Northern Exposure: Boricua Edition!

Cast of characters:
Jose - Jose Cruz Sr. (Luis' dad)
Gloria - Gloria Cruz (Luis' mom)
Abuelo - Tono Cruz (Luis' grandpa)
Junior - Jose Cruz Jr. (Luis' brother)
Sara - Sara Cruz (Junior's wife)
Andre - Andre Cruz (Junior's son)
Kendra - Kendra Cruz (Junior's daughter)
Joel - Joel Cruz (Luis' brother)
Vitito - Victor Santiago (Luis' uncle)
Yolly - Yolanda Santiago Cruz (Luis' aunt)
Yolimar - Yolimar Santiago Cruz (Luis' cousin)
Yomary - Yolmary Santiago Cruz (Luis' cousin)
Pablo - Pablo Cruz (Luis' uncle)
Iris - Iris Cruz (Luis' aunt)
Pablito - Pablo Cruz Jr. (Luis' cousin)
Alexandra - Alexandra Cruz ( Luis' cousin)
Luis - Luis Cruz
Mason - Mason Cruz
Siena - Siena Cruz
me - me

Tuesday -

I have no pictures from Tuesday but that's only because pictures weren't allowed in the venue. Luis, me, Yaya, and Papa Ron went to a wonderful concert at Oaks Park featuring Patty Griffin, Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, and Shawn Colvin. All sat on stage together harmonizing on each other's songs. It was a tremendous evening.

Wednesday -

Mason's last soccer game of the summer was on Wednesday. As a treat, there was a team potluck after the game and the kids got trophy's. Mason was so excited!
It was his very first trophy! It has a special spot on his shelf in his room.
Here's Mason and Andre with their soccer coach.

Friday -

Luis' relatives from Puerto Rico arrived Thursday night. There are 9 visiting in all. We spent Friday around town, going to Jose & Gloria's house, the mall, and then Joel's house for dinner.

This is Pablito and Alexandra.

Part of the group spending some quality time in the food court at Clackamas Town Center. From left: Siena, Junior, Kendra, Pablito, Iris, & Pablo.I had to take this picture of Vitito drinking a beer other than Coors Light (his usual).

Yolly, Iris, and Yolimar at Joel's house.

Siena and Abuelo (her great grandpa).

This is the "serious" dominoes table. Be careful, these guys are pros. Abuelo is a force to be reckoned with at the dominos table. Siena is brave to take a seat with these guys.

Mason took quite a liking to Yomary. He calls her his "girlfriend" and would move away anyone who tried to take his spot next to her.

These teens love their phones and internet. Here's Yolimar and Alexandra.

Siena and Mason had a great time.

Saturday -

Saturday we did the "Twilight" tour. That's a recent movie for you non-frequent movie goers that was filmed in the Columbia river gorge. Our plan was to leave at 10:30 which means we weren't on the road until noon. Regardless, our caravan of 17 people and 4 cars made our way.

First stop was the Vista house. Here's the view from the top:

And Luis in front of the Vista House.

Here's Jose and his dad, Abuelo, at Vista house where we had lunch.

The kids found the spot in the shade.

The group at Vista House. From top left: me, Luis, Junior, Vitito, Yolly, Jose, Gloria, Iris. From bottom left: Siena, Mason, Andre, Kendra, and Pablo.

From the Vista house we took the Old Gorge Hwy. to Multnomah Falls. As it was the 4th of July, parking was a bit of a nightmare but once we found a spot for the car, the kids were able to score some snow cones.

The falls. Jose, Pablo, Junior, Luis, Vitito, Alexandra, and Yolimar.

It was a beautiful day at the falls.

Andre, minus a couple of teeth and a snow cone mouth.

Titi Iris shared her ice cream cone with a very happy Mason and Siena.

The group again at the falls.

Jose and Abuelo.

Sunday -

Today we headed up to Mt. Hood. Here's the mountain from Timberline. There's a little snow left.

The boys in front of Mt. Jefferson: Abuelo, Jose, and Pablo.

Believe it or not, Puerto Ricans don't see snow very often (it doesn't snow there ever). They had a lot of fun playing in it. I tried to upload video but for some reason, it wasn't working. I guess you'll just have to take my word for it.

Here's Yolimar, Yolly, Abuelo, and Yomary.

Iris and Pablo in front of the Shining house - Timberline Lodge.

Inside the lodge, Yomary, Pablito, Alexandra, and Yolimar.

Here's Andre, Mason, Siena, Gloria, and Jose.

Siena and I found a Norwegian flag at the top of the lodge. Shout out to my ancestors.

Siena and flowers.

Boys again. Vitito, Jose, and Abuelo.

The other Cruz family. Alexandra, Iris, Pablito, and Pablo.

Luis somehow managed to close my back hatch onto his forehead this morning. It left a cool looking gash. Here he's showing it off.

Lunchtime at the mountain. Here's the cousins: Pablito, Yomary, Yolimar, and Alexandra.

Alexandra got her feet wet in the snow (she was wearing Crocs) and used her t-shirt as socks. Cool!

My sweet little baby boy throwing a snowball at his mother.

The young bunch went to find more snow after lunch. Alexandra, Yolimar, Yomary, Siena, Mason, me, Andre, Kendra, and Sara.

Andre hurt his hand trying to sled down the hill on a log with the big cousins. He is sad.

Luis and Mason test out the cold water.

It should be noted that of all 17 of us, I'm the only one that wore sunscreen and I'm also the only one that got a sunburn. Figures.