Trip to Sequoia National Park

After becoming an American Citizen, we took off to the Sierra Nevada Mountain range to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. We wanted to get there as soon as possible to save our camp site for us and the two families that were going camping with us. We were expecting for the campsites to be full, since it was Memorial Day weekend.

The trip there went really well. But as we climbed higher altitudes, it started to get cloudy. We had checked the forecast and it was going to be cool, with a chance of showers in the evening. It was cold. It was cloudy and after setting camp, it started hailing. We had a great time, just the four of us. Our campsite was great. We were on top of a small hill, it had boulders for Arden to climb, a small stream at the bottom of the hill, and plenty of wood to pick for the fire ring.

After dinner, we sat by the campfire for a while and then went to bed early...we knew, it was going to be a long day, the following day. Arden gets very excited when we go camping. He loves it.

The following morning it was cold and cloudy. After breakfast we decided to go the other side of the park, to the visitor center and check out the attractions. As we were driving to that side of the park, the weather worsened. It became very foggy.

The ranger suggested we drive through the Tunnel Log, and hike Crescent Meadow. It was a really neat place. As you can see the trees are HUGE. They are beautiful, too.

This is Arden and Newel walking on top of a fallen tree.

I was impressed at how sturdy these trees are. Some of them are believed to be over a couple of thousand years old. We saw some trees that had fallen almost a hundred years ago, and they didn't even seem like they were starting to rot.

This is Chimney tree. It's hollow inside and well, it looks like a chimney. All four of us fit in it very comfortably. I laid inside the tree, and there was still room for Arden and Newel to walk around.

From inside the tree looking out.

Another hollow tree. When there are fires, the trees can burn, a bit. It gets hollow, but it survives.

After our hike, we headed back to the visitor center, ate lunch and washed some laundry (pee pee accident at night). Afterwards we went back to our campsite. It started to rain, and was still very foggy.

Our friends arrived a couple of hours later. I was inside our tent, helping Maya fall asleep, when I got out of the tent, our campsite was completely foggy, and everything was wet. It was a real bummer.

We decided instead of standing in the cold, we went to see the General Grant Grove to see the General Grant tree...the fifth biggest tree in the world. It was big...oh, and we also walked though a tunnel tree. It was pretty cool.
We went back to our campsite, ate dinner...Newel, prepared dinner, and it was yummy and warm. Afterwards, we perfected the way to make a smore...yum.

The following day, the weather got increasingly worse (it started to snow). It was so wet from the fog, we didn't even attempt to make a fire for breakfast. We got dressed, packed our uncooked breakfast, and went to a small cafeteria, where we used their microwave to make breakfast. It's amazing how good oatmeal tastes, when you've been so cold. We decided to visit a couple of places, including the cave, and then go home.
It was my first time in a cave and Crystal Cave was awesome. It was so neat. Arden's favorite part was helping the ranger open the spider web gate into the cave.

When we got back to our campsite, our tent had a heavy layer of snow on top. As we were packing our stuff, the tent started to cave it on me. All three families pack all of their belongings, have the kids use the restrooms before leaving, within 45 minutes. Talk about fast!

Overall it was a really fun trip. Arden loved playing with his friends and we had a chance to get to bond with our friends...if only the weather could have been better, it would have been a super great trip.

Arden & Maya's Video Debut

This video was done a few weeks ago with other GSB kids. It was shown at the GSB Show (a mini film/performance festival). The 1st and 2nd year Stanford students make short videos of whatever they want to do it on, related to MBA life. A couple of students made this video with the kids...I hope you enjoy it. I loved it! When I watched it the first time, it made me cry...I know most of those kids, and I thought about how much we're going to miss them when we leave. I felt so sad.

Conversations with Arden

A couple of weeks ago, I was in the kitchen preparing dinner. Arden comes up to me and non-nonchalantly asks me, "So, how's your class?"
I thought I didn't hear him correctly, so I asked him,"What?"
"How's your class, mommy?"
"You mean my swimming class?" I ask.
"Yes."
I immediately start laughing, I find it so humorous/cute he's trying to start up a conversation with me. After enjoying his question, I notice, he's smiling, but expecting an answer.
I finally respond, "Oh, my class is going very well. I like my teacher and I'm learning a lot. Thank you for asking."
He's satisfied with my answer and walks away. Whenever I've been leaving for class he gets a bit upset that he wants to go with me, or wants his own swimming class. Ever since that day, I haven't had too much trouble from him whenever I'm leaving for my class.

I'm an American Citizen!!

It has been a very long journey. It has taken almost 19 years for this day to happen. I remember when we first arrived to this country seeking political asylum. We had nothing but our clothes on our backs and a small bundle of personal items. I remember the hardships and battles my parents fought in order for our family to remain in this nation...why? Because the United States of America is a wonderful nation. So many people have fought and died in order for us to enjoy our freedoms. I'm grateful for the sacrifices they made. This country is the melting pot, it is the place where you can realize your dreams. We have equal rights, and anyone can succeed, if they work hard for it.
I love this country, even with all of its problems, and politics. It's a beautiful country from coast to coast. I love my freedom. I love what I have been able to accomplish in my life...I don't think that would have been possible if I lived elsewhere.

I was very glad I was able to share this day with my little family. They'll probably never go what my parents and I went through. They will probably take their citizenship for granted, as most Americans do. But I hope they know and are proud of their Latin roots, where they come from. I hope they will know how hard my parents worked in order for my brother and I to make it to this country.

As a teenager, when I was getting out of line, my mother would tell me, "we didn't risk our lives to come to this country for you to behave this way...if you want to behave this way, we can always go back to Nicaragua. We came here to successful, not failures." I think it's true, and I hope I've made them proud.

Oakland A's Game

Newel and Arden were invited by a fellow classmate to attend the Oakland A's game (vs. the Tampa Bay Devil Rays) and view the game from the box. What a treat. Arden had a wonderful time, especially since he knew the guys, from the basketball team.


Arden was also very excited because one of his favorite people at the GSB was going to the game with him...and riding in Arden's car...Ime. Arden calls him E-mail.

Arden stepping out of the Box for a shot.

Can you tell how excited is Arden?

Newel said that Emi would say something to Arden and he would just smile and stare at Ime, in awe.

Arden's Mischief #3

It's not his #3(he does about 10 mischiefs per day), but it's the 3rd post about his mischiefs. A couple of weeks ago I came back from my swimming class. I noticed that there was liquid around a night stand we had in placed in the patio. I figured Arden had been playing with water and I went back inside the house.

A couple of minutes later, I noticed Arden has stepped out and is very quiet...too quiet. I check on him, and he is drinking a soda and placing it back inside the nightstand drawer. I check inside the drawer and there are several half-opened cans of pops.

A few weeks ago, we had an event for our courtyard and had a few sodas leftover from the event. I had noticed some had disappeared (thought may be Newel was drinking them) and had also found some hidden in the nightstand...I had told Arden to not play with them...well, he didn't play with them, he drank them, and stashed them away.

After this event, I asked Newel, "What are we going to do when he is a teenager?" He' s already pulling this stuff, at this age, what are we going to do when he gets older...I know he's just testing his boundaries, but it seems like he tests his boundaries daily and hourly.

Surviving the Heat Wave

Believe it or not, California can get HOT once in a while. In most places in the US, it wouldn't be a big deal if it gets hot, but here, most houses do not have A/C. It was so hot it actually got to 100 degrees. Last week we survived the heat wave by going from one water event to the next. On Wednesday, while I went to my swimming class, Newel took the children to the fountain to play. Later that afternoon we played in the water with our neighbors.



Thursday afternoon, another water event with some friends.



Friday morning, we went to the public pool...it was packed.




This is Maya with our friends Sasha (holding Maya), her husband Laurent, and their son Philippe (who is a day younger than Maya, but is twice her size). Phillippe fell asleep in the water. So relaxing.

Arden playing in the kiddie pool.









After the pool and quiet/nap time, we headed to another water/ice cream event.









Here's Arden enjoying his ice cream, and Maya playing in the water. It was so hot those days, that I had dreams of cooling down in a pool.

Happy 29th Birthday Newely

Yep, Newel is an old man now...almost 30. We celebrated his birthday last Tuesday by meeting him at the Oval for a picnic lunch.

We all had a good time. Arden was pretty relaxed, as you can see in the picture, he laid on the grass and happily ate his sandwhich. He was a bit sad when Newel had to go back to class, but riding the bus back home made it all better. It was a warm day...the beginning of the heat wave.








After we got home, I wanted the kids to make a card for Newel. We got paper and paint out, and this is what they did. It took me longer to set up and clean up than the amount of time they spent painting. They had fun, and after all that painting, the kids took a bath...the tub water was colorful.

We finished the evening by going out to dinner. The children were wonderfully well behaved, and we all had a good, relaxing time.

Mother's Day

I had a really great Mother's day. Newel made me breakfast in bed. Made me lunch and took great care of the kids while I napped after church. Arden made me a cute colorful necklace at church...one of the many I'll get in the years to come. It was really cute...and the 'diamond' had a picture of his favorite insect, the cricket.
I hope all you moms out there also had a Happy Mother's Day.

Stanford Pow Wow

One of the many things I love about living here is the culture diversity. Last Saturday Newel took Arden to the Stanford Pow Wow...I caught with them after Maya's nap. We had a chance to try some Native American food, and see people wearing elaborate costumes, listen to the drums, while different tribes danced to the beat of the drums. It was so neat.

We really enjoy learning about other people's cultures. I'm really glad we are exposing our children to different cultures.

Lake Lagunita

A couple of Fridays ago (after our lazy Wed. and Thurs.) we went with some of our friends to Lake Lagunita...it's a lake that forms during the raining season at Stanford. Even though we're entering the dry season, it still has water. We showed up late...Maya was napping, so by the time we arrived most of our friends had already walked around the lake, and were getting ready to eat their picnic lunches. We ate lunch with them, while the kids ran around and played/argued with each other. I had only been to Lake Lagunita when it was dry when we first arrived to Stanford, so I didn't know what it actually looked like, so another one of my friends, Sarah, and I decided to walk around the lake with our children after lunch.


As we started our walk along the trail Sarah and I were talking, then her son Daniel (who is about a week older than Arden) and Arden both said to us, "look, a snake." We thought, 'yeah, uh huh, good pretending.' Then, we turned around to see 'the snake,' thinking it was a log, and it was a real snake. It was about 4 ft. long, beautiful snake...I was a bit nervous at first, since I didn't know what kind of snake it was, and Cali does have very poisonous snakes, so we told the kids to stay away from it. Luckily, there were a couple of Stanford landscaping employees who told us the snake wasn't poisonous, it was a gopher snake. It was walking peacefully towards a gopher hole. One of the guys called in to let someone know they had found a snake, while the other guy caught the snake. The snake got mad that it was being bothered and tried to scape. As we're watching this, Sarah and I are wondering, "is that necessary? Why are they bothering the snake?" I was almost wishing we wouldn't have said anything to those guys about the snake, it seemed like they were bothering it. We finally asked them what were they going to do with it. The man told us they were going to take the snake to a secluded spot, so it wouldn't be bothered, otherwise, some of the people who walk around the lake with their dogs, would have had their dogs chase the snake and killed it, and it's a protected species. What a relief!

The kids had a chance to pet the snake. Sarah and her kids went back to their car...it was getting late for them. Arden, Maya, and I continued walking around the lake. I can't believe I hadn't gone to it before! It was beautiful. Besides the snake, we saw herons, ducks, different species, with ducklings. We also saw some blue dragonflies, Arden really liked that, and very small frogs that an older gentleman caught to show them to Arden, who also petted the frogs. It was such a neat trip around the lake. I also thought, what a great experience for Arden.
Then we walked home, and walked pass the Stanford Fair. By the time we got home it was nap/quiet time. It was such a good day.
So where are the pictures? I forgot the camera. That's why this post is so long. If I would have brought my camera, I wouldn't have written this much. After quiet time, Newel got home and Arden told his daddy all about his wonderful experiences.

Oh, one more thing...this is kind of funny...at one point on our walk, there was a small trail that took you much closer to the water...for a moment I thought about going on that trail, then I thought to myself, "nope, there might be a gator." Yes, we've been trained well in FL to not go into or near lakes b/c there might be a gator. I immediately reminded myself where I was and chuckled a little bit.

Maya Stands up.

On our lazy Thursday (the day after our lazy Wed.), I was putting Maya down for her nap, when she grabbed the bars of her crib and stud up. I was so impressed! She knew she had accomplished something great and was very proud of herself.

Maya and Elmo.

This video was taken last week on our lazy Wednesday, while Newel was in Southern Cal interviewing for a job.

Arden and Lydia in the stroller

These guys are so funny. I can't believe those two can fit in the back of that stroller. Lydia and Arden are such good pals. We're going to miss them when we move. On the front seat, it's Tyler...Lydia's little brother...he's so cute!

My Weekend Getaway!

I want to start this blog by praising Newel. I'm very lucky to have such a wonderful husband who loves me so much and supports me. He spent this entire weekend(May 2nd-4th) taking care of the children while a few of my friends and I went on our Girls Weekend Getaway.
It was so much fun and relaxing. What did we do? NOTHING! No diaper changing, no worrying about getting kids down for bed time or nap time. It was wonderful. We left Friday afternoon (the same Friday we had the SF trip to the park, and broken down car), stopped at Applebee's for dinner. We talked all we wanted, and then we got to our weekend condo, late...and talked/laughed/ate some more. Both nights we stayed up as late as we wanted, and slept in as late as we wanted.
We also walked on the beach, and went back into childhood, collecting sandollars.

We were a group of moms having a wonderful time getting to know each other.

During this trip I came to admire these women even more. They're wonderful mothers and great examples for me. It was a great time for reflection for me. I thought about the things I needed to improve on, and things that I'm doing right in my life. I thought a lot about how I need to improve my relationship with my children and spend more time with them...that's partially why I wrote the "Busy busy."

I think I'm doing better. I'm less focused on keeping a clean house, and more focused on enjoying my time with them.

I'm glad I went.

Golden Gate Park with Friends

Ellie and Arden excited to see each other







Arden in the swing...so comfortable












Arden running to the cement slide...with his special "sliding" board.

A couple of Friday's ago, I venture into going to San Fran just with the children and me. When we go to SF, we go as a family and Newel does the driving. However, I needed to pick up my passport and I wanted to go to our club's fieldtrip with the kids, while Newel was busy. I was supposed to be at the park around 10:30/11ish. I got totally lost driving in SF, and after driving around for an hour, I finally found the building...which I've been to twice before, and then, of course I spent another while looking for a parking spot. Arden and Maya were SO GOOD while I drove around totally lost. By the time I picked up my passport, I was tired, hungry, and flustered. I wanted to go home, but I owed it to Arden, (who had been waiting so patiently the entire time I was lost) to take him to the playground with his friends...he had earned it.

As we arrived to park...didn't get too lost on my way there, Ellie was already leaving. However, they were still excited to see each other. We were in just in time for Arden to play for a little while with his other friends. They went home, while Arden kept on playing. I needed to get home soon, since I needed to pack for my weekend trip, so I finally convinced Arden to head home.

On our way home...of course I got disoriented and lost, then, my car broke down...at that moment I was really wishing I hadn't gone to the city. I knew the car had a lose wire to the battery, but when I checked, everything seemed in place. (By the way, while the car wasn't turning on, the kids were really well behaved and Arden was even encouraging saying, "it's okay mommy.") I didn't have my cell phone with me. A nice older gentleman stopped while I kept checking on the car, lent me his phone and I called Newel. He told me to try again...and the car turned on...after saying a prayer as well. I figured out where I was, the man lead me in the right direction, and headed home.

A few lessons learned on this day:

1. I need a gps system...badly!

2. Children can be so good and helpful.

3. Prayers are answered.

4. There are still nice strangers who are willing to help out.

Dear Grandpa White

After battling cancer for so many years, Grandpa White passed away on Saturday ,May 10, 2008 (5:30EST) . I had the pleasure of knowing him. He was a great man. I saw the laid back, funny grandpa side. I recall one of the nicest compliments he ever gave me when they lived in FL and Arden was about 4 months old. He said something like, "you've done a good job with my great-grandson...

As I write this, Newel pointed out that Arden is the only grandson, so far to carry the White family name. HB, Nate, Jeff, and Sam need to get on the ball and have boys. We don't want the legacy of this name to not be passed down.

Here is the obituary he wrote himself before he passed away:
Harold Bancroft White Jr. was born in Boston Massachusetts on February 28, 1919, and passed away on May 10th 2008,after a ten year long battle with prostate cancer. At the request of the deceased, he will be cremated and there will be no services. Later, at the convenience of the family, there will be a reunion at the family home in Lemont.

Born and brought up in New England, the son of a Congregational minister, he graduated from Monson Academy and later received undergraduate and graduate degrees from Massachusetts State University. He entered the service of the United States Army in 1941, served for four years, and was later discharged from the Air Force as a Sgt. He married his childhood sweetheart, Thyrza (Stevie) Barton of South Amherst, MA in 1942. He and Thyrza have four sons; Harold III, Biochemist at the University of Delaware, Hubert, High School science teacher for over 34 years in State College– now retired and residing in Lemont Pa. Hebron, businessman in Salt Lake City, UT, and Daniel, school track coach and business man Grandview, WA.

During his tenure at Penn State, Hal started as a recreational specialist in College of Agriculture in 1948 perhaps notable for his preparing Grange groups for the Aaronsburg Story Pageant. In 1951 he moved to the College of Physical Education to teach in the recreation curriculum. He became an Associate Professor under the late John Lawther, teaching individual sports, dance, for both men and women’s programs.

He enjoyed winter and aquatic sports. He became a sailboarder after he retired. When he was 50 he learned to ride a unicycle after two weeks of tumbles.He was an ardent athlete, enjoying about every activity he could manage. A better than average handball player and only a fair tennis player – he enjoyed playing with close friends, (particularly, the late Elmer Gross) over many years. He had a pilot’s license and served as operations officer in the Civil Air Patrol.

Hal might be remembered as fun loving and as an eager competitor. He had a broad sense of humor and a ready laugh. He enjoyed working with students and for many years took student and faculty groups into Algonquin Provincial Park Canada on canoe trips. For years he would bike to “Rec Hall” from his home in Lemont until the traffic became a problem.He retired in 1979 when he and Stevie traveled by motor home all over the United States. In 1984 they purchased a home in Bradenton Florida where they resided until 2005. They briefly stayed with their son Hebron in Salt Lake City, Utah and returned to State College in 2007 to live in an apartment in Nittany Gardens.

As he now writes this brief obit, he wishes to express his undying love for his wife, Stevie, She was his heart and soul and wishes that during his working years he could have spent more time with her and their family. The working years were tough on family life especially with a single income and a time consuming job. However, the “Icing on the Cake” was his retirement when he could spend every day traveling and enjoying the remaining years of life with his beloved wife.If there could be an inscription for Hal on a tombstone somewhere – it would be “I had a wonderful trip”. His admonition “To those of you I leave behind – enjoy life while you can - the end creeps up faster than you realize”.