our summer

In a nutshell...

Moved out of Mexico
Spent 3.5 weeks in Maryland
Now, spending 3.5 weeks in Utah
On to Panama in August 25th to start our new adventure.

I am loving our time in the U.S.A but I am itching for some semblance of a routine. Better not hold my breath for that, we likely won't move into our permanent housing until November!

Here is to the Foreign Service life!

Wish us luck!

Happy (Late) Fathers Day!

Where is my head? Split between moving and the World Cup? =)

But, I have been thinking about Father's all week. Did you know I have the greatest father ever? I do. Worlds greatest. Did you know I am married to the second greatest dad? Give it 30 more years and maybe Danny will surpass my dad. ;-) James would tell you his favorite was his dad ... if he could say those words. Danny is playful but still demands some order. He is always on the floor with James, never on the couch, which reminds me of my own dad. I love those floor daddies. If ever I am mad at Danny all I have to think about is those first 4 month with a colic newborn and then I can't be mad anymore. Danny saved me and still loved me despite of my craziness.

So, to my dad and husband thank you and Happy Fathers' Day!

The World Cup (thus far) Through Lauren's Eyes, Part II

Have you caught the World Cup fever yet!? Whoa baby! This World Cup has been insane.

Best Upset:

Italy (reigning champs) defeated by Slovakia! Italy is out!

more details: here.

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Cutest Fan:

James

New Favorite Goal:

of course...

Best New Anthem:

The World Cup (thus far) Through Lauren's Eyes...

Team that will win the cup:

Brasil - Hexa Championship! What more needs to be said really!?Team(s) that will surprise everyone:

USA - They have talent and class. They just need to prove it now. Come on!

North Korea - I mean, hello, they already have! And, I am glad they scored that goal in the Brasil game. As Danny commented - maybe now they can return to that crazy country and not be tortured and/or killed.

Favorite items used to cheer/fan garb:

Vuvuzela Horn-

Vuvuzelas have been associated with permanent noise-induced hearing loss[5] and cited as a possible safety risk when spectators cannot hear evacuation announcements[6], and they may spread colds and flu viruses on a greater scale than coughing or shouting.[7][8] Vuvuzelas have also been blamed for drowning the sound and atmosphere of football games.[9][10] Commentators have described the sound as "annoying" and "satanic"[11] and compared it with "a stampede of noisy elephants",[12] "a deafening swarm of locusts",[13] "a goat on the way to slaughter",[14] and "a giant hive full of very angry bees".[15] (Thanks Wikipedia)

Full-on Mexican God gear
South African Fans - in general I just like them. They are doing a great job with the Cup in their country!

Least favorite fan garb:

Brasil - Although a favorite to most for their scantily-clad woman, Brasil fans are struggling with the cold weather in South Africa. Hmmm... what to wear? By the way, don't goggle "Brasil fans" or else you'll get a lot of pictures of half naked blonde people. The blonde aspect did make me personally feel better about being a rare blonde Brasilian, but, an overwhelming amount of pictures of blonde Brasilians is hardly a good representation of the true Brasilian soccer fan. Get real here people. Note:This is a VERY modest photo.Hottest players:

I have a "hat trick" of a crush on some Mexican players...

Mexico's- Javier Hernandez (#14, FW, Club Team: Chivas)

Mexico's- Rafael Marquez (# 4, DF, Club Team: Barcelona)

Mexico's- Giovani Dos Santos (#17, FW, Club Team: Galatasaray (TUR))

Sidenote: Gio, he reminds me of another puffy haired (former) crush... ahhh my dear Ronaldinho!

Brasil's- Kaka (# 10, MF, Club Team: Real Madrid)

Brasil's- Robinho (#11, FW, Club Team: Santos)

USA's- Benn Feilhaber (#22, MF, Club Team: AGF Aarhus (Den))

France's- Florent Malouda (# 15, MF, Club Team: Chelsea)

Favorite eye glasses:

France's coach Raymond Domenech. Look closely there are soccer balls on the side. Fun.

And, lastly....

Favorite goal:

No doubt!

***Disclaimer: to my brothers and husband (and others as necessary): Just because I think some of those players are good-looking does not mean I think they play well, nor does it mean I cheer for them, or endorse them in any way. Brasil and the U.S. could have the foulest looking teams and I would still cheer for them 'til the end. *** =)

La Buena Vibra and Tepoztlan

Lucky girl! I got to take a weekend with some girlfriends to a beautiful spa/retreat called La Buena Vibra in beautiful Tepoztlan, just an hour outside Mexico City. It was a radiant little town full of color and warmth. It was such a treat to get out of "Latin Manhattan" and enjoy some fresh air and good energy. Tepoztlan is known as a city with a unique and special aura. It draws people from all over the world. It is a place that people journey to to meditate and re-balance their lives. It is a bit of a hippie town, where it is not unusual to find aura reading shops and yoga everything.

My only regret is that I did not discover this place sooner. I could have gone many more times.

Check it out here: La Buena Vibra

Lately...

I caught James on our bed reading my Real Simple Magazine. Dad was wishing it was Sports Illustrated. We brush a lot of teeth these days.
James insists on riding the grocery cart up to the house... with his sunglasses on his head.
Danny and James in front of the Angel in the center of the city. Our last days in El D.F. :-(
James enjoying his first Guarana. His is a big fan! There must be some Brasilian in him. =)

Life as a Musical

Don't you ever just wish your life was a musical? That all the sudden people would break out in song and dance!? That your high school was more like the one in Grease? That your nanny (or, babysitter) was more like Maria... or Mary? That your dad shimmied more like Tevye? Or, that you and your lover were more like Tony and Maria... without the dying part!? =)

Here is to breaking out in song and dance...

Lily is 5 today!

I wonder what she would tell you today!?

Video - Lily in 2007, age 2

Happy Birthday Lily!

You are delightful and the whole family adores you! We miss you and we love you lots little diva.

Xoxo.

NoW, WaVe YoUr FLaG!

10 days away!


I love this video/song. Although, of course, the USA is left out. But, the lederhosen clad-ed German fans almost make up for it. Almost. =) For the record, because I am half Brasilian, half American, and currently live in Mexico I cheer for the USA, Brasil, and Mexico. If Brasil had to play the USA - I would cheer for the USA. If Brasil or the USA played Mexico - I would not cheer for Mexico. So...lets be real, in the end BRASIL is my team this year.

(Come on USA prove me wrong!)

The Last from Utah

It has been over a month since out trip to Utah so I figured I better gets these up before we start moving.

While we were in Utah we also go to see some friends and some of my family.
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We got to visit with Danny's good friend Matt and his family a few times. We always have a lot of fun with them. In fact, they kinda feel like family! This is their cutie pie Rylee.

And, cutie pie Nolan. Nolan and James are just a few month apart.

James is a happy boy with his friends around.

Danny is a happy boy with his American burger! =-)
Krissa and Rylee.
Matt and Nolan.

We got to meet for a quick lunch with my aunt and uncle, and cousin and her kids.
From Left to Right: Uncle Gaylon, James, Krista, Zach, Matt, Me, Danny, Aunt Maragret, and Aleah.

James loved his great uncle. In fact, he cried when Uncle Gaylon walked away to his car.

James and his cousin Aleah could be twins! They are cute little blondies!

I also got to see my friends Jessie and Heather from BYU. I got to meet their adorable kids too.

I am sad because we did not get Heather's tiny newborn Kate in the picture (yes, she just had a baby and looks that good!).

From Left to Right: Brody, Jessie, Molly, Heather, Me, and James.

It was such a treat to visit the Dinosaur Museum too. We had been dragging James around to lunches and dinners, the poor kids needed some kids time. Thanks Jessie for the invite!