g is for greta

I mean no disrepect when I titled this post. Shortly after Tony and I got married, his abuelito passed away. We flew to San Jose for the funeral. It was the first time I had met many of his extended family. It was a blast! They were so fun to be around. I can honestly say it was the best funeral I have ever been to. I think it is because we believe in our religion that we will be together forever as families so death isn’t as final. Everyone was sad and in shock, but no lasting misery existed. Early last month, Tony’s Grandma Rice died as previously mentioned on my site. It, too, was a shock but a nice opportunity to see relatives and close friends. Here’s some pictures of the family:

The babies (William, Ethan, and Mitchell)

The younger boy cousins (Mason, Daniel, Zachary, and Sam)

The ladies (Emma, Jackie, and Corinne)

The Rice Men (Papa Tom, Mason, Ethan, and Tony)

I love my husband’s immediate and extended family. They have always been there for us and love our children like they are their own. It means alot. I married well.

-g.

***WARNING: LOTS OF PICTURES TO FOLLOW!***

We had a really fun 4th of July this year. Tony’s Abeulita from San Jose was in Cleveland visiting so we headed up there for the weekend.

We went to a parade in Lakewood. Mason could have cared less. Even when they threw candy. Doesn’t he know he’s supposed to get it to give to his sweet mother?

Ethan got into the spirit by chewing on his stroller strap and waving the stars and stripes.

Since we were so close to Lake Erie, we walked over to take a peak. Then we drove to a pier so the kids could see the boats, waves, cityline, and walk on the rocks.

It was all a bit much for Ethan, as you can see.

What’s the 4th without a cookout? Tony’s parents hosted the party. We had some s’mores (I know that July = HOT but who can pass up the combination of fire, melted marshmellows, and CHOCOLATE?)

Mason had fun playing in a tent and with cousin Daniel.

We also went to the hospital and visited Grandma Rice. She was in such good spirits. The kids loved the view of the city from there, too, and still talk about it. Plus the fun rides in the elevator while the adults talked. We left late so the kids got to ride home in their new pjs from Great Abuelita.

Unfortunately, Ethan was the only one who fell asleep. The older two twerps were awake the whole way home.

-g.

I know. He’s already 1. I’m just playing catch up. Too many happenings this summer to keep up. Here’s the pictures of my peanut at 11 months:

Can you say “teething”? The boy chews on EVERYTHING!

The kids wanted to get in on the picture-taking action:

-g.

I can’t believe that today is Ethan’s first birthday. I cried last night after putting him down for the night. Then when I got up this morning to go workout, I realized that it was the same time that I got up with labor pains. Sigh. I’m sad to be losing my baby. With the other two, I was excited for their first birthdays. For some reason, I am taking Ethan’s really hard. Perhaps it is because I think he might be my last child. I hate crying. I’m doing it again. Better close with this link to some pictures of his special day. I’ll post 12 month pictures when I’m more stable.

-g.

We have survived. We are home safe and sound. The kids are still a bit wild but are calming down. I have SO many posts to do that I’m not sure I’ll ever get around to them all. I never posted Ethan’s 11 month pictures, and he turns 1 on Wednesday. Then there is the vacation log to post. I’m still not sure which timezone my body is in. Eventually, I will get around to doing a post with pictures for all of you out there that love my kids’ adorable faces.

-g.

This is the place. I flew to Utah yesterday with my parents and the kids. Tony is at home enjoying freedom for the next 10 days. Things went smoothly. As smooth as they can go with 3 kids under the age of 5. Here were a few noteworthy quotes:

“My belly is tickling!”
-Mason, his first takeoff
(I was just glad his didn’t toss his cookies.)

“Are they speaking Chicagoan?”
-Corinne, hearing people speak Spanish in the Chicago O’Hare Airport
(Guess she thought that 45 minute flight took us to another country.)

“That is the biggest mountain in the world!”
-Corinne, seeing mountains for the first time that she can remember
(Wonder what she’d think if she saw Mt. Everest?)

“WWWWWWWWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!”
-Mason, getting attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets at the park
(Only 2 bites. Lucky kid. It was pretty freaky.)

Gotta go start the day. I’m sure there are plenty more things for the kids to discover today.

-g.

ps–how do you explain time zones to kids? they don’t get it why everyone else is sleeping, not hungry yet, etc.

…and Corinne says, “I’m tired of being a kid. I really want to be a mom.” Tony and I smiled at each other with affection thinking what a wonderful daughter we have. Out of curiousity, Tony asks, “Why are you so anxious to be a mom, Corinne?” to which she replies, “Cause I want to rule my kids!” Sigh. I couldn’t leave well enough alone. I asked her, “What do you mean?” Corinne explained, “Well, I guess I just really want to give them spankings when they break the rules.” Gasp. What kind of role model am I? You’d think I beat her!

-g.

We got word this morning that Tony’s gradmother passed away. Tony isn’t really a crier so I’ve been crying his share of tears. Grandma was a lady who spoke her mind and didn’t worry if her hair was sticking up, and I loved her for it. Corinne was her first great-grandchild so we honored her by having Mae be Corinne’s middle name. We were fortunate to spend time with her over the 4th. It is sad to see her go, but her husband has been gone for about 20 years so I’m sure there was a sweet reunion in heaven today.

-g.

For a change of pace, I brought Corinne’s castle up from the basement. It gave the kids somewhere to play and hide. Ethan, however, tested his warrior skills by repeatedly leveling the castle. If he had been born in another time, this is how he would have crushed his enemy’s castle:

First, find a way inside:

Then look for weaknesses in the structure:

Attack, attack, attack!

Sweet victory (He really worked up a good slobber!):

Since there aren’t many job opportunities for people to tumble a castle, maybe Ethan can be a demolitionist and level old buildings.

-g.

Tony just downloaded a new version of the program I use to write my posts. I haven’t figured it out yet and keep forgetting to have him show me how to do it. (Hint, hint, Tony!)

The kids are as adorable as ever. Ethan turned 11 months on Monday and prefers walking as his mode of transportation. His top two teeth are sssooooo close to cutting through. I’ll post some pictures soon. The older two have me on Playground Patrol. I keep trying to find different playgrounds to take them to. We’ve been hitting up local elementary schools lately. We also purchased our cheap-o blowup pool for the summer. They love splashing around in the freezing cold water from the hose.

My sister-in-law invited me to join her Jazzercise gym. I love it! I want to exercise and like to think I can get my groove on so this combines the two. I am feeling muscles that I haven’t felt for a long time but loving every minute of it.

That about sums things up around here. Enjoy the 4th!

-g.