Los Luceros Return to the 505

The last time we Luceros visited New Mexico was May 2009 for Carrie's wedding.  Back then, we were the Luceros Four (including Bella, of course).  We are now the Luceros Five (still including Bella, of course). :)

The drive is long with two young children, but went remarkably well.  The backseat is a bit tight with two car seats, but I was able to squish myself in between the two seats and soothe Scarlett when she got upset.  I'd still prefer a larger SUV, though (hint-hint, Honey ...).

We spent our first night with our beloved Auntie Bol and Uncle Mr. Ashe.  We arrived later than we expected, and they very graciously treated us to a wonderful, home cooked meal  for dinner - and for breakfast the next day.  Christian had a great time running around with Auntie and Uncle ... I wish we could have stayed longer.  (I somehow didn't get pictures of our visit ... bad, bad Jennifer).

Saturday morning, we paid a visit to the adorable Fernandez Family.  We hasn't seen Tesa since she was about Scarlett's age ... and she is just the most precious little girl.  I almost had to take both Joaquin and Tesa home with us - they are just so precious!

And once again, we were treated to a wonderful meal ... and great conversation!  I've missed my sweet friend, Kristy!

Kristy, Tesa and Scarlett

Christian and Scarlett.

He was in HEAVEN to be playing with all these new toys!

Joaquin and Scarlett

Auntie Kristy and Christian

Next, we headed to Carrie's graduation party up in the mountains.  She graduated from New Mexico Highlands University with a double major in Elementary Education and Special Education.  I'm just so proud of her!

We're so acclimated to the hot temps of Phoenix that we found the mountain air to be really chilly ... but I LOVED IT!  It was nice to be in "real mountains" (versus the desert mountains a block away from our house).  The air smelled amazing!

Scarlett with Auntie Amy and Lil' Joshua

Scarlett and Madison

Christian preferred to stay away from the crowd of strangers.

Scarlett and Auntie Carrie

Papa and Christian looking for new adventures.

Scarlett and Grandma Debba

The cool mountain air was a bit much for our little boy from Phoenix. :)

After the graduation party, we headed to out hotel in Albuquerque to meet up with Granny, Grandpa and Uncle Eldon.  It was the first time Uncle Eldon met our Miss Scarlett.

Gettin' some "Granny Love"

"Oh, so THIS is my Uncle Eldon!"

Two very tired kiddlets!

My beloved Sandia Mountains

We splurged a little and got a two-suite hotel room.  Christian is very loud these days and there is no way we would have been able to have two sleeping children in a conventional one-room hotel room.  And the arrangement worked out perfectly.  Christian in one room sleeping with one parent, Scarlett in the other room sleeping with the other parent ... and a nice living room/kitchenette set up in between so we could all visit.

Alas, on Monday - after a much-too-short weekend - it was time to hit the highway again.  But first, we stopped off at my office to visit.

The Grand Canyon State 

(and I've STILL never seen the Grand Canyon!!)

Scarlett had enough of her Papa's love.

Christian and one of his many Happy Meal toys.  

He loves them for the day and then is done ... couldn't care less.

So there you have it ... we did it: we survived a long road trip with an energetic four year old little boy and a four month old baby princessa.   I hope it is not another three years before we return to the Land of Enchantment ... but you never know what the future holds.  I couldn't have imagined that we'd go three years without going back to the place I grew up ... but that is exactly what happened.  

Christian's First Concert

Tonight Christian's school had their first-ever "Spring Concert."  Each class sang a song or two.

We weren't sure how Christian would do when he walked out with his class to find an entire lawn full of people eagerly waiting.  Thankfully, the school's owner stayed with Christian.  They all know him so well there, and do everthing they can to help ease his anxiety - and I'm always grateful to them for that.

 

As you'll see in the video, Christian didn't sing a whole lot.   And when he was able to come find us in the crowd, he climbed into my lap, put his head into my shirt and cried for a few moments. My poor, sweet little guy ... he was a bit overwhelmed!

Christian's frame of reference for a "concert" comes from a DVD called "Mater's Tall Tales." One of the segments is called, "Heavy Metal Mater," and Mater is the lead singer in a band, and during his song, he gets lifted high above the crowd at a concert. So, Papa obliged Christian's expectations and lifted him high in the sky.



 

A Tired Lil' Family

Our Fun Weekend

The summer heat is on its way, so we're out and about trying to have as much fun as possible before even walking outside becomes miserable.

Saturday, we went to the grand opening of a new fire station in our community.  We've been watching it go up for months, so it was excited to check it out.  Christian's biggest thrill was getting a hug from the Chick-fil-A cow! :)

Saturday evening was our neighborhood's annual Block Party at the park across the street, and Auntie Liz joined us.  It was the first time many of our neighbors had seen Scarlett since her early days, so several of them held her and she handled it like a trooper.

Christian was off playing with other kids - some he knew, some he didn't.   He's really come out of his shell - we love to see him play and not be so shy!

Sunday morning, we went to church ... and to the annual church picnic that afternoon.  Though, that wasn't the best time.  It was a hot day and we didn't know there wasn't shade.  Despite being a potluck, there wasn't enough food.  By the time Jonathan and Christian returned from playing, only desert items were left.  We dedided it was best to get the kiddos out of the heat, so we packed it up after just a few mintes and headed home.

But not before I got some cute pics of our little Princessa:

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

I love reading the newspaper.  I get the Arizona Republic every day of the week, and a local newspaper twice a week.  Before becoming a mother again in January, I took time every morning to read my newspaper.  I took time to read the multiple magazines and catalogs I get in the mail.   I read an occasional book (couldn't put down the Twilight series!).

Now ... 

The paper stacks up for days, until I get a moment to go through them.  By then, the news is old and I pick a couple of my favorite sections in the paper and read them, and recycle the rest.

This scene plays over again all over the place:

• Laundry - clean laundry piled high on the washer/dryer (or still in the dryer - wrinkling).  Dirty laundry piled high in hampers.  I actually love doing laundry ... I just don't have time to keep up.  But I can assure you, nobody is walking around naked or in dirty clothes.
• Dishes - piled high in the sink
• Magazines - piled high on the kitchen counter
• Mail - sits unopened.
• Coupons - sitting in a few messy piles - either cut or uncut.  But certainly not nicely organized into my coupon binder like they used to be.
• The bed - unmade much of the time (I used to make the bed nearly every morning - a nicely made bed makes the whole bedrroom look nice.
• Netflix - I got my most recent movie a couple of months ago.  And it's just been sitting on the counter, with all the above-mentioned stuff piling on top of it.  

I have realized I really enjoy cleaning, now that I don't have the time to do it - ha ha!   The only time our house gets a decent cleaning these days is if somebody is coming over.   Even if its just my sister, or the air conditioner technician, our house gets a good cleaning.   I keep thinking we need to have somebody come over once a week, just so I can be forced to clean the house.

And yet while I crave a clean house, I'm not going to sacrifice family time to get it.   A long, hot summer is just around the corner and I'd rather get all of us out and about.  There are lots of things to do in the Phoenix area this time of year, and we're out doing it while we can.

If you're reading this post and would ever like to visit us ... just give us a week's advanced notice so we have time to clean. :)

Sea Life Arizona Aquarium

We don't leave the West Valley too often, which is too bad because there's a lot to do in East Valley.

Today we ventured out to Sea Life Arizona in Tempe for the first time.  What a treat!  It's so cute and Christian was absolutely THRILLED to be there.   We got such a kick out of watching him get excited around every corner.

Christian's shark obsession is more than just an obsession - it is now a lifestyle.  We assumed his interest would wane ... but he's only become more interested as time goes by.  Not a day passes that he doesn't ask to see sharks on TV.  Not a day passes when he doesn't drag his big stuffed shark around the house ... just like other kiddos might carry a blanket or teddy everywhere they go.    We really would not be surprised if Christian becomes a marine biologist or a shark expert when he grows up.  Sure, it is a bit early to make that prediction ... but seriously, this kiddo loves sharks and the ocean.

I love this pic above.  He was SOOOOOO excited to see a shark in the tank

Somehow he appears to be half inside the tank.

Afterwards, we walked around the mall for a while and discovered a carousel! 

Christian loves carousels!

Enjoy a video ... and Christian's enthusiasm!