The Dallas Arboretum Part I

Earlier this month we had a chance to visit the Dallas Arboretum with my neighbor and friend Fonda & her grandaughter Lanie. It was a huge and beautiful garden. We could not have picked a better day to visit because the weather was perfect. We spent the afternoon their, Nathaniel and Lanie showed no signs of slowing down. I might have gotten carried away with my picture taking but it was just a wonderful place to see.

Nathaniel and Lanie strike a pose.

Nathaniel could not get over the fact there were so many pumpkins.

I had never seen so many pumpkins in one place but all the colors, shapes and sizes looked so beautiful.

Nathaniel inside the pumpkin hut.

The Dallas Arboretum Part II

Wanted to take a closer look at the goat, sheep and other animals.

Nathaniel couldn't get enough of the pumpkins.

Nathaniel and Lanie had a bench just right for them to rest on. They look sooo....... cute.

Day at the park with Isabella

Amanda is another really great friend I can actually say I have. We go back a little way. She and her husband Chris attended our wedding in Vegas. She also has three children and Isabella is her youngest. We both have family ties in San Antonio and have been here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for approximately the same time frame.

Amanda and I made it a point to get together and take the kids for a play date at the park. It was a cool morning and a slightly warm afternoon. The weather was great. Isabella and Nathaniel are feeding the hen. Nathaniel calls it chicken.

Time to feed the ducks.

Isabella and Nathaniel are taking a break. They had been chasing the squirels all over the park and Amanda & I just kept following our kids.

Nathaniel is really enjoying his break.

Ah...... how restfull this looks.

Isabella and Nathaniel appear to be having a great time.

Nathaniel is trying to keep up with Isabella. He looks like he is doing a pretty good job.

Weeeeeeeeeeee......... and away we go. Way to go kids.

Nathaniel and Isabella pose for a picture on their way up to play. Unfortunately, it appears that our camera is acting up from time to time because some of these photos have a huge blue tint to them. However, these pictures are still worth sharing.

Play Date with Vargas kids

Brianna and Andrew are only two out of three children my wonderful friend Michelle has. I consider myself pretty fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet and get to know her. She and I rely on each other quit often for just about everything. Especially since we don't have family here. We try to get together as often as possible so the kids can have some fun.

Brianna and Nathaniel decided they both wanted to sit on the recliner. It worked out great since they both fit.

Here they look pretty comfortable and I can't recall what it was they were watching. Whatever it was it had to be a compromise because Brianna likes to watch little girly movies and Nathaniel is pretty hooked on his little boy movies.

As you can see Nathaniel just could not resist looking up at Andrews plate to see how he was doing with his lunch. Looks to me like Andrew was doing just fine and Nathaniel needed to work on his lunch some more.

It was time to fill their little tummies with fuel. For lunch the kids had a ham & cheese sandwich, goldfish and grapes, mmmmmmmmmm........ yummy.

Brianna holds on to Nathaniel as Andrew looks on.

Here the kids are trying to run from the ball with the furry tale. It opperates on batteries and spins every which way. I believe at first they were trying to figure out what it was. They appear to be having a great time.

The kids are in Nathaniel's room which is currently being used as a playroom.

Andrew and Nathaniel playing in the Thomas the train ball pit.

Family Labor Day visits

My sister Minnie came up to visit over the Labor Day weekend. She was scheduled to arrive while we were gone. I had taken Nathaniel to his Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) lessons, which we attended everyday in the late afternoon. I recall I was excited because my sister was coming to visit. When we arrived at home Steve and my sister were already here. Steve had come out to greet Nathaniel and I. When I entered the house I went to look for my sister in the guest bedroom she would be stayin in. As I was looking for her my mother sneaked up from behind me to greet me. I was joyfully surprised to see my mother. I recall upon seeing her I yelled with excitement and then cried tears of joy. It was very moving for me and for all those around. They all know just how much I long for my family back home, especially for my mother and I just feel like she is missing out on so much with Nathaniel. For those of you who know us, know that my mom doesn't visit very often because she doesn't have the means to do so on her own. Fortunately, my siblings have made some visits and taken advantage of opportunities to bring my mother along. We like to cherish and capture these priceless moments.

Nathaniel is the reason for these photo opportunities. Here we are seen with Grandma Lupe (my mother), and Aunt Minnie.

We had just finish eating a late lunch at Fresco's Mexican restaurant. It is about as good as it gets here in the Fort Worth area that we live in. We have learned to get by on it and realize that it doesn't compare to the food we can eat when we are in San Antonio. Nathaniel had all his grandparents and his aunt Minnie in town the same weekend. Boy...... he was busy learning alot about his family.

Nathaniel & Curious George

Nathaniel insisted on taking Curious George for a ride on his Tonka dump truck.

George appears to be enjoying his ride and Nathaniel doesn't seem to mind the work.

Oops....... looks like George had a little accident but in the end he appears to be ok.

Nathaniel loves to cuddle up with George. He also felt that George needed a pamper so he took it upon himself to put one on him.

Vasquez Wedding - Houston 2008 II

Nathaniel and his cousin Alexis.

Nathaniel and his Uncle David and Aunt Diana.

Nathaniel and his Uncle Louis and Aunt Irma.

Nathaniel and Daddy groving to the beat of the music at Christopher's (Steve's cousin) wedding.

Here are the youngest kids at the wedding. Now Nathaniel could not figure out who Alexis was and he was just to shy to play.