Summertime Visitors

After waiting months and months, I finally got to see some of my family again when they came to visit us here in sunny California.  My sister Charisse's family, Mom, Dad, & Dave all came which meant I got 10 days of visitors!  It has been pretty crazy around here.

Naturally, we started off our fun in the sun.  (Don't look at Luis's legs...he's pretty self-conscious of how white they look.)

Later, some of us crashed...

...some of us cooked...

...some of us played...

...and some of us read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom all alone.

The Fourth of July at Newport Beach

We had the fun idea to spend the 4th at the beach.  We knew it would be crowded, but never anticipated driving around for 1 1/2 hours looking for a parking spot.  It was nightmarish.  When we finally decided to give up and go home, a spot magically opened up.  So we stayed.

At night, we skipped out on fireworks, and instead popped some poppers and ate firecracker popsicles.



We also spent more time at the pool, Heritage Park, and church, but I guess I didn't get pictures of those.

Disneyland
On Day 5 of the vacation, our second batch of visitors arrived and we headed off to Disneyland!  It was so much fun to be there with kids...especially ones who constantly asked to ride with me on every ride.  You know you're on kiddie rides when the wait is only 15 minutes.  It was quite refreshing!

This may be my favorite picture of the trip.  Doesn't Lily's nap look comfortable?

That first night of Disneyland fun, I stayed with my family at the hotel while Luis stayed at our apartment since he still had one more day of work.  Since our wedding, I have never spent a night away from him and I HATED it!  Luckily brother Davey was there to comfort me.

Lu had never been to Toontown before so we made sure to stop there.  And yes, that is Davey dancing behind us. 

You can tell we all had a great time the entire day!

On the last night with everyone, we ate at one of the restaurants.  It was yummy and something I've never done before in Disneyland.

The last day of Disneyland was only the Medicos and I.  We had taken so many pictures the other three days, that I only ended up with one on this day.

I loved having my family here to visit me.  Of course, I've been a mess since they left - crying on and off throughout the days - but I'm sure that will pass.

So, who's next, dear family?

My One Talent

I realize that most of you are multi-talented and good at just about everything.  I'm pretty novice at this and that, but the one thing I am experienced with is crocheting...unless its baby booties (let's just say the one pair I tried many years ago would have made a more suitable diaper than shoe).  My current project has been in the works for quite some time, and is finally finished!  I have a special purpose in mind for this afghan, but for now I will remain mysterious and vague.

Pretty Food is Overrated

I'm pretty fed up with seeing pictures of everyone's perfect looking food.  Why does food have to look perfect in order to taste great?  It doesn't.  In fact, it doesn't even have to look good.  Sometimes nasty-looking food tastes great.  That would be the case 99% of the time in my kitchen.  I'm sure people are just trying to taunt me with their Kraft-Food-magazine-worthy-photos, but I don't care.  I'm posting my ugly blueberry muffins anyways.  And by the way, they were fabulous.

Wicho's Cumpleaños

Remember me promising to tell you about the tent in our living room?  Here goes.

It all began in the year 1982 when a baby Wicho was born.  Little Wicho loved all things nature and grew up loving the great outdoors, including camping.  A little Creampuff was also born; however, she didn't love camping quite so much.  The two grew up, fell in love, and got married.  Throughout the years, Wicho kept asking to go camping and Creampuff kept reminding him they didn't have a tent (much to Creampuff's relief).  Wicho's birthday came around and he cleverly asked for a tent (much to Creampuff's dismay). 

The two went in search for a tent the week before his birthday.  They found a 5-man tent and snagged it up right away.  Upon arriving home, they began to set up said tent.  Sadly, the poles were broken.  Wicho cried.  Creampuff smiled.  They took it back and exchanged it for a smaller, but more reliable tent.  Wicho smiled and Creampuff cried.  Now, they have a tent and can in fact go camping.

Tent 1 

Tent 2

camping trip #1

Since Wicho got his presents a week early, Creampuff didn't want him to receive nothing on his actual birthday.  She settled on a TOY he's been wanting ever since he saw friend Bennett with one (Bennett is 2 years old).

Wicho also requested German Chocolate Cake with German Chocolate Cake Frosting.  Creampuff wasn't sure how to decorate it, but her mother gave her this great idea.  Her sister Amber should feast her eyes on this cake which, may I mention, is the FIRST cake Creampuff ever decorated.  She's really talented.

For dinner, Wicho chose Home Town Buffet.  They enjoyed the food and even got a free birthday hat.  Oh wait, that's the hideous lighting.

After stuffing themselves past all belt-holes, Wicho & Creampuff slumped back home, let their stomachs deflate, and enjoyed some YuMmY cumpleaños cake.

Little Wicho had a very happy birthday.

Great Harvest

I just wanted you to know, we found Great Harvest.

The end.

What Luis Has Been Doing

Now that Luis is out of school for the summer, you're probably wondering what he's been up to.  Let me take you into the secret life of Luis.

The other day, Luis was playing with our camera and found our banquet pictures.  I don't know where they disappeared to or how they came back, but just so you know, I am NOT crazy.  I'm thinking Luis rigged the camera to get back at me.  He claims I hide his things and then "find them" for him when he can't just so he'll remember how much he needs me.  For the record, this is absolutely not true.

 Remember those colored pencils I gave Luis two Christmases ago?  He finally opened them up to work on his tiger picture.

For our hike, Luis busted out his dragon-painted walking stick he made last Halloween.  It was very helpful when we had to ford some rivers.

Lu also helped me put together this "noodle game" tutorial.  Some of you have been asking me how to play the "noodle game."  Well, prepare to be enlightened.

STEP ONE
Buy some noodles from the local dollar store.


STEP TWO
Cut apart noodles using a sharp knife or box cutter.

Cut them about 2 inches long...

 ...until you have a buch.

STEP THREE
Learn the game by viewing one of the videos below.

Beginner Version

Advanced Version

You may be wondering, "Was that a tent I saw in their living room?"  Yes it was.  More on that excitement in a later post.

And that is some of what Luis has been doing.