MLV - New Year's Eve 2015

New Year's Eve is upon us and I wish I could say we have big plans set up for tonight, but we really don't. We have a really early flight out tomorrow morning so the kids have to go to sleep early and so do we. Mateo was not happy about that and there were a lot of fireworks going on around us which made for restless sleep, but that's life. Let's not dwell on what we didn't do and instead highlight what we did do - namely give Grandma some help and visit with Madrina Anissa.

Since Grandma has been nice enough to shuttle us around, it was only fair that the kids help her clean the van.

Lucia got really into it...

...And so did Mateo once he got a hold of the hose

After all of that we met up with Madrina Anissa for lunch and a little hang out time. Lucia was very happy to hang with her Madrina.

Valentina also got in some snuggle time.

Mateo, the jokester, just refused to give her a normal shot, so this is the best we got.

Old friends catching up...35 years and counting...

MLV Visit with More Cousins

Today we had to do some last minute shopping, but even better we were also going to take a trip to visit with cousins new and old.

We hit the outdoor mall, The Falls, to pick up some gifts and the kids rode (or at least pretended to ride) on the mini carousel

We went to my Auntie Viola's house to meet up with my cousin Kleber, his girl Chloe and their new baby (our new cousin) Kaleb. Yah- more babies!

MLV - Santa's Enchanted 2015

So today we did a bunch of happy sunny things, but that is not really what this post is about because this post focuses on a wonderful trip to Santa's Enchanted Forest which is a winter fair that I used to go to all of the time when I was young...memories...

When you enter Santa's there are always cool Christmas scenes set up alongside the walkway. I took this as an opportunity to get a pic of all 3 kiddos.

And of course, here was another great opportunity

Lucia really, really, really wanted to ride a pony since she is a little obsessed with being a cowgirl, so I couldn't pass this up

She's a natural...

...meanwhile, Mateo wanted to conquer what he was unable to a few years ago. He wanted to climb all the way up and ring the bell.

This time he was victorious!

The rest of the time was spent eating fair food and going on rides

Papi was in charge of any roller coaster as my neck couldn't hold up to the constant jerking 

And for those who didn't ride horses, climb walls or swoop down roller coasters? There were shows - Grandma and Freddy took Valentina to watch the Tiger performance. In the end everyone had a great time.

MLV - Miami Day 3

Another day in beautiful, sunny, warm Miami and we had a number of activities planned, namely to get in on some pool action and to visit with cousins Yves, Daniel and the new baby Anderson.

It's so nice now that the kids can handle themselves in a pool. Now I can just watch and enjoy instead of in fear :)

Both of the kids were very happy to show me their victory pool dance. Not sure where they got these moves, but they were very proud of them.

Lucia was really good at doing her "pencil dive" straight in with very little splashes

Cold but happy

Very zen moment after an afternoon of swimming

Next up - cousin time! Valentina meet baby Anderson who is almost a year younger, but also almost as big

They got along great

Cousin love - Me with Valentina, Mateo, Yves, Daniel with Anderson and Lucia

MLV 2nd Day in Miami - Trampoline

Today was our first full day in Miami.  It also happened to be a Sunday which means that it was a church day. The kids weren't that excited, but they did like the afternoon's plans with the trampoline, so all in all a very good day.

As always, I tried to capture a nice picture of the kiddos all dressed up in their best clothing - take 1

Take 2 - a little better and probably the best I am going to get before they get restless

This was one of the kids' favorite gifts - a trampoline of their very own!

It took Mommy and Papi several hours to get it set up, but...

...when we finished we finally saw some real enthusiasm...

...again...

...and again!

And finally I got my truly genuine pic.

Love them!

MLV Go to Miami Post Christmas

Yesterday Christmas, today trip to Miami...it's a very good week.

Now that everyone in the family can walk, everyone needs to carry their own weight. 

"Way to go V!"

Of course one of the first things the kids wanted to do when they got to Grandma's?

Open presents!

2nd Christmas rocks and so does 3rd and 4th :)

MLV - Christmas 2015

Ok, so today is the real day that we have been leading up to. Judging by the excitement and fervor it was a day that did not disappoint.

Look at all of the goodies Santa brought just after midnight. The kids are sound asleep in bed.

"Woohoo! Madden for PS3!"

A beautiful silk robe from Auntie Audris

Valentina was once again excited about ripping wrapping paper

A pack of bracelets...yipppee

A puzzle...one of her favorite activities

Skateboard...totally rad!

This was one of my favorite toys as a child. Oldie but goodie.

And the "piece de resistance" what every kid hopes for from Santa.

A BRAND NEW BIKE!!!!

This blow up tent with balls was one of Valentina's favorites

And after all of the shredding, ripping, tearing, prying, pulling and pushing... this is the aftermath.

"Merry Christmas to All!"

Noche Buena - 2015

Ok, tonight's the night where one of the bigger exchanges happens. We all got dolled up and headed over to Aba's to celebrate the big night with the family.

All dressed up and somewhere to go. (Please note that Lucia's American Girl Doll is in a matching dress and bow)

Another fancy girl - cousin Elena- was all smiles

Valentina in her pretty dress

This was my attempt at getting all of the grandkids/1st cousins in one picture. Clearly it was unachievable with the wiggle worm Valentina.

I did get this great shot of silly faces with Elena, Tia Raqui and Lucia

"Beep, beep!" Santa's sleigh has nothing on this ride.

Now a shot with more cousins...

...and even more cousins - Nelsito, Janzel, Michelle, Estela (in her lap), Stevie, Elena (in his lap), Melanie, Lucia, Mateo, Valentina (in his lap), Antonio and Ayden...whew...lots and lots of cousins

Speaking of cousins...take a look at these two.

Prima Mima and Eddie are all smiles

So, just when I thought we were all good, alcohol and emotion got the best of Aba

Volcano and Tornado- chillin' and playing video games until time to open the presents.

And finally its time!

Feliz Noche Buena!!