M&L Go to the Most Magical Place on Earth

Well today was one of the days I have been waiting for since first having a child. Yes there are birthdays and holidays and first steps and first words and this is right up there with all of them. Today was going to kick off the kids' very first trip to Disney World! We decided given their age and the changes that were going to take place in the next year, this holiday would be the perfect gift for them. In the end though, I think I may have been a tad more excited than they were. 

The gate agents were in cahoots with us and helped us surprise the kids. You can see from their reaction they were apprehensive, surprised, disappointed, happy and confused. Not the reaction I was hoping for, but I think once it settled in they were very excited.

Lucia sporting Jet Blue wings...I didn't know they still gave these things out

The pilots even let the kids hang out in the cockpit for a bit before we took off

And they were very happy to see who was waiting for them in Orlando...Grandma!!!

"Ahhh...this is the life" Clearly they were happy with our accommodations at the Polynesian Resort

After we unpacked, Lucia got changed into one of her many princess outfits and we headed to Epcot

The kids were in awe of this mega aquarium

"oooohhhh ahhhhh"

Mateo didn't mind hanging out in the mouth of a shark...

...And neither did Lucia and who is that? Another surprise guest...Elena!

Later on we went to dinner with a myriad of princesses and the rest of our party including Aba, Grandma, Tia Raqui, Elena and Princess Belle

Lucia also met with Snow White, 

Sleeping Beauty

Mary Poppins

And Cinderella

After catching up with the big princesses our little princesses enjoyed a meal together...

...And with the rest of the family. What a great first day.

M&L Christmas 2013

Yesterday was great and we kept the Christmas spirit going today as well. From the looks of it, Santa managed to find our apartment and was pretty generous again this year.

Lucia was still beat after Noche Buena, but that did not stop her from crawling out of bed pretty early  to make her way downstairs and wait for the gift opening to begin.

Mateo was also wiped, but ready to go, soooo...let's go

Let the shredding begin!

Mateo was very happy to get most of what was on his Christmas list

Lucia was also quite satisfied

They even got a shared Magnatiles gift from Santa. All in all it was a great morning and a great day. Now, time to pack for our trip to Florida tomorrow.

M&L Celebrate Noche Buena - 2013

"Yahhhh!"  Today is Noche Buena also called Christmas Eve and it is a very important night on both sides of the family. Since this year's celebration is scheduled to be in New Jersey, we got ourselves ready and headed over to Aba and Abu's to celebrate with the rest of the family.

Miss Lucia was ready in her party dress from Aba (Elena is also in the background sporting her Christmas dress from Aba)

There was a good showing from the whole family. Lucia had some girl time with Tia Stacie and Mima

The kids table is getting bigger and bigger every year

Cousins galore...the kids were ready for midnight...

...and let the present opening begin. It was a whirlwind

And this is the aftermath...job well done. Tomorrow will be another day of presents, afterall Santa still hasn't come

M&L Have an Early Christmas with Navita

Christmas is drawing near and today was the last day of work for Mommy and Papi. It was also Navita's last day before the New Year, so we had our own mini celebration and gift exchange with her.

She hit the nail on the head with this new Skylander for Mateo...she also gave him cash which is always a big hit

Lucia got this baby Ana (from Frozen) doll

Mommy also got a nice bag and Papi got a stylish tie. 

"Merry Christmas Navita! See you next year"

M&L Celebrate Elena's 1st Birthday

Today was a special day in the Gonzalez household. We were very excited to gather at Aba and Abu's house to celebrate cousin Elena's first birthday.

Here is the star herself with her Mama, Tia Raqui Caqui

There were lots of activities that some of the kids enjoyed - like parachute

The older kids were too cool for school and partially participated by holding onto the parachute while sitting in the corner...

....and then they let it go

The younger kids enjoyed the magic...

So did the birthday girl

And now for a picture montage - Elena with her Papi and Mami

Elena with her Tio and Mami

Elena with her cousin Lucia

Elena in the dress her mother wore when she turned 1

Elena with her extended family - Abu, Tio, cousin Mateo, Papi Jon, Mami, cousin Melanie, Tia, and Aba

All the kids, big and little, wanted to participate during pinata time

Elena was happy to get a helping hand from cousins Melanie and Lucia

M&L Set Up for Christmas

As the season progresses, the Vielot-Gonzalez clan started to prepare for Christmas.

To begin, Mateo needed to wrap up his Christmas list to Santa. Please note that the items with stars next to them are the most important items Mateo wanted from Santa. We told him that sometimes Santa needs kids to prioritize.

And of course after decorating the tree, the kids were required to take their annual picture in front of their finished work of art

And a closeup of their silly faces

Later, Lucia got a music lesson on the sax from Papi

Her first instruction...

Now watch her go it alone...watch out Kenny, make way for Lucia G. !

M&L Celebrate Santka Lucia

Well this is the second half of a very busy day. The first half was piano, soccer and a birthday party and  now the evening end of our day will be dedicated to celebrating Santka Lucia. A Swedish winter  holiday that celebrates light. How very appropriate that we have our very own Lucia. We headed over to celebrate.

Lucia and Alma were having a grand time outside making snow angels

Besties!