Saturday, February 27, 2010

Fun, Sun, Wedding....Florida



We began our trip by spending the night in Calgary since we had an early morning flight. The only room they had left when we checked in was a 2-room suite with jacuzzi tub IN the master bedroom. Oh, if we must! The boys thoroughly enjoyed the tub, with a small container of shower gel added.


Watching the Olympics in luxury.



After taking an extra day to get down there, first due to taking a long time to de-ice our plane out of Calgary which caused us to miss our connection in Toronto, then missing our alternate connection, due in large part to having to clear Canadian customs BEFORE we even left Canada, we cheerfully arrived in the Sunshine State.

Our primary reason for going was Hector and Maribel's wedding. Hector is Otto's cousin, and walked Otto's grandmother down the aisle at our wedding (twelve years ago!). Here are the few shots I took at the rehearsal dinner. Andy, Aaron, Pupy and Marta.


Maribel, Hector, and Aaron.

Otto and Tia Teresita (Hector's mom, and Marta's sister).


The next day we enjoyed the warmer air. It was a bit chilly the evening before, but this day it was warmer; a LOT warmer compared to Canada!


And the next day was the BIG day. Here are me and my boys. Andy was one of the ring bearers, and Sam was the official wedding program distributor as people entered the church.


Me and Tia just as someone was calling.


Aaron, Raquel, and Tia Lydia.

Hector and Tia Tere walking down the aisle.


Maribel and her father.


Marta reading from Genesis, en Espanol, por supuesto.


Hector and Maribel taking their vows.


They're married!!



A few shots outside, after holding Pupy off as long as we possibly could. I love the man to pieces, but "Vamos!" is one of his favorite phrases; he's always on the go!


Family shot.

The Tresgallo sisters and their husbands: Hector, Tere, Pupy, and Marta.


A little while later....

Tio Manolito with Otto at the reception.

Tio Roberto and Tia Milagro

Pedro, Maria, Rosita, and Manolo.


Hector and Maribel during their first dance.


Group shot of the Parets side of the family.


The Siblings: Roberto, Lydia, Pupy, Gerverth, and Manolito.


Andy with his new buddy, Nick. Nick was one of the groomsmen, who I think went through firefighting school with Hector.

Otto, Hector, and another buddy that went through training with Hector.

Aaron, Otto, and cousin Greg.

It was a really fun night. We all had fun dancing and visiting. And when we got up to our room, we had this Miami view waiting for us.


Which turned into this view the next morning. Five cruise ships mysteriously appeared over night!
After breakfast, we said goodbye to Pedro, Maria, and Greg who were heading back to Sarasota, and to Gabi who was heading back to FSU in Tallahassee.


Later that day we went to Aaron's condo in Hollywood Beach. Otto felt he needed to take this picture for posterity, since nowhere in Red Deer can you find a deal like this.

A few palm trees to put you in a tropical mood, with the Goodyear blimp that stopped by to say hi.After lunch, a little play in the pool.


Aaron catapulting Sam through the air.


Andy's turn!

And we left a couple days later, wishing we could have stayed a few more.

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Happy Valentine's Day, and the Saints won The Super Bowl (a week later)!!

Here's some pretty pink popcorn that Sam and I made for Valentine's Day parties at school on Friday. It was very tasty; caramel popcorn with cherry jello powder mixed in. I didn't really taste cherry, but I tasted something different than regular caramel popcorn, and it was GOOD. Also festive for any pink-colored occasion.


Might I also draw your attention to the headline of the newspaper that Sam is holding above. The New Orleans Saints are SUPER indeed! This was from when they won the NFC championship game; last weekend they won the Super Bowl, of which every person reading this is probably well aware. Dad sent this paper up to us, but considering how much it cost to send this one, I think we'll get the 'AMEN' headline edition from The Super Bowl when we go down there next. I think I've enjoyed the win as much as I possibly can from this far away. The internet has certainly helped. I'm so happy for the city and can't wait for our next trip down.

A parting shot of Sam as a human Valentine. All the kids donned these from his Pre-K class that afternoon and sang us a song. He's pretty adorable all by himself, but the 15 or so all together were ridiculously cute. (I meant to take a picture of Andy today to slide into this post but forgot!)