Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

My mom & Malena - her best friend from Mexico City
Me & Ana all grown up!

I went to San Antonio this past weekend to celebrate my brother, Christian's 10th birthday and to attend a dear high school friend's wedding.  Christian had a great time picking out his menu for the day.  For breakfast he opted for donuts and for dinner he opted for cream of carrot soup, beef ribs and chocolate chip mint ice cream for dessert.  Can you tell he's a guy?  No woman would serve that menu!  We gave Christian Mars Legos which were a big hit.  Did you know that there many different kinds of legos?  Not just the red/blue/yellow kind.  Nowadays there are Mars, Batman, Castle, and all sorts of legos.  And let me tell you they are not cheap!  They run from $50 on up!  I had no idea!

On Saturday afternoon we went to see my childhood friend, Ana.  She is one of 8 children - 6 girls and 2 boys.  She is now married and has a daughter of her own and was in from Mexico City visiting her family's San Antonio home.  We took the kids to the pool and enjoyed catching up.  She is the only friend I have known my entire life as our mother's became friends when I was still a baby.  I have such fond memories of spending time with their family.  It is because of hanging out with them that I initially wanted to have 7 or 8 children myself.  I mean talk about instant built in all the time playmates!  When I informed Bret of this when we were engaged, he quickly brought me back to reality.  Now we take children one at a time!

The wedding on Saturday night was really beautiful.  The nuptial mass was held at Our Lady of the Lake University's Convent and the reception was at Sunset Station.  The mass was very traditional and had a very harmonious feel to it.  There was a German men's choir (San Antonio Liederkranz) who sang in Latin so very beautifully.  It was such a reverent feeling to be part of Jill & Jason's nuptial mass.  The reception was stunning with beautiful flower arrangements, delicious food - including San Antonio's gorditas, an awesome band complete with the lady dancers, and an open bar.  Sadly, I didn't enjoy myself nearly as much as I should have.  Why?  Because my doting husband was unavailable for the weekend as he had to put in some serious hours at work.  I had to be the third wheel to two different couples - one who just got married in January (read - we're so in love and make googley eyes into each other) - and the other who is still in the dating/courtship stage (read - we're practically oblivious to others in the room).  Needless to say, the wine, beer and mix drinks were all calling my name.  Okay, kidding.  

On Sunday the kids and I went over to my mom's house for a pancake breakfast.  Isabella was excited to see her Abuelita Sonia and Andrea (my aunt).  Tia Fia joined us for breakfast as well.  We had a lovely visit.  After breakfast we went to Isabella's favorite place, the park.  She made an instant friend with a very talkative almost 4 year old while Diego swung and swung and swung.  My baby loves the swing.  He was delightfully dazed while swinging away - almost to the point of stupor.  What a delightful weekend.  As stated previously though, I was without my hubby, so I was happy to see him again on Sunday evening.