M&L Go to Pier C Park - Memorial Weekend 2011

Today was a great Memorial Day. There were no BBQ's or trips to the beach, but there was some excellent family time.

First Mateo and Papi planted the annual summer plants - mints, tomatoes and strawberries - while Lucia took her afternoon nap.

Later we all headed to the newest park - Pier C- in Hoboken. It was great; there were slides, climbing nets, water moats, sprinklers, and cool jungle pathways. Mateo practiced his best Spiderman moves on this climbing net.

Nice balance!

Lucia wanted to get in on the climbing action, but hers needed to be a little closer to the ground

"Look at me Mommy! I am Spiderwoman!"

M&L Go to Drew & Makai's 9th Birthday Party

Today Mateo and Lucia spent some more time with cousins, but these cousins were from Mommy's side. They went to cousin Narda's house to celebrate the 9th birthdays of twin cousins Drew and Makai. It had been a while, but the kids had a great time. What kid wouldn't like a party that starts with dessert - first icees, then ice cream cones, then candy, then cake and finally a burger. Sounds like the perfect Sunday afternoon to a 1 year old and a 4 year old.

Mateo enjoyed his chocolate ice cream cone. Lucia also managed to get in a couple of licks.

Later all of the kids stood in line to get their hits on the pinata

Even Miss Lucia stood in line to get a turn

Mateo gave it a good swat, but the pinata just wouldn't open. (As an aside: eventually the grown-ups had to rip it open a little to get things moving)

The goody bags included these super cool masks. And of course, every true super hero enjoys a mask

Lucia snuck a lollipop from the goody bag booty. "Shhh, if you don't tell I won't tell"

Pipo Turns 101 - Memorial Weekend

Today we headed over to Nelsito's house to celebrate Pipo's (their great-grandfather) 101st birthday. Unfortunately he was taken to the hospital on the same day, but when they found everything was stable we took turns visiting with him and then headed back to the house to hang out.

Lucia and Aba share a moment on the steps

Doesn't Melanie look psyched to have everyone over

Ayden and Mateo had fun playing ball in the backyard

Papi and Nelsito grilled up some delicious chicken and chorizo

And Lucia and Melanie decided to finish off the day with an original floor chalk mural

Lucia, Alma and Ariel Love You Tube

Today the playgroup was at our house. As part of this, the kids paint, color, have story time a snack and sometimes, just sometimes, they get to watch something on YouTube.

Alma, Lucia and Ariel are mesmerized

"That was one good clip!"

Speaking of YouTube...to see the girls jamming to the Gummi Bear video click link below

Gummi Bear

M&L Play with ?

Most of the time when I am flipping through pictures of the kids I can identify most if not all of the people, but sometimes new friends spring up that we don't know, but Navita does. I guess now that Summer is around the corner we are going to be seeing more new friends from around town.

Know - Mateo and Matthew.

Don't know - this curly-haired blonde boy

Know - Miss Lucia

Dont know - this cute little blonde baby (who I assume is related to the curly-haired boy)

M&L Go to Cambell's 4th Birthday Party

Ok, ok, so today we have a lot on our plates and we are going to try and get to all of them. First, we need to pack up and leave the Jersey Shore to try and get back home in time for a 4 year old birthday party, then there is swimming and let's not forget piano. Just another Summer Saturday in the Vielot Gonzalez family.

In the morning Mateo and Lucia had breakfast with their cousins Janzel, Nelsito and Melanie before heading back home.

Finn and birthday girl Cambell were so happy that Mateo and Lucia were able to make it. (Note: this was my first birthday party at a Ben & Jerry's)

Mateo was really good at the limbo...even if he didn't exactly have the right body form

Of course there was also face painting where Mateo got to transform into SPIDERMAN!!

Vielot Gonzalez Family Go to Yolaiki's Wedding

There was a lot going on today. Mateo had his orientation at the new school he would be attending for Kindergarden and it was also cousin Yolaiki's wedding. The wedding was down at one of the Jersey beach towns so we had to pack up and book it down to the Jersey Shore, check in, get dressed and rush to the ceremony.

We didn't make it for the bride's special entrance, but we were there for the exchange of vows and the grand exit made by the bride Yolaiki and groom Danny.

Cousins Yolaiki and Eddie pose for pictures

Lucia tried to make a grand fashion statement with Mommy's red scarf

Lucia making a serious face with bride-to-be Tia Stacie

Mommy and Lucia

Aba and the dashing dude Mateo

Lucia didn't want to miss her chance to pose with Aba

First entrance as husband and wife - Yolaiki and Danny "wooohooo!"

Abuelo Pipo (Mateo and Lucia's great-grandfather) was busting a move on the dance floor with the bride

At the end of the night, the bride and groom cut their beach-themed delicious cake.

Congrats!

Double Stroller?

Sometimes the older one wants to act younger and sometimes the younger one wants to act older and sometimes they just meet in the middle.

Today was one of those "middle" days. Mateo didn't want to walk and Lucia didn't want to sit if he was walking.

Lucia Celebrates Alma's 2nd Birthday

Today the younger siblings play group got together to celebrate Alma's 2nd birthday. It was a simple affair, but the kids had lots of fun. The girls got a kick out of the whole "blowing out the candles" bit.

Ariel, Alma and Lucia (all with birthday crowns) say "Cheeeeese!"

BFFs, Alma and Lucia are ready to get the party started

Lucia, crownless, but still a princess

Mateo Goes on a Field Trip to Turtle Back Zoo

Today Mateo and the rest of his pre-K class went to Turtle Back Zoo. It was his first big school fieldtrip and he was very excited. What was even more exciting? Well scroll down and see.

Mateo in front of the chicken coop

For someone who just conquered a big reptile, he doesn't look too excited

"This is way more exciting!"

Later the kids get caught up in the web of rope

"Surprise!!!!" Aba was one of the chaperones.

After a long day of racing around, Mateo Ethan and Lucas take a break on a huge rock

Mateo got so worked up that he gave himself a nose bleed which is why he looks so beaten up in this class photo. Poor guy.

M&L Go to Antonio's First Communion

Today we celebrated a very special and very holy day. It was Antonio's communion, so the family got dressed in our Sunday Best (although it was Saturday) and headed to Western NJ.

We had to be in the back of the church because we showed up a little late, but we did get to see Antonio go up to the altar.

Antonio (far right) looked very handsome in his little suit

The proud and dashing parents, Mima and Erich, pose with their son

Mateo and Lucia also had some time for a few pictures

Later, at the restaurant Lucia got to spend some quality time with Mima

All of the cousins came out to celebrate Antonio's special day