tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71702405219889637622024-02-21T04:17:01.028-06:00Tallaortega Days & NightsThe Ballad of the Ortega's:
Tricia, Jaime, Alex & ConnorThe Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.comBlogger242125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-7093389983412333582014-11-28T21:02:00.000-06:002015-01-22T21:03:11.028-06:00Thanksgiving Weekend - this is becoming a tradition!!<iframe id="vp1fOfnn" title="Video Player" width="432" height="243" frameborder="0" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/embed.animoto.com/play.html?w=swf/production/vp1&e=1421982146&f=fOfnn9Y2cW0ebtM48lvOwQ&d=0&m=p&r=360p+720p&volume=100&start_res=720p&i=m&asset_domain=s3-p.animoto.com&animoto_domain=animoto.com&options=" allowfullscreen></iframe>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-2072686078992822352014-11-25T20:00:00.000-06:002015-01-22T21:00:02.397-06:00To the Zoo with Friends Ethan and Scarlett<iframe id="vp1l8ELN" title="Video Player" width="432" height="243" frameborder="0" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/embed.animoto.com/play.html?w=swf/production/vp1&e=1421981966&f=l8ELNaIHmDo31QrBo1Gv5g&d=0&m=p&r=360p+720p&volume=100&start_res=720p&i=m&asset_domain=s3-p.animoto.com&animoto_domain=animoto.com&options=" allowfullscreen></iframe>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-27188098982274483552014-10-13T17:50:00.000-05:002015-01-22T21:00:47.255-06:00Balloon Fiesta 2014<iframe id="vp1rsNRQ" title="Video Player" width="432" height="243" frameborder="0" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/embed.animoto.com/play.html?w=swf/production/vp1&e=1421982029&f=rsNRQYNDDH0Wx0dkNGxWGQ&d=0&m=p&r=360p+720p&volume=100&start_res=720p&i=m&asset_domain=s3-p.animoto.com&animoto_domain=animoto.com&options=" allowfullscreen></iframe>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-86710411343169211042014-08-30T10:50:00.000-05:002015-01-23T10:51:00.051-06:00A Pokemon 7th Birthday Party<iframe id="vp1O9600" title="Video Player" width="432" height="243" frameborder="0" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/embed.animoto.com/play.html?w=swf/production/vp1&e=1422031807&f=O9600bwQBl4BEgA1e6MPLg&d=0&m=p&r=360p+720p&volume=100&start_res=720p&i=m&asset_domain=s3-p.animoto.com&animoto_domain=animoto.com&options=" allowfullscreen></iframe>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-65909630600547351062014-08-18T12:37:00.000-05:002015-01-25T12:37:23.408-06:00Las Islas Canarias 2014v<iframe id="vp1KNiZv" title="Video Player" width="432" height="243" frameborder="0" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/embed.animoto.com/play.html?w=swf/production/vp1&e=1422210928&f=KNiZvS1qRTUCXvgaPIPcqQ&d=0&m=p&r=360p+720p&volume=100&start_res=720p&i=m&asset_domain=s3-p.animoto.com&animoto_domain=animoto.com&options=" allowfullscreen></iframe>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-61473237390351125302013-12-31T13:34:00.000-06:002015-01-25T13:35:26.836-06:00New Year's Eve 2013<iframe id="vp1FG43Q" title="Video Player" width="432" height="243" frameborder="0" src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/embed.animoto.com/play.html?w=swf/production/vp1&e=1422214491&f=FG43Qe9pFzJg0r0Pktamgw&d=0&m=p&r=360p+720p&volume=100&start_res=720p&i=m&asset_domain=s3-p.animoto.com&animoto_domain=animoto.com&options=" allowfullscreen></iframe>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-21600203918023091862013-04-04T23:56:00.001-05:002013-05-19T20:16:16.149-05:00Surfing in Dallas!!!<div style="text-align: center;">
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The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-6422666189868547062013-03-07T17:28:00.002-06:002013-05-19T20:14:29.215-05:00A new house??<div style="text-align: left;">
We sold our "old" house in January and have been living in a rental while we look for something new. We think we might have found a good fit!! Will this be our new home??? Stay tuned.....</div>
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The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-24941324692522585232012-12-15T17:00:00.000-06:002012-12-22T23:33:11.452-06:00Happy Dino Turkey Day!!!We've been trying to go to <a href="http://www.glenrosetexas.net/" target="_blank">Glen Rose</a> and Dinosaur Valley all year. Between the weather and us being under the weather, we didn't get to take the trip until this past Thanksgiving. We headed out on Wednesday afternoon and spent four nights exploring the area.<br />
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We stayed at America's Best Value Inn. Not a 5 star hotel, but it was comfortable and the boys were treated like VIP's all weekend long. They swam, stayed up late watching Wipe Out, got their art work hung on the walls at the front desk, ate Texas shaped waffles every morning adorned with jelly and fruit loops while watching cartoons they aren't allowed to watch at home. <br />
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We explored Big Rocks Park three times (the boys FAVORITE), <a href="http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/dinosaur-valley" target="_blank">Dinosaur Valley State Park</a>, <a href="http://www.fossilrim.org/" target="_blank">Fossil Rim Wildlife Center</a> (twice), and <a href="http://www.dinosaurworld.com/dinosaur_world_glen_rose_texas/" target="_blank">Dino World</a>. We ate at the Loco Coyote and <a href="http://www.hammondsbbq.com/" target="_blank">Hammond's BBQ</a>, which were both good in their own way. They are two MUST visit eating establishments when visiting Glen Rose.<br />
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We saw genuine dinosaur tracks, hiked at least 5 miles, and had a scenic picnic lunch at the State Park. The boys got to drive my car though the Wildlife Park and thought that was almost better than feeding the giraffes from our car. We learned about dinosaurs and sifted for fossils at Dino World, and the boys each took home a shark's tooth and a couple other random fossils of their choosing.<br />
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We had a great weekend even though we ended up having Sonic for Thanksgiving, as it was the only reasonably priced joint open in town that day.<br />
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Glen Rose is a nice little place. We would totally head back for Big Rocks Park, Fossil Rim, and camping at Dinosaur Valley. If we go in the summer I think we will add in some canoeing or kayaking on the river, and possibly even some horseback riding. The boys certainly had a blast and are already asking for a return trip.<br />
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The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0Glen Rose, TX 76043, USA32.2345872 -97.75530609999998432.1808672 -97.835987099999983 32.2883072 -97.674625099999986tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-41471645343085636242012-12-01T09:30:00.000-06:002012-12-22T23:34:44.812-06:00What we did this FallSince the boys birthday we have been busy with the ordinary and not so ordinary.<br />
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The boys played soccer for the Fire Dragons and Jaime coached. They took tennis lessons and started going to gymnastics again. We attended the <a href="http://www.planoballoonfest.org/" target="_blank">Plano Balloon Festival</a>, we hung out around the house, carved pumpkins, went to the Dallas Symphony, explored the <a href="http://www.dallaszoo.com/" target="_blank">Dallas zoo</a> with friends, and went to carnivals and festivals. My dad visited in October and we got to go to the <a href="http://www.bigtex.com/sft/" target="_blank">Texas State Fair</a> twice as well as many other entertaining things. My cousin Kim and aunt Janice arrived in November and we all had tons of fun together being tourists in Dallas. We enjoyed an Uptown food tour, the <a href="http://www.dallasarboretum.org/" target="_blank">Dallas Arboretum</a> and Chihuly exhibit, the <a href="http://www.jfk.org/" target="_blank">Sixth Floor Museum</a>, the <a href="http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-texan/index.html" target="_blank">Gaylord Texan</a> Hotel, the city of <a href="http://www.grapevinetexas.gov/" target="_blank">Grapevine</a>, and the Historic District. We hung out at home, made Indian headdresses, ate, drank, and played.<br />
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Once again, here is a video catch up:</div>
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The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-68640627813130018282012-09-15T23:43:00.000-05:002012-09-15T23:43:25.369-05:00Look Who's 5!! This year, in the interest of time and sanity, we decided to "outsource" the birthday festivities instead of having it at our house like <a href="http://tallortegafamily.blogspot.com/2011/09/ahoy-mateys-our-pirate-party.html" target="_blank">last year</a>. <br />
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On the day of their birth, we had a pancake and sprinkle breakfast followed by 4 hours of games and fun at <a href="http://www.chuckecheese.com/" target="_blank">Chuck E. Cheese</a>. Then we had a Monster celebration with a few friends and family at a place called <a href="http://www.bounceu.com/" target="_blank">Bounce U</a> over the weekend. There they bounced, played, glowed in the dark, and ate. We spent tons of time the next day assembling all the Legos they got for presents and then finished out the party weekend at <a href="http://www.hfalls.com/" target="_blank">Hawaiian Falls</a> water park. It wasn't totally homemade, but I think the boys still had a blast!!<br />
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<b><span style="color: blue;">Happy 5th Birthday Boys!!!</span></b><br />
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The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-48590628267399380032012-08-24T08:50:00.001-05:002012-08-24T08:50:52.385-05:00Tenerife Summer 2012We were lucky enough to go and visit Jaime's family this summer in Tenerife. Of course Lela had our apartment ready for us and filled with the touches of Love only a Grandma can do. As always, she made us feel right at home, and the boys loved being able to run upstairs anytime to visit with her and Lelo and to see if she might be making some bizcocho. <br />
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Another cool thing was the fact that a family reunion was also scheduled for this Summer. Cousins, Second Cousins, Aunts, and Uncles all came in from wherever they lived to meet up with all the family in Tenerife. There was quite a crowd. The largest cousin gathering ever assembled from what I'm told. Two weeks flew by faster than one could have imagined. We had a great time hanging out, sight seeing, and visiting with family......and the boys had a blast!! See you again next year! </div>
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The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-86190049185907441622012-08-23T14:04:00.003-05:002012-08-23T14:05:22.446-05:00Almost 5!!!So, we only have one more week until the boys are officially 5 years old!! Where does the time go?? It seems I just posted a catch up, and here we are 6 months later already.....We've been up to nothing and lots of things. Mostly playing, hanging out, and enjoying. I thought I'd post some of the pictures that jumped out at me from the past 6 months before it's time for a birthday post. So here it is...what we've been up to (more or less) since February.<br />
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The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-62019193292927980362012-08-18T11:28:00.000-05:002012-08-23T14:06:34.926-05:00House UpdateWe finally put together a little "then and now" video of the house. We envisioned we'd have a few more changes and updates complete after a year of living here, but, well, this is what we managed to do so far.....still plenty of plans in the works - so enjoy and check back again next year!!<br />
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The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-16132334247026839892012-08-10T18:29:00.000-05:002012-08-10T20:50:30.680-05:00Happy Anniversary......Nearly 17 years together, and, as of today, 10 years married!! Time sure does fly when you're having fun!! Here's the "short" version of our Anniversary video. Happy Anniversary my love, may we have at least 50 more!!!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you wanna see one of the LONG videos, click <a href="http://animoto.com/play/TgcSh3wR2qHSVB5mKau6rA" target="_blank">here</a>.</span></h4>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-83466529573697764332012-03-05T08:14:00.002-06:002012-03-05T08:14:00.341-06:002011 Dallas Ft. Worth 3-Day - Susan G. KomenHard to believe it's almost been 6 years since Mom died of Breast Cancer.......<br />
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Trevor and I walked the 3-Day again back in November in her memory. It's our third walk together, and I plan on walking every 5th anniversary of her death until I can't walk anymore.<br />
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This year's walk began on a chilly Friday morning at Collin Creek Mall in Plano. The 18-mile route started with an great send off from the kids at Aldridge Elementary, the first of many schools that came out to support the walkers. The day was filled with cheering stations and lots of amazing support from the community, lunch in the park, and a final walk into camp at Brookhaven College where the school baseball team helped walkers carry their gear and set up tents. We enjoyed hot showers, an Italian dinner, a foot massage, and a little fun in camp before heading to bed. <br />
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Saturday’s 21-mile route started a little cold but the sun came out and it was perfect walking weather. Again, amazing cheering stations and support (including hot cocoa, wine and cheese, mimosas, candy, stickers, Advil, etc.) from the community. There were nearly two miles of continuous cheering stations after we had lunch with our families at the Hockaday Academy. We walked a little slower, but still made it to camp for dinner, more foot massages, and chatting with fellow walkers.<br />
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Our final day of walking began with a quick bus ride to Ursuline Academy. We started our 15-mile walk through some of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Dallas. Then it was onto the Katy Trail and through Historic Downtown Dallas past the American Airlines Center and Pioneer Plaza with the bronze steer. Lunch was at Main Street Garden – what a view of downtown Dallas! The final miles of the route wound through the Deep Ellum Arts District and into the Fair Grounds. Since we were running a little "early," we made a pit stop (along with many walkers) for a snack and some relaxing before heading to closing ceremonies.<br />
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The day ended with a celebratory and inspirational Closing Ceremony. All the participants danced and finally raised their shoes to salute the survivors bringing the ceremony to a close. There were 2,800 walkers and 450 crew and volunteers this year who raised $7.1 million for breast cancer research and community-based educational health programming.<br />
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After the ceremonies, we joined our families and headed out to enjoy a dinner together before going home to rest and soak our tired feet and bodies.<br />
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THANK YOU TO ALL MY SPONSORS!!! I couldn't have done it without you!! <br />
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So, until next time........<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="240" id="vp1RXYye" width="432"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1330874208&f=RXYyeyCLf3wLucqTQZ83jA&d=596&m=a&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1RXYye" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1330874208&f=RXYyeyCLf3wLucqTQZ83jA&d=596&m=a&r=360p&volume=100&start_res=360p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object></div>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com1Dallas, TX, USA32.802955 -96.76992332.599827499999996 -97.0375245 33.0060825 -96.502321500000008tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-20930280282443016192012-02-20T07:19:00.002-06:002012-02-20T07:19:00.268-06:00Anyone out there??Not really sure if anyone is still reading our blog, especially since we haven't posted since the end of October!!! Geesh!! I guess since a couple of family members have made comments about no updates, there must be a reader or two out there still checking. Funny because I used to make fun of my friends for "never" posting.......<br />
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So, what have we been up to since October? Lots of the same old same old and lots of other fun stuff. Of course, my brother and I walked in the 3-Day (but that's a post in and of itself), we celebrated Turkey Day, we geared up for Christmas and a visit from Lela (Jaime's mom), the boys started <a href="http://bestgymnastics.net/" target="_blank">gymnastics</a>, we did a few touristy things (<a href="http://www.visitsealife.com/grapevine/" target="_blank">Sealife Aquarium</a>, <a href="http://www.dm-art.org/" target="_blank">The DMA</a>, <a href="http://www.dallaszoo.com/" target="_blank">Dallas Zoo</a>, <a href="http://texasdiscoverygardens.org/" target="_blank">Texas Discovery Gardens</a>, The <a href="https://www.dallassymphony.com/" target="_blank">Dallas Symphony</a>, ICE! @ <a href="http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord-texan/" target="_blank">The Gaylord Texan</a>, <a href="http://www.medievaltimes.com/dallas.aspx" target="_blank">Medieval Times</a>), celebrated Christmas, rang in the New Year, and had lots of fun around the house - and that's just November and December! So, here's the shortest November/December catch up I could manage...........<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="240" id="vp1DW4tp" width="432"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1329706200&f=DW4tpCAdrcTRxaIiI0lE7Q&d=369&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1DW4tp" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1329706200&f=DW4tpCAdrcTRxaIiI0lE7Q&d=369&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object></div>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-87138741654661834772011-10-31T19:56:00.009-05:002011-11-22T00:16:34.985-06:00The Month of Pumpkins!!October was a busy month and full of fall fun and pumpkins as can be expected.<br />
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We enjoyed some welcome rain, spent time with family, visited a few pumpkin patches, enjoyed a Halloween concert at the <a href="http://www.dallasculture.org/meyersonsymphonycenter/" target="_blank">Morton Meyerson Symphony Center</a>, spent a day with friends at the <a href="http://www.dallasarboretum.org/" target="_blank">Dallas Arboretum</a>, played at home, carved pumpkins, went to the farmers market, celebrated fire safety month, attended a workshop at the <a href="http://www.dm-art.org/" target="_blank">Dallas Museum of Art</a>, celebrated my 40th birthday, attended a community festival, enjoyed cooler weather, and, of course, went trick-or-treating. So, as has become usual, here is a recap of our October - hope you enjoy!!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="240" id="vp1dO13W" width="432"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1321933792&f=dO13W3lkv3bGpNOIkXrKkA&d=247&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1dO13W" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1321933792&f=dO13W3lkv3bGpNOIkXrKkA&d=247&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object></div>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-41231548153306747252011-10-23T21:50:00.001-05:002011-11-22T00:16:13.277-06:00Ft. Worth Alliance Air ShowWhenever we have the chance, and our schedule allows, we like to attend the <a href="http://www.allianceairshow.com/" target="_blank">Ft. Worth Alliance Air Show</a>. We were able to attend the <a href="http://tallortegafamily.blogspot.com/2009/12/ft-worth-alliance-air-show.html" target="_blank">show</a> a couple years ago, and wanted to head back again this year. It was neat to see how much more the boys enjoyed it now that they are a little older (and we brought along proper ear protection). It's technically a "free" event, except that you have to pay for parking and any refreshments you want on-site. I think it's a wonderful way to spend the day with my family, and I think we are already planning to attend next year. <br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="240" id="vp1F7mr7" width="432"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1321942504&f=F7mr7UQuSmERSaRwUsxZsw&d=179&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1F7mr7" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1321942504&f=F7mr7UQuSmERSaRwUsxZsw&d=179&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object></div>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-13253894072911265512011-10-04T19:51:00.004-05:002011-11-12T16:45:47.556-06:00The State Fair of Texas!!We lucked out and got to attend the State Fair of Texas with some of our family this year. The Fair is a totally different experience when visiting with young people, but it's still one of my favorites. <br />
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This year was the 125th anniversary the Texas State Fair, and it seems to get better and more expensive every time we attend. Despite having to take out a second mortgage to pay for everything, we still managed to have loads of fun, stay up too late, see KC & the Sunshine Band, and eat plenty State Fair food. The boys LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="240" id="vp1cknHu" width="432"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1321137924&f=cknHu3svAlYIEExoJNOZeA&d=448&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1cknHu" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1321137924&f=cknHu3svAlYIEExoJNOZeA&d=448&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object></div>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-10209665698766857392011-09-30T19:44:00.004-05:002011-11-11T19:47:18.504-06:00SeptemberA look back at our September........<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="240" id="vp1ZwRcj" width="432"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1321062392&f=ZwRcjSU8pZzieB77GlzUHg&d=249&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp1ZwRcj" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1321062392&f=ZwRcjSU8pZzieB77GlzUHg&d=249&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object></div>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-46668653392563613812011-09-03T22:35:00.000-05:002011-09-03T22:35:12.569-05:00Ahoy Mateys!! Our Pirate Party!!<div style="text-align: left;">Here it is, the long awaited pirate birthday party video!!</div><br />
Despite my reservations about hosting a party with 35 guests in 106 degree weather at our house, it actually turned out pretty well (at least that's what I think). We had loads of activities and games, many of which we never even had time for, and plenty of food. We got to dress like pirates, create telescopes, engage in sword fights, walk the plank, earn gold doubloons, pop cannonballs, hunt for treasure, eat cake, make messes, and have lots of other fun.We even got to eat a delicious and beautiful strawberry treasure chest cake and plenty of yummy pirate banana cupcakes all lovingly baked and designed by my good friend Erin. Thank you Aunt Erin!!!! <br />
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I think the kiddos and even a few adults had a good time. Happy 4th Boys! Enjoy the video:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" height="240" id="vp10tzXi" width="432"><param name="movie" value="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1315106475&f=0tzXiA88IbShJjjfirxKTA&d=430&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options="></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed id="vp10tzXi" src="http://static.animoto.com/swf/w.swf?w=swf/vp1&e=1315106475&f=0tzXiA88IbShJjjfirxKTA&d=430&m=a&r=240p&volume=100&start_res=240p&i=m&options=" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="432" height="240"></embed></object></div>The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com3Coppell, TX 75019, USA32.9618763 -96.99609249999997532.9255133 -97.046340499999971 32.9982393 -96.945844499999978tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-45214280957938354832011-08-31T08:42:00.001-05:002011-08-31T08:42:00.090-05:00Other bits and piecesYep, still working my way through all those birthday photos and video clips!!! The good and the bad of digital photography I guess. In the meantime, here is our video of all the other miscellaneous stuff we did during the month of August. <br />
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The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-82770231673041823762011-08-30T20:42:00.000-05:002011-08-30T20:42:10.864-05:00Rainforest Cafe and Legoland Discovery CenterWhile I wade through the 447 files from the boys party, I thought I'd post on a couple other things.....<br />
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Back in January I bought pre-opening tickets to the <a href="http://www.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/default.aspx">Legoland Discovery Center </a>that they were opening in Grapevine this year. I chose the day after the boys party because I thought it would be a fun addition to the party weekend, and because I thought they might enjoy it more if they were closer to four instead of three.<br />
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My friend Cass bought tickets for herself and her son Lucas, and we all went together deciding to eat at the <a href="http://www.rainforestcafe.com/">Rainforest Cafe</a> (in the same mall) beforehand. I bought leftover birthday cupcakes to lunch and the waitstaff sang to the boys while making them stand and beat on their chests like gorillas. It's very dark in the restaurant so it's hard to see much in the video. <br />
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We then headed to Legoland and had a great time. The kids could "do" everything they had available there. We saved the princess, rode on a "flying" thing-a-ma-jig, saw a couple 4D movies, and played with tons of Legos. It was pretty busy, but the kids didn't seem to mind one bit. Connor spent a lot of time in the climbing structure building with big Legos, and Alex spent a bunch of time designing and testing Lego cars. We ended up spending six hours in the mall between the two places, and everyone was VERY tired by the end of the day. Here is a small peek at our day:<br />
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The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7170240521988963762.post-31873076427542163372011-08-30T00:01:00.002-05:002011-08-30T00:01:01.828-05:00Happy 4th Birthday Boys!!!I have a "rest of August" post, a Rainforest Cafe & Lego Discovery Center post, and, of course, a 4th birthday post to catch up on here.....<br />
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I just don't think I am going to get them all in before the end of the month. So, here is a big Happy 4th Birthday wish to our boys on their special day, and a sneak peek at the theme of this year's party!!!<br />
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Happy Birthday to our boys!!!!!!<br />
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The Ortega'shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11415020336357309380noreply@blogger.com0