Halloween

For Halloween Ismael picked out a Buzz Lightyear costume. They had a party at school, but as I expected he did not wear his costume for more than 5 minutes. At night we went to the mall to go trick-or-treating, and again, he would not wear his costume. He wore only the legs and still went to get his candy. The next morning he lined up all of his candy on the floor, again, because everything must line up....

Ismael's 3rd Birthday

Ismael got to celebrate his birthday twice this year. Grandma Yaya came to visit a couple weeks prior and so he got to open presents early. Of course, they also made cookies.

As requested, Axel made Ismael a blue airplane for his cake (he was/is still crazy for the Blue Angels from the airshow).

He opened his presents like a pro...here he is with the computer he wanted so much.

Here's Ismael with his airplanes, all lined up, because he lines everything up, in front of the track he rigged up for his cars.

Air Show & trains

The first weekend in October was the Miramar Air Show, which is apparently the largest military air show in the world. After walking 1.5miles to get to the entrance, we enjoyed the "super fast" airplanes and even the Blue Angels. Ismael is still talking about it and likes to "read" the program guide they handed out.

We also found a free train museum that's above a produce store we go to. It even had a track that Ismael could run. It wasn't very big, but he didn't care, I'm lucky to have gotten him out of there.

Visit to Phoenix

Labor Day weekend we visited uncle Trav in Phoenix. These first pics are from the Children's Museum which was really nice, even better than the new one in San Diego if you ask me, mostly because it was bigger and Ismael enjoyed all of it.

We spent about 4-5 hours there and practically had to drag Ismael out. I think his favorite parts were the supermarket, the pizza making and of course the race cars.

We almost melted, but we did visit the zoo, another favorite past time of Ismael. I also took him kicking and screaming from there, as I was about to pass out from the 100 degree heat.

Mexico fun

So here are a few more adventures in Mexico. We went to a water park that was partially indoors, so it didn't matter that it wasn't that hot outside. There were only about 15 people in the whole park, so when we wanted to go on a ride, we just had them turn on the water for that ride. It was pretty nice not to have to worry so much about where our stuff was & where the kids were going since they were the only ones there!!

Here Ismael's getting his first driving lesson...

And here they are dancing to Dora the Explorer making "silly faces" to get past the grumpy old troll...

Another Zoo

After visiting cousins in KS, we headed to Mexico to visit. We even went to the zoo again. Here's Ismael with cousins Briana, Ximena & Tia Schere in front of a white tiger.



Ismael was also very excited to get to sit on yet another tractor & then he got to ride the horse up & down the street! I was actually quite impressed that he wasn't too scared to get on!

3 Little Monkeys

Three little monkeys playing at the zoo.... and trying to stay dry. It rained hippos & elephants while we were there, but the 3 monkeys didn't care.

We had a little better weather at Gage Park in Topeka. Ismael rode the train about 4-5 times, even though he would have gone more if we'd let him. He was talking about it for days how he went in the tunnel & on the bridge.

Ismael was too scared to pull the whistle when the conductor offered, but once he left his seat, Ismael ran up for his chance.

Tractor ridin'

Everytime we visit Grandpa, we have to ride on the tractor. Not just once either. Again. And again.... this was no exeption. This time, however, we rotated between the tractor and the motorcycle, over & over again.

This time he even got to ride the tractor tricycle that Travis & I rode a long time ago....

July 4th

July 4th we flew back to KS to visit for a week since we were no longer concerned about moving. We first spent a few hours with some friends in Kansas City & went to Parkville so Ismael & Victor could go on a few rides.

In the evening we met up with Gma Yaya & watched Beauty & the Beast in the Shawnee Mission park with fireworks afterwards. Ismael was asking to see more fireworks for about a week afterwards as he didn't quite understand that it's not an everyday occurence.

June gloom, not so gloomy

In southern CA, the cloudy month (it's really only cloudy until 10am and then it's the normal 80 degree sunny weather) is referred to as June gloom or Marine Corp fog/haze. This June was hectic as usual but everything seems to have worked out for the best. It was the last month of internship and being on call 6x/month. My orders got changed from Great Lakes (Chicago, aka Antartica) to stay here at Camp Pendleton (aka beautiful sunny southern CA). Granted, they waited until 2 days before I was having the movers get my stuff to settle the deal, but whatever, I didn't have to move. The first 2 pics are from Knotts Berry Farm. We went with some friends for a birthday. Ismael only "drove" the truck about 5x...

This is from the anual "hail & farewell". Basically it's a dinner with video skits that each resident year has but together about the past year, usually poking fun at themselves, the hospital & our staff.

This is Ismael just before I took out the 2 stitches under his nose. He had jumped off of the sofa & hit his face on the coffee table edge. I have to brag that he got no numbing medicine for the stitches & didn't even cry. He even told the doc thank you afterward.