Spring Break

It all started in July, when my sister announced she was having a baby. As the excitement grew (and my sister) the questions of a trip to see the baby came. By January my mom was nagging, by February she was begging. Baby Madison arrived mid-February and luckily my mom was preoccupied - but it didn't last.

March came - spring break around the corner - and I got the phone call. "Southwest is having a special, I am buying the tickets so you might as well pick the times because you are coming." So on Tuesday Jordan, Diego and myself are headed to the airport (wish me luck!). Julio will be staying home to take care of the dogs - and because there are no "spring breaks" in the real world.

The boys and I are very excited for the trip! We get to not only see baby Madison, but we also get to see my little niece that I have only met once (She will be 1 in June!). Now the cute babies are not the only reason I am excited - I miss my family and friends and am looking forward to seeing everyone - and holding and playing with the babies! :)

The looming question of our trip is how will little Diego be feeling? Since moving to Seattle every plane trip to Idaho (or Utah) has resulted in Diego constantly throwing up. We now believe that we have the problem pinpointed to asthma.
Because we travel to a higher elevation the air is thinner, making it harder to breathe. This is our first trip since being diagnosed, and I am prepared - I hope.

I really hope he does good, Diego is the most excited about this trip. He always talks about grandpa's house, grandpa's horses, grandpa's tracker. He tells his big stories about what him and grandpa are going to do. However, I am interested to see if he is going to be as outgoing with grandpa as he says. Usually he becomes a sick, shy, little mama's boy when we visit. But he is two now and is not afraid to inform anyone one that he is a big boy.

Jordan's feeling about this trip makes me proud - a boy after his mom's heart. He has been talking about the different restaurants and food he expects to eat will we are there. Though we have found great places to eat since our move - there are a few places that can't be replaced.

I will post highlights of the trip next week -- be prepared to see babies!

Release the Hounds!

Over the weekend we drove to Montana to pick up a puppy. Yes, what were we thinking is right! 1) To drive 6 hours to Montana and 6 hours back and 2) to get a second hound.

We learned after we got VooDoo (our redbone coonhound) that hounds really do need companionship. VooDoo is about 2 years old now, and we decided to start looking for a Black and Tan Coonhound. In theory to make life easier with/for VooDoo.

We were hoping to adopt a dog that could help VooDoo get a boost of confidence - or if all else just give her a leader to follow. VooDoo is very shy and obedient; she almost carries a sense of properness to her. She is a sweetheart and we thought that she would welcome a new friend.

Enter puppy-

The owner had named him Traveler, however Diego just couldn't get the name (and we weren't fans) so we have been playing with different names and we have decided his name will be 'Papi'. We mentioned the name once and Diego never forgot and even started calling him "me Papi".
Day One -

We didn't want VooDoo to feel like the puppy was getting all the love, so we gave her a chew bone to eat on her bed. The next thing we knew - Papi took VooDoo's bone and her bed. We had to decide whether or not to intervene .

Not the best start - the day was rainy so we were stuck inside, VooDoo avoiding Papi - Papi pestering VooDoo. But finally there was a brief break in the weather and everyone went outside(YIPPEE!). It wasn't long before they were running around together and VooDoo was even taking the lead! Later that night, when the boys had gone to bed, the pups wrestled around on the floor. When it is play time VooDoo loves Papi, during quiet time she wants nothing to do with him.

So far Papi seems a little stubborn, very affectionate, and a good learner. He will be 4 months on Wednesday -- he is going to be a big guy!
I will give you an update and send more pictures as we get to know him better and everything settles down.
WISH US LUCK!!

*Please keep in mind that it is really hard to take a good picture of a puppy -- it is pretty much impossible to take a picture of 2 dogs - when they are playing in the with 2 boys.

"Tag"

Thanks to Camille, we have been tagged. It is a good thing because I haven't posted for a while and I need to let everyone know we are still alive.
Note: I have changed some of the questions.

What is his name?
Julio (now) - Vince (then), long story short, same person different name - one that is more...him.

How long have you been together?
11 1/2 together - 9 1/2 years married

How long did you date?
1 and a half years

How old is he?
27 -what can I say, I like younger men (by 3 months)!


Who is taller?
Julio's license says 5'6, and if you talk to him he will say 5'8, the truth we see eye to eye at 5'4.

Who can sing better?
Either one of us could be on American Idol. At the beginning of the season where they make fun of people.

Who is smarter?
Julio - but to my defense I have been in toddler mode for 2 years, not a lot of adult conversations. I have a better memory and navigation skills.

Who does the laundry?
I do, and lately Jordan is helping. I like to keep up on laundry, Julio would put it off until there was nothing left to wear - I am not saying he is a procrastinator...it is a little worse than that.

Who is the first to give a kiss or hug?
Julio, he jumped the gun on our first encounter. But uncharacteristically of me, I am responsible for the second. Great memories.

Who pays the bills?
Me, have I mentioned Julio procrastinates?

Who mows the lawn?
I do -- it is my yard, I love gardening - I am still learning but it's a great release.

Who cooks dinner?
Me - seriously for everyone's health - me.

Who drives?
Both - I am a really bad back seat driver so Julio doesn't like to drive with me. When we travel we are a great team. Julio Drives and I navigate -- if only I could get my rights and left right, luckily Julio knows my directions.

Who is more stubborn?
Julio by far, with Diego a close second.

Who asked who out first?
I would assume Julio. We lived an hour apart (long distance) so we communicated through old fashion letters. After three months of just writing our work/school schedules opened up for a New Years date.

Who is more sentimental?
I would have to say Julio. If we remember the special dates - Julio. He is much more thoughtful on a daily basis too.

Favorite type of T.V. shows?
Julio is sports, sports and reality. I have been disappointed with the current comedies so I have fallen back on reality - Top Chef, America's next top model, American Idol, Survivor, etc.

Who has more social skills and can read the other like a hawk?
I have both. Julio can turn on his social skills, but lets be honest it is a struggle and reading people in general - not his forte.

Who has more siblings?
I do, unfortunately Julio doesn't have much of a family outside of us.

Who wears the pants?
It depends on the area/issue. For the most part we share, I run the household and Julio runs everything else.

Enjoy and I would like to "tag" Cher and Nicole!

Jordan + Math = AMAZING!

Just wanted to give a shout out to Jordan - Congratulations for placing 9th among all 4th graders in the district participating in Math Olympiads!

Among other activities, Jordan has been in a "math club" called Math Olympiads since the beginning of the school year and Saturday was the district compitition.

Jordan -- you are awesome, you took on academic challenges and didn't give up. Keep being who you are - because it is amazing to watch you grow!

Super Star!

Always a new surprise with little Diego!

We took Jordan to the Dentist, and to get Diego comfortable with future appointments he went in the back with Jordan to watch. Before I knew it he was in the "big chair" asking for glasses. Not long after that he was opening his mouth wide for a cleaning of his own!!

Both boys have great looking teeth and no cavities - yipee.


Update on Julio -- AkA J-2-da-O
While we were having new adventures at the dentist, Julio was soaking up the sun in Las Vegas at a tribal convention. Though he was only there for a day I think it was a nice get away, he has been working a lot lately.

Also, Julio has recently been given a great opportunity to be a part of an organization called the Mockingbird Society (http://www.mockingbirdsociety.org/) as a board member. It is a great way for Julio to get involved with something he feels strongly about - foster care.