Blog Funk, Hiatus, Busy, et al.

Call it whatever you like, but y'all, we're really sorry :)

In other news, our family's finally together! We are now in Italy (long story, folks). But the move sucked all our energy out and we just can't find the energy to blog about anything, nor we have been compelled to put anything down. But all-in-all, it was a great move, and we travelled all over the Midwest to West coast, and back.

Perhaps we'll update this blog after we're settled into this new place. Until then, continue to love one another, live life to the fullest, and have a wonderful holidays!

Fun at KC!

Okay mom, stop with the pictures, we want to play!














Frolicking in the water.














Getting wet.














Having fun.














And. . . . all bummed after the bicycle cop told us to stop and get out of the fountain--haha!

Vanessa's Debut

First of all, I would like to thank Francis for inviting us to his daughter’s debut. I didn’t realize how much I missed this tradition until then. It truly was a night to remember!

The 18^th birthday or “debut” is a Filipino tradition of “presenting a young woman to society”. The “debutante” celebrates her 18th birthday by dancing with her “cotillion court” consisting of nine men and nine women in an elegant Waltz dance. The celebration also includes the presentation of the 18 candles and 18 roses to the debutante. This is where 18 ladies light 18 candles which represents the light that will serve as a guide to the debutante as she enters the life of adulthood.

Enjoy the pictures!

Vanessa with her escort.














Bubbly Vanessa in her recent 18th birthday.














After the presentation of 18 candles & 18 roses.














Vanessa with mom Rosalyn, little sister, and dad Francis.














Dancing the Waltz with her "cotillion court".

All in-sync.

Vanessa dancing with such grace.

It melts my heart to watch her dance with her dad. You can certainly feel the bond they have.

The cake was not only beautiful, it was also very delicious.

Chaeli and lola, enjoying the delectable dinner.

A dance number by one of Vanessa's aunt from Wichita, Kansas.

Rosalyn and Adel wowing everyone with their dance number; a Tango nevertheless!

Chaeli dancing the Cha-Cha slide.

And now, Vanessa is bound for college. She got a full scholarship to Creighton University and is on her way to becoming a doctor. I know she will be a good one and her patients will all be lucky to have her.

We wish you the very best!

Bulls-I

MIke: A day at the shooting range for our monthly qualifications. The best part is
working with the Coalition and being able to fire their rifles at the shooting rage.

Omaha Children's Museum- -June 15, 2006

Visiting Kuya David

Fun @ Great Wolf Lodge

Before Gladys and family's move to Virginia and I start working , we decided to go on a 2-day getaway to Great Wolf Lodge in Kansas city, about 2 ½ hours drive from here. The room we got was very roomy, it had 2 queen size beds and a pull out couch, it also included a miniature refrigerator as well as a microwave oven. Gladys, David, mom, Chaeli, and myself were all given arm bands to utilize the water parks.

The lodge is beautiful with a rustic atmosphere. There's a grand fireplace that you can relax to, and at night, the children can come and listen to a bedtime story and songs played by animated characters carved out of wood.

Next door to the lodge is Cabella's, an outdoors store. The Nebraska Furniture Mart, which is a huge furniture/electronics store is just down the road, while the KC Speedway is just a block away. The complex is complete with an outdoor mall, the Legends 14 theater, and a whole gamut of restaurants that you can choose from, such as, Dave & Busters, Applebee’s, Famous Dave’s, Arthur Bryant's, Longhorn Steakhouse, Cold Stone Creamery, and more. We really had a blast!!!

A warm jacuzzi just for the little ones, as well as a separate jacuzzi only for adults.

BaghDaddy

Olive: Hi folks! I know Mike's going to kill me once he finds out that I uploaded these pictures here, so, let's all not say anything to him, okay? Let this be our little secret--teehee :)
*Baghdad, 2006.

Chaeli & Grandpa

I love my grandpa, he's like a big loving teddy bear, always making me feel loved and secure. Thank you for being the greatest grandpa there is!

Your "mija",
Chaeliany