Bella Blanket

Aunt Desi made Bella this lovely blanket with Bella's name embroidered on the top.  Bella likes it so much that she drags it off her bed area and then plays with it.  This photo was taken after she dragged it in to Rafa's office to play and then got tuckered out : )

Tulsa January 10'

Every year during either January or February I take a trip to Tulsa to spend a weekend with the kids, Zared, Zailey, and Zaid, but this trip was a huge family affair with almost everyone involved at some point during the trip.  My Aunt Danielle even flew in as a surprise from the East Coast!  I long to be closer to my family, but really appreciate these moments when I can be reminded of how great my family really is!

My first evening...

Italian dinner and kids....

Tea Party!

Slumber Party, but no slumber ; )

Evening out with sis and aunts...

The trip was so great that the minute I got to the airport I started searching flights to go back.  That is how much I miss my family : )

Haiti Needs Your Help

With the devastating 7.0 Earthquake that hit Haiti on Tuesday, the country is in dire need of your help.  It is simple to help; via the Red Cross send a $10 donation by texting ‘Haiti’ to 90999.  There is no reason not to...

Winter Rafting?

I am not sure what compels guys to be guys, but these guys decided it would be "fun" to go white water rafting in the middle of winter.  I am not a big fan of rafting even in 90 degree weather.  But kudos to them for not letting winter limit their adventures.  Rafa had to cut the day short since we had early dinner plans with friends, but sounds like he had fun none the less.  And is it me, or do these guys look ornery enough to be hiding a some secret story?  Something perhaps they aren't willing to share with the wives : )

Since we moved into our new house a year and three months ago, Rafa and I have been members of the neighborhood association of Sylvan Highlands.  We have been passionate since day one of keeping our neighborhood clean, safe, and of course valuable.  Since then, I have become a board member as Street Representative, while Rafa has so kindly taken on the role of website designer and guru.  When you get a free chance, check it out...

www.sylvanhighlands.org

Great job Rafa!

Natural

The photo on the right are of my niece and nephews; Zaid, Zailey, Zared. It was taken February 8th, 2008, almost two years ago. The best photos of children are the natural ones, not the ones that you say, "Ok, everyone get together for a photo; sit here, sit there". Yet, in the case here, I said just that, "everyone get together for a photo", and I admit, mostly for the selfish reasons of trying to get the best shot. But what I didn't say was, "Zared, reach your arm all the way around to other side of your brother Zaid so that Zailey is over squeezed", or "Zailey, squeeze your brothers so tight that your fingers give a little claw into one and almost cause another to loose his eye". "And oh, don't forget to give the best looks too". Nope, what you see here, is not staged, not directed. It is something so naturally tender and joyful, that you cannot help but smile everytime you look it at. This is what photography means to me; to get a sense of something bigger than yourself in a single moment. And while the little guy may not have been happy to be in that spot right then, years to come, when he is older, he will look back on this photo and smile too.

Impromptu Phoenix Trip

I received a surprise bonus this year from W+K and since Rafa couldn't take time off from work, I decided to join a couple girlfriends in Phoenix, AZ.  While we went with the idea that it would be at least 75 degrees, we arrived to one of the coldest winters they have had in a while, about 55 tops.  While most of my travel is always completed with nothing but good things to say, I have to admit it wasn't one of my best trips.  Things were just kind of amiss and I got sick the minute I arrived (Rafa got sick too but was in Portland, must have caught the same bug).  Don't get me wrong though, we had many fun moments and I am thankful that I was even able to go, let alone have a week and half off from work paid.
Right, view from hotel room.

On day one, Olimpia and I arrived much earlier than Becca, so we took a little jaunt to the grocery store to pick up some goods.  We bumped into this lovely little environmentally and oh so scrumptious place.  They had affordable, healthy, and fresh foods.  We spent I think two hours here!

 Can't believe it!  They have Tillamook Cheese!

Since Beeca still hadn't arrived, we ate and ate!

 And not one, but two pieces of Pecan pie.

First full day together, we went hiking at Squaw Peak, happily, we all made it to the top without a fuss!

Ended the afternoon with shopping at Old Town Scottsdale...

Ended a very long evening of deciding where to eat at Marcelino's, a very fine Italian Restaurant...

FRESH Pasta : )

While at the restaurant, our waiter encouraged a little road trip.  We were already planing to go to Sedona, and thought we would head to the Grand Canyon too.  However we were advised against that (too far) and took the advice from our waiter and went wine tasting in two small towns after Sedona. Right, Sedona.










Here we are at the winery in Cornville.  I was surprised to learn that grapes do really well in extreme environments.  In the desert the temps can swing so widely in a 24 hour period that it brings the best out of them. 

Cornville yard decor....

We then headed out to Jerome, it was a cute little mountain town at, I believe, 3500 feet elevation.  It was snowing when we arrived but was perfect image for seeing the houses all built into the side of the mountain.

We also partook in wine tasting here too, not as good as the first place, but nice nonetheless.

We ended the long day with more Italian food, but this time take out, and oh so delicious.  We had purchased a bottle of wine from one of the wineries and decided to just hop in our pj's, turn on a movie, and just veg.  I think we are getting older!

The last day Becca had to leave early to get home to Shahin for his birthday, he is a New Years baby : )  So Olimpia kept ourselves busy by going to the movies, eating some more, and finally ending up in the airport on New Years Eve, playing cards : )

Happy New Year (first class upgrade on our flight!!)  I guess things weren't that bad ; )