Bits & Pieces of April

April was FULL!

Full, full, full... so I'm only going to give bits and pieces of it here and then a specific post for Papa and Mama Rink's visit next time... :)

 Diego turned 9! 

We looked up cakes online and this was the one he wanted, so... he got it!

 (l-r) Marshall, Diego, Joel and Bryan holding Diego's gifts!

 And then, of course, we had the arrival of this little guy!

ERIC GEOFRI RINK... bienvenido!

 Just to give an abbreviated version, I went into labor Friday afternoon (without knowing if it was truly labor... ha!), ate burros in town with the kids and my in-laws at 8:00 p.m., then we finally went to the doctor's office at 10:30 (where he promptly sent us to the hospital with muffled exclamations) and little Eric was born at 11:40!

 7.5 lbs, 19.3 inches long... not quite as big as Ithan!!!

 Dr. Madrid and his second Rink baby... :)

 From the time we got home, Candi was asking to hold him -- so Big Sister was the first!

 Letting us know what he thinks from an early age... ;)

 Diego and Baby Eric...

 Aron and Baby Eric...

 ... and Marcos and Baby Eric!

 Wow... six kids; this was definitely not in my life plan way back when, but I'm glad it's happening!

 Ithan was getting pushed around by Papa Rink in this pic -- can you tell he was slightly tired and had chapped cheeks???  :)

He looks like a little German doll!

 Awwwwwwwwww... :)

 Diego was taking horse-riding lessons from Cassidy and he loved them!

He's now planning on participating in the horse-riding competition for EXPO Esperanza!

 Ithan showing some love to his baby brother -- can you tell how baby brother felt about it?!?

 We went to Momo's the last weekend Jim and Jeanne were here and Ithan was "reading" the menu -- and boy did he study it!

 BIRTHDAY TIME!!!

Joel turned 31 and we got Las Chicas fish and shrimp tacos to celebrate!

 Joel and Papa Rink have the same birthday... so we got to celebrate with them both!

 And Mama Rink made her traditional chocolate-tiered cake with yummy frosting... thanks!!!

 Ithan wearing Papa Rink's shoes to walk around the living room...

How blessed are our kids to have these two for grandparents?!?

More on their month-long visit soon... :)