Lucia and Madrina

So today Lucia got a very special visitor. She hasn't gotten to see her as much as she would like, but when they meet up it is always delightful.

Madrina, Anissa, and Lucia share a hug (and also, by the way, a love of Hello Kitty)

M&L Just Chill

Woke up again in Miami...yes! Lucky for us, to counter yesterday's crazy busy schedule we decided to take it easy today. The kids were very appreciative and just hung with each other and Grandma for most of the day.

They brought a little of the outside, inside as you can see from these remnants of palm fronds they are decorating the hall with

Grandma, Lucia and Mateo do some stoop play

M&L Hang with Papa Fofo Again

Today was another day spent hanging out with Grandma and visiting with other family members. But first a brief intermission for a fashion show.

"Hello Daaaaaaahling...how do you like my hat?"

(Grandma is in the back also sporting a similar fashion)

Not to be left out, Mr Mateo took a turn being a Southern Gentleman

After the fashion show, we joined Papa Fofo for dinner at Coconut Grove

M&L - Photo Shoot & Fair

Today was another glorious, sunny day in Miami. All of our plans meant the kids had a busy day ahead of them. Hopefully everyone would be able to maintain their best behavior from start to end.

First, we had a yummy breakfast with Mommy's cousins, Yves (Lucia's padrino) and Kleber (who Mateo aspires to be as tall as some day). So far the behavior is good.

Next we went to a photo studio to take a family photo with Grandma followed by some lunch at Cheesecake Factory...again manners were still on point

After lunch, we headed to Santa's Enchanted Forest, one of Mommy's favorite places to go when she was growing up. As you can see Mr. Mateo was super excited.

There were lights displays...

...cotton candy...

...a rock climbing wall...

...and rides.

While Mateo went on a roller coaster with Papi, Mommy, Lucia, Grandma and Freddie went to watch the Sea Lion show

Lucia (next to Grandma) was mesmerized

This was Mateo's favorite ride of the night...the human hamster ball on water. Basically they stuffed the kids in a sealed ball, pumped it full of oxygen and let them race around a pool. I have to admit it was pretty cool.

Lucia was so excited to watch it and wished she was big enough to participate

At the end of the night, Mommy finally rode on the Himalaya ride with Mateo

And on the way out, the two elves shared a moment...all and all a very successful, drama-free day

M&L Get a Visit from Papa Fofo

Today was a great post-Christmas Day in sunny, warm Miami. We woke up (first kids then parents), got dressed and had breakfast/lunch. Then we decided it would be a good time to take the kids to see a movie, so we headed out to Southland Mall to see Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Mateo and Lucia enjoyed the movie and perhaps enjoyed the carousel ride afterwards even more

Later Papa Fofo came over to get some grandpa time in. This time it took very little time for Lucia to warm up to him.

And of course, he and Mateo are old pals

Boxing Day in Miami

Today early, early, early in the morning the Vielot-Gonzalez family flew to Miami to see Grandma, Freddie, Papa Fofo and other friends and family. We were so excited and it turns out Boxing Day (i.e. the day after Christmas for the British) was a lot like Christmas.

Which means the kids got more presents

"Thank you Grandma!"

M&L Christmas 2011

Ok, so today was the day that Mateo had been waiting for for at least the last month. It was Christmas Day. The day when Mateo got to find out if Santa brought him everything on his list for being good. Sure Noche Buena was great, but he pointed out that Santa was not there and hadn't brought him anything on his list. Well this morning he was up bright and early and came down the stairs to see a tree filled to the brim with presents...yipppeee!! Of course he wanted to tear into everything, but we tortured him and made him eat breakfast first.

Mateo inhaled his waffles...

.... And Lucia took her time plowing through her Cheerios

Mateo and Lucia were so excited about all of their gifts from Santa

Look at all of that booty!

Mateo made Mommy this great necklace and put it in my stocking for me to find something nice on Christmas Day

Later Abuelo Julio (helping Lucia dress Barbie), Aba, Abu, Tio Cesar, Tia Stacie, Tia Raqui, and Tio Jon came over to celebrate Christmas

And help the kids open even more presents

Pretty in Pink

(Hello Kitty Pink to be exact)

Tia Stacie helped Lucia with her train puzzle

While Abuelo Julio, Tio Cesar and Mateo enjoyed playing with one of Mateo's favorite gifts, Bey Blades...it was a truly wonderful, laid back, stay-in-pajamas-all-day-Christmas

Noche Buena 2011

One day closer to Christmas and in the Vielot-Gonzalez household, Christmas Eve is just as celebratory as Christmas Day. This means the family got dolled up and went over to Aba and Abu's house for Noche Buena with the family.

Miss Lucia is dressed in her cute Christmas outfit, but is already tired...she's got about 7 more hours until midnight, so she better catch her second wind.

"Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!"

I think she got her second wind when cousin Melanie showed up

The girls breakdance on the dance floor..."let's get the party started!"

Tia Lola and Papi

Family photo...sans Papi

Time for one of the main events...eating! Yuca, puerco, congri, ensalada, pollo...mmmmmm...

Tio Cesar and Aba caught up after dinner

Mommy and Papi are stuffed

Who is sexy legs? Well I will give you a hint. She is a regular at Noche Buena which is impressive because she comes all the way from the West Coast. She is a tribe member and a House member. Give up? It's Auntie Jamie!

It is almost midnight and the kids are in their PJs and ready to open gifts, so are Tia Raqui Caqui and Tia Stacie (lying down behind Lucia)

"Merry Christmas! Wooo Hoo I love gifts!"

"And so do I! Merry Christmas!"

Pre-Christmas with Navita

Today was the day before everyone started their break. It was Mommy and Papi's last day of work, Mateo and Lucia's last day of school and Navita's last day with us until the New Year. Before everyone heads off to their various celebrations, the kids did a gift exchange with Navita.

Lucia was happy to get another baby and a set of log cabin blocks and Mateo was thrilled to get this flying saucer game. Merry Christmas Navita!

Oh yeah, she also got Mateo a huge lollipop...

...And Lucia got one too of course