More of Michigan

Lex and the St. Joseph turning bridge.

Gabe enjoying the playground at Silver Beach.

Mom and the boys at the dunes.

We had to take a self portrait.

Gabe at a mini windmill in Holland, MI

Oh Sweet Vacation

We are enjoying a beautiful little place on Lake Michigan.

September is a beautiful time with sunny days and crisp evenings.

We had some rain last weekend but were spared the floods and

high winds from Ike.

Lex and Gabe with a new friend.

Gabe trying to make sand a new treat.

Captain Lex- ARRrrrr!!

Lex loves digging deep holes in the sand. He really wants to see the kids in China.

The boys having fun in the sun.

Oops forgot this one

Lex = Happy Kid

Summer 2008 Update

Wow! Where did the summer go? Just yesterday we were planning for June and now we are thinking about fall...
But here are some pictures of our past few weeks.

Gabe at the Pittsburgh Pirates game with the city behind him

Lex loves to draw!

More than likely this is a drawing of a train or train track...

On August 22nd we celebrated 9 years of wedded bliss.
We had a lovely dinner at the Tin Angel restaurant which overlooks the city.

Lex on his first day of Pre K with his lil Gabe.

Happy 4th of July

Lex loved the sparklers this year.

Gabe was so sleepy by the time darkness fell we did not get a good picture
of him awake. So here he is in the morning.

Lots of family fun in April and May

Our Gabriel is a very happy baby and a lot like a
bear cub- just keep the food close by and don't get
between him and his Mama!

Uncle Jay and Lex at the Gallitzin train tunnels.
Check out www.gallitzin.info/park.php for some interesting info about the area. This is close to the famous Horseshoe Curve of Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Another thing we liked to do prekids- indoor rock climbing. So we took Lex to REI
and he was all excited until he stepped off the first
foot hold, spun around and bumped his head.
Game over.
He now tells us he will try it again when he is 5.

Sooooo Big!!!!!

Big Brother!!!

Mom and the boys on Mother's Day!
I received the best cards from both of them.

We are so proud of Lex. He is officially riding
his bike without training wheels.
At 4 he is showing he has little fear.

Lex in his soccer gear. He just finished his first soccer class. He learned some basics and had some fun kicking the ball around. The coach was great at reigning back in the four year olds who would rather look at bugs and play with their new soccer gear!

Gotta wear shades

Lex in Florida

The Baby is Growing!

Gabriel all dressed up!

Ladies and Gentleman, in the white onesie, weighing in at 23lbs 15oz. (let's just say 24 lbs)--GABRIEL AUGUSTUS ORTEGO!!

okay, without all the drama, here is our lil' guy at his 9 month check up. Healthy and happy and messin' with the doctor stuff.

Ortegos on the Go

Happy Valentine's Day

The Ortegos wish you a very Happy Valentine's Day!

Above is a picture we took on Tuesday at bedtime.

Gabriel

Gabriel is going to be 8 months old!

Uncle Jay says he is not chubby, he is fluffy.

So hopefully this won't cause him too many years of therapy but his nicknames are: Budder (Lex calls him this-it is more from Buddy than Butter), Fluffy and oh yeah, Gabezilla! Lex loves that song Godzilla which Jake has changed the lyrics to a more appropriate "Watch out Tokyo, here comes Gabezilla" which elicits hysterical laughter from Lex.

Did I mention therapy?

Watch out Tommy Moe

You know when you make a promise to yourself years before it may actually happen...well, I always said I would put my children in ski school so they could learn the correct way from the getgo. I learned in highschool from some well intentioned friends who put me at the top of a hill and said "See ya at the bottom." So now at 35 I am still trying to undo the damage done. Hence the resolution to have my children learn the correct way.

Here is Lex-Mama is proud. Dad too!

Is Christmas Over Already??

Lex and Gabe with Santa Claus 2007

I can't believe Christmas 2007 is over. Our first with two boys and oh what fun. Lex received so many great gifts- thanks to everyone. I believe the theme is trains, trains and more trains. Gabe was just a happy baby- can't believe he is 7 months old.
We are looking forward to this new year and all the fun ahead.
Happy New Year to you and yours.