End of MN Trip

Well, after we got back from the wedding we just had a few more days and Grandma & Grandpa's house. Enough time for some playing and cuddling!

Slide Show from previous entry

Continued...

So, I'm still needing to write about the rest of our trip to MN. Whew...it seems like that was a long time ago already yet I still have tons of pictures to put up. Of course, there is plenty that has happened since then so I'll just have to keep writing to get you all up to speed!

While we were in MN we also had to fly to Chicago for a weekend event at a church in Mount Prospect. There are great friends of ours and YLM's there and we talked to them about Servant Events. So, Jaden got his 3rd and 4th flights adding more miles to his travel log, he got to visit IL, he spent his first night sleeping in a big crib at Ed & Carol's house and Mom and Dad got to play "Dance Dance Revolution" (IF we EVER get a videogame system it HAS to include that!)

Here is a picture of Jaden and Daddy in the airport on the way to Chicago!

After getting back from Chicago we spent a few more days in MN before driving to SD thus adding MORE miles to Jaden's travel log. We went for Jaden's Godmother Kayla's wedding. Mommy and Daddy sang and played trumpet and violin and we had LOTS of fun with family. Check out the slideshow (I had too many pics I knew family would want to see to just select a few.)

Firsts for Jaden - First time in SD, First wedding, First dance, First time meeting Great Grandma & Grandpa B, First time meeting LOTS of cousins, aunts & uncles. WHAT FUN! We THOUGHT Jaden would get his first time in a pool swimming at the hotel but we ran out of time! Oh well, I guess you can't do TOO MANY firsts all at once! See the next entry for the slides

First BIG Trip

Well, Jaden's first big trip was to visit Grandma and Grandpa K in MN. We had two flights to get there and he did GREAT! We had to walk down the steps to board the plane so we actually got a picture of Jaden WITH his first plane. We didn't get a picture of the pilot (Jaden was sleeping when we arrived!) When we arrived in Denver it was raining so it was also Jaden's first time seeing RAIN!

When we arrived Jaden got to meet a lot of family right away. Our first adventure was lunch at Steak and Ale with G&G K, Aunt Karen, Aunt Nancy & Uncle Joel, Godmother Kayla, and Jaden's 1st two non-Mexican foreigners - Maya and Martin from Germany!

And of course, some cuddling with Grandpa was quick to come!

Back at G&G's house Grandma quickly got Jaden playing ball. Is soccer in his future? - we'll see. (Mom would have to learn the rules first!) Actually, Jaden got SO MANY new toys from Grandma's bargain shopping sprees we'll probably end up with LOTS of pictures of new toy adventures over the next several weeks. We brought a HUGE 48lb. suitcase of toys and books home so lots of hours of fun are sure to come!

This time in MN the weather was actually as gorgeous as Grandma says it is AFTER we leave. It was warm, sunny, with blue skies and BEAUTIFUL green grass. There is no grass like that in the desert. It was a little wet for Jaden to go playing in - NEXT TIME - but it sure was pretty. Of course, we had to go for some walks in such beautiful weather and Jaden rode in the carrier with DADDY for the first time! We also stopped at a park and Jaden had his first time on the swings.
It was a little chilly (at least more so than in El Paso) so Jaden had to go back to wearing long sleeves and pants for a few weeks. But, it worked out okay. Otherwise he would have had NO USE WHATSOEVER for the bunches of warm 3-6 month clothes he got from his cousin! They came in VERY handy!

Daddy even got some studying done. Since he had to leave for CA to go to class the day after we got back from MN his main purposes on vacation was to hang out with us and get some reading done. He got a little creative so he could enjoy the sunshine!

Is he READING? Well, not quite - but he sure loves looking at the fun colors on these cloth books and now he can turn the pages (or at least grab them). Here he actually was LOOKING at the book instead of just trying to EAT it like usual!

Of course, Jaden got to spend time playing with Mommy too - and this time there was actually someone else around to take a picture of our fun airplane game that gets him giggling! We still have to find a way to get a video of that someday.

On Friday Jaden got to meet a lot more family. Uncle Mark, Cousins Kristie, Melanie, Jeff and kiddo cousins Keely and Mali. It was a lot of fun to have a picnic in G&G's backyard park AND try out the exersaucer!

Jaden LOVES this one!!! We had to leave it in MN and Grandma kinda wants to keep it for the next time we visit so, we're shopping for one at home!

Well, the story of our adventures will have to be continued.....Since it's 10:30 Mommy needs to get to bed. She has decided that 10:30 is the latest she can stay up if Jaden might decide to wake up once or twice during the night and she wants to be a kind and caring mommy instead of zombie mommy!

Check back for more!!!

Mother's Day

Well, you have to start somewhere. I'm trying to catch up on May postings so, hopefully I'll get bits and pieces done this week and give you all some new pictures to look at!

This isn't really a picture from Mother's Day other than I was trying to get a pictures for the Grandma's Mother's Day presents and came up with this cute one!

For my 1st Mother's Day I got to hang out with my baby a lot but I hardly saw my husaband. Mother's Day is a VERY busy time for the mariachi. It is the ULTIMATE honor to be serenaded by a mariachi on Mother's Day so LOTS of people hire the group. The group also tries to do a lot of things that bring hope and encouragement to those who are having a tough time. So, in addition to several paid performances the mariachi was out and about bringing hope to at nursing homes, a drug rehabilitation center for mothers, and serenading some moms that have had a tough year for one reason or another. Of course, the group often will serenade the moms of group members and they stopped by the H's house during a break to serenade Jeanette, Rowena and I (and get some food and water!). It was fun!

FYI - the Travel Log

Just a quick note. The "oo" on the travel log means driving miles. A "><" will mean flying miles. We'll see how quickly they add up! If anyone knows how to do some kind of a counter thing and could teach me, that would be GREAT!

The Trip

Well, the 2nd trip to Albuquerque was great. Jaden did great in the car again and was only upset the last hour on the return trip - not too bad of a traveler!!! The mariachi did a GREAT job at their concert on Saturday and at church on Sunday. For me it really is a very different experience sitting on the sidelines and hearing them play rather than being in the middle of it. I have to hold myself back from belting out the choruses on songs because I figure the people sitting around me probably want to hear the whole group sound, not just me in their ear!


While I was sitting in the car feeding Jaden while everyone else was setting up and getting ready for the concert I was talking to my mom on the phone. She asked, "Do you miss it?" I said, "no, not really" but I'm not sure that is entirely accurate. I don't miss loading and unloading the van and being one of the ones in charge trying to get everything ready. I enjoy getting to help out as much as I am able depending on Jaden's mood and if he needs to eat at the time. I get to be there - if not I think I would miss it TONS! I miss playing a little bit and I miss singing "Hacia la Cruz" the MOST! We'll see. Maybe I'll figure out how to work my way back into playing!


Anyway, here are some pictures for you!

It was a beautiful, sunny, not too hot day for the concert

Here is even a little video of one of our most popular songs! Vamos a Alabar al Rey (Let's All Praise the King) I happen to really like the singer! And look - they are all even DANCING!

And here's one of Jaden dancing with Grandpa H!

Jaden REALLY enjoys putting his fists in his mouth. He can't get too many other things into it yet but he really loves trying. He has been very successful at getting blankets and other fabrics in though. I wonder if he'll get some kind of fuzzball! This picture is an example of how Jaden tells me that he is DONE burping and ready for more FOOD!

Jaden loves his Grandpa recliner!

On the way home we had to take a break about 45 minutes before getting home because Jaden just was NOT happy in his car seat. Here is the "little man" taking a stretch with his tie on and everything! ;-)


Jaden is getting much better at tummy time but he was particularily smiley this day on mommy's lap, getting tickled. Maybe he was having fun and maybe he was just happy to NOT be strapped into the car!