Tio Cesar & Tia Stacie Wedding Weekend Pt.1

So I forgot to post about our 5 days down in Miami for Tio Cesar's wedding. I am posting now, but the dates are incorrect. We flew down on Wednesday June 8th, so when I write "today" on this posting I am actually referring to June 8th, not June 19th.

Today we landed in Miami to kick-off Tio Cesar's wedding festivities. As a bonus we also got to visit with Grandma. Abuelo Julio was having a little pre-wedding celebration at his house, so we packed up the mini-van (thanks Grandma) and headed to Hialeah.

Once we arrived, the kids got into their bathing suits and hung out by the lake with Tia Stacie. It was Lucia's first time on a "beach", so she was a little tentative.

After a while she warmed up to the idea and went in with Mateo

Where he proceeded to soak her

Later, cousin Alejandro came over and the threesome played a game of throw-the-sand-in-the-water. This game ended abruptly when Alejandro accidentally threw sand into Mateo's eyes.

After the sand play, Lucia had some quality time with Abuelo Julio

The happy couple, Tia Stacie and Tio Cesar share a dance. "What were they dancing to you ask?

The mariachi band of course

Everybody, including Abuelo Julio and Abuela Tonia, got into it

Aba and crew even helped out with the singing

A "Super Mariachi"

Tia Stacie was so happy to have her family also show up to the Gracia festivities

Papi Gets an iPhone

Of course I was the one who has wanted an iPhone since it was first launched and each year there was a rumor that it was soon coming to Verizon and every year I was disappointed to find out it was not to be. Last year I finally gave in and stopped waiting and got a Droid. Of course that meant that this year Verizon finally got the iPhone. Eddie never understood what the big deal was and stuck with his Blackberries. Well all that has changed. He just got an iPhone.

And with it comes the power of clear pictures on-the-go

M&L Celebrate John's 5th Birthday

Today Mateo and Lucia went to BounceU to celebrate John's (neighbor from our building) 5th birthday. It is not the first time Mateo has been here, but I do think it is the first time he discovered how cool it is. Lucia also got to enjoy it for the first time.

Mateo tries to take a shot with an extra large basketball

Papi and Lucia race down the bouncy slide together

Lucia tries her best to balance on the super-sized basketball

Mateo catches air

More bouncing...Lucia bounces around on this purple horse

"Wheeeeeee!!!"

Papi and Lucia enjoy some time in the bouncy house

Lucia was fascinated with the water fountain and spent 10 minutes pressing the button and giggling

Lucia goes down solo...the blur of the picture reflects the speed of her descent

"Everyone say Cheeeese!!!"

Mateo & Papi Father's Day Karate

Today Papi and Mateo got to share in something they both love - Karate. TSK was hosting a Father's Day session for kids and their dads.

Papi practices his kicks while Mateo bravely holds the target

At the end, the kids gave their Father's cool straw hats ( as you can see, Mateo promptly took it as his own)

"Cheeeeeese! Cool Dads Rule!!!"

Mateo & Papi Celebrate a Father's Day Breakfast

Today Papi went to Mateo's Pre-K class for a Father's Day breakfast. From what I heard, the showing was not as good as Mother's Day, but that didn't matter to Mateo because his Papi did show up - what a good Dad.

"Happy Father's Day Papi!"

M&L Scoot & Stroll with Lucas & Alma

Well you know it is summer when the kids of Hoboken all of a sudden lose the ability to walk and can only scoot from one place to the next. Today was a fairly ordinary day filled with lots of scootering around the streets of Hoboken having fun.

Lucas and Mateo are the best scooting buddies

"Cheeeeeeeeeeese!"

"Alright let's blow this joint! Catch you later."

"One day that will be me"

"And me too, but for now we will keep on strolling"

M&L Have Cute Friends

Today Mateo and Lucia had some close buddies over for a play date. I could tell from the photos that they had fun, but I also realized that we are not the only people in the neighborhood blessed with adorable children. I guess cute kids hang out with other cute kids.

Mateo, Lucas and Matthew hangin' on the sofa

Not to be outdone, the cutest ladies about town also got some hang time on the couch with Toy Story's Woody

And the topper...the cherubic Miss Lily