Family bonding time

The girls

         It had been a long time since we had all been together in the same city so the cousins needed to get acquainted with one another; it was a blast to watch them together. It didn't take too long before the kids started following each other around. Khamie, Mitch and Valeria's daughter, is so adorable and hilarious. Khamie is a Mama's girl but I got a couple of hugs from her and some holding hands time too, which is a big deal so I'm good. Valeria and I got to do my mom's tradition of shopping at Kohls whenever we get together. We mostly just went shopping for our little ladies but we got to treat ourselves to some fun accessories. Unfortunately Madeline has already done quite a number on my sunglasses, that actually fit my face (found by Vale). Oh well that's what I get for letting her play with it. I'll have to find some sturdier ones. This get together was also Weston's first time meeting Khamie. So we were really excited that they finally got to meet.

Happiness!

Evidence that she held my hand ^_^

        I always seem to forget how epic it can be when you get the Dela Cruzes together. I love my brothers and I seriously wish we all lived in one compound: have Sunday dinners together, game nights, and who know what crazy ideas we come up with. But one thing you can definitely count on when we get together is some tennis bonding time. We only had a few days together, not nearly long enough, but we definitely made the most of it. We then got to make a fun trip up to good ol' Burley, Idaho. It's a small town that is home to Weston's wonderful parents. I have been truly blessed with incredible in-laws. And the little chilluns just adore them.
       Oliver had the time of his life tearing up Grandpa's garden. Weston and I were trying to be helpful by pulling out the weeds and of course the kids want to join in. Oliver just keeps digging and digging so we join in and then all of a sudden we hit something hard. We dig it out and it's a cinder block. This ultimately piques all our curiosity so the whole time we were there, without fail Oliver would get up and venture back out to the garden to try to solve the mystery of the cinder blocks. We all pitched in. Abby, Summer and Brent's daughter was there to help us. She's three and the cousins hit it off right of the bat. They all had the same goal of just digging and digging. Pretty soon the whole was deep enough that if the kids got in it they would disappear. It was quite an adventure for the kids. We never did solve the mystery. Grandpa did leave a couple of coins for Oliver to find. It was very sweet. We ate good food with Grandma's bountiful baskets that she gets and some awesome cookies that were DELICIOUS! There were so many fun things we did together like Stephen taking me along with him on his 5 mile, which I survived ( its the farthest I've run, ever!), going to see Stephen doing his umpiring over in Pocatello, camping the backyard, and rummaging through Weston's old keepsakes. It's amazing what you can find. So many wonderful memories with both families. Love. Them. Truly wish we were all closer.
      

Oh Weston, I love you!

But for now, since we are all in three different time zones, google plus, skype, or facetime will just have to do. Thank heavens for people who came up with these great modes of communication because it keeps me from getting too homesick. The kids can still see and talk with their grandparents and I get to talk to my brothers. It keeps us close even though we are far away. As cheesy as that sounds Weston and I keep family a very high priority. We love them, we need them, and like any relationship it takes work. Our family is important to us and I'm grateful that our Savior has made it possible for us to be together forever.

Oliver's epic superhero stance. He just stands like that naturally when he's got a superhero shirt on.

I forgot to mention the bunny, Bex. This is Stephen and Deneka's bunny the kids were absolutely over the moon when they saw it. Especially Madeline. She loves bunnies.

Before the overhaul and the start of the mystery solving.

Funny faces!

Storybook park

I think this pictures speaks for itself.

Congrats Kuya Mike!

          My big brother Mike just graduated last month (late on posting along with the upcoming posts, but hey at least I'm getting it up right) and the whole family got to be there. It had been a really long time so it was extra special. He is our first graduate from college in the family so it was so exciting to see him cross the stage. Oh man, if only you could feel how proud we are and see how big our smiles were during that day. Plus it got me and Mitch motivated to finish too. Mike is working now at Primary Children's hospital. He's currently helping with some research so my brother is pretty important. ^_^ Mike is planning on going to medical school so he's studying for that now too. He's very diligent and a great example. We love you Mike and CONGRATS!

Here is us trying to take some pictures together and some family adventures.

Off to the Krispy Kreme state

    

I don't know what this is all about, but I want to find it in Winston Salem

    If you don't already know, which most of you already do, I think, we will be moving to Winston-Salem, NC. Weston has been accepted to a Physician Assistant program in Wake Forest University and we couldn't be more thrilled about it. The one time we were there for interviews we didn't think that we would end up there, especially considering Weston felt he did poorly on the interview. Yay for being surprised! In recent weeks we have started packing, looking for homes, and prospecting where we will be in the next five years. It's exciting thinking that in two years we could potentially have our official career job and in the succeeding years we could have two kids in school. YIKES! We try not to think too far ahead. It can get a little overwhelming. Anyhow here are a few interesting facts about where we are moving to.

Facts about Winston-Salem (thanks, Wikipedia!):
1. Krispy Kreme was founded in Winston-Salem
2. They have to die for (possibly literally, if eaten in excess) BBQ
3. In 2012, the city was listed among the 10 best places to retire in the U.S. by CBS Money Watch.
<sup>4. It has humid subtropical climate. Not bad eh?
5. We will be living there so you should come visit us ^_^


We are really excited for this move and I believe it will be amazing!</sup> 

Superheroes to the ReSCUe!

I am not great at keeping up posts but here's to trying.

        Oliver is now 4 years old and he does it very well. He is a great storyteller and loves to make up his own words which he expects you to know. He absolutely adores Madeline and is a protective brother, even with us. Sometimes when Weston pretends to be a lion or dragon or whatever creature that may be attacking little Ms. Madeline, who can you expect to protect her? Sir Oliver! He will bravely stand in front of her and yell "NOT MY SISTER!" It may not seem too impressive considering that it is just pretend but if you know how seriously he takes his pretend play it is quite brave.
     Oliver is my little boy growing up and I love getting to know him better everyday and loving him more and more. Happy (super belated post) Birthday!

We love you!

Mads rockin' the superhero masks we made

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We had done this together with Oliver a few days before his birthday so we could enjoy it a little bit longer. He picked the colors and he loves streamers.

I think this was the night before his birthday trying to get all the decor up.

2012 Christmas Plague

Despite the title of my Christmas post we had the time of our lives with family coming to visit us. We had Stephen and Deneka and Mama and Papa Beck come in on the 12th, except Mom and Dad had to go to their cruise the next day, but no worries they'll be back in time for Christmas. So in the meantime we had fun staying home watching Xmas movies, making treats, cards, and late night Christmas-making-decorations extravaganza. And once in a while when we were feeling up to it we ventured out to see some of our favorite places in Philly. So why do I name it the Christmas plague? It sounds like we just had a great relaxing holiday and we did. But, not to get into too much detail, we all got our fair share of a GI bug with a few minor differences from person to person and some aches. The only sad part of getting sick is seeing the kids feeling down but they were troopers. Guess what, this  did not stop us from having fun.  NEVER! And these pictures will prove it. And yes we do look this good sick ~_^

We had to see the kangaroos for Stephen.

Sugar cookies! And Mary Poppins!!!

He had lots of fun! Can you tell?

Our delicious creations.

Xmas morning and what do we eat? Grits! It's YUMMY!

CHRISTMAS PJS!

We LOVE you Gamma Beck! Doesn't that smile just warm your heart?

our tree Christmas morning

Recouping before we head to NYC the next day.

Christmas day we got to see Les Miserables and had some homemade gumbo made by some awesome people, the Mahanas.  When we went to see the movie, which was amazing, Big Todd watched the kiddos for us. At first I was feeling a little nervous for him because Mads doesn't do too well without mommy. However, we came home to absolutely cute sight of Big Todd holding Miss Madeline in his arms content as can be. She didn't even reach out to me she was so comfortable. We sure love sharing Christmas' with family and good people.

Before we left for the movies. Oliver was excited to have a friend play legos with him. Mads was taking a nap.

When we got home. We forgot to take some pictures of their lego creations, they were good. Mads just relaxed as can be.

NEW YORK CITY!

Oliver was stoked to see Iron and Spiderman at FAO Shwartz. He's convinced they live there.

BIG PIANO!

No three hour line will dampen our spirits

Not even the kiddos ^_^ Short note: Bathrooms are always full! Solution: Empty bottle for our little man. Where does he do his business? Behind a pillar.

reunion with cousins

Mads having a fun little game of 'Who gets Grampa's hat?' while waiting to be called for our table. FOOD!

Back to Philadelphia for more adventures:

 We didn't take as many pictures as we would have because we were having so much fun.

Reading Terminal Market