H-A-P-P-Y new Y-E-A-R!

Ines and Rio are busy, busy, busy playing with their newly acquired toys....Scene: "INES" written with i golfini della nonna "soft blocks," gifted by Tio Jamie.

Rio intently watches how Mama shows Ines how to spell her name

Scene: Mama smiles while Rio observes for Ines. Photo by Ines.

Ines tries to show Rio her handiwork with blocks

Scene: "Rio" created by Ines who quickly after, kisses her brother.

Mama, Rio and Papa smile for Ines who quickly captured the moment.

Scene: Mama, Rio and Papa ride the Ferris Wheel at the Aquarium in downtown Houston. Photo by Ines.

The Pepalogue wishes you a very peaceful Happy New Year!

Christmas Day Review

Ines and Rio pose in their best reindeer attire keeping themselves busy till Christmas morn.Scene: Ines and Rio bedecked in bell-studded reindeer horns.

Rio and Ines on Christmas morning - let the paper fly!

Scene: Rio wears Old Navy red/blue robot pattern on grey PJs. Ines wears Disney "Snow White" blue PJs.

Ines, ecstatic about all her new loot...Scene: Ines poses with a sampling of her new clothes. Ines wears Disney vintage "Snow White" pink shirt, Arizona pink/purple plaid pants; Ines is holding a Rare Editions gold princess dress.

Rio is very quiet as he sneeks up on his sister's Dumbo plush.Scene: Rio is surrounded by a Leap Frog "Alphabet Pal, Catepillar," "Discovery Ball," Andy Warhol's Color board book and Disney Store "Dumbo." Rio wears Gap multi-stripe footed PJs.

The Pepalogue wishes you a great Holiday and a peaceful respite from your year-long hard work.
The Pep and Rio would also like to extend their warmest Thank Yous to all who filled their Christmas full of love, joy and toys!
XOXO

Link of the day:

City Christmas Sleigh: "Karate Krishna's" holiday-themed carriage.

Feliz Navidad and Birthday Shout Out, too!

Ines and Rio wishes everyone a very Happy Christmas!
Papa, Rio and Ines enjoy a night of snow flurries.

Scene: Rio experiences his first snow while Ines tries to catch the snowflakes.

Ines, Rio and Mami try to gather some snowflakes. Scene: Ines wears Gap bunny-eared hat and Gap black sleeveless puffer jacket; Rio wears Under the Nile white ear-flap hat, Gap multi-stripe knit jacket.

Rio and the Pep wish their Granny Lynda a very Merry Birthday!
Grandpa Johnny, Ines and Granny Lynda watch the Zamboni clean the ice. Scene: Hanging out at Galleria's Polar Ice Skating Rink, Houston, Tx.

Christmas Pep Links:

Christmas Comedy: Mr. Bean's Christmas.
Dr. Seuss Christmas: How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Spooky Christmas Christmas: Nightmare Before Christmas excerpt.
An Eloise Christmas: Eloise at Christmastime.

Birthday Shout Out to Bianca!

Ines and Rio extend their warmest Birthday Shout Out to their cousin Bianca!

Scene: Bianca stands command over her cake. L-R: Papa, Rio, Vicki, Sofia, Bianca, Tio Alex, Carmen and Ines. Location: Bane Park, Tx.

They had a great time chasing all their cousins around the playground. Best of all they couldn't get enough of that chocolate-on-chocolate birthday cake.Scene: Carmen and Ines having a chocolatey, glutinous, good time.

...and a Happy Hanukkah to all!

4 Links til' Christmas:

Wildest Sneeze: "Sneezing Panda" video.
Air Travel Comedy: "No Frills Airlines" video.
Time for Doughnuts!: Delicious Sufganiyot Recipe.
Christmas Folding Fun: Christmas Origami!

Happy Birthday Shout Out! Encore! Encore!

Ines and Rio have been taking in the myriad of birthdays and holiday events in stride. They're keeping themselves busy and distracted from their real concern - opening all the presents under the tree - with cookies and play dates.
Rio loves the spirit of the holidays, especially all the gingerbread men cookies he can eat! Scene: Rio enjoying some homemade gingerbread cookies.

Ines enjoys some warm rays at her neighborhood playground.

Scene: Ines basks in the sun, Location: Settegast Park, Houston, Tx.

Ines and Rio have been very busy with birthdays this month - not ones to stop a good thing - they continue with a heartfelt wish for a great Happy Birthday to their Grand Uncle Jimmy.

Scene: Rio, family friend, Tio Jimmy, Mama, Ines, Tio Frankie, Bisabuela. Location: Tampa, Fl.

P.S. Happy Birthday to Grand Tio Joey! (12/05)

10 Links till Christmas:

Shoe-whacked Bush: "Iraqi Journalist Throws Shoe at Bush."
Best Stars?: Golden Globes nominations.
Snowfall in Houston: "Snow Surprises Houston."
Make your own!: "Basic Gingerbread Cookies" recipe.
Barney Cam: "Barney Cam VII, A Red, White, Blue Christmas."
No You Didn't: Silly Sasha/Beyonce "Ave Maria."
National Tree Lighting: US Capital Christmas Tree Ceremony.
Fave Christmas Show: "Merry Christmas Mr. Bean."
Texas Light Show: "Frisco Christmas Lights."
A Princess' Christmas: "Cinderella's Castle Christmas Lit up."

Happy Birthday Shout Out to Titi Karen!

Ines and Rio wish their Titi Karen a wonderful Happy Birthday!

At the beach, Titi Karen gives Rio the sexy back as he splashes with Papa.Scene: Papa , Rio, Titi Karen and Vicki wade in the water. Location: Surfside Beach, Tx.

Smiley cheeses from Rio, Wiwi and Papa to their Titi Karen.
Scene: Part of the Alfaro clan at a dinner celebration. Location: Alfaro residence. Spring, Tx.

and a double dose of smiley cheeses from Carmen and Ines.
Scene: Carmen and Ines hang out with some Chilean Flamingos. Location: Houston Zoo.

The Pepalogue sends a warm Happy Birthday Shout Out to Titi Karen!!!

Links for Titi:

Christmas folding fun!: Christmas Origami
Jammy Jam video: "SexyBack" by JT
Visions of Daiquiríes, à la: Floridita (Original), Hemingway (Papa Doble), Rosado (Cuban)
Perfect Daquirí pairing: Lechon, "Plantain-Stuffed Pork Loin"

Belated Birthday Shout Out to Tio Alex!!!

Ines and Rio swing to the rythm of the Birthday tunes for their Tio Alex.

The Pep gives Rio a "kissing hand" before she gives him a big push on the playground swing.Scene: Ines shows some love her bro. Ines wears Champion purple star print shirt, Capezio black skort, Naturino "Blue Bottle" red patent mary jane shoes. Location: River Oaks Park, Houston.

Ines shows good form after a strong push while Rio gets a grip.

Scene: Rio soars through the air! Rio wears Gap green puff vest, Snugabye blue shirt, Cherokee slate corduroy pants, Fisher-Price multi-colored "Soccer" shoes.

Ines and Rio wish their Tio Alex had a great big Happy Birthday! and Bert does too!

Image: "Happy Birthday to you [Ernie]" Bert and Ernie BFF!

P.S. Belated Birthday Shout Out to Great Cuz Yesenia Sexto (11/28)!

For Alex Links:

Porque te extranamos: "Otro Dia Mas Sin Verte."
Because we miss you: "Just Another Day."
356 Speedster lovers Unite!: "Porsche pre-1974" Flicker club.
Freestyle flashback: "Silent Morning."
Classic Videos for the girl: Ernie sings "Happy Birthday to U," Bert&Ernie Dance.

Parading Thanksgiving Gas

In search for the best viewing spot for Houston's 59th HEB Thanksgiving Parade, Ines and Papa get a clue from the Houston Chronicle's retriever puppy, Nemo and Spongebob Squarepants who were floating in the wings.

Scene: Papa and Ines on Texas & Hamilton. ines wears Disney's Pink "Princess" ensemble, Naturino "Blue Bottle" Red patent mary janes w/embroidered flowers.

Always on the ready, Ines gives her biggest wave to her favorite balloon: Spongebob Squarepants.Rio and Mama checkout the backstage view of the parade balloons.Scene: Mama and Rio on Capital & US59. Rio rides in a multi-striped Maya Wrap adj. pouch and wears an Okie Dokie red/navy striped polo and OshKosh B'Gosh jeans.

Ines deftly hides behind Papa as the Houston Chronicle's retriever puppy approaches.Scene: Ines hides behind Papa. Papa carries a Fleurville grey "Re-Run" stroller bag.

P.S. Back at home, Ines and Rio caught the remainder of the 82nd Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on TV. Their personal favorite moments of the Macy's parade:

Super Cute Hello Kitty balloon,
Care Bears' Winter Winderland float,
Foster's Home of Imaginary Friends and its Rick Roll,
Pikachu balloon,
Planet Earth balloon,
Harajuku Girls balloonheads float and
Arrrrtie the Pirate balloon.

Gas Links:

Gassed meme: Rick Rolling
Rick Astley video: "Never Gonna Give You Up"

Farting Elves: "12 Days of Christmas"
Exploding Baby Bums: Baby Farts