Favorite Book Friday

I found a great deal on book from Mark Twain. Actually, his birth name is

Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Well, I love old books and old scriptures. I came accross this book by Samuel Clemens. It is a dual story which one side is The Adventure of Tom Sawyer and then flip the book upside down and the otherside is The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. A rare book it is. It was published in 1963 by Companion Library with the author as Samuel Clemens. All the pages were in tact as well. I bought it for $1.00! That was a steal. I did see on line that it went up to $30.00 dollars. Not that I want to sell it. I love the adventures that Mark Twain, aka Samuel Clemens wrote. His mama would tell him, "Never learn to do anything. If you don't learn, you'll always find someone else to do it for you." Smart lady.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

Inauguration Day 2009

At 12:00 noon on Inauguration Day 2009 (Tuesday, January 20, 2009, as set by the Twentieth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution), Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States.
Welcome to the White House

President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden and their family.

It is said that George Bush Sr. started the tradition of the New President walking and escorting the Old President to the awaiting Helicopter as he did with Ronald Reagan. Here, Obama escorts George W Bush to the awaiting Helicopter and below the President Bush and Laura leaving the White House.

This photo is of the Belated President Ronald Reagan as he leaves the White House. I also included his last speach.
It was said that as President Reagan flew around the white house one final time he told his wife Nancy, "Well honey, there's our old little shack." Here is Ronald's Farewell speech.

Reagan Farewell Speech.

President Reagan's Farewell Speech
The President spoke at 9:02 P.M. from the Oval Office at the White House. The address was broadcast live on nationwide radio and television.
January 11, 1989
This is the 34th time I'll speak to you from the Oval Office and the last. We've been together 8 years now, and soon it'll be time for me to go. But before I do, I wanted to share some thoughts, some of which I've been saving for a long time.
It's been the honor of my life to be your President. So many of you have written the past few weeks to say thanks, but I could say as much to you. Nancy and I are grateful for the opportunity you gave us to serve.
One of the things about the Presidency is that you're always somewhat apart. You spent a lot of time going by too fast in a car someone else is driving, and seeing the people through tinted glass--the parents holding up a child, and the wave you saw too late and couldn't return. And so many times I wanted to stop and reach out from behind the glass, and connect. Well, maybe I can do a little of that tonight.
People ask how I feel about leaving. And the fact is, "parting is such sweet sorrow." The sweet part is California and the ranch and freedom. The sorrow--the goodbyes, of course, and leaving this beautiful place.
You know, down the hall and up the stairs from this office is the part of the White House where the President and his family live. There are a few favorite windows I have up there that I like to stand and look out of early in the morning. The view is over the grounds here to the Washington Monument, and then the Mall and the Jefferson Memorial. But on mornings when the humidity is low, you can see past the Jefferson to the river, the Potomac, and the Virginia shore. Someone said that's the view Lincoln had when he saw the smoke rising from the Battle of Bull Run. I see more prosaic things: the grass on the banks, the morning traffic as people make their way to work, now and then a sailboat on the river.
I've been thinking a bit at that window....We've done our part. And as I walk off into the city streets, a final word to the men and women of the Reagan revolution, the men and women across America who for 8 years did the work that brought America back. My friends: We did it. We weren't just marking time. We made a difference. We made the city stronger, we made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad, not bad at all.
And so, goodbye, God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

I've included the President Obama and Michelles first dance as President of the United States.

Happy Birthday Devan

Devan turned 11 years on January 16th. We celebrated by going out to eat after his basketball game to Native New Yorker. Devan and Dorian had a basketball game that day, as well as Oscar. It was a nice ending for the evening since they lost their games. Oscar came later after is game. Devan was surprised when they came and sang Happy Birthday.

Here's your spot light Devan.

Why we love Devan...

Devoted to his family, friends, and church.
Enthuses on what he has to say or believe with passion, even when he goes on and on and on and on and on about Pokemon and I have to look enthused!
Valiant in standing up for the truth
Answers back to his parents (okay, that wasn’t nice, but he always Apologizes when he is ready with a hug and kiss, on his own), I love that part. So back to A;
Artistic with his drawings and creative stories that he writes.
Nobody can beat his score in Rock Band (guitar) and he creates his own music.

We love you Devan.

Ciao For now,

Arnnette

Computer Fritz

My computer has been on a fritz! Sorry I haven't posted anything. I will soon have postings, even if the occasion is late. I've had many requests for Christmas postings and they're on the way.

Ciao for now,

Arnnette

Christmas 2008

Before I start with a glimpse of Christmas...On the 13Th of December we celebrated Bayardo's birthday at Moki's.

We were lucky to have his birthday when Mokis's have their Luau. On the first Friday of every month at the Southern/Val Vista location and on the 2Nd Saturday of the month at the Dobson/Baseline location; Moki's have all you can eat Luau with entertaining. We love Hawaiian food. Here Bayardo is enjoying his dinner. Here is a sample of the entertaining.

Here is "Da Pidgin" Ten Commandments we encountered.
(A dialect of English spoken on the Hawaiian Islands)


On the 8Th and the 15Th of December, the kids had their Winter Performance. I included video clips of each of them: Hannah (the petite thing), Devan (first left front guitarist), Dorian (Behind the singer with the green skirt wearing "pink" shades).

Christmas Eve we spent it with the Alfaro's/Flores. This year we were at Kenneth's home. Unfortunately, Selena was tired and called it a night. But the Alfaro's don't stop, we moved it to The Flores and continued to "celebrate" Jesus B-Day until 130am-2am.
Nina, Selena, Baby K, Marysa

Kayla (holding her drink, Diana, Alexis,& Jordan playing Aggravation, Carly singing Karaoke.
Here you can see Carly singing and all the family spending a joyous time together.

Here sister Nina & Bayardo have a try at the Karaoke.

At about 2am-3am in the morning, after coming back from Queen Creek the kids open the family gift. Here are two clips of them opening the gift they were wondering about and after they opened it. Note: Ayla nursed until she was close to being 3 years. July 17, 2008 marked one year from being nursed free, however, she still begs me, you can catch that at the end of the first clip. It will rotate, promise.

Here the family is rocking with Rock Band. Ayla is singing ACDC and adding her own words of 'Santa Claus is coming to town" We didn't go to bed until 5am.

Christmas Morning, after about 3 hours of sleep, we had breakfast at Abuelita Jinette's
& Grandpa Mundo. Yes! We scored with Tamales Tico's (from Costa Rica), Tamales Mexicano's, Gallo Pinto, Platanos Fritos, eggs, Chocolate de Mexico, y Cafe.

Here my other favorite brother in law RJ, and his mama Bonnie enjoy some time together eating the delicious food.

Ayla spilled her drink and was drying her pants...It took about 10 minutes, but she was determined.

We were able to enjoy some time with my cousin Alejandro. Diego , his brother and Maren brought him to visit. He is so special. You can feel the spirit with him. He is blind, autistic, retarded, and two other disabilities that I forget. No matter how long it is that I've been apart from my primo, he always seems to recognize when I sing his name. He'll touch my face to kiss him and search my hand to softly tickle his arm.

Chelsea, our second oldest, came to visit from Virginia, here Dad and his first baby girl spend time together.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. Well not really, Abuelita Jinette would have been upset. The grandchildren gathered to visit with Santa after his long night. Hey where's Grandpa Mundo?

He was asleep on the couch...or was he? Here Evan tells Papa that he missed Santa.

When, what to our wondering eyes should appear, It was Tio Marco who flew by eight tiny reindeer...

Here mama shouts for joy when she spots Marco. She was sad that Tio Marco and Tio Jorge missed the holiday season with the family. Jorge was not able to come. We were glad that Marco was able to lift mamas spirit some.
Tyrel, our daughter enjoying some time with her nephew Leo'nel.

Here is Tio Marco holding Leo'nel, my grandson.

Here's Evan Rock'n with his new guitar

Here Evan is Rock'n with his guitar and Ayla vocals, Go Primos!

Olivia is enjoying her brother and prima entertain.

After 7 1/2 hours, the kitchen Abuelita Jinette and Grandpa Mundo gave to the grandchildren for Christmas, was finally assembled by RJ, C-Bass, and Stephanie.

Favorite Book Friday

Okay, I'm late, however, here is my choice. In celebration of Chinese New Year Soon, 2009 is The OX. So I chose the Tall Tale of Paul Bunyan and his blue ox, Babe. This version is retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg.

The tall tales of Paul Bunyan are continued into the next generation. This version tells that his children are responsible for making many well-known American landmarks. Author: Audrey Wood, Illustrator: David Shannon

My children and I enjoyed both of the books and their illustration

I also included a word search (Click on the word Search to go to the link).

I also included the video clip of Disneys Paul Bunyan, just click here.

Ciao for Now,

Arnnette

New Year's Giveaway

April Showers is having a great giveaway. Click here to enter. Here are the details:
1. To ENTER the contest you need to make a post on your own personal blog telling all your friends about this giveaway.
2. You also need to comment on this post and tell me: a) Your birthday and b) Three New Year's resolutions.
Prizes: One winner will be chosen, and will receive...
1. A $25 gift certificate to Bath and Body Works!

2. For EVERY comment made on this post, I will add $1 to a mark. gift certificate. So if there are 10 comments, the gift certificate will be for $10. If there are 30 comments, the gift certificate will be for $30! And yes...even if there are 100 comments...Holy crap!!! Cool huh? But you can only comment once :D

3. BONUS: Anyone who orders Blog TLC from me, or HAS ordered Blog TLC from me in the past will automatically receive an extra entry! But you still need to fulfill the rules above to enter.
4. It's a good thing you read this far down, because the first FIVE people to post a comment will get a mark. goody bag full of SAMPLES! Fragrances, lip gloss, body lotions, etc... Hooray!You guys rock my face off!P.S. Anyone who enters and doesn't win will get a 30% discount on any mark. products or Blog TLC item(s).
Good luck! The contest ends Saturday night at 8pm. The winner will be announced Sunday morning!
Ciao for now,
Arnnette

I've been tagged by my little cousin Cassie:{

Experience Tag
To participate, just copy and paste in your own blog, and bold all of the things you have done.
1. Started your own blog (bnaalfaro.blogspot.com, hell-0)
2. Slept under the stars (In my front lawn when our AC broke when I was little & Camping)
3. Played in a band (Clarinet)
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower (in San Carlos & Flagstaff, AZ
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain (And a Pyramid in Mexico, That was worse!)
9. Held a praying mantis (Many a times)
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris (Paris, KY & Paris, TX)
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Taught yourself an art from scratch
14. Adopted a child
15. Had food poisoning
16. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
17. Grown your own vegetables (My tomatoes are growing in again now, and bell peppers)
18. Seen the Mona Lisa in France (Someday!)
19. Slept on an overnight train (no, but I've been on a train ride)
20. Had a pillow fight
21. Hitch hiked (Never!)
22. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
23. Built a snow fort
24. Held a lamb (At the zoo)
25. Gone skinny dipping (In a Pool)
26. Run a Marathon (A little one when I was a kid)
27. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (In Mexico City I have)
28. Seen a total eclipse
29. Watched a sunrise or sunset
30. Hit a home run
31. Been on a cruise (Does a yacht count? then yes)
32. Seen Niagara Falls in person
33. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
34. Seen an Amish community (In Tennessee and Mexico)
35. Taught yourself a new language (When I worked at Sprint and I also handled Italian and Portuguese, I can't speak it anymore, I could understand it though. And a little Japanese)
36. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (for a very short time)
37. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
38. Gone rock climbing
39. Seen Michelangelo’s David
40. Sung karaoke
41. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
42. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (The Missionaries and Occasional homeless people in McDonald's)
43. Visited Africa
44. Walked on a beach by moonlight
45. Been transported in an ambulance
46. Had your portrait painted
47. Gone deep sea fishing (I tagged along)
48. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
49. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (There is to much France questions, blah!)
50. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
51. Kissed in the rain
52. Played in the mud
53. Gone to a drive-in theater (Every Spring and Fall here in Scottsdale AZ)
54. Been in a movie (for 2 seconds)
55. Visited the Great Wall of China
56. Started a business (Lemonade? HA HA) I ditto Cassandra & Babysitting
57. Taken a martial arts class
58. Visited Russia
59. Served at a soup kitchen
60. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
61. Gone whale watching
62. Got flowers for no reason
63. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (I tried but was denied because I almost passed out)
64. Gone sky diving (Does para sailing count? then yes)
65. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
66. Bounced a check (That was embarrassing)
67. Flown in a helicopter
68. Saved a favorite childhood toy (Yes, but my EX threw it away, my bunny argh!!)
69. Visited the Lincoln Memorial (We drove by)
70. Eaten Caviar (Blah!)
71. Pieced a quilt
72. Stood in Times Square
73. Toured the Everglades
74. Been fired from a job (Actually, layed-off, but same thing)
75. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
76. Broken a bone
77. Been on a speeding motorcycle
78. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
79. Published a book
80. Visited the Vatican
81. Bought a brand new car
82. Walked in Jerusalem
83. Had your picture in the newspaper (The Beehive)
84. Read the entire Bible (3X's)
85. Visited the White House (Outside the gates)
86. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (If trout counts)
87. Had chickenpox
88. Saved someone’s life
89. Sat on a jury
90. Met someone famous
91. Joined a book club
92. Lost a loved one
93. Had a baby (4 and then added 6 more)
94. Seen the Alamo in person
95. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
96. Been involved in a law suit
97. Owned a cell phone
98. Been stung by a bee (And a WASP! That was more painful)
99. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
100. Learned to play an instrument (Piano, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Oboe)
Tag Since Cassie tagged Deborah my sister, I'll say Maren, Molly, and anyone else who is reading this.
Please let me know when you posted your tag so I can take a peak!
Ciao for now,
Arnnette

Feliz Año Nuevo!

Happy New Year Everyone! We didn't plan to have our Yearly New Years Party. Although we did have friends who came and our children as well, to bring in the New Year. May you have a Happy New Year with JOBS, Family, Friends, and good health.

Feliz Año Nuevo!- Spanish

с новым годом! - Russian

Buon Anno! - Italian

Happy New Year - English

Ciao for Now,

Arnnette