Handmade treasure

My sister Lisa surprised me on my trip to NY with a new outfit that she made for Lily. I absolutely love it and it looks so cute on her! Here's some shots of Lily modelling her new onesie.

NY trip

We just returned from our trip to NY. It was just the kids and I (Luis had to work). I was so proud of myself for making my first trip alone with the kids. The drive there and back was perfect! The boys were so good and Lily (although not feeling well on the return trip) was a super traveller! It was such a blessing to be able to stop with my friend Jennifer in Virginia both ways as well. Our kids loved playing together and she and I made up for lost time! Our trip was packed with adventure, and I am exhausted, yet happy. Here's some memories!

OK, so I am not going to notify Food Network or anything (since Josh's arm was hurting after stirring for 30 seconds), but they love to create in the kitchen! Some day they'll make great dinners for their wives! (Hopefully something a little more tasty than Mac and Cheese and Tuna sandwiches, although if Luis made that for dinner for me one night, I'd be thrilled just not to have to cook!!!)

A Tribute...

Today marks the second anniversary of the passing of Luis's father. He was such a sweet man, and we miss him! A couple of weeks ago, we unpacked our home videos, and watched our trip to New York. We were so glad that we took those videos, because it was priceless to see him at the Baseball Hall of Fame and at Niagara Falls. He was like a kid in a candy shop. We were also so grateful for the opportunity to move back to South Carolina when we did. We had no idea how much time he had left, but the Lord did, and we were so blessed to be able to share the last two of his years living across from him. He met his grandsons, played baseball with them, and they loved on him every chance they got. One of my favorite memories of the last year of his life was driving around Hampton with he and the boys in the car singing "Amapola" to my Andrea Bocelli CD. He would sing a little, reminisce a little, and sing some more.

Descanse en paz, Suegro...nos vemos pronto!

Tomas Parra Camacho
1924-2008

endless summer nights...

Growing up in my house, summer was the absolute best time of the year. Warm summer days, and cool nights, laying out under the stars for hours, kick the can with the neighborhood kids, and catching fireflies in the field behind our house. Tonight, Josh, Jonathan and I went outside after a big thunderstorm. The air was cool, the ground was sopping...and in the empty field across the street from our house, we began to see, "blink...blink...blink..."FIREFLIES!! We tried for a few minutes to catch some, but we weren't quick enough. It's been years since I have seen them...and this was a first for my boys. What a special treat and one of the great memories I have of growing up in our house in the country!