Laredo, Texas

Swimming at the hotel in Laredo. The best thing about this hotel, which is really nice, is that Maho got it using his hotel points from his travels, so it didn't cost us a thing! It's hot and humid here. Right around 100 degrees.


While Maho was across the border getting the car permit and such, we girls walked to the mall (very close to our hotel). While Laurel shopped at Forever 21, I took the rest of the ninas to a play area. We also stopped at Claire's and Bath and Body Works, where Tessy must have tried every tester in the store!! We all walked out of there rather fragrant!
We leave first thing tomorrow morning for Mexico City (near there). We are staying 5 min from the boarder. And for all you worriers, don't! Maho has gone back and forth a couple times. It is very safe. We will be to la casa de los Abuelitos before nightfall tomorrow.

White Sands Dunes in New Mexico

This place is so incredible! Near Las Cruces, NM, it is an area full of these massive white sand dunes. We stopped here before heading to Laredo yesterday, June 20th. The dunes are formed by a combo of 3 factors: gypsum (a mineral), hot dry climate, and wind. Gypsum dissolves in water, so when it rains, the water washes the gypsum in the mountains down to a lake below. Then as the hot sun evaporates the water in the lake, small crystals form a little crust on the lake's surface. The wind blows the crystals off, forming the dunes. So fascinating to see and play!

The ninas and I took turns rolling down the dunes. We had just put sun screen on, so after rolling down, we looked like sugary gum drops!


Tessy. She's wearing Papa's hat because it was so hot (100 degrees) and BRIGHT (with the sun reflecting off the white sand), the ninas without sunglasses could hardly keep their eyes open!

Ellie borrowed Laurel's hat. Sorta big, eh?

More Fair pics

Up, up and away on the sky ride.

On the sky ride.

The ninas got to waterpaint.

This guy is a one-man band. He was amazing. Took requests and everything, and really sounded like a whole band! He had "back up singers" too, with a mic that made his voice sound like there were 3 of him harmonizing!

Can you believe this rooster?! There were so many interesting chickens and roosters!

San Diego County Fair

I'm so tired. I'll add words (and more pics) later. Enyoy the pics... =)

Yesterday we spent the day at the San Diego County Fair. It was PACKED. But we had such a good time together. Papa was in LA at a trade show, so it was just ninas and I. They had never been to a county fair that they could remember. And this one was HUGE at the Del Mar fair grounds/horse race track. The weather was perfect. Overcast

A Lovely Morning

This morning after a 7 am jog, I sat on Donna's front walkway in the still of the morning and stretched. She has such a gorgeous front yard! I had to take a picture of it. So peaceful and lovely, I decided to eat my breakfast out there. The ninas weren't up yet, Maho was already gone to work, so I enjoyed a perfectly serene breakfast as I sat out on Donna's little front porch sitting area. Fatty (the cat) joined me.

In this photo you can see three of my favorite things: Bougainvillea, palm trees, and those periwinkle-colored flowery trees called Jacaranda. I also love "neat little paths," which this certainly is.

Here's where I sat to eat my breakfast. :)

Fatty. He stays true to his name.

Breakfast. I've discovered a new favorite Yummy: Greek Style Yogurt. Never had it before! It has twice the protein of regular yogurt, it's nonfat, and it has such a rich, smooth texture. For breakfast I combined it with granola and berries. YUM!

Fun in the Sun at Donna's house. And a little shake 'n' bake.

We are staying at Donna's house, our sweet neighbor/auntie. The girls spent a good portion of the day today swimming in her pool. The flowers in bloom are jasmine. I LOVE the smell of jasmine!

Whitney's "it" playing Marco Polo.


Lulu

Brianna

Tessy Doodle

Ellie playing Marco Polo

Tonight I made Mexican Ceviche. It's a spicy shrimp cocktail. I also cooked some beans wich we refried and ate with corn tortillas. Mm mm good. We also felt a 5.7 magnitude earthquake tonight less than an hour ago! It shook the whole house for about 3 seconds. What a wild ride (the shake n bake)!

Church in our San Diego PQ 3 Ward

It was so fun to go to church in our old ward today and see our old ward family. Gotta love those huge date palms!!