Planting an Orange Tree

I've always wanted a fruit and vegetable garden, I think I get the love of gardening and nature altogether from my parents. They've always taught me to appreciate nature and the abundance it brings us. Yesterday Matthew and I were spending time with my parents and they asked us to help them plant an orange tree, which needed to be placed in the ground for some time. When they purchased the tree it already had little oranges on it, however, it wasn't growing the way it needed to because the pot that held the tree was getting to small for it. Anyway, the experience was actually really enjoyable and it encouraged us to make and care for our own garden some day. I think it's so awesome that people with gardens can just walk out to their backyard and pick a freshly grown fruit or vegetable. What a blessing.

Matthew digging the hole, he did all the dirty work, haha, no it wasn't that bad.My dad placing the tree in the ground.
My mom and Matthew filling the hole with good soil.
Me laying plant food on the soil to help the tree grow nice and beautiful.Matthew watering the tree.and the final product.Now we'll let the sunshine take care of the rest, at least for now.

*4th of July '09*

It feels so good to be home and celebrate all the wonderful holidays with family. For the 4th of July we had a pool party and enjoyed hot dogs and chocolate covered strawberries that we made ourselves.

Naomi and my mother-in-law Rachel

Victoria, Alejandro, sister Alma, and Rebekah

Krystal and sister Iliana

the whole gang


I also made this truffle cake that was to die for.
...and I finally met my newest and first nephew, his name is Elijah and is so cuddly and cute. I fell in love with him.
Yuki was sporting her patriotic scarf, she is such a happy little puppy, we love her so much.

After being in the pool all day we played baseball at a nearby park, then came back home to relax in the jacuzzi, and ended the night with a classic movie "Hello Dolly". We wish you all a Happy 4th of July.

Last few days in Puerto Rico

I absolutely love this tree, it grows everywhere in Puerto Rico and has such a vibrant color. I think its called a flamboyant tree, makes perfect sense. I wanted to remember this


Puerto Rico also had such beautiful looking birds, the scenery all together is amazing.
Also, on the last Sunday in Puerto Rico, Matthew and I visited the Hato Rey ward, we were there for 2 years and got to know so many good members. We will miss the youth too, as we served with them as first counselors in the young men and young women stake presidency. Adios Puerto Rico.

"The Champ"

We are going to miss our little car. It's been in Matthew's family for 12 years, they bought it brand new and now we gotta let it go. We were considering shipping it home, but it's just not worth it. We called it The Champ because it's been through so much and has never let us down. This car has been in Arizona, Utah, California, and now Puerto Rico, what a traveler! So long Champ:(

Tag, I'm it

I was tagged by my friend Melissa. These are questions and answers about Matthew and I.

♥What are your middle names? Matthew/Rosalia (We both go by our middle names, I'm not telling you our real names, haha)

♥ How long have you been together? Well, we dated for nine months and have been married for almost 4 years in August.

♥ How long did you know each other before you started dating? Not long, like 2 or 3 months.

♥Who asked who out? I asked Matthew out on our first date, but he asked me to be his girlfriend

♥ How old were each of of you when you started dating? I was 20 and he was 24

♥ Whose siblings do/did you see the most? Both, we live really close to both families.

♥ Do you have any children together? Not Yet, but hopefully soon.

♥What about pets? Oh, I'll use this space to let you all know that we got a beautiful white Shiba Inu, her name is Yuki. Everybody asks...She was registered as "snow", but we didn't like that name, and since she is a Japanese dog, we researched how to say snow in japanese and it's Yuki, we loved it.


Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple? My clumsiness, his impatience.

♥ Did you go to the same school? No, we met later in life.

♥ Are you from the same home town? No, I'm from Orange County, he's from L.A.

♥ Who is the smartest? I have to say Matthew.

♥ Who is the most sensitive? I am

♥ Where do you eat out most as a couple? No where in particular, we always try new places.

♥ Who has the worst temper? Definitely Matthew.

♥ Who does the cooking? I do and I love it.

Who's more social? We're equally social.

♥ Who is the neat-freak? I might be a little more of a neat freak, but Matthew is very neat too, which I love.

♥ Who is the more stubborn? Matthew

♥ Who hogs the bed? Matthew says I do.

♥ Who wakes up earlier? Matthew does during the week for school/work, I do on weekends when he can sleep in.

♥ Where was your first date? Movie theatre.

♥ Who has the bigger family? I do

♥ Do you get flowers often? Not often, but for special occasions.

♥ How do you spend Christmas? We are pretty lucky because my family keeps the Hispanic tradition and opens presents at midnight, after dinner and games, then we drive to Matthew's parents (only 20 min away), spend the night, and open presents that morning and have a nice dinner too.

♥ Who is more jealous? Matthew

♥ How long did it take to get serious? About 2 months

♥ Who eats more? Matthew

♥ Who does/did the laundry? I do, but Matthew helps when he can.

♥ Who’s better with the computer? Matthew

♥Who drives when you are together? Matthew usually.

I tag, Emily J., Lily M., Katie H., and Sofia L.