The two brothers

We did quite a lot of waiting for Easter--and Spring, which is the embodiment of Easter, new life-- this year. I'd already heard how my parents in El Paso, TX were all sunny and warm while we wore sweaters and jackets still.

Finally, we rejoice in warmer weather. Here is a photo by the tree outside our parish church. In our transition from seasons, we noticed how that tree went from bare branches to little buds of green, to white blossoms, to a shower of white petals upon the ground and bright Spring green leaves on the branches!

Gregory went almost all winter with shorts (in was a mild winter), but here David Joseph is sporting shorts for the first time this year.

Here you can see the physical resemblances and differences of the two brothers! As a mother, I'm enjoying also getting to know their inner similarities and differences. :-) Motherhood--connecting with my "nuclear" family--has led me, as well, to want to connect with you.

Branches are in such plentiful green array now that I write to not forget what a marvel happened as Spring came... bit by bit, a coming alive because of Him!

With cornfield in background

David Joseph with the harvested cornfield of 2004 behind him shows a bit of Ilinois ambience. His hair is lighter than that of the other two, less curly, and he still has his baby chubbiness. He is very huggable and smiles a lot. Una bendicion muy grande!

Abuelita Mama with my three children

My mother has come to help after the births and we got a photo of a very young David Joseph here. David is now about the age of Gregory in this photo!

Lisa's baby Thomas

Thomas Kistler's amazement. Lisa sent us this photo of her first born. We were looking forward to seeing the Kistlers soon at the Baptism.

Easter joy!

I went to the Easter Vigil last night on my own since it began after the children's bedtime (thank you, Steven, for this gift!) What a different feel in the morning--yet bolstered by all the joy of new life and new Catholics who had entered the Church! I had been there to see it. A very joyful Easter indeed.

The Easter Tridiuum has become much more important year after year. Many thanks to my father for taking us to the Masses. And to my husband, who helped dozens of people enter the Church and was there on Easter Vigil.

Sing Choirs of Angels!

This was David Joseph's first Christmas and he was about six months old. About three months later, he was standing and moving with trembly steps. I was eight months pregnant with Katherine during the Christmas of 1999 and it was so memorable and amazing, to think of Our Lady also getting ready to give birth... or to think of the Conception Day! Come, let us adore Him!

Magnetism

Steven is helping David at the Lakeview Museum. Here there are magnets and the bolts stick together due to the magnetism. One can try to make a bridge of bolts from one large magnet to the next.

I'm amazed here how David fits up on the table! 

Art Center for Katherine's 5th birthday!

Another mother clued me in on how vital an art center would be for Katherine. Just in time for her birthday! 

Lisa and Steven

Lisa, Steven's youngest sister 

Black and White of David and Rosie wedding Mass

The sacredness of a commitment... it will last and help them grow closer to each other, others, Christ. It was also such a reminder of the commitment I have made to Steven and my family.

David and his bride, Rosie!

My brother and his bride, Rosie! They married in El Paso on the day we celebrated our seventh anniversary! The wedding Mass with Fr. Michael Rodriguez, was at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church which my grandfather helped to build. My parents were married there in 1966.

Three in a Toy Box!

The three "men" in a "tub"-- this is a classic photo to help me remember when they were small. It also reminds me of how we would cram into the "rumble seat" in the back of the family orange Volkswagon!

Bananas in the Mix?

Oh, make up something she is thinking! (Though that looks has to be for me, I'm sure. That I'm taking a picture or something!)

OK, I'll make up a caption: "Do you think adding bananas to our pancake mix is a good idea, Mama?" 

off for a stroll 

The Shapes of the States

We have gone over the states of the United States for some time now. One way is with the "Scrambled States of America" game seen here. Here Katherine is adding a new activity: tracing of the states... 

Stroller Rides!

They are getting to a very helpful age! I'm seeing that they want to be productive, help out!

We speak of "serving" as a way of loving others, seeing what we can do for them, making their life happier. And them give them lots of opportunities for serving (since "if you want to be first in God's kingdom, you have got to be the servant of all"). It gives perspective.

And they have fun showing what they can do! 

Little Driver

drive 


David really likes vehicles. He has little cars, van, trucks, buses. 

I'm not handing over the keys yet!

David jumps into most events with both feet (and two hands, here!). I was watching and the keys were not in the car or ignition. He really wanted to move the steering wheel. Isn't it too early for that (at 1 1/2)? 

Big Sunshine and Little Sunshine!

Sunshine!  

Tea for Future Scientists

My mother made the bunny and Katherine had been playing with it. I wanted my mother to know it was still loved :-) (Not to mention the Bugs Bunny tea set, which is too!) Here you can see the picnic. I was reading to them about thinking like a scientist. 

Lunch al fresco

Summer outdoors in a shaded area in the backyard. David was asleep and I served lunch outdoors to them.

After the rain

rainstorm

All excited about puddles!

After a shower 

Cousins in Dallas!

In Dallas downtown before David Joseph was born: Nicolas, Katherine, Santiago, Mateo, Andrea, Deanna, Veronica, Eliana, Gregory, Steve. Charles, care to add a bit of detail to this?

Not yet one-year-old swinging

I was visiting my parents' house. In the backyard, they had a swingset and I put David on it.

Flowers to the Fairest

Katherine was given some flowers.
They came from Abuelita Mama's garden
and were for offering to Mary during
her month.

Bring flowers to the fairest...

Homeschool Highlights Book

Gregory likes knights and Katherine loves St. Therese. I had the children help me design the cover to our Homeschool Highlights Book.

Gregory has inherited the Magna Doodle bus that Aunt Emma gave Katherine. It is a lot of fun, encouraging letter making. 

David at a few months old

Katherine and her little brother, David. 

In Our Lady's hands

This was on the day that David Joseph was baptized. My mother had bought the blanket for me and it reminds me of my grandmother named after Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Tiny David

When David Joseph was a few weeks old...