Education Week at BYU Provo

I am finally posting pictures of my first time experience at Education Week at BYU.  It truly was an awesome week, and to be honest, I really didn't know how I would feel since I've never gone anywhere by myself, for a WHOLE week, anywhere...  But it was great, I got wisdom, inspiration, strengthened my testimony, went to the SLC temple for the first time, and just relaxed the whole time knowing I didn't have to cook, clean, or do anything I usually do at home.   I did miss my wonderful husband and kids

but it was totally worth it.

This is the room at the dorms.  It kind of looked like a prison cell to me, just two beds, two closets and one sink.  After the first impression I realized you can live with just the basics.  You know what?  I did NOT miss the stove :D

I loved, loved this beautiful place.  It's called Bridal Veil.  I felt like a little child but I refrained myself from showing too much excitement.  It happens when you are coming from the desert, I guess.

Here we are with my sister-in-law Paty (left) and my friend Fanny (middle), Miriam (right) and their friend (oh no, I already forgot her name).  They invited us to dinner and had some delicious enchiladas from Hidalgo and rice.  

Here is one of the signs at the entrance to BYU. The bushes cover the letters but it says: "Enter to Learn, Go out to Serve".  I loved the quote because everything we learn, and I mean everything, can be used to serve others.

Here is the dorm's hallway.  In the middle of it were the bathrooms and showers.  It kind of looks like a prison doesn't it?  :D

Ahhh one of my favorite people:  Mr. John Bytheway.  He is one of the most charismatic, charming, smart, funny, spiritual, wise persons I know.  I love the way he talks to teenagers and the way he explains the scriptures or gospel principles.  It was one of my highlights during this trip.

This is a look of the Marriot Center where John Bytheway (and others) presented.  The place is REALLY big and believe me, I counted it as a work out every time I had to go up the stairs, because of course, I wanted to be right up front and as close as possible to the speakers.

Another highlight of my trip, attending a session at the SLC Temple.  Just being inside the House of the Lord, the one that took 40 years and many, many sacrifices to complete, was a very humbling experience.

Many times Sister Dalton has mentioned Ensign Peak.  So Paty and I decided to search for it and we found it!  

Here is the proof that we reached the top where the monument is.  Seriously, it was a piece of cake hiking Ensign Peak compared to the Y Mountain, which we also hiked and I reached the lower part of the Y while my Paty, who is a lot more fit than I am, did hike a little more to reach the top of the Y.  Hey, if you've done it before, you'll know it is a very, very steep trail and I really pushed myself to reach my goal.  Unfortunately we did it at sunset so by the time we got there, it was dark and the pictures were pitch black.  The view was amazing and we could see a lightning storm south of the valley... Just BEAUTIFUL...

Here is a view of Salt Lake City from Ensign Peak.  Isn't gorgeous?  No, not me, I mean the view :D

Same view, but a little later.

And the sunset was just breathtaking.  You can see a little bit of the Salt Lake underneath the sunset. 

The week went fast.  The experience was unforgettable.  The trip was worth it.

I'm just missing my little pumpkin.  She left today on her scooter and I watched her from the backyard, I really love living this close to the school.  Emma is turning six next month and I just love to see my little baby grow and learn new things every day.  I LOVE YOU EMMA!   See you in 6 hours...   :)

Going to the theater with Pedrito...Strike one!

So here is what happened; my husband decided to take the kids to the theater to watch "Rango".  I was going to stay home with Pedrito.  Then my husband says - "I think we should all go and see if Pedrito behaves.  Don't you think we should give it a try?  Besides, if he starts getting restless I'll take him outside and stay with him"  So there we are, all nervous about it, and he's doing good.  about 30 min. before the movie ends, he decides he wants to go to the restroom and Angie graciously offers to take him.  The movie ends and they never came back, so here I am thinking that maybe after he was done they stayed in the back row.  But they are nowhere in sight.  I go to the restroom.  Nothing.  We finally go outside and there he is smiling and playing on top of this big, cement turtle...Angie is sitting on the side...face cold and serious...tears about to roll down her cheeks...  She comes to me in a menacing attitude and tells me - "He DID NOT want to pee!  He just started to run around the lobby so I had to chase him and he REFUSED to go back to watch the rest of the movie.  SOOOO I had to come outside and now I missed the movie.   I felt sooooo bad for Angie, then I felt mad at my husband for insisting we come together, then for not fulfilling his promise.  I promised Angie we would come again and we will watch any movie she wants.

After that, Mesa Frozen Yogurt seemed to heal the wound in my sweet daughter's heart.   That and a free hour on Facebook seemed to do the trick, but one thing is for sure,  I am NOT "giving it a try" for at least 6 more months >: /
                                                                               

Isn't it time for a new photo?

Yes, it's been almost a year since we took this picture. I know my kids have grown, Emma is missing two teeth, and we just need a beautiful, professional family portrait that we can cherish for one more year. I'll call you soon Jenny!

Family Vacations Part II - Sacramento

We spent about a week in Sacramento visiting family we had not seen for the last four years. We had a good time and visited some of our favorite places.

This is one of our favorites, Old Sacramento. It still has that old west feeling and I think all the buildings are original though some have been renovated. This place is right in front the Sacramento River and still has that old railroad running along.

Emma having a good time on the carousel.


Pedro proving how good he is at shooting.

Visiting our compadre Shwartzeneger (spelling is right?) in the Capitol.

One of my most favorite places for a good homemade ice cream! It's a classic.

While there, Pedrito turned 2 years old. So we had cake and ice cream with the family.

Doesn't he look happy?

The next day, it was Laura's birthday!

This is Marisol, my sister-in-law, showing off her brand new, first grandchild.

Here is Laura, her husband Marco Antonio, and Alex and Alexa, my daughter's twin...I mean, cousin :)

This Erika, my husband's niece and her baby.

My sister in law Rosa and her son, Daniel. Sitting on the back of their house.

The Delta King Hotel and Restaurant, right on the Sacramento River.

The Aviles clan. Aren't they lovely? I especially love the one with the beard and the red shirt. He is the reason I have all those beautiful kids ;

Family Vacations Part I - Las Vegas

I know, it's been about a month since we went on vacation and I'm just barely posting about it, I will try my best to do it more often. We got to Vegas on a Saturday and found our hotel (El Cortez) and got ready to go on a long walk around the casinos...

You can see Pedrito approved of the hotel beds and was HAPPY!

My husband couldn't pass up the opportunity to browse around the Coca Cola store :)

I still think it's amazing how flashy and creative the casinos are.

Sorry, out of order. This was on Sunday after we went to church, we wanted to see the Vegas Temple. I thought it was beautifully located with the mountain on the background, too bad it was closed and we couldn't walk around its grounds.



Waiting for the show on Treasure Island to start. Too bad I didn't know it would be quite different since the last time we had been there, about 8 years ago. Too many "sirens" dancing and dressed in less than modest outfits. It definitely wasn't something for the kids. :(

Yeah, you can see the excitement in my kids' faces. I guess we must be doing a good job on teaching them about standing in holy places. They pretty much hated Las Vegas and questioned why I would think of taking my family there with so many worldly things all around us.

Pedro standing next to the Eiffel Tower...Some day we'll go to the real one. :)

Anyway, after so much whinning on Saturday, we got back into the Spirit on Sunday after attending church and remembering we can stand in holy places anywhere...Yes, even in Vegas.

Judgement Day is Coming!

While on vacation in Sacramento, California, we saw this truck on the freeway. Interesting...! I guess "Eternity Trucking" must have good connections with a higher power since they have solved the mistery that all wicked people are afraid of.....Judgement Day!!! And now they/we know...May 21, 2011. Hey! Wait a minute, wasn't suppossed to be 2012? I guess we'll see who nailed it, Eternity Trucking... or the Mayans...