My Days with Mom

Mom had a couple of events at the apartments where she lives and I took her.   Yesterday, they had the December Birthdays celebration so we went.   They had a bingo to start and mom won one of the games.   She enjoyed herself and I thought it was great that she felt like going.   She does not want to get out much but she had a good time.

I took a couple of pictures at her apartment before we went partying...

Today, they had their Christmas Party and she wanted to go, so we attended.   This lady also lives at the facility.  They both looked very pretty so I took their picture.

Momma looked very pretty, as always.

I did not get to take a picture with mom yesterday but I asked one of the helpers there to please take my picture with Mom.  We both had a very nice time.  She really enjoyed the meal.  These times with mom are very special to me....

The place was very nicely decorated.

They had a door price raffle.  Everyone had such a nice time.

 

Until next time....

Visit With Santa!

We picked up Larissa and Arianna after school and brought them home.   It was a very cold day so we stayed in and enjoyed the warmth of our fireplace.

On Saturday we decided to go to the Bass Pro Shop to see Santa.

We got there and the wait to see Santa was 3 hours so we just enjoyed our time there.

We take a break so Grandpa can rest....

An overview of Santa's Wonderland from the 2nd floor....nice!

Then we head to eat at the Islamorada Restaurant...

The girls enjoy the aquarium but Arianna is tired of taking pictures....

We finally got our table and placed our order....we are all hungry!

What a joy these girls are.....

It is finally 3:30 and we get in line for the 4 pm visit with Santa!

 

They finally get to talk to Santa.  Arianna actually told him what was on her list!

Lari had a pretty long list!

On Sunday, before Dad picked them up, we take more pictures here at home....

This was an other wonderful weekend with our little ones!

Thanksgiving Day & More

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday.   We spent all week with Larissa and Arianna.   We spend a few days at our house and a few at their house.   We decorated their Christmas tree and just had a lot of fun all week.   Here are a few pictures of the past week.

We purchased a new camera and we are trying it out.  

Lari sports her new glasses.   She and Grandpa are playing a game of cards.

On Thursday, we had Thanksgiving dinner at the Old San Francisco Steak House.  Lari swings on the swing....

Arianna waits in line to swing next.....

We enjoyed visiting with Greg and Jeanie Traub and their daughter. It was so nice to see them.

Jeanie helped Manuel so much after his cancer diagnosis.   We are so thankful to her for her guidance.  She, like Manuel, is a cancer survivor. 

Arianna enjoys her lunch.

Lari and Veronica.  She is so happy to be with Mommy.

Manuel Jr. and Veronica.

We had a wonderful day, although we missed not having Corina around.  She spent a week in San Juan, Puerto Rico.   She had a great time on her vacation.

Looking down at the bar...at the Old San Francisco Steakhouse.

Today, Monday, as I was out visiting with my mom, Manuel was getting acquainted with the new camera. He made a nice fire and stayed warm while I was out.

He set the timer to take his own picture.   Then he takes a picture of me when I got home.....

    

Getting Ready for Christmas

We spent most of the week decorating our house for Christmas...

    

Finally done with the tree and the Christmas village.....

    

On Friday, we picked up Larissa and Arianna.  They will spend the night.  Arianna kept saying, "awesome" and went thru every little thing......they had fun and we had fun watching them.

    

They pose with Grandpa and the tree he sets up outside....

    

Manuel sets the timer and we took our first Christmas picture...even Charlie, our Yorkie, posed.

    

On Saturday, we were invited to Gabriella's 2nd Birthday party at her Grandma and Grandpa's house which is a few houses from our house.  Grandma Rose and Gabriella pose....Arianna and I enter the Castle and we had a great time.....

 

       

Everyone had a great time....

Lari is at the top of the slide, and grandpa catches a picture of her sliding down...

      

Our Daughter-In-Law catered the party.   Her company's name is Absolutely Delicious Catering.     

They had beautiful, colorful balloons everywhere.

They had four tents set out where the food was served....very good food.

The DJ area and the Cake table...

Lari just had a great time....Arianna was a little shy but also had a wonderful time.

Arianna and I take a break from the activities...Gabriella digs into the Piñata!

    

Mike, Gabriella and Lori Garcia...

Arianna stands in line to hit the piñata.      Gabriella hits the piñata and grabs the first candy.

    

Lari has fun hitting the piñata!

Ready to cut the Beautiful cake!                  We sing Happy Birthday to Gabriella.

    

We had another wonderful weekend with the Girls....Manuel just picked them up and took them home.

More of Demondtron Travelers Rally

We had a pretty busy time at the Rally.   We Really enjoyed being a part of the Host Team.  The only thing I had a hard time with was waking up at about 5:30 am to make sure we had everything ready for the 7:30 am breakfasts.   I did not get to take as many pictures as I usually get but here are a few.

The Host Team:  (L) Gene and Gail Gay, (R) Pete and Martha Palisota, and (C) Manuel and I.  We had good leaders......

Braunig Lake RV Resort has a very nice clubhouse.  We had continental breakfast on Friday morning and Friday dinner which was catered.

Saturday morning we made pancakes and sausage.

Breakfast has been served so everyone just socializes.

Looks like I am about to really enjoy my coffee and doughnut!!!

After we were done with our duties, we headed out with Janet and George Lambe.  We went by our house and went by to check out a couple of RV parks, for future use.   Then we headed to Mi Tierra Restaurant.  Manuel and Janet check out the pastries....

 

As we wait to be seated, I take Janet and George's picture as he attempts to take mine....

The place is beautifully decorated....nice arrangement.

Janet and George Lambe....we had such a nice time with them.  

The waiter takes our picture.

The Duo sings Las Mananitas....Happy Birthday to someone there.

Back at the park....more socializing....Happy Hour!  Like they say, it's 5 O'clock somewhere.

Manuel Jr., Larissa and Arianna came by to visit us at about 4:30.   We had a nice visit and of course, the girls left crying because they wanted to stay with us.   I felt so bad that they left crying.

This was the view from the Clubhouse....Very pretty view.

The Palisotas and Alan Pettigrew, V.P.

After dinner on Saturday, we played Bingo.

Mark Scherback, Wagon Master, and Alan Pettigrew, V.P., assist with the Bingo.

George Franklin runs the Bingo.   He is a good caller....Manuel and I both won a round.

 

Sunday morning, we got together and headed to IHOP.  There were 5 couples that went. 

The Lambes, Franklins, Masons, Parkers and The Esparzas.  It was nice getting together.

Manuel and I head home in the rain.  We decided not to hook up since we are so close by.  A few of the folks stayed for an extra day. We have had a lot of rain today.  

We got home, unloaded the RV and I took a long, long nap.   We had a great time with all of these folks.  Next rally  with this group is scheduled for January.   We are hoping to be there.

Demondtron Travelers Rally

The Houston-based Demondtron Travelers are meeting in San Antonio this week.  Since we purchased our Phaeton in Houston, we have joined the group.   We are meeting at Braunig Lake RV Resort.   Manuel and I drove 30 miles to the park.   Several couples have been here since Saturday night.

Manuel and I volunteered to help the Host Team with this rally since it is held in San Antonio.

We gathered between the Lambe's Phaeton and our Phaeton for fellowship.  We had not seen the group since May.  It was nice to see all those gathered here.   More folks will arrive tomorrow.   They are expecting about 25 rigs.  George and Janet display the American Flag....nice.

Today was a beautiful day...nice, sunny but cool.

The Lambes, Roberts, Franklins, Masons and Manuel and I gather to socialize.

Phil cooks and everyone brings a side dish.....very good meal!

Manuel and George pose for a picture.

Gisele and Janet......

Ray and Caroline.....

We then gather at the clubhouse to play cards....

I won!   They always say the scorekeeper wins but no one volunteers to keep score....

Until tomorrow....we will see what tomorrow brings.

Dale's Visit & Halloween Fun!

On Thursday afternoon, Dale Trepagnier from La Place, Louisiana came to San Antonio for business and he came over to visit overnight.  We had a very nice visit with him.   Manuel and Dale were in the military together, became very good friends and have stayed in touch since the late 60's.  Thank you Dale for your visit.  Mark, this is our other Cajun friend.

 

We spent Friday night with Larissa and Arianna.  We carved out 2 pumpkins and made cupcakes for the cul-de-sac gathering on Halloween night.   We had so much fun.  Lari designed the cuts on the pumpkins and I carved.

Halloween morning, I asked the girls what they wanted for breakfast and Lari said " I want pancakes, egg and bacon" so we headed for the kitchen.   They are good helpers!   Lari mixed the pancake mix and Arianna mixed the scrambled eggs.   We had breakfast ready by the time Mommy and Daddy woke up and got ready for work...   What a great morning we had!

    

Then we headed out where everyone was helping with the haunted house preparations.  This project began yesterday...Arianna was afraid to go in the haunted house but she did walk Charlie, our Yorkie, as other worked.

    

Then it was time to get our costumes....Aunt Corina came and painted our faces.

Lari is Super Girl.....                                 Arianna is a kitty......

    

Arianna was scared of Grandpa and dared not get close to him!

     

Corina said she was Arianna with her ponytails....I am the Clown.

Grandpa had to remove his mask so Arianna could take a picture with him...

Cute Sisters!

Corina on the phone....

Lari's neighbors....

Manuel Sr. and Jr. sit and wait for kids....

More of the kids....Manuel Sr. sits and waits for kids to go thru the haunted house and handed out candy at the exit.  These kids and adults had so much fun!

This was a fun filled night for both kids and adults....This was a very nice gathering.