20 years of Being an Espinoza

 

20 years of marriage?!?!  Yep, Ernesto and I got married back in 2001.

On our 10 year anniversary, I presented Ernesto with this video of all our travels together.  "Where is the 20 year video?" asked my niece Cariza.  😭😭😭. Im a total failure.

On our 15th anniversary, Ernesto had this cute idea of taking our picture with this sign...

I LOVED that idea and I wanted to do it again this year....but I used "markup" on my iphone  to make the sign instead. #lazy

It still turned out super cute, right?

We left the house early with the kids that morning.  Ernesto planned a surprise getaway for later, but we wanted to enjoy some family time first. 

Hiking Torrey Pines is one of my favorite things to do while in San Diego.  The views are beautiful and provide a perfect backdrop for photos. 

Look how young we look with this backdrop haha

 

Once we made it down to the beach, the crab hunting started.

Marcelo is always the picker-upper and Paloma and Mateo point things out to him.  

We thought a treat was in order (daily on vacation right?) so when Ernesto got off the highway towards Pacific Beach,I knew we were heading to Mr. Frostie.

The BEST peanut butter shake I HAVE EVER TASTED!!

Later in the afternoon, we left the kids with los abuelos (muchas gracias!) and headed north on the 5.  I was thinking we were heading to Del Mar, but at the last minute, Ernesto swerved to the Coronado Bridge exit! 

 via

When he pulled up to the Hotel del Coronado I was excited.  Over the years we have had drinks here a couple times, and walked around the property, but to actually stay here was a real treat.  Fitting for a 20 year anniversary night!!

This hotel is big, beautiful and iconic; the most famous in San Diego.  It was built in the late 1800's and is the only hotel on the beach!   The neighborhood is beautiful too and I love to walk around and check out the beautiful houses. The island definitely has vacation vibes. 

Walking in the hallways was the same.  I loved the umbrella covered walls. So chic!

In the courtyard there were many places to lounge and enjoy the scenery. 

We started our evening at Babcock & Story Bar on the beach with some vino and a delish cheese sampler.

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Ernesto was really craving oysters so we crossed over to Orange Street and had dinner at Brigantine.

Yes that is a humongous octopus tentacle served with a beet salad.  It was muy rico!  

In the morning we  took our time to get up and outside, but really everything outside was better than the actual hotel room.

Don't get me wrong, the room was nice, elegant, comfortable, but I think this is the second most expensive room I have stayed in and I would say you are definitely paying for the whole beach front property instead of the room. 

We grabbed coffees at the little open air store onsite and got to walking on the beach. 

There were a few very impressive sand castles lined up, we didn't need to worry that our kids were going to knock them down either HA

Since neither of us eat breakfast, by noon we were ready for a delicious lunch.  The day before I saw a couple sitting on a bench beachside with an amazing looking Poke bowl.  They said it was from Poke 123 down the street....so we headed that way!  

We also sat on a bench at the beach to eat ours and I felt so lucky!  Even just 18 hours alone with my man was a super treat!  We really have fun together.  I love hanging out with him.  

On to the amazing pool! 

We asked abuela to bring all the kids after lunch so we could really get our money's worth at the pool all day! It was wonderful! 

So glad we got to celebrate 20 years in a special way!  Definitely a memorable one! I love you mi amor!

A 50th Anniversary Party and Some Easter Eggs!!

50 YEARS!!!

This is impressive, right?  It had to be celebrated.  We are all so happy that my parents have kept their vows for so long.  Thick or thin, happy or sad, sickness and in health - they have set a great example of what a loving marriage can be.  

It was time to celebrate.

 Yep.  My sister threw together this cute little invitation and the plan was set.

We had an idea to throw together a "quick" video.  It was definitely a team effort.  Everyone sent in a short clip and I used imovie to piece it all together.

To make sure we had everything finished, Paloma and I flew up a day earlier than the boys.  My sister picked us up (instead of Paul's Shuttle-gasp!) and we stayed at her house that night. We wanted to sit down with Bill and brainstorm.  We were up late laughing, and it wasn't until my siblings went to bed that I really got anywhere on the video. Ha!  Ugh and when Paloma woke up at 7, I was pretty groggy.

BUT! Like everything I do, it all came together at the last minute. Oh the pressure!

The song that came to mind right away for us was Willie Nelson's "You Were Always on my Mind."  My dad LOVES that song, and LOOOOOVES to sing it!  The video ended up being over 12 minutes long and was a big hit!  Laughing and crying from the happy couple, which is a win in my book!

Feel free to watch the finished video. And note, I am not a professional producer. LOL.

 If you don't have time for the whole video, please just take a couple minutes to watch the intro by

If you don't want to take the time to watch this (I totally understand!) you MUST at least see the intro by WIllie Nelson himself my brother Brrrian .  He used Snapchat to make his face look like Willie Nelson and it is CRAZY FUNNY!  God I love him!

Unfortunately he and my other brother Tim weren't able to make it to Ohio, but everyone sent in a little something to say on the video and it was touching (to say the least!).  My parents said it was the best video (and party) ever!

They were totally surprised too.  They just figured it would be our immediate family because it was Easter weekend, but all of their friends and family showed up and it was a wonderful evening!

These aren't the best pictures (quality) but I hope I captured a glimpse of everyone there!  It was a beautiful day and there were a bunch of kids....luckily all outside playing soccer and running around! 

CUT TO  6  HOURS PRE-PARTY.....

We colored Easter eggs super early.  My mom had 4 DOZEN to color.  ha!  

These guys were happy to color the eggs and crack most of them while doing so.  Seriously probably half. 

I stepped out of the shower that morning and this was going on outside.  Noooooooooooo!

Mateo had been saying he wanted a buzz cut and I had been ignoring him changing the subject, hoping he would forget.  ha.  Well this boy doesn't forget and his papi listened.

I was not pleased (initially).  Of course I knew he would look cute with any hair...or no hair at all.  It's just I always love when his hair gets shaggy and feel a little sad to see it go (usually 2x per year).  But yes, I like it.  He looks super cute!

What? Marcelo's hair?  You noticed his self-cut?   Ugh right before the party where we saw lots of people we haven't see for a long time.  

Somehow he still managed to look cute as ever.  When I asked him why he cut his hair (he snuck the scissors to the side of the house to snip) he said "I wanted to put my hair in grandma's garden so the deer won't eat her flowers."  (something my mom actually does)

Oh that face kills me.  #sobiased

Also, this girl.

Right? Oh my. This dress. (thanks Beth for the perfect anniversary attire!)

Back to the party..... since there were a bunch of kids, an Easter egg hunt ensued.  A BUNCHHHH of eggs on the ground.

 By the way. do you see how many plastic eggs there are in the trees?  This is just two of them...there were a few more. (hundreds of eggs!)  This is one of the reasons why my mom is #1.  (Also, why I will never measure up.  cry cry cry)

 Paloma got the jist of the egg hunting quickly and had a good 'ol time filling up her basket.

 She actually said egg for the first time right here.....
Easter Sunday included an outfit change by these fashion bugs. ...but same game with the eggs.

It was a beautiful weekend and everyone wanted to enjoy the outdoors. We actually ate outside on the PORCH!  

The kids found their Easter baskets earlyyyyyyyy.  The excitement was fun to watch/hear.  (Mateo's was hanging in the laundry room, Marcelo's in the coat closet and Paloma's behind a chair)  And the candy was pretty much gone instantly.

It is a wonder how we were able to have these boys actually stop for a split second with that sugar high and get a family photo. 

 ALSO. STOP IT with this video mami!  I die of cuteness overload!

Meanwhile back at my house, we colored eggs for a tree centerpiece that has been making me happy all month!

I hope you guys had a great Easter weekend too!