The Lopez family visits

The past four weeks we've had Chris' mom, little brother, and sister staying with us from Mexico. It was a long trip, but we had some fun and memorable times. Unfortunately, I seem to be the worst picture taker ever. I did capture a few of the fun times. Some of the others I will just have to give a report on.

Amy, my sister-in-law, works at Creativity Art Studio so we were able to go in and all paint mugs. It was very fun. Everyone is quite artistic (except me :). Choco had to work, so he did not get to participate. Here are some pics of the artists at work:

Some of my favorite times were barbecuing, swimming, and playing volleyball at Amy and Jamir's. We ate some delicious food, enjoyed the refreshing water, played games in the pool, and had a lot of fun with volleyball. Even though I am not very good at volleyball, I had a great time. We laughed a lot and even got a little competitive.

Other fun activities included shopping (of course) and some painting. We bought some wood things and spent a bit of time painting and being crafty. It was great to spend time with Mama Lopez and Amy. The following pics: Amy painting her "Lopez", my wreath in progress, and Mama Lopez' sled.

We also went to the Manti Pageant. Mama Lopez was sick for a quite a few days which was a bummer. So, Choco, Kenia, Jair, and me took a trip to the pageant. I had never been before, so it was good to have the experience. It was fun. Pics: eating before the show and at the performance.

Movies:
We watched Brave, which I just loved. I loved the scenery and of course her crazy red hair. Kenia and I watched the Katy Perry movie, which I enjoyed quite a bit. We had fun. I was glad she was here to go with me because I don't think that is what Choco would like to watch.

Food:
Mama Lopez was so great to cook a lot, so we enjoyed delicious Mexican food. We also made a few visits to the Golden Corral. The day the Chris' dad flew into Salt Lake, we ate at the Cheesecake Factory which is always delicious. It was an eventful dinner because Jair opened his mission call!! He is going to Oaxaca (in Mexico. Fun fact: it is where Nacho Libre was filmed). He leaves in November and is super excited. He will be a great missionary. He is kind of the go-to man for anything that we needed to be done: laundry, dishes, moving cars, etc. etc. He is very sweet and funny. We're excited for him.  

All and all we had some fun times. I must confess it is nice to have the house back to ourselves. Our basement apartment is not that spacious and seems to have been full to the brim the last month. It is nice to have some breathing room and also alone time. I feel like we're newlyweds again :). Speaking of which we are coming upon our one year anniversary!! Crazy how the year has flown by. We are still very happy and loving life together. So that is good news.

It was fun to have the in-laws here with us. I really do love them and am grateful to be a part of a wonderful family.

A little Disney magic

A few weeks ago I got to go with my mom, dad, and Park on a trip to California. Unfortunately, Choco had to work. He is so wonderful and got this new job that as great opportunities for him. So, he stayed at home working 12 hour days in the hot sun, not eating very often :( while we were partying. He is a trooper, and I love him so much!

Our trip was so fun, full of delicious food, exciting days in Disneyland, enjoying the beach, and Hairspray at Tuachan. Here is is in pictures.

The Most Magical Place on Earth:
Although Parker and I may seem too old for Disneyland, we really did have such a fun time. I kind of felt like little kids again. Park is great to bring excitement and fun. I loved him as a little boy, and now I sure do love him as a man. He is so grown up, all graduated and such. We're very excited for him to be here in Provo in the fall. Anyways, it was kind of good all being adults because we could go hard. We still got tired but didn't have to worry about exhausted little kids. We played all day (except maybe a few naps :). I must confess though, I was kind of wishing I had some little kids with me to experience the magic.

Our favorite ride: the Screamer (such a fun roller coaster with everything a good roller coaster should have. rode it three times). I looove Churros, especially from Disney (as is seen in this picture as it is almost gone). 3-D glasses for the classic Star Tours. "Mountain Splash" as Park called it when he was little. Some Thunder Mountain Railroad. Space Mountain. And wet from Splash (we went at 9am which meant no line but we were a bit chilly for a minute)

California Adventure has a Ferris wheel. I normally think it would be fun and a great view. But we were in a rocking car, so it was a little scary for me. I almost had a heart attack. :( But I survived. I don't think I will be riding this one again though. 

Ready to go in the car. It's a Small World was actually fabulous this time. I think they've updated it. I even bought a picture book that came with a CD of the familiar song. Park and I rode the classic teacups: I think I am getting older because I was a bit dizzy after. We had to pose in Mickey and Minne's house in Toontown. The train around the park was great, minus the hilarious dinosaurs. Fun. fun fun.

We watched the fun parade twice. Gotta love some Disney magic, music, dancing, and characters. Mom and I loved it. Mickey was playing the drums, Donald was hitting a pinata, and we saw some princesses and Tink too. Rapunzel was our favorite. She was so cute! Loved the parade. 

Minus Disneyland and the beach, food was incredible on our trip. We ate a variety of foods and treats. Everything was so so delicious, even a Taco Bell chalupa late at night. Included above: Haagen Dazs, The Olive Garden, Miquel's delicious Mexican food, my first time at P.F. Changs (extremely yummy), and incredible Italian ice. Fun times and good food. 

Our Sunday adventures: church in the morning. The church had an open air center or like a courtyard. We thought it was so weird and unique. It would clearly not work in the snow of Idaho or Utah. Church was wonderful full of good people. Then we visited the Mormon Battalion visitor's center. It is very well done. We were really glad we got to go. We went to Hotel del Coronado, which is really old and lovely. It was fun to walk along the beach as well. We visited the temple and walked around. It is lovely. Overall, a nice day with the fam. 

The beach was fun. Unfortunately, it was a little chilly our day at the beach. Mom and I kept on our sweatshirts the whole time. Park and Dad were a bit more adventurous and had fun in the water. Parker was also hilarious with his ukulele throughout the trip. He played in the car... a lot :) and even on the beach. He is so cute. We visited Huntington Beach our last day in California. It was beautiful with the sunset. Very picturesque. I was wishing my Choco was there to kiss me on the beach.

We also saw Hairspray at Tuachan in St. George. We had great seats, and the musical was super fun.

All and all, it was a fun vacation full of good times and food. I love my family, and it was fun to spend time with them. It was also good to get back to my husband. He is a hard working man. His family is coming to today to spend a few weeks with us. We're excited to party with the Lopez family.

26 and 21

The last few weeks have contained both of our birthdays. On April 24th Chris turned 26! He had to work all day. After he was done, we went to Red Lobster (of course). He loves seafood and so it was only appropriate. I must confess I ordered Cajun Chicken Alfredo. I'm just not a fan of seafood, which is something Chris would love to change about me. I think as the years come, I will one day love seafood. But his 26th birthday was not that day. He got a large platter of lobster tail, crab, and shrimp and was pretty much in heaven. I promise I brought my camera but of course the memory card wasn't in it. I seem to be the worst at recording our adventures with my camera. I promise it was delicious and fun. 

Afterwards, we went to the movie theater and saw Wrath of the Titans 3D. I have been very anti-3D, but I must confess this was fabulous in 3D glasses. I was probably the only one in theater dodging rocks and what not flying at me :) It was great. We came home to eat some Pink Lemonade ice cream cake I had made earlier and opened gifts. We had talked about getting an old grill from a garage sale or something. I found one at DI for $5. Of course the propane tank was a bit more, but Chris is excited about being able to grill some delicious summer foods. Also, I got him some new socks and a bow tie (Chris recently learned how to really tie a bow tie by watching quite a few YouTube videos, so I figured he needed another one to show off his skills). It was a good day, and I sure love my old man. (Sorry the picture isn't great. Chris's eyes are kind of half shut.)

 As of Monday, I am officially 21!  It was a wonderful weekend and actual day.

We got to go home to Pocatello Friday evening after Chris finished work. Saturday morning we headed out into the cold Pocatello weather and wind to some garage sales. And as luck would have it, we found some great buys. Chris got a brand new set of grill tools, perfect for his bbq I got for him for his birthday. I got a set of dishes that I love for $3. You can't beat that.

Then. Drum roll please... I went and got my ears pierced!! I must confess I felt more like a 12 year old instead of a 21 year old. But I really do love them. It was a memorable act for my 21st birthday. And it was fun having my mom and husband with me. Yay! I now feel like a real woman. Or something. I even bought a few pairs today at Kohl's that I can wear in 6 weeks. We went to the tux shop with Parker that evening in preparation for prom next week. He is going to look so fabulous in his gray tux.

Before...

During

This is the "this is hurting a bit more than I had prepared myself for, but I'm still going to smile" face.

After. A bit in shock. 

On Sunday, Park became an Elder. He is so old and fabulous. We had a big family dinner together afterwards. We ate amazing steak, incredible potatoes, fruit, jello salad, etc. etc. It was so yummy! And even strawberry cake for my birthday. I love to be with the fam in Pocatello. Great weekend.

Monday (my actual birthday), was lovely. While Chris worked, I enjoyed a delicious crepe with Nutella and strawberries for breakfast. I just enjoyed the rest of the day. For dinner we went to Carrabba's. It was our first experience there. It was so so extremely delicious. I loved my pasta. Nothing better.

My super delicious pasta. and the bread was so good too.

Choco smiling from his ribs

Overall, both birthdays were great. We are a bit older; I don't know about wiser. But we are happy. 

Summer Time, please and thank you

I must confess I was very ready for school to be done last Thursday. I really do love school, most of the time, but the semester has been busy and long and the sunshine has been calling my name. Now, I can reply instead of going inside the library. Yay.

A quick catch up. Since last I've written:

• Choco continued the job search
• We attended the Color Fest in Spanish Fork for my first time. It was a bit chaotic. I was appalled at all the trash people just throw on the ground. But, it was fun and we got some color and enjoyed watching all the people. I had a pink scalp at church the next day. Now I can say I've had the experience.

The masses

A bit colorful

yellow with blue spots hair. love it.

• School, school, and more school. 
• Choco's family came to visit for General Conference. We went to SLC for the Saturday sessions. It was so wonderful. I'm always inspired and uplifted after hearing from the prophets. What a blessing!
• Kenia and Jair stayed with us for a couple of weeks because they had a break from school. I love them both and it was fun to have them here in Provo. We played some tennis, watched some movies, played some games, and ate some food.  
• We went to Pocatello for Easter with Josue, Kenia, and Jair. I always love seeing my family. We dyed eggs (seen in the following pics). Choco wasn't as thrilled about the egg dying due to the vinegar smell. But Park, Kenia, Jair, and I had a good time. 



beautiful Kenia

oh Park.

               

our lovely eggs

                               

brit and addie: tan from Hawaii

• Finals came. I worked a lot at the testing center and mostly did well on my own finals. It was a good semester, and I was happy to be done. 
• Choco got a job!!!! What a blessing it is. He is working for Western Technologies as a field technician. He will be working long days in the sun, but I he is liking it so far. He started on Wednesday. Friday was his first day in the field. He left at 7am and didn't get home until 11pm. He came home very sunburnt. I can only imagine how dark he will be by the end of the summer. I love it.   We're very grateful for our answered prayers. Now, I just need to find a job for the summer. 

His work attire. The flash caused the vest to reflect. 

sunburn after one day in the sun

• Yesterday, we spent the day doing yard work. We made a little garden spot in our backyard. We're hoping for some tomatoes and peppers for fresh salsa. The plot is created, thanks to Choco's hard work. Planting will happen this week. Also, other big news. For the first time ever, yesterday I mowed our lawn. I guess because I had two brothers and a dad that always took care of it, I have never operated a lawn mower. I felt accomplished finishing despite the random design from my lack of experience. It was fun. It is a blessing to have beautiful sunshine here. 

working on our little garden spot

All and all, life is so wonderful. We are happy and healthy and blessed. Welcome summer!