Mr. Mateo Goes to Washington

So a few weeks ago I had to go on a business trip to Chicago. Instead of Mateo staying home and wondering where I was, he and Papi decided to go visit Tia Raqui-Caqui and Tio Jon in Washington D.C. Since I wasn't there most of what is listed below is hearsay, but I trust my sources.

Tia and Tio pose with Mateo in front of the Capitol

Mateo explores one of Papi's favorite places...the Botanical Gardens

From what I hear, some of the plant life suffered under curious fingers that loved to pluck

Papi poses with Mateo

In front of the Capitol again...Mateo is exhausted at the thought of how much work has to go on in there

Cheesy smile for the camera

The crew heads for the zoo. This is the Cheetah exhibit which Mateo did not want to leave because he thought it was Baby Jaguar

Tia poses in front of the elephants

Mateo grips on to Tio Jon as they ride the DC Metro

Tia embraces her inner child while Mateo plays follow the leader

USVI

So the vacation to the US Virgin Islands that I had been waiting for and looking forward to has passed. We went last weekend and it was excellent. The weather was amazing, the wedding was beautiful and the family had an overall great time.

Papi, Mami and Mateo at the wedding posing in front of a gorgeous sunset backdrop

Mateo strolling on the beach with Mami

Mateo and Papi share a moment on the beach

The moment is over...Mateo is off and running again

 

Mateo on our first full day. You can see he is being very cautious about the water, but enjoying it nonetheless

Take 2 - Cowboy Mateo runs around the beach with more courage this time

Cabin Fever - Part 4

Today was the Annual Cabin Fever Festival in Hoboken. The Hoboken Family Alliance puts it together at the Elks Club and there are activities and entertainment for kids of all ages. It was a good time as you can see from the images below. Mateo has now been to two kiddie concerts - Polka Dot last summer and today he saw the Fuzzy Lemons.

Ticklefest with Papi

Mateo and Papi jamming to the beats

The Fuzzy Lemons rocking it out

Mateo playing with a giraffe-print ball - you can see that he doesn't want to give it up

Cabin Fever - Part 3

We should consider ourselves lucky because we had visitors and new toys to break up the monotony of being inside all winter.

Tio Cesar came over to visit and Mateo was so happy to have a new playmate who was willing to play catch.

Mateo is now the coolest kid in town with his new bike which he likes to call "motorcycle"

Abuelo came over to play and help Mateo with one of his favorite past times - putting together puzzles

This picture was too cute not to put in. This is Mateo sporting his Abuelo's Italian made hat

Cabin Fever - Part 2

 

This video was too funny not to post. We hadn't even seen it until we downloaded it and then we managed to figure out that he is watching "Lazy Town" and is dancing and singing along with the characters. It is a little longer than the other videos, but totally worth it.

Cabin Fever 2009 - Part 1

So since this winter has been colder than normal the Vielot-Gonzalez clan has been a little bit stir crazy. This is a first in a multi-part series called Cabin Fever. The images below may seem a little familiar, but they are actually rejects from his Valentine's Card. We had this "pop-out-of-your-surprise-box" photo shoot and while the little one looked adorable, the background was not so cute.

"HI MOMMY!"

"Surprise!"

"Hey there"

"Cheese!"

First Big Snow 2009

This scene took place in early January during the first big snow of the season. You can see Mateo is enjoying himself. I, on the other hand, was counting down the minutes until it was time to go back in. I guess snow isn't as much fun when you're a grown up...or maybe I was just really really cold.