This weekend we took so much needed R&R. We drove with some friends to Rocky Point and boy has it changed. The last time Karina and I went was about 8 years ago. Resorts Resorts Resorts - everywhere we looked was a new resort either built or being built. We stayed at the Mayan and had a great time. The sand was soft like baby powder and the ocean was a beautiful clear blueish green.

Today we made a trip to Oceanside to spend some time with family. The weather was perfect 78 with a breeze. Eliana and Marina were two little princes figuratively and as you can see literally.

Ethan loves my spaghetti so much he likes to wear it. I tried to get a pic before Karina started to clean him up and I was a little late.

Happy birthday my beautiful baby boy! This is Ethan’s first birthday and I think he liked the cake more then the gifts.

It has been a great summer! I got to spend some much needed time with my babies. Ethan and I finally started to bond this summer but all great things come to end and I have to go back to work next week. In July Eliana started a summer pre school for the month and loved it. I started to take the kids to the sitter 3 days a week for the month of July and that gave me time to work on my SAT/ACT class and hang out with my eldest son CJ. We were able to see a movie once a week and just hangout together. My hat goes off to anyone that stays home with children everyday because man that is a lot of work.

Its story time at the local Barnes & Noble with Rocky. This is one of Eliana’s favorite things to do this summer. She gets to pick out a book and then sits next to Rocky while someone reads.

CJ went to Maryland to see his aunt, uncle and cousins. He said he loved it so much he wants to go to college on the east coast now. Here is CJ, Braden and Kristin in DC, putt putt golf, Virginia Beach and Go cart racing.

Getting ready to go swimming was a chore to say the least. It took me about 30 minutes to apply the 100 spf sun block and get the swim suites on. I would be sweating so bad that the pool was very refreshing.

We would like to introduce our newest family member Byron. He is a 3-4 year old chocolate lab that we rescued. Byron has been bouncing around from house to house the last couple of years so we decided to give him a home. And yes we named him Byron after my favorite poet George Gordon Byron, Lord Byron. Since I was not allowed to name our last son Byron I got the dog instead. Good trade I think and I am sure Ethan Santiago would agree.

Today I am 32 or is it 33? Progress on the Time Machine is very slow. Need funding so please send money.
My wife took me to a wonderful wine and bruschetta bar for my birthday.

Eliana has her own camera so she can takes pictures of everyone when they least expect it so to save embarrassment I am only posting pics of Ethan. I believe he calls the middle one Blue Steal.

This year we spent easter in California with Karina’s parents. Here are the three beautiful women in my life making Picasso cupcakes. Muy delicioso!

Today my beautiful little princess turns 3. She is growing up to fast for me so I am trying to invent a special machine that can turn back the clock and I am going to call it a Time Machine.

The head is not so lumpy and the helmet is gone but his super powers still remain. Ladies beware of the all powerful Big Blue Eyes stare.

Ethan is putting his I pity the fool face on and Eliana is playing super girl on the swing set. But who is that sexy man way in front of Eliana? Oops! That is me. I should have known.

Eliana got to hang with her cousin Sylvia for the weekend. Those pajamas sure do seem to be popular.

Do to the difficult birth of our son Ethan, his head was misshapen. We actually did not really notice it but his doctor did, and refered us to a Craniologist. Ethan gets to wear his, Superman, helmet for the next few months. The doctor says that is should be an 80-85% improvement. I think that is great since my head is about 70%.

The year of 2008 has been a year of change for the Hinrichs family. We not only expanded our family but our waist line as well. With every new year brings a renaissance, an opportunity to start over. This year promises to be a great year.

After 2 pots of coffee and 5 trash bags we finally got through opening presents. It was a long day but well worth it seeing the smile on Eliana's face. Ethan not only enjoyed his presents but was very satisfied with eating the wrapping paper when he was done.

Check out other Christmas photos.

After waiting in line for 1 1/2 hours we finally saw the big guy. When I told Eliana to ask santa for a puppy she said "No, I want baby dolls". No doubt about it she is all girl. Ethan just drooled everywhere but I am sure that santa was thankful it was coming out of the attic and not the basement.


Eliana with a Great Daindeer.

I know, I know, I am a little behind on the updates. With the month of December being the busiest time for the Hinrichs family I tend to forget. So here we are! On December 2nd we celebrated my beautiful wife's birthday. When I gave her the families traditional ice cream cake and told her to make a wish she just laughed. I think because when you are married to a fine specimen like myself you no longer need to wish. Happy 32nd birthday my queen.

Today Ethan tried cereal for the first time. Spoonful after spoonful he would spit it right out. It took a few days for him to get used to it and now we cannot feed it to him fast enough.

Click here to see more Ethan pics.

Today we officially celebrated CJ's birthday. I say officially because on Friday we all went out to a Sushi and Tempanaki dinner. Then on Saturday we enjoyed the new James Bond movie and he had some friend over for the night. Finally today the family came over to celebrate him turning 15 (going on 2).

Here are some other birthday photos.

Today we went to Williams, Arizona to ride on The Polar Express. We all went on the train and enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies, and read the book, "The Polar Express" . Eliana and her mother were the loudest people singing Christmas carols; American Idol watch-out. When we finally arrived at the the North Pole, Santa jumped on board the train and Eliana was so excited she almost fell out of her seat. She asked Santa for a puppy but he gave her a Christmas bell instead. Thanks Santa! We were able to enjoy the Christmas bell all night long.

Check out the other photos.