Valentina is a Jersey Girl

So as much as I can deny it, hide it or even fight it, I do live in New Jersey...

...and this is the proof. My very own Jersey Girl. 

Introducing Tiny Tina in Leopard-print pants

Mateo Starts Basketball

So Mateo had been waiting for this moment since last year. You may wonder what moment I am talking about...well he has been waiting to be able to play on his school's basketball team. Last year we didn't let him play because we felt he had too much going on. This year he has even more going on, but he is managing pretty well, so we let him give it a shot.

He couldn't be happier!

Today was their team's first game...here they are during warm ups

Practicing shooting is obviously very important for the game

They fought hard, but unfortunately this game ended in a loss. Better luck next time guys!

Valentina Turns 7 Months & Lucia Shorns Papi

Today was good for two reasons...

...First reason, Valentina turned 7 months

Second reason - Papi finally decided to shave off that awful beard and Miss Lucia helped him

Lucia gave him a nice, close shave. Hooray! Mountain man is gone!

MLV Chill At Home

Not too much to report today. Just a regular, ordinary, normal day...and that's ok:)

Lucia had some time on the computer and her sis wanted to join her ...

...later Mateo wanted to watch some TV and his sis wanted to join him

MLV Celebrate Aba & Abu's 40th Anniversary

Today there was so much to celebrate. The first and most important was Abu and Aba's 40th Anniversary. Some more great things to celebrate are - it is Auntie Audris's birthday. More stuff, all the 1st cousins got to spend some quality time with each other.

At Aba's Lucia was very happy to wear her fancy dress while Valentina just "hung around"

All of the big kids (including Elena) helped out and shredded lettuce for the salad.

The newest generation

After 40 wonderful years together, Aba and Abu have 2 great, successful adult children...

...And 4 lovely grandchildren

"Happy Anniversary from all of us!!"

MLV Get a Fun Visit from Max & Maddie

Today was a super fun, very exciting day! Why, you ask? Because we were getting a visit from our West Coasters...Jess, Sam, Maddie and Max! Hooray!!

Max apparently has a thing for babies, so he was ready, willing and able to snuggle with Baby V

The kids got down to business making markers and drawing pictures

There was an interlude, Lucia took a break from the play date to attend Vivy's 6th Birthday Party at Diamond Gymnastics

Ok now back to the play date. Mateo shared the comic book he has been writing with Maddie, who seemed genuinely interested.

Jess also had to sneak in a little snuggle...now we see where Max gets it

Later we all headed to Ant's house where the 5 year-olds re-created their famous baby circle. Max, Aiden and Lucia were happy to oblige us

The big ones felt left out so they had their own older sibling photo

What is cooler than having a playroom in the basement? Having a swing in the playroom in the basement. Word!?!

MLV - Happy New Year's Day - 2015

So after a long night at Aba and Abu's house the family slept in a little on New Year's Day. When everyone finally did get up and eat we decided to stay in and play with some Christmas gifts.

Valentina was fascinated the most by the Christmas wrapping paper

Papi helped Lucia learn how to use her new sewing machine

Look at her go!