Cleveland Boyds: December 2012

2012 Adorable Photos

While compiling photos for our annual Family Calendar I realized I have so many adorable photos that I've not had time to post. So here you go!

Ok, this first one isn't just the girls, but it's good! We were highlighted in the "Argus" as part of an article on Ohio City's family-friendliness. A photographer came out and took a few photos, which she shared with us. Here's the article: Spring 2012 Issue

Last February (2012) during one of the few snowfalls.

Trying to ski--but it was already mushy

Sofia models the London Olympics bag I brought her in March

Bad-ass gardeners

Family fun at St. Pat's Parade (It was March, people! It was hot!)

The girls watch the St. Patrick's Parade (March 2012)

Ok, I was on a roll, but gotta move on. Hope to be more regular with postings and avoid these long rants.

More Mexico Photos

I wanted to share some more photos from our trip to Mexico. These are mainly from our trip to Mexico City and Gael's baptism. We also spent time with Baruc and Geovana (my niece/nephew) at the Ciudad de Ninos. It was a quick weekend, but so nice to spend some time with Diana and her family.

The girls dancing at Gael's baptism. They had a great time.

Baruc, Geovana, Gael, the girls and Tia Diana

Bisa with her great-grandchildren

My adorable cousin/godson

Getting ready to go to church

Proud parents

Ciudad de Los Ninos

We visited "Ciudad de los Ninos" which is an amazing children's world. Everything is scaled down to their size and they're meant to experience "real world" activites. They begin by receiving a check for play money and they're able to spend the money and earn more through various "jobs" throughout this park.

Jobs include working at WalMart, dog-training (with real dogs), washing windows (with actual lifts up to a second-story window-mind you there are safety harnesses!), learning to be a forensic team, phone repair people, Coke-cola bottle distributors, DHL delivery people, and the list goes on and on. Extremely cool. I had as much fun watching them as they did doing as much as we could fit into four hours.

Here they're cashing their checks.

Frida's Casa Azul
No visit to Mexico City (for me) is complete without my pilgrimage to Frida Kahlo's house.

I think I made it through most of the Mexico photos. We can't wait to visit again next year. The girls ask pretty often when we're going back. Hopefully we can find time to visit Teotihucan, Ciudad again, and Chapultepec. Not to mention finding time for them to go to school for a few weeks in Leon and maybe even beach time??!

Tying up Summer 2012 and Jumping into Fall 2012

Too much to try and recap, but I'll just start with the latest...

Ok, I started that sentence at least a month ago. So, the following pics are not the latest, but I'll start with what I uploaded then.

West Side Market Gala!

Great Lakes brewed a special batch for the Gala, "Butcher's Brew". It was a yummy concoction of Christmas Ale and other special ingredients. As part of the festivities we were supposed to get a Celebratory Bottle, but unfortunately, thanks to party crashers (who didn't pay the $250 per ticket price!) we did not receive it as the organizers ran out! We were pretty disappointed since it was meant to be a very unique souvenir and we paid a pricey sum. Oh well! Nonetheless it was a great time.

UofI Homecoming Weekend

We made the nine-hour trek (broken up in two days) from Cleveland to Champaign to visit Joe's alma mater and check out the Illini game. It was interesting to be back on a college campus, with kids, and I did feel a little old. :(

Joe's frat house

Some of Joe's frat brothers and their offspring

Girls dominating table tennis in Joe's frat house (and a glimpse into the near future?)

Pre-game marching band

More offspring

Random Pictures

Sofia has moved on to riding on her own (well, she doesn't have a handler per se) and is learning to cantor and whip her pony Jimmy (she wants a whip for Christmas).