There is funny...and well...

One thing that always has always been hysterical to me is how Ana can bring herself to tears laughing at, well...about anything. It's actually quite comical, especially for me, because she's got a beautiful smile, and these huge and cute dimples, and she's laughing, yet crying, and if you're with her at the time, you can't quite help but get caught up in the moment with her.

Now, here's where it's, well...not so funny. She's prone to have these 'fits' in public. Whether in the car, at dinner, or in a place where others, who don't know us mind you, are free to make their own observations of what's going on. Picture me: six foot two, two hundred pounds, sun-glasses, and probably look intimidating enough as it is if I'm not laughing let alone smiling. Then Ana: smaller than me by almost a foot, looking cute and innocent, and at this moment is in the passenger seat of the car, tearing up, and although she is laughing, she's in a state of breathing that looks like she is crying and upset.

Anyone in the cars next to us can look over, see me, see her, and of course come to the logical conclusion that this jerk next to her has obviously made her so upset that she's balling.

Or when we're at a restaurant, and it starts...and I'm telling her to stop...'people are going to think I'm breakin' up with you...' And that I should just get up and walk out. Why? Because THAT would be funny. But uhhh...that's not so funny.

Yes, the girls don't appreciate that. Don't ever take it over the limit and make a scene of what it's not. Besides a swift smack to the head, you could get a cold shoulder all-day-long.

So boys, love your woman. Keep her happy. Even when she looks sad, although she's outrageously happy at a moment in time, but the emotions are so much that tears stream down her face - go with it. Laugh along, smile and enjoy the moment with her.

How hot is it?

So Ana and I are checking out places for catering for the reception and she requested some information from one of the vendors that we really like.

Ana checks the mail daily, and when our package from the vendor arrived, she remembered pulling it from our mail box, and thinking, 'okay, this is weird, and it feels kind of akward...and...smooshy? What the...?'

When our 'care package' arrived with all of the information from them, they included a little somethin' somethin' extra for us to...well, I guess - share?

You see...here's the thing: it's already busting triple digits every single day since early June and will stay that way through July and to the end of August. It was probably, easily a buck-10 when they sent us this package, and in the small metal box that faces east and south(regarded as the hottest and most exposed angle you could have toward the sun by any means[except the south of the equator]), it had to be about 50 degrees hotter, if not more.

So a word to you all out there - wait until November, maybe mid-October before sending us anything that 'melts'. Because this vendor decided not to send us a really exquisite soup of fine Belgian chocolate with a rock-salt additive surrounded in a aluminum foil package wrapped in a nice paper wrapper...it was supposed to be a candy bar.

Mmmmm...not so much.

"Who's motorcycle is this?"

"It's not a motorcycle baby...it's a chopper..."

There's another new addition to the family.

Yes, Ana and I have a new baby.

It's loud - boy does she have some pipes on her.

It needs to be cleaned up after being out all day - and we are stocking ultra-soft cloth diapers now.

It attracts people, who want to look at it, and make faces at it - mostly shock and awe.

And both of us want our turn to hug her and hang on tight - forever.

Most of all of you know that I've had a want to ride motorcycles for a long time. And last year I took my riding course, tested, passed(of course), and earned my license to ride. I purchased an old beater bike - a '88 Kawasaki Ninja, that just HAD to be the same as the one Tom Cruise rode in Top Gun - so that I could get a feel for riding, learning the ins-and-outs of the road, and the feel of a cycle.

I fell in love immediately, and Ana encouraged me quite often to get out and ride more. I mostly took the bike on rides around Anthem, running errands, going to meet by buddy Tracy for coffee, and took Ana out a few times as well on short runs.

Back at the beginning of April, when Ana and I came out for Ava's birthday party in Fresno, then to Disneyland for Ana's birthday, we stopped by our friend Devin's shop in Orange County. I told him that I was ready to throw down on a bike, and would love it if he could help me out. I didn't hear from him as quick as I expected. Those of you that know me, know that I have very little patience to 'wait and buy'. I have to go and 'get it now', while the money's burning a hole in my pocket. Although over the years, I've grown to practice a bit more patience, and taking my time researching and looking, I still couldn't wait to hear from Devin.

Weeks turned into months and the 'fire went away', and it was in the back of my mind. Until two weeks ago, and I get a message from Devin while I was traveling. It was short, brief, and to the point: "Bob...Devin...how you doin' buddy? I just took a bike in here about a half-hour ago, and it's the one." He said he'd send some pictures over, look at it, and give him a call, but assured me that this is the bike.

Ana and I planned a trip to come out to California the same weekend as Father Day, the weekend of Mom's birthday, and a family gathering on Saturday, and to check out the box and finalize the deal if it was indeed, 'the one'.

Well, we pulled up Saturday morning, and Rod(Dev's guy) was out front cleaning up. We parked the Prius, walked on up, looked at each other and smiled, and knew - she's the one.

So here she is. Hope you enjoy the shots. While we enjoy the ride.

What we've been up to...

Yes, I know it's been quite awhile since we posted...but there's too much now to get you all caught up on, which is just a blantent reminder that I should be doing this more.

Life has thrown some curve-balls to us this past month in a half, and we've pushed through them with the help of our close friends and family. With the passing of Ana's aunt being on the top of our minds, it's been hard to focus on other things around here. Ana was very close to her aunt and her passing made it really hard, as you could imagine.

Being out in California for the wake and the funeral, and spending time with her family, I can tell you there is a lot of love in her family. Her cousins, remaining aunts and uncles and mother and brother were all there to tender their support and also be a pleasent distraction for what could have been a harder time. But since they were nearby, including Ana, I was able to see a beautiful legacy her aunt left behind. She was a great woman and it reflects all to well in her daughters and her son.

Work for the both of us has been a bit up and down. Ana is busy preparing for holiday - yes! Christmas at her office is in full effect. And I have new managers and new challenges each and every day and week.

Below I posted a couple more updates and pic and video.

OH! And this is the place where we are set to have our reception. It's the Norris Pavillion in Rancho Palos Verdes. It has PLENTY of room for all of our guests to get down and party with us when we get married! Whoo hoo!

Gettin' a smile out of Riley

We discovered that Riley likes to do this 'thing' when she gets excited...smile!

Most people when they first see her do it that don't 'know' Riley get a little freaked out, and who can blame them when they have a 70lb Golden-monster with a slobbering tongue and mouth like that!

Take a look at this video that Ana shot at work, while her friend Gilbert busily coaxes Riley to flash that million dollar smile it takes a little but then...HILARIOUS!

Take THAT big oil!

HA!

We bought a hybrid.

Yea, it's kewl! And everyone wants a ride...

Between the gas prices and the dollar amount for the services to keep the Audi going on all the trips to the stores I do for work, something needed to be considered. Ana and I have been talking about getting a hybrid for some time now, and we knew that something had to be done soon. She's wanted a Toyota Highlander Hybrid, but right now they are REALLY expensive, and since I was the one more in need of something, we settled on a Prius.

We totally love it! It totally rocks!

And with me using it for work, and get the mileage checks - the thing practically pays for itself.

Here's a pic with me with 'The Bubble Maker' - a nickname we so aptly stuck to it.

how good it is to be a kid...

This is Ava.

She is my brothers daughter, whom he and his wife, Michelle, first started their beautiful family upon Ava's birth, just over two years ago. This pic was taken at her recent birthday bash, where others may have a 'bounce-house', she got a 'Bounce-Castle'! A standing legion of a playful lot, her and her cousins, close friends, mum and dad, g-mas, g-pas, and even Uncle Ducky bounced around for some good 'ole fashioned body-slammin' fun!

I love this picture that Ana took. It captures the innocence of youth when all of life's surroundings are completely lost, and for a period of time, the focus is one thing.

It's almost surreal to think about how much more Ava has to experience in her life: school, making new friends, a new dog, a new cat, a new brother or sister(coming soon), her first trip to Disneyland, playing with the waves at the beach, horses, snow-globes, family trips, seeing snow and making snow-angels...don't eat the yellow-snow Ava.

Mix in: a scraped up knee, the big scary dog down the street, the jungle gym, staying out past dark, learning to ride a bike, another scraped knee, getting lost for the first time, homework, exams, finals, first-choices, final-decisions, first love and loss, first airplane ride, a job, car-payments, insurance, rent, top-ramen and mac-n-cheese only, more tests and exams, college, more tests and exams and more ramen and chili-mac, dating, more college, a career, deadlines, love and marriage, a house payment, a family, and the loss of a loved one or long time friend.

The list can go on and on for the many things that she will experience that will impact and forever remain as memories in her life. All the things in life that make for decisions who lead her to be who she is.

And between them all, never should any of them be taken away. They make you who you are Ava Helene Serrato. These things develop your mind, your soul, your body...your place in this big old world where all these things are taken for granted and sometimes left behind. Don't forget to jump and smile, and fall, and get back up, and live life.

After all...this world is just one big Bounce-House.