Valerie's Quinceñeara

We had the opportunity last weekend to go down to LA for Julio's neice Valerie's Quinceñeara. It was a great party-perfectly planned and executed. It was very nice and we had a great time. The birthday girl looked gorgeous! She and Yesenia have a very special bond that I only hope Lucía and I can have forever as well. Lucía was having a great time at the party, then she decided she was mad. We never found out why. What a silly girl.

Hair-before and after

Marco and Daddy on the banks of the Middle

Fork of the American River

Marco, Lucía and Daddy with Abuela in L.A.

Julio and Marco were victims of the hair clippers. I thought I could do it, but I guess I was wrong. Julio butchered Marco's hair, and then he shaved his own off. Next time, we'll splurge and go get the $10 haircuts. It just might be worth it.

I always wanted to be a Jane Austen Heroine.....

and I (julio) am:

Take the Quiz here!

You are Catherine Morland of Northanger Abbey! You love a good Gothic romance - so much, in fact, that you'll fool yourself into thinking you're living one! You are imaginative and naive, which is at once endearing and perplexing. perhaps your heart is TOO pure...but it is adventurous. After all, you love a trip to Bath or a stay at an ancient Abbey.

Mr. Darcy has nothing on me!

Which Jane Austen character are you?

:: E L I N O R ::
I am Elinor Dashwood of Sense & Sensibility! I am practical, circumspect, and discreet. Though I am tremendously sensible and allow my head to rule, I have a deep, emotional side that few people often see. I don't totally agree with this, but this is what they chose for me after I took the quiz. Nikki

Uruguay-ay-ay will always love you!

I just found out that they are having a reunion in Utah for the 60th anniversary of the Uruguay mission. I got an email from Raquel Cabrera of Nueva Helvecia saying they are coming up for General Conference and the reunion. I really want to go! To be able to see them and anyone else from the mission would be so awesome. So, I'm trying to get my frequent flyer miles redeemed so I can go. I'll have to take Marco and we're trying to get a way for Julio and Lucia to come too. Wish us luck!
Ode to the Uruguayos
Humble yet generous
loving yet prideful
funny accents yet expressive
diverse yet united
Penarol/colorado or Nacional/blanco (soccer teams and political parties go together)
devoted to their country
in their own quiet way
wanting nothing more than simple comforts,
happiness, acceptance, love.
A people I came to feel comfortable with, be happy with, accept and love.

Fathers and Sons

As Doug is a now a father of TWO sons and as a father of one son, I wonder what kind of conversations do we, Fathers & Sons, have to look foward to?

We will have to confront that one subject, GIRLS! Or perhaps, something like this about that dreaded moment in P.E. (from the best under-the-radar show ever Freeks and Geeks):



I love this clip!

Congratulations Doug and Michelle!