Old updates

We’ve decided to abandon our old website (www.thelagosfamily.com), since it was much more difficult to manage and post information; plus you can’t beat free, so I’m reposting old updates.

2009

October 24

I finally feel like I'll be able to get back to updating the Web site on a regular basis.  Since about March or April I've been without a laptop (it literally started smoking and so I decided to never use it again).  Now that I have a computer again, I can re-connect with everyone :)

It's been quite a whirlwind.  In August of last year, we were so close to losing our home (there was a fire about 50 feet from where our apartment is). Fire at Apartment Complex (from Napa Valley Register)   We were thoroughly blessed to not lose our home and are so incredibly thankful to God that he kept all of us safe.  There was only one injury (Miguel and I believe this neighbor may have accidentally started the fire).  The neighbor got third degree burns and was taken to a hospital in Sacramento.  A total of seven apartments were burned and badly damaged.  We think that the neighbor must have fallen asleep while he was smoking and somehow must have dropped the cigarette (most of our neighbors smoke, sometimes making it impossible to breathe - as we live on the second floor).  Nevertheless, I'm thankful we have our health and a place to live.

I've been cooking a lot more recently, much to Miguel's happiness.  I have to say that it's always so much fun to cook and it even relaxes me!  I've been making eggplant parmesan, home-style rice, short ribs, brownies and I'm even thinking of making cupcakes tomorrow and taking them into work on Monday!  I think I've just gotten a cooking craze going.  I'll be sure to post pictures of some of the dishes I make.

May 2

It's been a while since the last post, but we're hoping to start up again. 

We're happy to report that we're alive and well.  Ruthy was offered a permanent full-time job with the company she was temping with for over a year.  We were so grateful and ecstatic when we heard the news!

This coming Tuesday, May 5, we're looking forward to attending a Seal concert.  Hopefully it'll be a great concert!  Ruthy won free tickets from a local radio station and happened to be the right caller (caller #9).  Hooray for free stuff! :)

2008

August 1

The end of June has been an interesting one.  We don't know if you've heard, but California has gone through a series of wildfires.  CA fires - June 30.  Here in Napa we were surrounded by dozens of wildfires, one that was fairly close to home.  Napa area wildfires article (June 2008)  Luckily we were far away enough from the fires that we were thankfully unaffected.  However, we still have haze from other ongoing wildfires.  The haze has slowly but surely been diminishing but it's still clearly visible.  There are now new fires in Yosemite and pray that they can be contained quickly.

July was a very busy and exciting month.  Towards the end of June Ruthy won free front row tickets to go see Christian artist Steve Green in concert in Oakland at the Grand Avenue SDA Church (about an hour from Napa).  There she got an autograph and a photo with Steve.  His concert was really great, inspiring and the opportunity and experience of a lifetime.

In early July, Ruthy had the most memorable experience to top them all.  Her favorite chef, Michael Chiarello, opened another store to his NapaStyle chain in Yountville (about 20 minutes north of Napa).  The original store is in Berkeley.  Other stores are spread throughout Southern California.  Along with at least 50 other people, the 20 minute wait was well worth it in the hot sun.  Ruthy could feel herself tanning while she waited in line.  The refreshing thing about being in line was that while she anxiously waited to meet Michael, staff members passed out glasses of ice cold water.   Who knew that something as refreshing as water could mean so much? 

Once inside the store, there were people ordering sandwiches.  You could see your sandwich being made to order through a clear panel protector.  To its right sausages hung from the ceiling through a glass window in an enclosed room.  It looked disgusting but it was definitely a neat experience.  It felt as if you were in Italy's doorstep (although we've never been to Italy).  Walking through the store opportunities arose to concoct your own olive oil; see different types of sea salts; obtain free recipes; and of course, purchase household and cooking items.  Here's a taste of NapaStyle.

Later in July we celebrated our one-year anniversary at an Italian restaurant.  It's amazing how quickly time flies by!  It seems that it was only just yesterday that we were getting married.  We've definitely learned a lot about each other and our moods, temperaments and habits.  And yet, there's still so much to learn.

The evening before Ruthy's birthday she met up with a friend to attend a John Mayer concert.  Colbie Callait opened the concert for John Mayer.  It was an amazing concert!  About 20,000 people showed up for the event.

Five days after our anniversary we celebrated Ruthy's 25th birthday and decided to go to Berkeley and try sailing -- for free.  Yes, for free.  Once a month, the Cal Sailing Club in Berkeley has an open house.   There, experienced sailors share their skills and take a 30 minute sailing trip with those eager to go sailing.  Miguel and I, along with five other people rode on a 25-foot long sail along the bay.  Miguel was offered the opportunity to steer the boat and I was the first mate.  We didn't even mention that we were on a birthday celebration!  After our sailing adventure we decided to head into San Francisco and eat Salvadoran food.  Ruthy was a bit seasick so we decided to order the food to go.  The place that we went to has the best food we've ever tasted.  We had such a delicious dinner at home! :)  If you're ever in SF, El Zocalo on Mission Street is the place to go. 

This last week we visited Napa's Chef's Market (it's what they call the Farmers Market).  It was neat seeing what they had to offer.  There were many fresh fruit samplings.  Ruthy especially loved the peaches and bought a pound or two of them.

Summer 2008

June 20

I forgot to mention yesterday that I also made two other vegetarian dishes, which were uber delicious! :D  One was the Caponata Picnic Sandwich and the other, Mushroom Parmesan.  They were both really easy and quick to make!

Caponata Picnic Sandwich

Mushroom Parmesan

Photos courtesy of Food Network.

I also forgot to mention that I finally saw my first star sighting this month!  I was on my way to work, less than a fourth of a mile, and, lo and behold, I saw one of my favorite chefs, Michael Chiarello, on his John Deere tractor mowing the lawn at his vineyard!  I was super stoked!  However, I didn't stop to take a picture because I was running late to work; and I just assumed that he probably didn't want to take a picture with me.  Nevertheless, we both continued on our paths.  But it was a VERY exciting moment for me :D

June 19

This month was quite eventful, with a graduation and more game nights. This last weekend we attended PUC’s graduation, as a few of our friends graduated with their various degrees.

Graduations are exciting times, especially when you can reconnect with classmates, teachers and friends that you haven’t seen in at least a year. It seems that graduations are more of the alumni weekend than alumni weekends themselves. Nevertheless, it’s fun to watch others, as they and their family members are present in one of the most important events in the graduates’ lives.

Recently, Ruthy has had more time at home and has been eagerly cooking up new dishes. This week she made a dish for the Fastest-Ever Enchiladas with a few tweaks here and there, and also Emeril's Strawberry Shortcake made with Fresh Strawberry Bread, which after a few days, is still incredibly moist.

The weather has been incredibly hot for the past couple of weeks, as the temperature has been at least 95 degrees, even at 5:30 p.m. At least we have air conditioning in the house. J

There are a few more pictures posted in the Napa Valley album, under Photos. Be sure to check them out!

May 10

We apologize for the late update.  It's been a crazy few months.

The month of April brought us showers in the Napa Valley, beautiful sights of the early blooms of grape vineyards and many blessings in our home.

Ruthy was able to get a job in early April. She is currently working full-time as data entry temp in St. Helena and also has a part-time job in Napa. Miguel continues to work at PUC and is looking for pastoral positions. We feel completely and thoroughly blessed to have jobs, especially when the market is so uncertain and unpredictable and gas prices are ridiculously soaring.  The cheapest gas in town is currently $3.79.

In late April, we had the privilege of having Miguel’s youngest brother over to visit for a couple of days and see the area. Earlier this month we had friends over for dinner and game night and had a great time reconnecting with everyone.

So far May is bringing us beautiful weather and gorgeous views. There are a few pictures in the Photos section under Napa Valley. More will be put up as the year goes by.

March 18

Miguel and I had the great opportunity of taking a honeymoon this last week.  We spent a week skiing and snowboarding in the beautiful city of Breckenridge, CO, about an hour and a half west of Denver. 

While we were there, we met up with my sister and her family and on the last day of our CO trip, Miguel and I also met up with one of my old college roommates.

Of all of the days we were in Breckenridge, it snowed for three of them.  It was really neat seeing fresh powder in the morning! 

Sometimes it's the little things that make your day.  On one of the evenings that it snowed, I sat in the living room with the fireplace on, lights turned off, and watched snow fall onto the ground.  It was SO relaxing.  I couldn't have asked for anything better.  It's even more incredible that God created each snowflake in its individual way, just as individual and different as we are.

"As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater..." (Isaiah 55:10)

What was even more incredible was seeing the fresh powder snow lying on top of the tall-standing Evergreen trees.  You could just tell that the branches would let the snow drop at any moment.

In addition to all of the excitement of skiing and snowboarding, we also took some time to walk around the town of Breckenridge.  There are so many small shops and varying restaurants, it was incredible.  As we walked around town, we stopped by to get some ice cream.  It didn't matter that it was windy and there was snow all over the place; it's the experience that matters! :)  We fell in love with the BEST Mexican restaurant in town, Mi Casa.  We had the opportunity to try their house-style guacamole.  It was incredibly DELICIOUS!  The food was incredible and the presentations were amazing.  We actually loved it so much that we ate there a second time, and of course, had to get the guacamole appetizer.

We also took a 20-minute ride on the Gondola.  It sure was a nice break from playing in the snow.  It even snowed while we were on the ride.

Unfortunately the fun couldn't last forever and had to come home and face the perils of real life.  But we will always remember Breckenridge and its beautiful sights.

February 16

Miguel and I recently decided to move back to the Napa Valley. Work opportunities in central California were very slim and felt that by moving up north, better job opportunities would arise.  Miguel currently works at Pacific Union College and I am still actively pursuing a job.  We're trusting in God and hope that something will come up very soon.

In the meantime, if you would like our current address, feel free to e-mail us. We'd love to hear from you!

It's great to be back in Napa Valley and are excited about being here once again. :o)

February 1

I saw this really cool inspirational e-mail and thought to share it with you!

"You can't turn on a country music station without hearing a song about someone down on their luck. But what about those around you? Think about how much it means to you to receive a note in the mail from a caring friend when you're going through a hard time. Use those warm feelings to compel you to spread the love to others. We all need such encouragement and often we forget that it's okay not to be the pillar of strength when life has us by the tail. Throw your arms around someone today who might need a good squeeze, send a card to a co-worker who needs cheering up, or bake a special treat for your ill child. Friends are precious, not just in the sunshine of life, but especially in the shade. "

January 2

Happy New Year! We had a great time visiting with Miguel's family for Christmas in Southern California. We also had the opportunity to visit Disneyland with our friends. It was really neat seeing Disney decorated with Christmas lights and holiday decor!  After much traveling, we are glad to be back home and sleep in our own bed.

During the second week of December, Ruthy went out to Colorado to visit her sister and family. She was able to watch her nieces swim in the pool, celebrate a birthday, play in the snow and interact a lot with them. 

Ahh, the days when there were no worries and you could enjoy being a kid and play all day. Those days sure did go by very quickly. Now, there are too many things to worry about and not enough time throughout the day to do them. But, such is life.

Hope you had a great holiday season! We would love to hear from you when you get a chance!

2007

December 11

(Ruthy) Today, I made my first delicious virgin mango margarita! It was awesome! It's the perfect ending to a great meal and a great way to relax for the evening!  I got the inspiration from Chili's margarita selections.  What a great way to start the holiday season!!

December 1

We were able to spend our first Thanksgiving with Miguel's family in Orange County.  It was nice being able to go out of town and relax!  We were so thankful that we didn't hit any traffic at all while we drove!

We had a really nice Thanksgiving with the family and didn't get too overstuffed with all of the delicious food. :o)  Ruthy accompanied Miguel's mom and grandmother for some Black Friday shopping.  There were so many people, it was difficult to find a parking spot everywhere they went!

Miguel's brothers introduced us to the new game, Rock Band, on XBox 360.  Ruthy really got into the game and had tons of fun.

November 6, 2007

Some days, married life's not as easy as it seems.  Who knew that you actually had to work hard enough at it!  It's definitely been a life lesson trying to learn more about each other,  our special quirks and lifestyles. 

Last month we celebrated our three-month anniversary.  We can't believe how fast it's flown by! We celebrated by going to Napa Valley and visiting our friends and taking an awesome trip to the Jelly Belly factory in Fairfield, CA. 

They had a special Halloween exhibition, which was very cute. We arrived just in time for the special guided tour where we saw multiple videos about how jelly beans are made.  It felt like being inside of the show, "How It's Made" on the Discovery channel.  They had these amazingly huge photos of famous people that used jelly beans to outline their faces.  Unfortunately, they wouldn't let us take photos inside of the building while we were on the tour.  But these photos are made with thousands and thousands of jelly beans.  An example of a piece of artwork is shown below.

Pieces of artwork inside of the tour included profiles of Ronald Reagan, Hillary Clinton, Elvis, Princess Diana and many others.

We bought belly flops, which are jelly bellies that don't pass the perfection test; However, they're equally as delicious!

Aside from work, Ruthy enjoys watching TV shows such as How I met your Mother and the Big Bang Theory.

Miguel is interviewing with different districts in Kings County for substitute teaching positions.

We're slowly adjusting to married life and are excited to come home to a place of our own.