Quality Family Time

I have spent two fabulous weeks with family and friends in Peru. We laughed, we cried, we danced, we ate a lot!

The hardest part was definitely saying goodbye to my grandfather. In the last 3 years, his age has taken a toll on him. From one year to the next his ability to walk has almost been taken away. He is beginning to forget things. Maybe it's the fact that I'm older, that I'm grown, or that he is my last grandparent alive and I just want him to be around forever. 

I love him. I love the stories they tell me of him since he used to be so strict, but somehow, he had a tender spot for his grand kids. I was his first grandchild, and I love hearing stories of when he would rescue me from my parents when I was getting scolded. 

I love his stubbornness, yet I hate that this keeps him from doing things that would probably help him (like using a sturdier cane). I see him now and thank god for the time that we have spent together. Losing my Mama, his wife, was my first big loss. I never forgave myself for not calling her more often. With Nonna (my dad's mom), it was the same. I was lost. But I vow never to do this again. Never to take my family for granted. I have been lucky enough to visit him two years in a row. I hope I can continue to do the same. I don't ever want to feel like I could have done more to see and spend time with him. 

Never take your loved ones for granted. Love them to pieces every single day!

 

I did it. I made it. And it was incredible!

My little absence over the past few weeks was due to my fabulous fun filled trip to Peru. 

Amongst ruins, history, food, drinking, dancing, and family fun I had the most wonderful time.

I went to visit family last year on my own. This year, I brought hubby with me as I promised him to take him Cusco and Machu Picchu. 

I had a great time between learning new things about Peru's history and spending time with old friends and some of my favorite family members, including my grandpa. 

And before I go into any further details, I just want to leave you with some photo highlights of my trip. I am in awe as I have not edited any of the pictures

Blue skies over Plaza de Armas, Cusco

Overseeing the fields at Pisac, Cusco 

At the top of the clouds at Ollantaytambo, Cusco

At the market in Pisac, Cusco 

Admiring the view halfway up Machu Picchu, Cusco

Posing for the camera Machu Picchu, Cusco

Dining on top of a bathtub filled with goldfish, Fallen Angel, Cusco

Barbecue Chicken with Tata!

Showing off some ginormous snails used for beauty creams, Chinatown Capon, Lima 

With my cousins having sushi at Oceanika, San Borja, Lima

Sausage fest with the family, Miraflores, Lima 

Ultimate burgers at Papacho's, Miraflores, Lima

Debauchery with cousins and friends at Mamabatata, Chacarilla, Lima 

Dancing on the hanging bridge, La Cantuta, Chosica, Lima 

With Tata saying goodbye, San Isidro, Lima

Stick around because you won't want to miss these adventures!

Baby Noah's Newborn Session

As you all know, I am a new tia! My sister had a beautiful baby boy named Noah and he probably has a modeling shoot every day! And if you have a baby (or fur baby), you know that you love filling your FB feed with countless pictures of your bundle(s) of joy.

Well, little sister is no different. To add, I was the one putting pics of my nephew up all over the place. I just love to stare at him, carry him, and I am just ready to spoil him rotten. I wanted to show you some of the newborn pics of Noah that I've taken with my SLR so here are a "few" pics of baby Noah. 

I didn't think it would be this hard to take newborn pictures!! It took me 3 days to get some good pictures with all of the outfits that my sister had gotten for him. He didn't want to cooperate, was fussy, and stayed awake for the most part.

Oh, and by the way, he is always frowning. Doesn't he have a "Come at me bro!" or "Why you mad bro?!" look?

On the plus side, I think I will be taking my hobby more seriously! I need to either take classes, or practice, practice, practice!!

I am in love! Baby Love!

Meet my beautiful nephew Noah Alexander.

He is the most handsome boy I've ever met.

My little sister and bro-in-law did good! They just don't know that I'll be sneaking in a lot to play with him and hug him!

So happy to be his auntie!

New Look! New Space!

I am extremely excited to officially introduce to you my new space!

Thank you to Kristen from WTF Designs to help me spruce up my widdle blog!

I also wanted to wish Happy Birthday to THE most important man in my life...my dad!

So here we are....the Addams Family!

Happy Birthday pops, without you....I would have given up on math, algebra, geometry, and the worst of the worst....STATISTICS!

Love you!

Dressing My Greens: Mother's Day Fun!

 Me, Mom, and Diana

I hope everyone enjoyed Mother's Day weekend!!
I know my crazy family did :) It was the second time we hosted a family get-together at my place. But the first time we've used the pool for this type of gathering. And it was so great!!

I also wanted to share a delicious salad dressing recipe with you because, it is just my favorite!!

I love salads...I do, it's kinda sad. The more tangy, sweet, sour, and crunch it has, the more I love it. I feel this salad and its homemade dressing takes the cake for awesomest combo of the above mentioned qualities ;)

Blend the following items:
1 small white onion
1 tsp salt
1 tbs dijon mustard
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup vegetable oil
*Once blended, stir 1 tsp of poppy seeds to the dressing.

For the salad itself, you will need spinach, golden raisins, Craisins, sliced almonds, and cherry tomatoes.

Family tip: the dressing tastes best if you make it a few days prior to serving. Let it sit in the fridge for a few days if possible. Enjoy and happy blending!!!

What did you do for Mother's Day weekend?

Mi Peru: Triple Fs (Friends/Family/Fun)

Yeah...so my second post of my trip to Lima, Peru during Summer 2013 has got to be about the crazy, drunken, fun that may or may not have happened while I was there....

But I think this little monster could attest to the fun:

My childhood friend Silvia surely made every pit stop in Barranco an adventure at every corner.  From lounges to secret clubs...it was really an adventure!

But friends and family was always there to pick me up after a long day out!

My uncles and my cousins loved taking me out even if we were doing a barbecue in the country or visiting musical fountains in the city.

Even Jazz and his crooked tail came to bid me farewell!

Saying goodbye to my grandpa is always a tearjerker. But on the good side, I get to see him again this year!