What is Christian reaching for??? Hey, isn't he too young for Champange? Ok, maybe just one sip Little Man. 

Well - Like we said before, Christian and Luisy are doing well! We're back from vacation and readjusting to our normal routine. Luisy enjoyed being back to school by the end of the week and actually asked if he could go to school today (Sunday)... now if we'd driven him there, would he have still felt the same?

Christian and Luisy are both fighting a cough and cold - something nice to bring back from vacation I guess - at least it doesn't cost extra!

So on vacation, some of our other highlights included:

• Playing on the beach - at one point, Christian was COMPLETELY covered in sand... He had fallen in the sand and rolled over to get up... he was so cute! It was amazing that the entire week, neither of the boys got sand in their eyes.
• STREAKING - On the way home from dinner each night Mommy found herself taking off the baby's clothes because they were so hot and sweaty... So by the time the train got to the rooms, the boys were just in diapers... and when we got off the train, off came the diapers! Luisy ran down the walkway screaming, "-teaking! -teaking!" On the last day of the vacation, he ran streaking right up to some poor teenage girl who could just laugh when he stopped and asked her, "how you doing?"
• Eating watermelon - the boys LIVED on watermelon. They ate it at breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also tried passion fruit, papaya, and guava. Christian liked to eat the tropical fruits more than Luisy, but they both tried them nonetheless.

Well - the weekend is over, it is very late (mommy just finished some major research for a finance class...) and all of the boys have been sleeping for hours...

We did have a great weekend - just stayed around the house mostly - We did have dinner with Grandma and Papa on Saturday night... There was so much catch-up housework to do... Christian and Luisy enjoyed trashing each room as we cleaned it! They know their roles and we know ours!

Luisy's quote of the day, "Can I pee in the grass?" - While pulling off his underpants on the back patio - Homeownership sure is nice... Yes, he peed in the grass!!!

Christian's quote of the day, "Bamaldwamadala. Dada dada dada!" - Christian has learned to use his tongue when "talking"! It is the cutest thing EVER! He just rolls it around in his mouth and makes every sound imaginable.

Luisy and Mommy at the wedding - opening up a bottle of much-needed water - it was SO hot! 

Christian applauding at the wedding! Yeah! Everyone together now!!! 

A view down a path from our resort to the beach at the Melia Caribe Tropical 

Well! As many of you know, we have been on vacation for an extended period of time! Christian and Luisy got to take a trip to the Dominican Republic! There is so much to tell and so many things to share - so we will have to take this slow!

Let's just start at the beginning! Christian and Luisy flew to Newark, NJ on Friday, 7/29/2005 and got to spend two days at their Abuela's house! They were able to play with their toys, watch some favorite DVD's and get reacquainted with their Abuela, Titi Lala and Titi Lidia... among other family members! They are so lucky to have so many people that love and care for them! The flight out to NJ was successful, both boys napped for some time and the 4.5 hour flight - huh - flew by!

On Sunday, we joined a large group of people from our family and another family (about 30 people total) and we flew to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic! It was another successful flight - and Christian and Luisy were able to move around a bit more and sit with their Titi Lala, Tia Daisy, Uncle Tony, David, etc. Thanks to lots of love from their family, this was a fun flight! Christian loved sitting right next to the window looking out as we took off and landed! He was so curious!

When we landed in Puerto Plata, and Mommy informed Luisy that we'd be able to walk down the steps of the plane, onto the tarmac, he proceeded to tell Mommy, "I'm so excited! I love the tarmac!" We had discussed the difference between the tarmac and the runway in both Phoenix and Newark... He is so smart!!!

We rode a bus a short time to arrive at the resort (Melia Caribe Tropical del Sol) and once there, were excited to see that the resort had a big yellow train that was used to transport guests from one area of the resort to another! Luisy was in heaven!

Well - that is a good place to end the beginning of our story - but I will also add that the transition back to daycare, following our vacation has been smooth! Christian and Mommy are fighting the same sinus cold/cough - but doing alright nonetheless! Luisy has been easy-going and happy at school - in spite of the long break we took from our routine! We live for routines around here!

Luisy's Number 1 Vacation Quote - upon waking up EVERY morning at the resort said, "Mommy, Daddy, its time to get up. Its time to play and have fun!"

Christian's Number 1 Quote of All Time - whenever he really needs something or is getting upset, "MaDa!" - that's me, Mommy - aka MaDa... can you tell who is his favorite (did I hear someone say Daddy?)

...Just as an aside - Christian has been actually referring to his DaDa for about 2 months (since around 9 months) - whenever daddy enters the room, etc., and just started calling Mommy MaDa.... Is mommy a little jealous - yes, maybe a little - but in a very loving, productive way... heehee!