Californian Spring Break

So...here's what we did for the rest of our Spring Break once we came home.

We took our first trip into Los Angeles to visit the temple.  It is a gorgeous temple!

We mixed things up by trying a new restaurant (at least for me).  I'd never even heard of Claim Jumpers before.  The atmosphere was a lot of fun.

One night, we took advice from some sisters, and had a cheap date at the local B&N where we found many great reads.

With so many page-turners, Lu couldn't decide.

Some little kids were hogging the kiddie table, so we had to settle for the floor.  Luis had NEVER read The Very Hungry Caterpillar or any of the Eric Carle classics.  It's a good thing he's married to a kid-book fanatic who can culture him in all things kid-book.

Not surprisingly, we ended Spring Break with a fav.



Texan Spring Break

At first, Lu & I were just going to hang here in Cali; however, we decided last minute that this might be our best chance to flip over to Texas...at least for some time.  Once summer comes, Luis will be busy with internship and who knows if we'll be able to go once his second year begins.  (We hear year two is the pits.) 

By the way, in case you're lost, our Moreno side lives in Texas...and Mexico.  Unfortunately, the  family agrees that it's too dangerous for me to visit my new tios and tias who live in Mexico. 
There are 30 tios and tias on Lu's side.  I know 9.

Day 1

This is probably going to be interesting only to Mom, but I'll try to mention who these people are.

Luis and Anthony, our nephew

Esmeralda & Ricky, two siblings

Anthony and three cousins, Perle, and the identical twins Yomira, & Yajaira

Aunts & Uncles

Tio Gilberto, Tia Chayo, Dad, Mom, Luis (nicknamed Wicho), Me, Tia Marta, & Tia Sandra

Cousins 

Perle, Eduardo, Yomira (or Yojaira), Lilian, Wicho, Me, Yojaira (or Yomira), Vanessa, & Brenda



Day 2

Luis & I took Anthony to the park for some Frisbee fun.

Check out my sun dress.  Anthony informed me that if we went to the library later, I SHOULD NOT wear that or the kids would laugh at me.  Apparently, people don't wear pajamas to the library.  I must be a real embarrassment to him.

Only in Texas.

For Family Home Evening, Mom taught me how to make baby shoe cupcakes.

They turned out a bit "special" since we were trying to hurry, but I think they could be really adorable.



Day 3
We stopped at a lake before heading to the zoo.  There were a million ducks, pigeons, some geese, and an an absurdly loud woman yelling at her children the entire 30 minutes we were there.

Going to the zoo meant it was time to practice animal faces.  My fishy face was much better than both of these boys...I'm just sayin'.

Luis always tells me I'm "fast as a gazelle" (like in Nacho Libre), so we had to take a picture next to the gazelles.  Too bad you can't see them.

We were having a marvelous time until we came to the scary animals...

lions,

crocodiles,

bears,

and attacking storks!

I'm serious...he was going to KILL me.

Look closely.  Can you see them?  There are two tiny sea horses.  One is black and the other is white.  When we saw them mom said, "Look!  Ashley and Luis."

Day 4

Look familiar?  Tortillas must be my specialty since they always become assigned to me.  (Or perhaps it's because I can't really mess them up.)

This should also look familiar...Luis is eating.

Actually, I took this picture to show you one of the top reasons I love eating "Hispanic-style."

No utensils.

Our last night we finally got everyone together and headed to the park for some fun.

It's been a long LONG time since Luis has played ball with his brothers.  He got whooped.

All Together

Mike (new brother-in-law as of one week ago), Melissa, Anthony, Mom, Dad, Victor, Ricky, Wicho, Me, and Esmeralda.