Sleeping on the Tramp

Last night we slept (hardly) on the trampoline with the kids. There are a couple of things that one ought to be warned about when contemplating spending a night on the trampoline in Southern Texas:

1. The Mosquitoes are like nothing you've ever seen before. Go ahead and bathe in Off before leaving the house. Even then, have plenty of anti-itch cream in the house for the morning.

2. The humidity here is incredible. Be prepared to wonder if you peed on yourself in the night when we wake up. You will be that wet. That's if you actually make it to the morning. If you don't, just be ready to spend an entire day doing wash because everything you brought outside will be wet and (soon) mildew-y.

We ended up having a good time, even though it wasn't quite like being in Cali. I think we may try round two in California this summer.

The girls really enjoyed hearing my story of when I was a girl. I was sleeping on the trampoline with my cousins, Katie and Stephanie (Lindsay, I can't remember if you were there....forgive me if you were). We were probably around 10 or 11. Their neighbors had a balcony on the second story of the house, which we had perfect view of. Well, as we were laying there, the man neighbor, whom we'll call "Joe" to protect his identity, came out on the balcony to get a little fresh air.....NAKED!! It was quite traumatizing!

Haylie, Katie and Trevor (under a pink blanket). Trevor was less than thrilled about the idea of sleeping on the tramp, and the mosquitoes loved him from the minute we stepped outside.

Honor Roll

Haylie and Mrs. Escobar - 2nd grade

Katie and Mrs. Rios - 1st grade

Both Haylie and Katie made the honor roll at their new school. Considering they've actually only attended school for half the year (because of all our moves), we are super proud of them!

San Antone

Thanks to Trevor's hard work, we got to go on a weekend vacation to San Antonio on his company. I am sad that I didn't get any pictures of the cool resort we got to stay in. It was complete with a water park, trails for riding bikes, outdoor movies and a lazy river! Needless to say, it was awesome - and like nothing we've ever done before (or may ever do again!).

The Alamo

River Walk in Downtown San Antonio

San Antonio Temple

Lots of fun and late nights means little girls get tuckered out at dinner!

It was a great trip. We wish we could drive the short 4 hours every weekend and have that much fun!

Howdy Y'all!

Yes, we made it to Texas! Here are some picture highlights of the past 3 months:

The girls and I took a trip up to Plumas Lake right after Christmas to visit the PL Family.

The annual Gingerbread decorating contest. Always a fantastic time had by all (especially Hu).

And what Christmas break in PL would be complete without a 1,000 piece puzzle?!?! Many-a-mornings were spend working on this bugger (well, mornings, afternoons, evenings and nights!).

Family bowling day in January (Katie spent the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa)

A quick visit to the Newport Beach Temple. By this time (mid-February) we knew we were leaving California and moving to Texas...

Huhtala and her babies came for a visit!

Trip to Balboa

Ruby's on the Pier (oh, how I already miss it!!)

Thanks to Haylie and Katrina for the photo-op

During the packing days, there were desperate times. I love that Haylie fixed a Caesar salad for her and Audra in a pot!

One last trip from our Melines! This picture pretty much says it all.

Getting in our last Disneyland days. Front seat on Space Mountain!

Katie is quite the diva taking a trip to the American Girl Doll store in LA

Lunch with our girls

More Disneyland

These are out of order....

First day of school at Villareal Elementary. This shot is taken in our driveway. We live on an acre out here -- it's the country!

Audra riding her bike in the driveway. She thinks she is big, but she is really just a baby still.

Rasacas are everywhere here in southern Texas. They are these cool lakes that used to be part of the Rio Grande. The make everything look so pretty!

Audra enjoying some watermelon that we bought off a man in a truck on the side of the road.

Thanks to Nana and Papa for making the trek down here and helping us unpack! This day we took a visit to South Padre Island, about 30 minutes from our house.

The beach!

The bridge to the island

Typical landscape as I drive here in Brownsville

This rasaca is right in front of the kids' school. There is no gate or anything! Rasacas are seriously everywhere! We see lots of turtles and ducks in them. Still not sure if people swim in them.

Some random parade going down the street.

Well, that about sums it up. Hopefully I'll update again before another 3 months passes by!

December 2009

This month has flown by -- and thank goodness that it as since I have been rather Grinchy! Christmas in a new place makes Christmas feel a little odd! We have missed all our PL family, but have enjoyed our time with our family here.

December started with a visit from MerriLein! She had a school board meeting in San Diego and I drove down to be with her. We had a great time (except for the part when we paid $20 for one of those street massages --our bodies were badly beaten....)

This picture was taken right before the beating. We were still smiling.

Next, out little Haylie turned 8! Where does the time go? We only let our girls have birthday parties on their even birthdays, so Haylie had really been looking forward to her big party. Unfortunately, since we just moved here, we had no friends to invite! Thank goodness for family! The Kendigs, Grandma and Uncle Blake all joined us for a fabulous party at Chuck E. Cheese!

Happy Birthday Haylie Mae!

Trevor's family made a trip from Utah to join Haylie on her special baptism day.

Haylie and her cousin, Makyla

Beautiful girl

Haylie and Trevor


Happy day!

Tavin (Trevor's brother), Kimmie, Warren (Kisha's (Trevor's sister) husband)

Yes, we made this all by ourselves!!

Poor Trevor works about 100 hours/week (no joke) so he falls asleep every time he sits down. Here he is spending some quality time with his Dad.

Our attempt of the annual picture by the tree.

Little baby Audra

Cute Katie!

Well, it's been quite a year! We started in Plumas Lake, moved in January to Camarillo and moved in October to Corona. Lots of packing and unpacking! To be honest, I am not one bit sad to see this year go! Here's to a more settled 2010!