Quinceanera

My friend Debby is from Guatemala. Here husband is from the Netherlands. When latino girls turn 15 they have a sweet 15 party called Quinceanera. It's a BIG thing. Almost as big as a wedding.

Kasey was in the court. He practiced and practiced for MONTHS to get ready for this. Dancing, walking in etc...

When he put on his tux, I about died. So cute I could hardly stand it. He also got to ride in a party bus. He loved that part.

This is Zuleika, Debby's other daughter. Kasey and Zuleika have been friends since birth. They are only 7 months apart.  You'd never know it with their looks of concentration here. What a handsome couple.

My niece Julia and Debby's son Edwin

My nephew Adam and his partner.

The court. They even had to learn how to sit properly, and hold their hands and get up. Took a lot of practice.

The guy doing the music messed up so they kind of got messed up in the beginning of the dance, but it still looked fabulous.

They even had to learn when to turn with the music. During practice I would say "turn" to Kasey when it was time. At the event I had to work hard to keep from saying it. Kasey did great though.

Then they had to bow. SO cute!!!

Kasey pulling out the chair for Zuleika.

Scott and I. We also did quite a bit of dancing. By the end, I was exhausted. Can't do it like I used to. Getting old.

Cousins!!!

 ..and a little dancing...all night long!!

Debby's other son Noah who is great friends with Jordan. Not sure what the conversation is about.

These boys are all best friends. They got out on the dance floor and shook it. Well, just for a few min.

 

Jordan dancing. I love that Jordan doesn't care who's watching. He loves to dance and he goes and does it. Kasey...not so much. I love this about Jordan.

My friend Debby and her daughter. The mother of the birthday girl. Everyone looked beautiful!!

The birthday girl and her father Erik. Julissa looked gorgeous!! the dress was amazing.

We had a great time! I am so glad we were able to take part in this event. We've all been friends for a long time and we enjoy being with each other...dancing and laughing. Pretty soon in 7 years it will be Zuleika's turn.

Here's a little video of the boys doing their dance:

Leaf Peeping 2014

We LOVE New Hampshire. We LOVE leaf peeping. The colors started early this year. They weren't as vibrant as in the past but still beautiful. Some of the reds were gone but still worth it. We went to one of our favorite places, the Lost River Gorge. Hiking and caves to explore!

The boys on the trail

Kasey inside one of the caves

Waterfalls and handsome boys.

I'm claustrophobic. I will go in the caves on the condition that I don't have to squeeze through the rocks to get through. The boys would go first and check it out for me and then tell me "it's okay for you mommy."

The gorgeous scenery. The difference from the West vs East fall is that this color is not here and there. It's Everywhere. Like a carpet of color....a whooosh of color! It's breathtaking.!!!

We also stopped at a few waterfalls.

Stopped at a few scenic outlooks.

The boys let some ants out of their pants.

We rode up Mt Washington. The highest peak in the Northeast. A stressful ride "right on the edge"...too close for my comfort. At least it's not Costa Rica where the roads aren't paved.

It was FREEZING up there. Snow blowing, nose hair freezing, numb face freezing! They say on the clearest day, you can see the Atlantic ocean. It's also some of the most brutal weather on earth!

There was a long line to take a picture at the summit point. So Kasey and I walked back to the warm car while Jordan and Scott stood and waited in line.

Our last stop was the Polar Caves.  The kids were a little bored with this one. Not as fun for them as the Lost River caves. But we hiked and still had fun

Jordan and I walking up to the Serenity cabin.

What else do you do on the Kissing Bridge?? Kiss of course.

Meditech Picnic 2014

Another year at the Meditech picnic. Rides, lobster, hamburgers, chowder, doboys, ice cream. All you can eat and for free. The kids look forward to this as much as Christmas!

The boys favorite ride is the go carts. They didn't have them this year so we had to settle for the bumper cars.

Slides

Tons of lobster baby!!

Another great year and just as hot. Maybe next year will be cooler.

Surf Up!

 Again, we had a great beach year. Lots of friends, fun and laughs. The kids just hanging out waiting for the waves.

Jordan and Noah

The older kids starting to get into the "laying out" phase

This is what's left of our sexy beach babes club. A few of us have left but we always have a great time together. The beach is where we love to be.

The offspring!!

Yup, Jordan has a crab on his head. My kids are crazy!!!

...and yes, Kasey has a crab on his face. Once he saw this brother put it on his head he had to one-up him. Lucky he didn't lose an eye. CRAZY

And so another summer has gone and our kids continue to grow and deepen their friendships. We will miss you summer.

Fun in Jamestown RI 2014

One of the weekends this summer we took a trip to one of our favorite places, Jamestown RI. I have gone here many times since I was a kid.

When you first pull up, there's the lighthouse. But you can't see much else until you look over the small cliffs to see this! Tons of rocks and ocean to play on. My kids love it.

Jordan climbing down making mommy just a tad nervous!

The boys

Kasey being Kasey!

Family shot

Momma and her boys

Great shot taken my Scottie! 

HA!

Kasey the thinker

Jordan was flying his kite while we took these. Kasey's kite wouldn't work so we had to keep him busy!

The boys playing on the rocks.