect on people!" haha.

Dia De Los Muertos

Dia de los Muertos is quickly becoming my favorite holiday. A day to celebrate those who have passed. A day not to mourn their loss, but to celebrate their life.

We took advantage of the half priced Halloween make-up, and inspired by Cassie's face painting from Matias' party, in a parking lot Joey painted half of The Phi's face. It came out so good and The Phi looked awesome!!

We headed to the big annual celebration in downtown Riverside. There were altars set up on the street. Filled with candles, photos, food and other momentos.

A section with booth after booth of amazingly creative things to buy.

Every year we add my cousin Roman's name to the big altar on the steps of the museum.

The Phi got to meet "Rosita" from the book "Rosita and Conchita".

And we ran into friends. Here is The Phi and Xixi. Both 5 and both gorgeous little girls. They were excited to see each other.

And of course running into Xixi meant running into her wonderful parents Denise and Michael. If you don't know this family yet, click on their picture below to check out Denise's blog. You will thank me for it.

It was such a beautiful celebration and I love sharing these holidays with my girls.

A Witch a Bat and a Duck

Since Lou's baptism was on Halloween we were able to spend Halloween night with family! The kids got dressed up. After changing her mind like 100 times, The Phi decided to be a witch. And what a cute witch she was! Lou was an adorable duckie and of course Schmonkey dressed up, he was a bat.

Joey drove the girls my Cousin Gabe and his wife drove their girls, and I drove the twins to a park where there is usually a Halloween carnival, As I drove the twins they were so excited. Felix wanted me to drive fast and I told him I couldn't because I didn't want to crash and he said "My Mom has car insurance." Then he yelled "I LOVE CAR INSURANCE!" It was hilarious.

When we got to the park it was empty. I felt so bad because I had talked up the carnival to Gabe and Angie. So I suggested we trick or treating at the houses around the park. It turned out great!

The kids had such a great time and so did the adults! My cousin Gabe and Angie have 2 girls the same age as our girls. They are such great people and so fun to be around. I am so happy we were able to spend Halloween with them!

Nathalie & Sophia BFF's

A Halloween Baptism

When we were pregnant with Lou we discussed who we wanted to be her God-parents. We knew we wanted people who our second daughter could look up to. People who could be role-models. People who will love her as much as we did. The decision to choose my sister Carissa and our brother-in-law Luis was easy. They would be all that a more for our Lou. We asked them after our baby shower and they both were excited to say Yes! After a class and planning a party we baptized Louella at a beautiful church on Halloween afternoon.

The service begins with the famlies all sitting together. The parents, God-parents and baby in the front row. Louella came in a little casual dress. 

We then head to the front door of the church where we introduce our child to the church for the first time. As soon as he Deacon began talking to Lou she immediately started smiling at him.

The service was centered around the children. As the readings from the bible were read, the Deacon invited all the children to come up to the alter and sit with him. Part of her schooling is memorizing bible verses, so here is The Phi listening and contemplating what she heard.

Before we knew it, it was time to strip down Lou and get her into the warm water. She did great and did not cry.

After her dunk into the water, Joey lifted Lou over his head (think Lion King) in celebration. I didn't think Lou would appreciate her nakedness on the internet so no photo but it was awesome. Here she is after her holy swim.

With her original sin gone she was able to put on her white gown. Lou's baptism dress is her Nina Carissa's baptism gown from 1980. I loved that Lou was able to wear her Nina's dress. It was still beautiful after 30 years.

We rubbed the blessed oils onto her curly hair. It smelled so good!

Even my Cousin Pepe took sometime out from "killing bodies" on Call of Duty to be there.

Lou was not the only one to get baptized that day. The Phi poured some water over Schmonkey's head and then lifted him up lion king style. I asked her who his god-parents were and she told me "Angelica and Justin Beiber"

Photo by C. Perez

Family photo on the front steps of the church.

For good luck the god-parents throw coins to the kids! Bolo!!

A better look at her beautiful dress.

Photo by C. Perez

Louella was blessed with so many wonderful gifts. These outfits were all from her Nana and Tata!

Thank you everyone who came and celebrated such a beautiful and wonderful day for our Louella.

Just toss out the camera

I snapped this photo at a birthday party. Vivi was walking towards me. She laughed and I snapped my shutter. I looked at the photo I took and thought, "just toss out your camera, this is thee photo!"

Family Portraits

Family... it means the most to me.

While in Santa Barbara for my birthday weekend we took advantage of the fact that the whole family was together and took some family portraits. I started with the kids at the house.

It's amazing to me to think that just 11 years ago none of these little people existed. And now they are the next generation of our great family.

They are the generation who will have all the benefits and all the advantages this world can give them. The best being parents, aunts, uncles and of course grandparents who will love them unconditionally.

We are working to give each of them a wonderful childhood, and to raise them to be kind and strong people.

My sister Carissa is by far the most "motherly" of the 3 of us. With an 11 year old and 4 year old twins she dosen't break a sweat. She has raised my niece Angelica to be a smart and talented tween. And Lili and Felix are growing and becoming little well rounded people.

What would any of us do without our Mom and Dad? I can only hope to do as good of a job with my girls as they have with theirs.

Our little family.

Growing up I never would have thought I would have such a handsome husband and 2 gorgeous daughters.

The single ones of the family.

Trying to set up the shot!

And this was by far the best photo of the day.