Happy Father's Day!

Cole, Christian and I Love Our Poppa Bear!

After our already VERY fun weekend the festivities continued on Sunday. Juan spent the morning with his dad and brother practicing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and juicing (a couple of his dad's favorite hobbies). When he got home Gisele and I were suited up and ready for a day at the Rowland Ranch, celebrating with my Poppa Bear.


My dad is a HUGE fan of Santa Fe Meats marinated meat. Living up in the country he doesn't make it down to Chula Vista very often, so I picked up a couple pounds for his special day. He grilled, Allison made awesome guacamole and margaritas. And of course we all PLAYED!!

Gisele was a champ in the pool! We really should get her in swimming lessons. She LOVES the water and wants to be a part of everything (including rowdy games of basketball). My  Dad, Juan, Christian and I started a game of 2 on 2 but Gisele's little eyes started watering up...she wanted to be a part of it. So precious. We changed it to 3 on 2 but even then her abilities were limited and she started to cry again...she really wants to play with the BIG kids and be able to hang. My selfish self wants to keep her little for a while longer but it will be fun when she can really jump in (and swim).

Gisele also enjoyed riding around on her and Christian's boat... chasing after Cole and bopping him on the head. It is so fun watching the three of them play together. Cole and Christian are so good with her. Making sure she is safe and ALWAYS keeping her entertained. The other day Juan pointed out that when they are older they are going to look back and be like "remember when?" Three Amigos.

After some pooling Gisele, Cole, Christian and Juan bounced the rest of their energy out on the trampoline. It was so fun watching Gisele try to jump as high as Cole and Christian. "Look at me! Look at how HIGH I am jumping!!"

Bringing me be back to my childhood my dad busted out the ICEE stuff. Cherry ICEES...Mmmm! Actually come to think of it...I didn't even have one! Next time. 

Brain Freeze!!!

Latest Addition to the Rowland Ranch. Meet Dali. I'm not a dog (or pet for that matter) person but I will say she is very well behaved and very sweet. She is trying to win my heart...we shall see.

Practicing with Papa Milton for Father's Day.

Papa's Day Pt. 2

 
Part 2 of Juan's "Papa's Day / Extra Lovin' Day" we decided to go to evening mass at our Church, Corpus Christi.  We usually go on Sunday mornings but it was a nice change. It was fun seeing different faces and ending the day that way.


<<<How sweet are they? 

Mass was so beautiful and Gisele was extra vocal during the songs. Sometimes she hums or tries to sing along to one song, but on Saturday she was singing multiple songs! So sweet! I love watching her shake fellow parishoners hands and say "peace be with you."  Isn't that what it is all about, love and taking care of one another? I just love the "sign of peace" part of the mass and watching Gisele participate in it melts my heart.

At the end of mass they had a beautiful blessing for the dads. It was lovely (minus the fact that Gisele was talking to me when they asked "the dads to please stand up" so of course we stood up, not hearing the announcement...whoops LOL) and very special seeing all of the dads up there. After mass we took Bisabuela in the back to take a few pictures and of course let Gisele play in her "house".

Taking pictures in her house aka gazebo. Bisabuela wanted a picture with St. Francis.

We will miss having Bisabuela here. It was so nice having her visit!

The Ladies.

How cute are these candy bars they had for dads!

Papa's Day Pt. 1

We had quite a few special men to celebrate on Father's Day. So I decided Saturday would be Papa's Day...a special day where Gisele and I give Juan extra lovin'. 

Kisses all day!

We started the day off by letting Juan sleep in, we made breakfast, picked a flower and laid out all of the special crafts Gisele made for him. We had such a lovely morning. Then it was time to enjoy the day...Papa's choice. Considering what a beautiful day it was...he asked for a beach day (great choice Papa!).  I packed a picnic. We put on our swim suits and Rainbows...then we hit the road. Coronado bound!

Nothing but blue skies, warm sand and cool salty water. Gisele had a blast jumping over waves, racing through the water, building sand castles and being silly with Papa.

Seaweed Tails. Towel Time Tickles.

Wave Jumpers. Speedy Runners.

After picnicking (look at our healthy eater) and enjoying Mother Ocean we decided to "go on an adventure."

We walked down to the Hotel Del Coronado, admiring the beautiful houses along the way. Yes, even Gisele enjoys looking at the houses. My favorite was when she said "Look!! That one looks like a castle!!"

Hotel Del Coronado and Moo Time Ice Cream....perfect end to the afternoon. It didn't occur to me until later in the day that it was the first time Juan and I have been back to Moo Time (together) since our first date in 2008 (awwww lol). 

BOWLING

Juan's Abuela and Tio Manolo have been visiting from Puerto Rico and their little California vacation was coming to a close so we decided to kick off Father's Day weekend and go bowling. Friday after work we all met at Eastlake Tavern + Bowl. Apparently Cecile (Juan's Mom) used to play a lot and hasn't picked up a bowling ball in a while, so of course she was ready to play. Juan, Milton and I had just finished a long work week and were ready to play. And Gisele...oh man was she excited! It was her first bowling experience and she had no idea what to expect but man was she ready to go. We couldn't get out the door fast enough. When Gisele is excited it is infectious...she bounces up and down and flaps her little hands (I should post an excited video). So of course we were all very excited to show her what bowling is all about. Our outing turned into a funny game (is that what you call it in bowling).

Gisele LOVED bowling and pretty much took over my turn and parts of Papa's turns as well...not to mention the fact that she had her own spot in the lineup. She couldn't get enough! (PS How adorable are those little bowling shoes?!)

The bowling alley had an awesome little guide for kids to use. They even had it set up so that the bumpers popped up on Gisele's turns. Very kid friendly! ^^^ Her smile glows....she had a big grin like that all night!

Abuela Sandwich. Twinsies Cecile and Abuela Carmen aka Gisele's Bisabuela.

It has been so much fun having Juan's family in town. I didn't get to know his Tio Manolo as much as I would have liked but I definitely got to spend some quality time with his Abuela and I just loved her! She is such a beautiful woman with a wonderful spirit. I wish she lived closer. I guess we will just have to visit her in Puerto Rico (twist my arm).

I don't have time for a picture...Is it my turn?! Bowling with Tio Manolo.

Getting Gisele to hold still for a picture was rather difficult...if she wasn't rolling a ball down the lane then she wanted to be helping whoever was, cheering or asking "is it my turn now?" 

Silly and Sweet little G. If she isn't making me laugh she's melting my heart. Love her so much!

Bowling Star!

Such a fun night! Round 2 anyone?

Celebrating the Sacrament of Confirmation

St. Pius X Church

When Juan and I first started dating he used to tease me saying he was a "Level 2" Catholic and I was a "Level 1." That might sound odd to you guys but it always made me giggle. Juan was raised Catholic, whereas I only found my way to the Catholic Church a couple years ago (well I was around it throughout my life but chose to take classes and be confirmed in 2009). That said he was not a practicing Catholic when we first started dating and I was. I think it was his way of saying, yes we share the same faith and acknowledging that he knows it is a big part of my life without getting too serious about it. 

In the beginning I never invited Juan to Church. I wanted him to freely join me and not feel like he had to come. Over time he started asking about it and taking more interest until the day came that he started going to Church with me! What a blessing. It felt so great to know that he was coming for himself and of course partially for me. One day after mass Juan's mom told him he never finished his confirmation classes. We were both surprised and I teased him...Who is Level 2 now? Haha. Shortly there after Juan decided he wanted to finish his classes and be confirmed. 

Juan with Bishop Cirilo Flores

To my surprise he jumped right in...talking my ear off after every class (of course I LOVED that). We both agreed that him going through his confirmation class at his age now (versus when he was a teenager) was a huge blessing. He actually took the time to listen, decide for himself and apply what he was learning to his life. Every class was a special experience and so fun for me to hear about. I remember when he had his first class...I was SO NERVOUS. What if the teacher is terrible and he never wants to go back. Much to my excitement his first class was great! He came back so excited to tell me all about it, he even asked the teacher for a copy of the test they took for me to take (so cute!). Anyways, Juan just finished his classes at the end of May. 

On May 31st Juan was officially confirmed in the Catholic Church and I got the privilege of being his sponsor! What a joyful beautiful day. For a good solid week that day was on both of our minds and still brings smiles to our faces when we talk about it.

Juan getting confirmed by Bishop Cirilo Flores

So Happy!!

Milton, Christina, Me, Juan, Cecile (J's Mom), Carmen (J's Abuela), Manolo (J's Tio), Eli (Cecile's Husband)

Family and Friends. Thank you for coming!

Opening Presents

How did I get so lucky?!

All Smiles!

Party!!!

Memorial Day

One of these days I will post closer to the actual date the event happened :)

Memorial Day weekend Abuelito Milton (Juan's dad) wanted to have a BBQ to kick off the summer. When he offers to cook for us...we do not turn it down!! Check out the tasty treats we enjoyed!

Grilled Veggies. Cold Coronas. Homemade Salsas.

Smoked (for 8+ hours) Pulled Pork that was so moist and delicious it fell off the bone. Homemade Chips.

And the awesome company:

Christina. Milton. Christina's Mom.

Chef Extraordinaire Abuelito Milton. Milton (Juan's bro).

Yvette & Grandson

US.

The kiddos wanted to practice Hapkido with Sensei Milton. Post practice. Sweaty boys.

P.S. Those are cookbooks in the background, Abuelito Milton actually reads them for fun and incorporates the new ideas into his cooking. And that my friends is why we never turn down a meal (and of course a chance to see him).