Meet My New Niece

Mariana Isabela. Born on 4/28/10 just before midnight.

8.5 lbs and 19 inches...

and lots of hair. She already has a cute bow on top. Too cute.

The first granddaughter in the family with the last granddaughter (so far).

Eli holding Izzy.

Alex, unsure if he's holding her correctly.

Baseball Kid

Eli began playing baseball for the first time this year, thanks to my brother's request. He's the coach. Eli was excited to play with his cousins (my brother's kids). After several practices the "new car smell" wore off, and he complained before every practice. I think he shed some tears before every practice and game for a month. These pictures reflect his initial excitement. Well, then....

he started making great defensive plays and gaining confidence at bat. Tonight he pitched and actually struck someone out. Mind you, he is not a pitcher, so the fact that he went out there and threw strikes at all is a something I am very proud of.

Oh, he also hit a pop fly behind the short stop and made a base hit. Very exciting for dad and me.

Goya Designs' Newest Items

I am so excited to introduce the new addition to Goya Designs. This petal accessory knows how to transform. It can be used as a headband,

a choker,

or

a wrist band.

Sabrina and Gigi did a wonderful job modeling these petals. The baby blue and lavender petals will be sold in my shop by Friday(4/23/10).

Peg Dolls Unite

Eli had a project. The assignment was very complex and specific. Not age appropriate in my opinion, but we got it done. His report was on President Lincoln. He had to make 3D characters, so I went to what I know...Peg Dolls. Only these are mini peg dolls. Aren't they cute?

The audience before the inaugural speech. The one with glasses was Eli inspired.

The White House before the prep work. Dad and Eli stayed up 2 nights working on just the structural pieces (not including painting, drawing, gluing).

The grand speech is delivered!

Now the little guy has to deliver the project.

Please ignore the incorrect date on this pix. I didn't realize the date was set, and set wrong at that.

I like these mini peg dolls. I want to use them as cake toppers in the future.

Capistrano Mission Part2

I love this wall! Alex on his audio tour device.

The bells have an intriguing story. To prove it, just look at the guys' focus below.

When a man died, the bells were rung in a deep tone, and the amount of rings told listeners his age and that he lived within the mission walls. A soft ringing of the bells indicated the death of a woman, and the amount of rings indicated her age and the fact that she lived in the mission. The small bells rang when a child died.

The most famous bell story about this mission is that when a long time female servant/keeper of the mission died the bells immediately rang and indicated her age on their own. It is believed that the angels rang the bells as they welcomed her into heaven.

This is part of the ruins. After a large earthquake the old church collapsed. It was decided to leave the ruins alone instead of reconstructing what it was. After all, nobody tries to reconstruct Stone Hedge. Let ruins, be ruins I say.

Sabrina looking pretty.

Oh, and if you were wondering about the Capistrano swallows, they weren't there this time of the year. I did see a few nests along the mission walls.

Capistrano Mission Part1

The day we visited the San Juan Capistrano Mission was a beautifully clear day. The blue sky is a gorgeous back drop for the earthen bricks. If I was an advanced painter, I would recreate this. Hum...maybe I'll just make a print and frame it.

This was part of a mural inside one of the rooms. The mural is much larger (more than double) than what I captured. I enjoyed this part of the mural because it just portrayed love and warmth. I could envision life in the mission.

All these bricks were handmade by local Indians. To think that each brick was made and set one by one is breath taking.

Sabrina catching the ocean breeze by the window. This picture also shows the thickness of the walls. Talk about a deep window sill.

Vines, beautiful vines! Victor is not on his cell phone. We were given a phone like device that provided an auditory tour of each room's function during mission life.

Spring Break 2010

This year we took a much needed family stay-cation at Dana Point.

We rented a fully decked out condo from a fellow UPSer. It was just

what we all needed. My honey and I finally in a picture together.

I got some compliments on my pendant puff necklace. That is always encouraging

to a crafter. We were waiting for lunch.

Dad and Eli resting in front of the tube after a day at the beach.

This is what the kitchen looks like. We saved some cash by preparing

two of our three meals in this fully stocked kitchen.

The art on the walls were very cool, this is just one example.

A boy and girl side, with internet. What more could my kids ask for? Oh, yeah

they asked for one more bed. Alex slept on the floor without complaint during our stay.

I didn't take pictures at the beach because I didn't want to wet the camera.

The kids picked beautiful shells to bring home. Hum....what can I make with

them?

We also met up with my daughter's friends, whom were staying in their beach home

same time. What a coinky dinky. My daughter lucked out. We got together and made a bonfire in

San Clemente beach and enjoyed smores.

Lastly, we visited the Capistrano Mission. That I do have pix of and will post them soon.