o-hi-o (part 3)

the next stop on our mid west vacay was columbus, ohio. we wanted to spend some good quality time with the abelitas and that's exactly what we got!

cruz boy, phia, lily (aka munchkin), and crazy teo.


papa also had a few special things that he's waited a long time to do and first on the list was to get a tattoo! that meant we (as in all 10 of us) piled into 2 cars and made a family trip to ian's shop cause of course albert couldn't imagine anyone else than his very own cousin to do his first piece.

ian at work.


and after only 15 minutes or so the final masterpiece was complete. i call it "the story of a filipino boy born and raised in southern cali". nice and simple but has so much meaning. if you ask me i think it's pretty hot stuff. hehe!


we also had a fun trip to "sophia's zoo" as mateo likes to say. these 2 had a blast and even though it looks like mateo is choking poor sophia he's really just giving her a big gigantic hug.


here they are again doing their flamingo impersonation. it was pretty darn funny. with mateo being as uncoordinated as he is i'm surprised he didn't fall head first over the rope and into the plants.



and this guy was a little trooper. he was as happy and quiet as can be but i'm sure he can't wait for the day he can run around like the older ones.



afterwards, the stinky cousins took a much needed bath. i made albert promise that our next house will have a huge bathtub just like this one. it makes the task so much easier and plus the kids absolutely love it. can't you tell!




meanwhile, the guys went for a ride. i played mama paparazzi to take these pics, practically hanging out of the window risking my life for a shot of all 3 them riding together. isn't it funny that they're trying to look so cool on their bad boy harleys with the suburban track homes in the background? ha! us mommies were laughing. but, on the other hand the kids are convinced that they've got the coolest dads on the planet. they were totally loving it!



for the grand finale and the 2nd most important reason for our trip...sean and albert's journey to the horseshoe. these 2 have been talking about going to a sc vs. ohio state game together for who knows how long. i'm so glad they finally did and to top it off they had some of the best seats in the house. 50 yard line 7 rows up from the field. papa deemed it "the best sporting experience of his life" and that's a lot to say considering the types of games and other sporting events he's been to.


sunday morning we woke up at the crack of dawn to head to the airport and back to portland. we are always so grateful to have family vacations like these. i love my 2 pops so unbelievably much and to share experiences like these with them makes me feel so undeserving. praise God for His loving and continuous blessings upon our family. now we have a so cal thanksgiving and a little 5 year anniversary trip to look forward to. can't wait!