Goodbye Red, Hello Green

Early this month, we bid goodbye to our loyal but storm-battered friend (red) Mica.

And immediately after said HELLO to a new and bigger friend Mica (now colored green).

Taken during the car's binyag :-)

The kids instantly fell in love with him! :-)


Thanks be to God for another blessing like this.

Our Tanay Getaway

We flocked to Tanay last Saturday for a short summer getaway with some college buddies. It's a great trip that leaves you rejuvenated and not-so-tired compared to going to other vacation destinations.

The trip going was short and relaxing. It only took us an hour and a half to get there (although we did extend a bit because we got a little lost, hehe).

When we arrived there, the place gave us a burst of sunny feeling. It's a great place to unwind from the bustle and hustle of city life. There are several pools, sizeable cabanas and a coffee shop where you can just chill.

Of course, the kids get the best advantage (here's Zoe having fun in the water and our Luigi with Momarco hosts G and E).

We capped the trip with a heathy competition of Wii Tennis.

Ah...that was a relaxing day. I want to go back there again and again and again.

Travels and Field Trips

My relatives have been talking over dinner about their past travels together. They have been almost around the world and we just drool with envy while listening to their interesting stories. And even with that, they are still planning for more trips in the future, including a trip to Beijing, China to see the Great Wall of China. Wow!

Anyway, one of the more recent trips they had was a road trip going to Washington D.C. with their grandchildren. It was one of the first out-of-state trips of their grandchildren. They really maximized their time going around the major attractions. They said that what they couldn't and shouldn't miss is a trip and a picture at the steps leading to the Lincoln Memorial (oh what a great photo opp this was!) and of course, a whole day tour at the famous Smithsonian. Everyone knows that Washington is home to the best museums for kids and that includes a tour round the Smithsonian Nationa Museum of Human History. They went to the O. Orkin Insect Zoo and the Butterfly Pavilion and the kids had a blast! Oooh! If only we can also bring Zoe and Luigi to these kinds of wonderful places too. It would be so much fun! Anyway, I'm making that a dream project for the family in the few 3 to 4 years. :-)

Zoe's Babbles

The other day, we made our way via commute to Cardinal Santos for my follow-up check-up with the OB. As we passed by a relatively small Iglesia ni Cristo church, Zoe blurted out, "Mommy, Iglesia ni Kristo". Then about a kilometer away, we happened to pass by another INC church but this time it was was blue and bigger (the one near IPI in C-5). Zoe excitedly shouted, pointing at the structure, "Mommy! House ni Mickey Mouse!!!".

Yikes! Shhh! Quiet, Zoe! ;-)

Zoe two years ago...

Just trip down memory lane.

This was Zoe more or less 2 years ago. Would you believe that this was her first and only trip to a swimming pool? Notice that her bathing suit here was still so oversized for her at 6 months.

And in case you're thinking why it's the first and last time...yeah, for some reason, we never got to bring her to any swimming pool again after that (I know...).

Anyway, here's hoping that the sun will be out tomorrow because we're finally going swimming again after two long years!

Well, at least Zoe still fits in her pink Chicco bathing suit and I don't need to buy a new suit. :-) I'm excited!

Reminiscing

Just reminiscing old pics of our previous travels to Iloilo.

I was also a few weeks' pregnant (then with Zoe) in these pictures.

Looking forward to seeing Iloilo tomorrow...this time with Hunny, Zoe, and our new baby (still in my womb).

Tagaytay Adventure Part 4

On Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008, we woke up to a great morning. The weather was perfect and Zoe loved the view outside.

We watched some TV first before we went down for breakfast.


After a quick breakfast, we headed to the nearby Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Church to attend Sunday mass. After the mass, we had an early check out at the hotel and decided to pass by People's Park before going home.

We left the car at the parking lot below the People's Park and hopped on a jeepney for rent to get to the top. It was Zoe's first jeepney ride ever so I just had to take her pic. :-)

A view from the top!



I was surprised to find souvenir items for sale inside the ruins of old Palace in the Sky coz I haven't really been back there for the longest time.

Of course, this whole trip wouldn't really be complete without passing by the replica of the statue of Our Lady, Mother of Fair Love. Besides, it was going to be her birthday the next day (Sept. 8) so praying before her statue was so apt.

My first real encounter with Our Lady of Fair Love was during my trip to Spain many years ago. The original statue is in the campus of the University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain. I still remember praying for her intercession to grant me a good and faithful (and gwapo!) husband. And then I heard about this place in Tagaytay. My friends and I would make pilgrimages here (asking again for a boyfriend pa rin!). Haha. Now, I'm finally back (with my husband and baby). I'm forever grateful to our Lady for leading my husband to me and vise versa. :-)

After that, we all headed back home. Had a short stop-over at Rowena's for their tarts and then to Paseo de Santa Rosa again for lunch in Jollibee.

We were back home by 2:00 pm. :-) It was a great, great vacation!

US, Here They Come!

Just received the good news that my Tatay and Ninang finally went to their interview at the US embassy today and were approved to travel with 10-years multiple entry visas.

Isn't that great? I'm so happy for them, especially for my Dad.

Now, I guess we're next! I hope we get approved too. I'm still not so confident to apply since my major foreign travel was still when I was fully-dependent on my parents. Maybe we can try by mid next year. But first, on to our more important "family project" first. ;-)

Tagaytay Adventure Part 3

So this is part 3 of our Tagaytay Adventure. For part 1 and part 2, click on the links.

After going to Paradizoo, we headed for Silang, Cavite where Ilog Maria Honeybee Farm is located. I have never been to that place so I was looking forward to buying and trying out their natural products.

Good thing I had a map with me and we didn't have a hard time looking for this "liblib' place.

Here are some of my purchases.

After a long tiring trip from Ilog Maria, we decided to leave Zoe and yaya at the hotel so that they can rest a bit while the husband and I go to Sonya's Garden for our scheduled couple's spa.

The linens and towels smelled really good and the whole room has a very calming atmosphere. It was perfect after a long day of travel.



Aaaahhhh! Super-refreshed!

After the spa, we dropped by Mushroomburger to take out dinner (yeah, we just ate everything in the hotel since Zoe and yaya were waiting for us).

Anyway, we capped the night early as this was supposed to be a VACATION!!! LOL.

ZZzzzzzz...

...will be back with part 4!

Tagaytay Adventure Part 2

After resting a while in our hotel room, we headed to Mendez, Cavite to go to Paradizoo.

The entrance fee is P199 per person. Kinda pricey but the experience I think is worthwhile.


It was drizzling a bit when we got there.

You have the option to rent a carabao or a golf cart (with driver) to go around the complex.

Daddy had to carry Zoe to get to the place where the farm animals were.

Do you remember Peggy, the pig of the Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition? She's actually now in this farm.

They also have a small bee farm and this guy gave us a short lecture about bees and honey. He also sold to us some honey-pineapple vinegar.

They also have a butterfly sanctuary.

Too bad, we only saw a couple of butterflies.

More animals...

They also have BUL-TEZ-FIVE, a 5-legged cow. :0)

Zoe seems to have enjoyed seeing all these animals...



More stories coming up!