We enjoyed spending time at the park. We enjoyed being up close and personal with the ducks. Wherever we went they followed literally, we walked around the whole pond and the ducks waddled behind us. Then we enjoyed the playground. Cassidy had fun pushing Grandma and Abuelita in the swings, Grandpa got dizzy pushing Cassidy on the merry-go-round. Us girls managed to all get on the same slide to take a 4 generation family picture. Abuelita did amazing on the slide since she just turned 92 years old. It was a beautiful day with lots of sunshine.

My mom and abuelita helped me one night to make "Alfajores" a Peruvian dessert, kind of like a cookie with a sweet milk cream in the middle, for a Primary Activity at church. The children were going to learn about new cultures from all over the world. My friend Patricia Allen and I covered South America together. She's from Venezuela and my roots are from Peru. It was fun to share information regarding two countries we love with the children. Cassidy had the chance to dress up with her Abuelita too. It was a fun night to also see the other displays and taste other samples of food from other countries. That night the children also got to learn about Fiji, Africa, Iraq, Australia, France, Germany... just to name a few.

Just hanging out. Grandma taught Cassidy how to play Uno cards, Grandpa and Cassidy built towers with her blocks, played games on the Wii (Derek and my dad were tennis champs.) Celebrated Derek, my Dad, and Abuelita's birthday, just days apart. Abuelita had the men beat by age, turning 92 years old. We had fun dressing her up for the big birthday bash. Hope I can be as good in health as she is when I'm her age. She's pretty amazing! (Notice the little fingers diving in the cake while mom was busy taking a picture.)

So I was successful and convinced my mom to let me straighten her hair. It was a fun mother daughter bonding experience. I love my moms curls but thought it would be fun to see what she looks like with straight hair. She's such a great sport. Thanks mom for trusting me and for playing along.



Just had to include this picutre of my little grandma with her suitcase that's so cutely decorated by my sister Jess.

Welcoming Baby Trenton!

We have a NEW NEPHEW! And he's just SO CUTE!!! He's already soooo loved by his brothers Matt, Branden, & Carter, more handsome nephews of ours. TRENTON DREW was born on October 3rd, at 5:40 am and weighed 7lbs 3 oz and 19 inches long. Congratulations Doug and Jill!!!! We love you and can't wait to meet the little guy! So glad you're all doing well. And so happy to have some happy news in our family since Dad's heart attack.

This post goes out to my DAD. My dad has been in the hospital for over a week now recovering from a heart attack. It surprised all of us, since we just spent two weeks together prior to his heart attack here in Colorado Springs (I'll be posting pictures soon). We are so grateful that even though my dad had a heart attack, through it all Heavenly Father and my dad's guardian angels have been there the entire time. We look back at what happened and it could have been much worse. His heart attack could have happened on my parents trip back to Arizona from Colorado or he could have been working outside on the yard (which he's usually doing and enjoys) without a phone near by. But instead my dad was using the computer right by the telephone and as soon as he felt his arm go numb and the sharp pains in his chest he called 911 immediately.

My mom wasn't home she had taken my grandmother to the doctor. The ambulance drove my dad to Tucson Heart Hospital (an hour away from Sierra Vista). He says it was the most excruciating pain he had ever felt and the longest drive he endured. My mom got home and couldn't find my dad anywhere she was starting to get worried since both cars were parked in the drive-way and the door was unlocked. So she went next door to her neighbors to ask if they knew where my dad was. They did not know anything. As soon as my mom walked back into the house she got a phone call from the hospital in Tucson telling her what happened and that they already did surgery and that my dad was now moved to recovery.

My dad is still waiting to go home from the hospital, he may even need a pacemaker, today he should find out with some testing. Since his first surgery, he has had to have another surgery due to infection and build-up in his arteries. He has also experienced some other complications so has had to stay longer than the doctors originally planned. During my dad's stay at the hospital other complications has worried us, but we're so grateful for the care he's recieving from the medical staff and of course to Heavenly Father for helping my dad since the first signs of his heart attack. We've been truly blessed. It's comforting to know that some family are near by to help and that my older brother Derek was able to take time off and drive to Arizona to help out too. We have already witnessed many miracles in my dad's behalf.

If you could please keep him in your prayers we would greatly appreciate it! Thank you! Hopefully my dad will be able to return back home soon. My Dad's last name isn't "STRONG" for nothing. :)

We're definitely going to miss playing in the water, attending outdoor concerts, blowing bubbles outside, hitting the splash parks, sunbathing, picnicking at the park, running through the sprinklers, going to the Sky Sox Baseball games,just to name a few things we enjoyed this summer. It's been a wonderful 2008 Summer spent with family and friends.