M&L Go to the Kenders

Today the Vielot-Gonzalez familia happily accepted an invitation to dinner from the Kender family. There was lots of yummy food, fun toys to play with and a riveting, yet very familiar, movie for the kids to watch after dinner. A great time was had by all.

Madrina and Maddie focus very hard to try and get the train tracks to stay together

Mateo had a great time playing the dangerous game of "hold me upside down and swing me" with Greg

Mateo takes a dessert break with Papi

Meanwhile, Max and his partner in crime Lucia went on an expedition upstairs. They were astonished and quite thrilled when they discovered the fish tank.

Lucia and Max try and pet the wild and hungry Jess "Don't feed the animals"

Before the night was over, Lucia, Maddie, Mateo and Sam settle in to watch one of their favorite movies, Toy Story 3. Great way to end the night.

M&L Get a Visit from MaddMax

Today was a happy, happy occassion. Mateo and Lucia got a visit from the sister/brother duo from the West Coast...Maddie and Max. The kids got to catch up and Mommy and Madrina got to chat as well.

Christmas comes early - Madrina let Lucia and Mateo open their gifts from her so she could see their faces.

Mateo showed off his gift - "I am Iron Man!"

Later, Miss Maddie enjoyed spaghetti and meat sauce.

Max and his shirt also enjoyed some spaghetti and meat sauce

Lucia didn't want to be left out of this yummy goodness, so she climbed up the highchair and Deboed (aka stole) some of Max's spaghetti

Turkey Day 2010

Today was a big day because it was the first time in a while that Mateo and Lucia got to be with all of their cousins from the Gonzalez side. Ever since Alex and Isabel moved away, they don't get to see each other as much so at least they got in some bonding time as well as turkey time.

Isabel and Alex greeted us at the door

Melanie enjoyed playing with Lucia (1 of the only girl cousins in the family)

The duet - Ayden and Mateo (giving the fierce face) play their version of chopsticks

God brother and sister Isabel and a dapperly dressed Mateo

Bis Abuelo Pipo (the oldest person there at 100) gives Little Miss Lucia (the youngest person there at 1) a little snuggle

Aba also got some snuggle time with Lucia

More boy cousins - Nelsito and Janzel are age-appropriately engrossed in video games while Alex psyches himself up for his guitar playing debut in front of the family

Padrino and Mateo give fierce faces

The boy club continues - Erich, Tio Cesar, Yasnier, Eddie and Adrian catch up over drinks

M&L Go to the Chilly Park

Today, Papi had grand plans about wanting to rearrange the living room and the kids play area. This is virtually impossible to do with the kids there, so Mommy decided to take them out to the park for some fresh air. We all got bundled up and off we went.

Mateo enjoying one of his favorite park pastimes, climbing

Lucia also did some climbing...

...and some sliding

A little later, Mateo was kind enough to let his little sis go enjoy some time on the swings in the toddler park

He also took on the task of pushing her

They both really enjoyed their time as pusher and pushee

M&L Happy Times

A lot of times during the week Mateo and Lucia have play dates with school friends, neighborhood friends, and friends from the building, but sometimes they just have play dates together. Today M&L played with one another.

Who knew sharing could be so much fun

Lucia the next Kate Spade

Now that Miss Lucia is a woman about town she has to make sure she is dressed appropriately. This, of course, isn't always the case. Sometimes it's a miss.

But today it is a hit. Lucia knows how to sport her accessories.

Mommy & Papi in D.R. - Part 3

Today is our last full day in the D.R. I am sad to say, but there is no need to wallow in the sadness, so we decided to enjoy it to the fullest.

I realized that I never took a good picture of our villa, so I decided to capture a shot from the beach. We had the whole 1st floor.

After breakfast we decided to take a dip in the pool

Later on we went to Casa Blanca and had another fabulous dinner

When we got back to our hotel we were surprised to see that room service had decorated our room with candles and rose petals. Here is our hot tub.

And here is our bedroom. Very romantic...we will definitely miss this place.

Mommy & Papi in D.R. - Part 2

Ahhh...another beautiful day in the D.R. On today's schedule was a manicure, pedicure and massage for Mommy. Of course we thought about the kids a little, but they are fine and we are well rested.

Even my toes are well rested after their pampering

We explored the resorts tropical reserve

And then had lunch at a yummy beachside restaurant

Later we went to this charming little Portuguese restaurant where we had this delicious red wine...so good I had to document it

Another satisfactory meal

Mommy & Papi go to the D.R. - Pt1

So now that Lucia is over 1 and we have survived the year with 2 kids, Mommy and Papi decided to treat ourselves. Much like we did after Mateo turned 1, we went on a vacation as a couple. Unlike our trip to Cuba, however, our trip to the Dominican Republic was extremely luxurious. It was also shorter (4 days instead of 2 weeks).

Our transport: When we arrived at our villa we had our own personal golf cart

And a couple of bicycles to use if we wanted to explore the property and get a little exercise

Our grand living room

Picture of 1/2 of the living room with better lighting

Our back patio and ocean view

Main bedroom

Bedroom #2

One of our bathrooms (we had 2)

Our welcome treats

I couldn't help but smile

After settling in we got ready for our first dinner in the D.R.

The restaurant was delicious and we were very happy to be starting our vacation

Mateo gets a Stripe and a Pajama Party

Today was a very exciting day for Mateo and Lucia. Mateo got a stripe (which means he progressing) in Karate and Mateo and Lucia had a pseudo-slumber party. Psuedo because Finn and Cambell didn't stay the whole night, but they did sleep at our place until their parents came to get them.

The Munchies - Alma and Lucia watch their brothers at karate

Sensei Gaudinot and Mateo celebrate his stripe

Now onto to the slumber party - first order of business - a little story

Then a roaring game of dress up. "Are my wings on straight?"

Cambell couldn't decide whether she wanted to be Buzz or Minnie so she chose both. "TADA!"

The Pajama Party Four - Mateo, Cambell, Finn and Lucia

It's all fun and games until someone puts the Joker Hat on... bedtime

Mateo very happy and proud to receive his stripe