So Cute Alyssa!

Alyssa Gets a Passport

Went to DFA this morning to have my passport renewed and to get Alyssa a passport too. Raya was one year old when I applied for her passport back in 2005 so this is more or less the same age of Alyssa.

It was so easy! I downloaded application forms already the night before and filled these up before going to DFA. You can have your picture taken there too so you can be sure they're within DFA requirements. Everything took about one and a half hours only. We got there at 830am and by 10am we were done. I think there was no fuss getting Alyssa's passport because I was applying for my renewal too. It's usually easier when with a parent.

Alyssa is so cute in her picture! Will scan the passport when we get it next month. :-)

Dinner at my Mom's house

My mom hosted dinner at her house last September 1, 2008 for all the balikbayans: the Castrillos, Marla and Gerry, Lola Cely and Lola Lulu and Tita Rina and Tito Jojo. Alyssa was the star of the night with her dance steps. :-)

Nadine's 7th and Alyssa's 1st Birthday Party

We celebrated Nadine's 7th and Alyssa's 1st birthday party last August 31, 2008 at Apple Tree Resort and Hotel (formerly Lauremar Beach Hotel). We had a blast! Lolo Ed, Lola Rona, Tita Ovvian, Tita Rina, Tita Marla and Tito Gerry, Lola Cely and Lola Lulu came from Manila to celebrate with us. Nadine invited her whole class and some other friends and they all had fun swimming in the pool. Alyssa enjoyed playing in the sand.

Mama's 60th Birthday Party

My mom turned 60 years old last September 2, 2008. My sister, Marla, and her husband, Gerry, as well as my Lola Cely and her sister, Lola Lulu surprised her by coming over to celebrate with her. We had a grand time at the floating restaurant, Reyna del Rio, where we feasted with yummy food including the famous Cagayan de Oro lechon. By the way, pictures are courtesy of James and his new Nikon D40X. :-)

White Water Rafting in Cagayan de Oro River

We went White Water Rafting with Ovvian, Mier's sister, and my brother James last Sunday Spetember 7. The girls had so much fun! Well, I think we all did. :-)

Alyssa is now One!

Can't believe that the Little One is now one year old! Was it just last year when I had to go to the delivery room because of back pains and they didn't let me out anymore? I still remember how we all thought that she would come out on Mier's birthday but she waited til 2am to be born. :-) She is such an adorable little tyke who brightens everyone's day.

Side kwento about Raya on Alyssa's 1st year: I woke Raya up this morning and told her that Alyssa is 1 year old today. And she looked at me in disbelief. "Can I see her?" she asked. "Yes," I said but was wondering what was going on in her mind. She looked at Alyssa and said to me, "She doesn't look different. She still look 11 months." Hahaha! My Raya Girl thought that Alyssa would grow up overnight!

Meet Santina Brienne "Sabine" S. Castrillo!

Finally, Sabine is here! My kids have been the only grandkids of my in-laws for years now and so we all have been looking forward to the birth of Sabine. Sherly had a long and hard labor so the doctor decided on a C-section this afternoon. Both Sherly and Sabine are doing fine. Isn't she adorable? Can't wait to hold her and cradle her!