Texas R&R 2021

July 18, 2021 by Salvador Velazquez in Texas, USA

In June we departed for R&R in Texas, our first time leaving Montenegro since we arrived a year ago. A few weeks in McAllen and Austin to reconnect with family and friends were just what we needed. We made and checked off a huge list of to-do's, which were really more like "to eats", including: Abu's ropa vieja and paella, Taco Palenque, Whataburger, Uchi, The Switch, Sap's, and Rositas al Pastor. A few trips to Central Market and HEB completed the trip. Oh and Target!

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Trip to McAllen, Texas

April 07, 2018 by Salvador Velazquez in Family, RGV, Texas, Photography

A couple of weeks ago, in mid March, Annika and I took a trip to McAllen to visit the folks. I worked while Annika got to spend quality time with the Abuelos, Tios and Tias, and Primas. She just loves being outside even if it was hot.

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Texas Visit June 2017

July 09, 2017 by Salvador Velazquez in RGV, Texas

After 3 tours or roughly 6 years of living at high altitude and in eternal spring, we decided to spend 2 weeks in South Texas during the month of June to remember what heat and humidity feels like. Every day during our visit the high temperatures were at or above 100F and on one special day McAllen, Texas hit a record all time high of 111F. We found shelter from the heat by spending some days at the beach in South Padre Island, driving to Blue Hole in Wimberly, Texas, and visiting a friend's swimming pool. Cigars, scotch, and dominos were still played outside but we just had to wait till the cooler late afternoon. Annika of course loved Abu's cooking, Vince's special pancakes, and took kindly to a medium-rare tenderloin steak.

It was great to visit the family but thinking our next trip will not be during summer months -- basically April through September.

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Video with the Cubans below or click here to view.

Drone footage of South Padre Island below or click here to view.

Video of Blue Hole in Wimberly, Texas below or click here to view

Austin Visit

December 05, 2016 by Salvador Velazquez in Texas

Annika and I left the family in McAllen and drove up to Austin to meet up with Michelle, Vince, and Julia, who was in town to celebrate her birthday. Along with eating a ton of great food in Austin, we enjoyed taking Annika trick-or-treating for Halloween, visiting Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, and watching Tio Vince and Annika paint. Annika was also estatic to ride mi boat (my boat) down the Colorado River.

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Videos below

McAllen Visit 2016

December 04, 2016 by Salvador Velazquez in RGV, Texas

Annika and I spent a week in McAllen to visit the family. Annika of course devoured every meal made by her Abu, and enjoyed running on the tall Texas grass, naps with Abuelo, playing with her cousins, and more of Abu's food. Even though I had to work during the week, I was still able to enjoy quality time with my parents (playing dominos and smoking cigars) and family.

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March McAllen Visit

March 20, 2016 by Salvador Velazquez in Family, Texas

Back in March, Annika and I took a trip to McAllen, Texas to visit the family and to enjoy probably our last trip where Annika can fly on our laps for "almost" free.

I just started my new job at SURGE -- thankfully I have been busy hence the delay in my posts -- so unfortunately my days were spent working. Annika spent time without "Abu", Abuelo, her Tio's and cousins during the day and our evenings were spent enjoying the South Texas breeze while the grown ups smoked cigars and played dominos -- yet another victory against the parental units. Over the weekend the Perez family came over for some bbq and family fun. Looking forward to our next trip!

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Fall 2015 McAllen Visit

November 28, 2015 by Salvador Velazquez in RGV, Texas, Family

Before heading to Bogota, we spent a few weeks in McAllen, Texas where we enjoyed spending time with the family and celebrating Halloween and the birthdays of Julia, Andrea, and Andres.

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Annika helping to pickout a Pumpkin

Annika dressed up for Halloween

Trick or Treating with the cousins

Happy Birthday to Andrea and Andres (Dad)

Kisses

Martha and Eugenio

Mario and Ina

Do Princesses Play in the Mud?

November 20, 2015 by Salvador Velazquez in Texas, RGV

YES. This one does.

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Mom found a nice muddy puddle for Annika to play in

Abuela discovers that Annika has been playing in the mud just hours before family and friends are to arrive

Fall 2015 South Padre Island Visit

November 08, 2015 by Salvador Velazquez in RGV, Texas

Many thanks to Marco and Graciela for allowing us to stay at their place, La Isla, at South Padre Island. We got to enjoy the beach and spend time with the family even though the remnants of Patricia brought some heavy rain.

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Friday the 23rd
Saturday the 24th
Sunday the 25th