M&L Celebrate New Year's Eve

Today we had some more visiting to do. This time we were going to see the Silva/Bendana family, meet some more Vielot cousins and attend a New Year's celebration...whew. For being on vacation we sure were busy.

Lucia, Mommy and godson Kristian

Mateo (with his super cape on) made fast friends with the other Silva boys, Jordan and Jonathon

The whole gang - Anissa, Jordan, Kristian, Francoise, Jonathon, Lucia and Mateo

Tia Ani and Lucia share a hug and a love for the color green

God Siblings? Lucia and Kristian

We made a pit stop at Grandma's house where the two ladies paused for a quick pic

And then it was on to visit cousins Yves and Daniel

As you can see Daniel was having a great time while Mateo was more cautious in his fun

Later, we put Mateo to sleep at Grandma's and headed off to a family-friendly New Year's Eve Party hosted by cousin Kleber. As you can see Max and Kleber were tearing up the dancefloor.

Mommy and Papi got to chill on the dance floor as well

All grown up - cousins Yves, Francoise and Kleber celebrate together with the next generation of Vielots

While Max stayed up all night, (almost) 5 month old Lucia didn't make it past 9PM, so here are her feet

1 year old Daniel didn't make it past 10pm so here is his arm

M&L Visit w/ more Vielots

We woke up this morning and there were still more people to see and still more relatives who wanted to meet Lucia. We started out with a yummy lunch with Papa Fofo at a cafe in Coconut Grove. We then headed to Papa Keke's home to meet some of the Vielot elders as well as some young ones.

Lucia and Tante Vanne

Papa Keke (on left) was happy to greet his first great grandson, Mateo, and first great granddaughter, Lucia

Mateo also spent some time with Auntie Marie

...and Tante Claire

While Fabrice helped Mateo reenact a scene from Superman

M&L Visit Max & Kleber

For our 3rd day in Miami we decided to visit with some cousins and introduce Lucia

But first Lucia had to get Papi out of bed

And Mateo had to take his scooter (with helmet) for a spin

Next we went to cousins Kleber and Max's home. Here is Mateo teaching Max how to jump on the sofa.

Cute Max is used to cheesing it up for the camera

Cousin Kleber poses with his 1yr old son Max

Max, Kleber, Papi and Mateo also enjoyed some time on the swings

Later Max and Lucia got to know one another

M&L - With Carousel & Papa Fofo

This morning we woke up and Mateo wanted to ride his scooter, so our first order of business was to go out and get him a helmet.

We needed nourishment for our search so we stopped to eat at Applebees where Mateo and Grandma engaged each other in interesting conversation and coloring books

We first checked Toys R Us and the entire place was picked over from the mad Christmas rush. Next we came to this bike shop where we were able to buy his helmet. We also snuck in a picture of Lucia and Grandma on a bike.

The bike shop was in a mall. Lucky for Mateo the mall also had a carousel. This was Lucia's first time on a carousel horse. I think she did a pretty good job.

Later Mateo caught the eye of an older girl (or she caught his eye) and they shared a ride in the spinning tea cup

Papa Fofo also stopped by for a quick visit and to drop off more presents

Mateo eyes his "honky thing" ,also known as a bike horn, as Papa Fofo tries it out

M&L Go to Miami

Today we flew from cold and windy New Jersey to sunny and warm Miami. This was our first flight as a family of four and it was pretty uneventful. Mateo watched his dvd player and some satellite TV provided by Jet Blue and Lucia mainly slept and ate. Grandma and Freddie picked us up at the airport in a spacious Chrysler Town& Country. Yes folks we have accepted the beauty of a mini van, family van or whatever. It was a nice ride.

Of course when we arrived at Grandma's house Mateo received more presents and scored a scooter which he was really excited to ride. Don't worry we bought him a helmet the very next day.

Mateo and Grandma working on a puzzle

Papi and Mateo take a practice ride on his new scooter

M&L Celebrate a 1st and 3rd Christmas Day

"Christmas is here, Christmas is here!" This is the first time the Vielot-Gonzalez family has spent Christmas morning at home and I must say it was a really great feeling. We had a late start, but things picked up quickly after Mateo had breakfast and watched a little TV. He was ready to open more gifts and "help" Lucia with hers.

In lieu of a chimney or mantle we hung the stockings on the built-in cabinets with care

Mateo is intrigued by this notion of gifts in big socks - he liked the idea of getting gifts in multiple ways. Pulling it out of stockings.

Dumping it out of bags

Ripping it out of paper

"YAHHH PRESENTS!!"

Mateo admiring his Sponge Bob Square Pants Lollipop ring that was in his stocking. This was one of his favorite presents.

Lucia in her cute Christmas outfit from Anne hung out and played with Mateo's slinky

Sister - Brother Christmas morning picture

Mateo and Mommy pose in his new rocket ship tent

Later Aba, Abu, Tia Stacie and Tio Cesar came over to deliver more presents. Mateo got a telescope to encourage his curiosity for the moon and stars

Of course putting it together was a challenging feat that occupied everyone's time and attention

While the grown-ups put together the telescope, Tia Stacie and Mateo played catch-the-bubbles in the kitchen

While Lucia and Abu played with her new doll

Mateo likes to walk in other people's shoes - this is him rocking Tia Stacie's boots

Lucia's favorite gift was a gift bag with tissue paper....ahh the simple things...

M&L Celebrate Noche Buena (AKA Christmas Eve)

Today was a big day for the Vielot-Gonzalez family. It was Lucia's first Christmas Eve celebration and I believe it is going to be Mateo's first memory of Christmas Eve. As it approached he kept mentioning Christmas and Santa Claus and presents he was very excited this year. It was also a first Noche Buena celebration for Tia Lola and Pipo. It was a crowded house full of love and laughter.

Lovely ladies - Tia Lola, Melanie, Yuliet and Lucia in her green Christmas dress

Kimm was also happy it was Christmas time

Raquel (aka Tia Raqui Caqui) and Francoise (aka Mommy) smile for the cameras as well

Cousins cheer for Christmas - Alex, Ayden, Antonio, Isabel and Mateo

The United Nations of Cousins (Mateo, Isabel and Ayden) give their best diplomatic smiles

Mommy and Lucia giving a pretty Christmas pose

Mateo's Padrino, Adrian, steals a pose with Lucia

Not wanting to be left out cousin Janzel also grabs a pic with Lucia

Pretty princesses - Isabel, Prima Mima and Lucia

I tried to get a brother sister photo with Lucia and Mateo, but as you can see it wasn't easy and I had to call in reinforcements (Jamie) to help with staging

Girl cousins rule! Lucia, Isabel and Melanie

Tia Stacie and Lucia

Lucia strikes again - the girl really wants some congri

Looks like some people can't hang past midnight

Supporting evidence - Lucia made it to midnight, but fell asleep in Tia Stacie's arms shortly after

Merry Christmas - Aba and Mateo also are ready to call it a night