Canadian Cousins Visit

My cousins, the Semellas from Canada, came to the DC area for a long-weekend vacation. Irene is actually my cousin's daughter, so does that make me her aunt? It was great having Irene and her hubby, Apollo, and sons Zachary and Tristan over. We decided to have a mini family reunion and celebrate Kevin's birthday at the same time. Of course, we posed for the ritual family group picture. Happy Birthday Kevin! The kids pose for a picture.

Kevin Hits Double-Digits!

Happy Birthday Kevin!! It's hard to believe you are ten-years-old today! Brian picked out the decorations and balloons to put up as a surprise for Kevin when he got home from school. We also bought a small ice-cream cake from Baskins and Robbins. Unfortunately, I put it in the refrigerator instead of the freezer - what was I thinking? It was a melted mountain lump when we took it out after dinner. Oh well, we'll have to get another cake for the weekend when relatives come over.

Kevin puts his new Star Wars lego sets together in no time We love you dearly Kevin! Happy Happy Birthday!!

Potomac Conference Adventurer Family Fun Day

Justin worked hard this year to earn 16 Busy Bees awards - Artist, Bible I, Butterfly, Camper, Country Fun, Fish, Flowers, Friend of Animals, Friend of Jesus, Guide, Health Specialist, Home Helper, Music Maker, Reading I, Safety Specialist, and Spotter. So when he learned that Potomac Conference's Adventurer Family Fun Day was going to have workshops on new awards, he was excited to attend.

Justin (on the end) with some of his fellow Beltsville Buckaroos

The day started off in the gym/sanctuary with Pastor Green leading out with games. The clubs were then divided into four groups, which rotated to different workshops. The kids worked on the Honey, Honey Bee, and Bible Royalty awards. Outside, the kids worked on the Fruits of the Spirit award.


It was a fun-filled day of activities, and Justin can't wait to get the awards that he worked on today.

Adventurers Sabbath / Investiture

The Beltsville Broncos Adventurers Club led in every aspect of worship today - from preaching, music, skits, prayer, etc. It was wonderful seeing the kids lead.

Brian (next to last) is part of Little Lambs, and their group sang a song about Jonah and the whale. Justin is part of Busy Bees. Their group put on a skit about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Justin was one of the guards. The heat of the fiery furnace caused Justin to 'die' from the heat. He and the other guard jumped up and landed flat on the ground with a thud, causing the audience to laugh (only his shoes and legs can be seen here). The Busy Bees take a bow after they finish their skit (Justin is fourth from last). During the Investiture program, Kevin graduated from Helping Hands to Pathfinders. He also received a prize Pathfinder teddy bear for perfect attendance. Group picture of the Beltsville Broncos Adventurers Club after Investiture.

Beltsville Broncos Adventurers Slideshow

Over half a year ago, I was asked to put a slideshow together for the Adventurers Investiture program. To view the slideshow shown at tonight's program, click on the link below.

Beltsville Broncos Adventure Club 2009-2010 Slideshow

Dad's 70th Birthday

Even though Dad has passed away, I still wanted to celebrate his life on his birthday. Today would've been his 70th birthday. The kids and I, Manang Winda, and Uncle Jr. and Auntie Nellie drove together - first to Richmond, VA to visit my cousin, Manang Calina, who was in the hospital for surgery. Mom, Auntie Elo, and Beryl were already there.









We then drove to Tappahannock to visit Dad's grave. We then drove to Tappahannock to visit Dad's grave. We stayed a while and before leaving, formed a circle holding hands while Uncle Junior prayed. Afterwards, we had a delicious Filipino dinner at the house.

Happy Birthday Dad. We love and miss you very much!

Mother's Day in Pennsylvania

We celebrated with three mothers - Mom, Auntie Fraulein and me - at a restaurant near Manang Winda's house. For dessert, we had a delicious fruit tart (best I've ever tasted) and a 12-layer chocolate cake (also delicious) from a specialty bakery.

The boys handmade some gifts for me. Kevin made a picture frame at school. Justin made two cards at school. One with a picture of himself and a handprint with a poem. Another which says 'Happy Mother Day' where he drew a picture of himself and me on the front, with a glittered tree on the back. Inside he wrote: "Dear Mom, I love you because you are very kind to me. I also love you because you help me with my homework. I also love you because you read to me. I also love you because you help me." Love, Justin










Brian was sad because he didn't make anything to give me - but when we got home, he took out some papers and crayons, and scissors. On his own, he traced his hand, arm, and foot. He asked how to spell the words, and then cut out his tracings. He was so proud when he gave them to me and said it was for Mother's Day.

California Cousins Visit East Coast

Two of my California cousins, Kuya Alvin (on Mom's side), and Erli (on Dad's side) and their spouses followed their Loma Linda Academy kids on an East Coast band tour. The band performed an afternoon concert at Blue Mountain Academy in Pennsylvania, so we drove to see them.

Here is Mom with her Loma Linda Academy band 'grandnephews' - Taylor and Kylo, along with their parents and one set of grandparents.
The boys with their cousins - Taylor, Kylo, and Kaylee
Brian and Kaylee - the dancing 4-yr-old cousins We were all about to leave, and even though the weather was chilly and windy, we had to take one more group photo of 'the cousins' and their spouses - Ate Pam & Kuya Alvin, me & Kenton, Erli & Orville.
We went back to Yardley to spend the night - the boys with Auntie Winda.

Manang Winda's Beautiful Landscaping

My cousin, Manang Winda, lives in Yardley, Pennsylvania, in a picturesque neighborhood. She loves to work in her yard and we took several pictures with her beautiful landscaping in the background.

The boys and cousin Kaylee pose in their Auntie Winda's backyard gazebo. Group hug in the gazebo - Kevin (9), Justin (6), Brian and Kaylee (4) The kids with their Auntie Winda at the picnic table First cousins - Erli, me, and Manang Winda Manang Winda takes a picture so that her landscaping is featured Kenton and Orville in front of house. Kenton and I surrounded by beautiful foliage.

Weekend at Auntie Winda's Home

We found out that my Auntie Ebeck (Dad's third oldest sibling), died today in the Philippines. After talking with my cousin Manang Winda (the oldest daughter of Auntie Ebeck), we decided to drive up to her place to be with her for the weekend. Darrell came up for the evening, and another one of my cousins, Erli, with husband Orville, and daughter, Kaylee, also went.

We adults stayed up late into the wee hours of the morning sitting around the dining room table, eating and talking. It was bittersweet - bitter that we were experiencing another death in the family so soon, and sweet that we cousins were once again together spending time together.

Here is a picture of the boys playing with one of Manang Winda's dogs, named Charming.

Teacher Appreciation Week

It is Teacher Appreciation Week, and the boys helped make a personalized card and put together a gift for their teachers and principal. They have been very happy with their teachers this year, and the school year in general. It is amazing how fast the school year has gone by. Only one month left until school is out.

We've been blessed to have such caring teachers at BAS. Thank you teachers!

Brian Has a Playdate

Brian was so excited to be invited for a playdate. He kept asking if it was time to go because he didn't want to be late. When we were driving there, he kept asking if I knew the directions, and wanted me to call to ask which house the playdate would be at.

He had fun playing with Aman. They played downstairs, and upstairs put together a tent maze which they crawled in and out of. After a tasty lunch they enjoyed a popsicle treat. Time went by quickly and it was time to go pick up their siblings from school. Thank you Aman and Mommy for a great playdate!

Saying Goodbye to Uncle Darrell & Auntie Shar's Townhouse

Uncle Darrell & Auntie Shar invited us over, so we went for a short evening visit. They had put their home on the market last month and it sold in 10 days. The boys had fun running around with their cousins, even though most of their cousins' toys had been put in storage. Uncle Darrell & Auntie Shar have lived in this townhouse for almost 10 years. I was able to snap a picture of all the kids on our way out the door.
Here is a picture of Kevin enjoying a visit to Uncle Darrell & Auntie Shar's home when they first moved in. Wow, 9 years go by quickly.

Helping with Yard Work in Tappahannock

The boys, Daddy, and Uncle Ben worked on a tree stump by the side of the house. It took about half an hour to lower the stump about 2 inches. Here are Justin and Brian taking a turn with Daddy's help.











We then decided to knock down one of the lean-tos that Dad had put up in the backyard years ago. After we cleared out the items inside, Kevin worked hard at knocking down the side walls. My camera ran out of batteries so I wasn't able to take pictures at the end. Kenton and Uncle Ben had taken down/off the back wall and roof.

Before and after clearing items










Kevin knocks down both side walls










While the lean-to was being taken down, Justin and Brian enjoyed the water
Of course, we visited Dad's grave before leaving town.

Warm Day in Tappahannock

We went to Tappahannock to spend the weekend with Mom. The weather was very warm - almost summer-like, and the boys wanted to wash the cars. They took the pressure washer and washed Auntie Beryl's car first. Then they washed Mom's car, and washed our van. The boys had fun, and we all had clean vehicles.

The boys use the power wash to clean the mats from our van

BAS Treble Choir Performs at SDA General Conference

The BAS students in 3rd through 5th grade were asked to be in the SDA General Conference by 7:45 this morning. They performed several songs for the 8:00 morning worship.


The stage and auditorium enhanced the kids already happy-sounding voices as they sang along to a pre-recorded accompaniment. I suppose the 45-minute difference to the normal 8:30 morning school start was a bit difficult for some. About a dozen different kids trickled in during the first couple of songs. (We only had a 5 minute drive). You also could see kids yawning and rubbing their eyes. A couple of kids had to come off the stage to be treated for low blood sugar.

Here is the first song they sang, 'I Wanna Be Just Like Jesus'



All in all, the songs were great, and the kids did a wonderful job!