First Swimming for the Year

Despite the cool weather we're enjoying in our part of the world, once in a while, the sun seems to stretch out its arms and reminds us of summer's heat.  Then we seek relief from the cool waters of the clubhouse pool :D

My SIL and her friend brought with them pasta, cake and snacks to nibble on.  Bro even bought us dinner at Max's :D  The kids had fun bonding together, we missed the rest of the family though.  There's always next week ;)

Lionne David Turns One

The current bunso among my nephews turned one last Thursday, January 12.  Like most 1 year old, he doesn't really seem to know the relevance of the event yet.  He did have fun looking at the balloons at Max's and playing with huge soft balls in Austinland :)

Bless this child

Yesterday, my nephew was formally welcomed to Christianity. The facilitator put an effort in orienting the families and sponsors about the sacrament of Baptism. Makes the people involved focus more on the importance of the rites more than the reception that follows.

I have mixed feelings on having another nephew but more than anything I feel so much love for this little creature. He IS family. More like, it makes me rethink my family of three like most newborns do hehe. Oi honest! Anyways, I am glad hubby and I are on the same page and we both agreed our cups are full in that arena ;)

Dionne Turns Two

My third nephew from my side of the family, baby D.  Soon we won't be calling him baby any longer.  I still haven't gotten used to calling him kuya.  Come his teenage years, I hope he won't get mad at me for shoving his photo here.  I wonder how he will grow up to be.  Maybe a nerdy 8-5 corporate-hungry blue collar worker or an outdoorsy marmot-jacket wearing extreme sports enthusiast.  One thing for sure, whatever the future holds for him, I am hoping for the best.

Eomma at Double Five

Though we just came from my grandma kasmeng's requiem, we, the living, celebrated the life of my mom spanning fifty-five years and counting.  I shy away from birthday tribute posts that reeks with seriousness and more often than not sounds like eulogy.  However, I figured better my loved ones read this while she'll alive than lifeless, right? *morbid mode off*
I just love my mom to bits.  Growing up, half of the time she drove me crazy with her OCness.  She wouldn't let me waste my life, kick my tush hard when I'm being lazy but lovingly reward me whenever I did my part.  Might have landed me one of those Pharmacist Jobs but knowing her, she'll bug me to pursue a career in Medicine should I even try.  Still, the good mom that she is, she discussed my options with me.  I think it's part of being mom, interfering with our daughter's life specially when all one can think of is boys, boys and boys :D
Jezz, what was I thinking?! I can't go on with this post anymore lest I get too emotional and cry.
The thing is, I could only wish I'll be as half-good as a mom I am to the little girl as she is to me.  No expensive gifts this time.  Nevertheless, I love you mom and happy birthday!

Chillin' In Baguio

It has been a while since we visited my dad's parents.  It is quite a challenge for them to travel nowadays.  My aunt needs to prepare urinary incontinence products for my lolo and medicines for my lola.  Still, whenever there are important milestones and family events, they make sure to be there with us.  Saw a recent photo of them posted in Facebook.  They enjoyed the cold weather in Baguio for a weekend getaway.  I miss them both.  I'm glad despite their age, they still get to go around and enjoy life.

33 for 2010

New Decade 2010
Originally uploaded by kitakitts

para pa rin kayong three years old, despite your physique harhar :D habertday mga kapatir ;)

though my memory lacks details as to why, during our earlier years I can still remember hating these two and feel envious of their bond which made me feel.. left out. it made me desperately wish for a sister who can take my side whenever they team up against me. wish granted, i got a baby sister but now its two versus me versus tekeng and that deserves another post (kidding sis).

bro, i wish you'll get whatever your heart desires. happy birthday!

ps. you guys want sinks for gifts? hehe

Disneyland will have to wait

EK 2009
Originally uploaded by kitakitts

To celebrate Gabe's second year, my brother bought us tickets to Enchanted Kingdom. As this was some kind of spur of the moment on their part, due to lack of planning, we arrived at the park quite late already. Long lines and crowd ala mob didn't spoil our day. We had fun, the kids had a blast (no tvs for a change), it was a happy day for all of us.

***

They are here

Still waiting for my twin brothers and my SILs. I hope they can make it today. These are all I need.

The Last Quita Bachelor

In my family, that is :D Last Saturday, my brother bid farewell to the carefree world of bachelorhood and decided to finally tie the knot :D My only regret is that I didn't get to share with them some of their bf-gf kilig moments pero now that Donna's here to stay, for sure dami pang bonding moments, family events we'll be sharing in the future.

It was raining in the past few days before the wedding so I was kind of worried it might spoil the wedding day. Although they do have a covered venue, still a sunny weather will be most appreciated. Good thing, the sun decided to come out that day.

It was an afternoon ceremony ending with a dinner reception. Come morning, mejo relax pa ang lola mo kasi malapit lang ang Island Cove samin diba, since nasa Cavite na kami :p

We left the house before 3pm as we're supposed to be there an hour before the ceremony. Dumating kami i think its about 4:20pm na! Naka-shorts pa ko and all, I still have to dress my little girl and put some makeup on, hala.. stress na ko tapos everyone is kinda tensed na rin. Dami kasing tao din sa room na pinagaayusan namin eh. Andun mga relatives nmin mostly from batangas :D I didn't get to talk with them much kasi nga rush rush diba. I see them all pretty and madeup while ako eh bruhilda with my hair, slippers and everything :p

I just let the yaya dress dani, make her at ease among "strangers" yung iba kasi kilala na ni dani, yung iba kelangan mafamiliarize pa ulit.. as much as possible i wanted to avoid anything that might trigger her to put up a tantrum! she cooperated naman, nabihisan, nalagyan ng pantyhose, nagshoes!

So pagpunta namin ng ceremony hall, nakita ko na yung ibang flowergirls may headdress and baskets and quickly asked for dani's. Salamat sa mga doves, nasimplehan ang anak ko at nalagayan na ng headdress :D Eto na nga, as always, may waiting time pa to complete the entou, ayusin ang march line, etc..etc.. so nainip na ang anak ko at nagpapabuhat, nagpapalabas.. haay.. si daddy busy magpicture haha

Labas-masok kami sa hall kasi baka magstart na, hindi maka-march ang baby ko. Finally nung malapit na mga flower girls, nababa ko sya sabi ko walk kami sa aisle kasi andun sina big bird. Buti hindi sya tumakbo nung nakita nya si dadi nya :D pero eto na pagdating nmin sa front, hinahanap si big bird hehe patay mami! Eh nagdala pa nman ako ng mga cds chka yung portable player eh kaso nakalock yung room at ang susi nakay vince ever since pala nakapwesto na sa harap eh hindi na aalis until matapos ang ceremony :p

Usually, naiiyak ako in most bridal march eh. Pero this time, I was so distracted with Dani that I didn't get to emote hehe Tapos nagharutan kami all through out the ceremony. Nakakahiya man minsan sa iba kasi she'll shriek at shempre mejo maingay diba pero I've no choice kasi two possible sounds lang maririnig mo, either tawa lang yan or iyak so syempre dun na ko sa masaya haha

Fortunately, mas mabilis yata and ceremony nila as compared kina kuya erwin :D I had to laugh when it was my brother's turn to say his personal vows, and I quote:

"Nakakahiya mang sabihin, nakalimutan ko yung personal vows ko (laughs). Pinagpuyatan ko pa naman yun."

So yun na nga, nagimpromptu na lang si kuya, even so i bet in donna's ears it was more than enough kasi it was indeed heartfelt.

It was a light (no heavy drama), solemn ceremony, save for our ingay :D My brother was finally given the go signal to kiss his new bride and off we went to the reception hall :D

BTW, they gave out custom printed calendars with their asia photos on it :D

Edwin and Donna's Nuptial Photos

Yes, the little flower girl did walk, assissted nga lang! :D hihi


Family Photo


More photos here: Quita-Tirona Nuptials

Bulungan

* * *

Nowadays, madalang ko na marinig na namamanhikan ang lalaki the traditional way. Yun bang manunuyo talaga sa bahay, kasama yung buong angkan nya tapos magbubulungan ang matatanda. Hubby and his family (with some close relatives) did go to our house then and brought food (I'll get back at you if i have a related post about it in my other blog). It was more of a formal announcement to our families since i've already accepted his proposal hehe Still we believe that there should always be an extra effort on hubby's part to coerce este woe my family and proceed with the wedding preps hehe

Anyways, before i lose track of the purpose of this post, keds and donna invited our families for an outing/get-together last nov.2 :D we had the chance to meet donna's loved ones and vice versa. my dad and her dad hit it off.. as always thanks to karaoke and yes a little bit of alcohol on the side ;)

dani had lots of fun in the water and yes, her mommy made sure she has sunblock on :D i was already doing a layout of her pics last night but had to pave way for my hubby since he has an assignment to do. so, maybe tomorrow i'll be able to share it with you ;)

finally, to bro and donna, i'll spare the speech on your wedding day. as always, i pray you make it through your preps smoothly and have fun before moving on to the real thing which we call.. marriage :D

No corners

So I tried circles last night :D I always find it hard what to use as date stamper though. Later ko na naisip, i forgot to "enhance: our pics in the LO, just a little adjustment on curves. Anyways, I did another one pero sobrang antok na ko kagabi kaya nakalimutan ko transfer sa thumb drive. Bukas ulit, i'll have something to show you ;)

* * *

These photos were taken, (man i even screwed up on the dates!) last saturday. Garry received a text from one of our kumpare and his mother died (no not because of the bombing) so we dropped by to give our condolences to him and his family. Before we went to the wake, we left Dani and her yaya to my Mom's care. Andun na din kasi si Tita Cristy, one of the best cook in our family, her kakanin are the next best thing to my Apo's. I miss na nga may grandma lalo na pag may special occasions, sarap kasi talaga magluto. So pinagbigyan ako ni tita and she made rice pudding for me! yey! Even though she's tired from the commute (all the way from agusan) she just made lañeras of pudding. I forgot to upload her yummy creation eh, as always bukas ulit.

Tita Baby and Tito Jim, with Tita Aring, decided to visit my mom's house that night also so saya din kasi they get to see my cute little angel. When hubby and I were away, bibong-bibo daw ang baby ko she danced, sang and "talked" a lot pero nung andun na ko haay as expected kapit tuko na sakin. She doesn't want to leave my side na ayaw na sumama kahit kanino.

My current mantra: this too shall pass. I mean, they'll reach that age when they're not that malambing anymore diba so cherish lang din kahit super ngalay na or hirap to attend to your own needs :D oh well.

Before I forget to blog about this: Kers, congrats bro! Kaso itlog ulit mwehehe :D I needed to give away some of dani's baby stuffs and clothes to my cousin na. I sorta pressured my SIL to take the ultrasound para malaman na namin if i'll reserve some of the good girly stuffs for her. So off they went na nga kaso boy ulit eh much to my Dad's delight, dadami na daw kasi lahi nya :D

Finally, some layouts

I've added this layout in dani's blog.



i still have a few cooking at home, hopefully will be able to finish and post it by next week. anyways, last night i saw these photos:



i was trying to look for a version where dani has a longer hair but twas already late. might try to do a matinong layout next time :) often times, people will say that dani looked more like gary than me. i've no problem with that. when i was younger everytime when someone asks me "sino kamukha mo", i will automatically say, "si dadi." the thing is, when i grew older, i resembled my mom more and more. oh well, nakakatuwa lang din :)