Lucy and I started our vacation in the U.S. with a visit to Tia Alma's where Tio Manuel, Cousin Jr and Gaby welcomed us and the rest of the clan to celebrate the 4th of July!

Jim and I went on our annual trip, "wine tasting"! When we arrived Jim felt great but the way back home was a different story.

The 2011 Family Reunion took place in Catalina Island. We had a great time but Jim and the kids were determined to find Santa in Catalina. When that didn't work, Uncle Vinny and Lucy had to get tough till the found him then moved on to zip lining, milking bulls and bike riding.

Awe, family time with the cousins in San Bernandino; we had a nice family dinner then moved onto water balloon wars!

Lucy and I had a great visit with Tio Roy, Tia Maribel and Angelina. Lucy went swimming and for a bit of Bungy jumping with Angelina.

During our trip to California this summer we took a short trip to NC to see Aunt Sandra and Uncle Vinny. It was great since they were also celebrating their 9 year Wedding Anniversary - how much better does it get than visits to amusement parks and museums. We have a wonderful time and expect to be there for the next 50 so get your season passes now!

During our trip this summer to California to spend time with family - we thought it would be fun to take the kids on a bus ride to Gage Bowl. Unlike their parents, who used the bus, their legs or a single skate as transportation - the bus ride was a new concept to getting somewhere. A few of the comments my mom and I had to respond to: "why isn't the bus here" (as we walked out the house and the sweet child looked on from the porch), "why are we still walking to the bus stop", "why are these people waiting here" (at the bus stop), "why couldn't we just drive there", "why do I have to tell the bus driver I'm only 3?" (to avoid paying), "where are the seatbelts", "why does it smell", "why is that man drinking out of a bag"....oh, so sweet. They had a great time at the bowling alley and the next day we talked about the pro/cons of riding the bus.