Sunday in SB

The big day! We stopped at the pond before heading out to the party.









Grandpa arrives at the party!



Grandpa and the other elders sat in the shade.



Grandpa and Grandma model their Reunion t-shirts.



James made himself at home, at the park, playing golf and making a new friend. He must be one of my cousins' kids? There were soooo many people at this party/reunion that I did not know.



We didn't want to overwhelm the Grandparents but we paused to take one quick picture with them.



My cousin Linda made this "Luchas" cake. My grandfather, for as long as I can remember, has been a fan of Pro Wrestling!



My cousin Ellie and me.



My Uncle Joe, my Grandpa, and then his son Salvador.





My Grandma sat quietly for most of the day. I know she was happy to see my Grandpa happy.



My cousin Linda's daughter, Adia, serenaded my Grandpa.

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And then all of the Grandkids sang to Grandpa.

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Grandpa makes a speech.

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Grandpa sang to his love, Grandma.

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My Grandpa serenaded his "Rosita". She is so loved!

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James played with mini pinatas. What a good Mexican boy!



My cousins Ellie and Michelle.



My cousins Angie and Ellie, with Angie's daughter Isabelle.



My Uncle Ruben, Uncle Juan, and my Mom served up some birthday cake!



Just a few pictures of the overall scene. Lots of people! My Mom said they put out 100 nametags and they ran out eventually.





Ellie and Grandpa.



After a fun party, James played in Tia ChaCha's hotel room.

Saturday in SB

So what's the first thing you do when you hit the beach? If you are James you golf!



Throwing sand is fun!



Look at that! The ocean!





Tia ChaCha and Tio Donkey arrive. They only stayed for a few minutes but they got to see James in action. Donkey helped James make a hole for golf.











The water was freezing! We did convince James to step in the water, but he quickly ran away.

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Burying seashells is also fun!



Later on we met up with Grandma Rosie, Grandpa Larry, Tia ChaCha, and Tio Donkey on State Street, the impressive main street of shopping in SB. I guess this could count as a milestone for James- his first bar. I mean, sitting at the bar.



And still later on, we met Uncle Juan, Aunt Marina, and their kids (my cousins) Juan Carlos and Marissa for dinner. I'm sad that I didn't take any pictures but this one of James' meal in a boat.

Friday in SB, Part 2

We didn't expect naps during our vacation. So right after the wharf we decided to hit the Santa Barbara Zoo. I know I've been there, especially with my Uncle Juan when I was little, but I didn't remember any of it. It was a nice zoo! Just right for our half day excursion.





James was very independent. He wanted to climb up and down every set of stairs at the zoo, at the hotel, anywhere and everywhere.





"Shhhh! Lions sleeping."



A bit of toddler defiance. James sat here and pouted for a quick minute, about something I forget. I thought it was funny that he sat next to that sign.



In a later post you'll see all of the pictures I took of the beautiful, beautiful flowers and landscaping everywhere. There were beautiful flowers even growing alongside the highways. I just fell in love with all of the natural colors. Here is a picture of a mosaic sculpture at the Zoo. I just thought everything was very pretty and artsy.



Self portrait on the zoo train.

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After the zoo we had a phone call from Grandma Rosie and Tia ChaCha. They were headed to my grandparents' home for a quick visit. We joined them and James was able to meet his Great Grandpa Ruben and Great Grandma Loreto Gutierrez. I hadn't seen my grandparents in probably ten years and I didn't know what to expect. They were just as teeny tiny as I remember, and Grandpa gave all of us a big kiss and was so happy to see us!