M&L New Year's Eve 2013

Today was the last day of 2013 and we were lucky enough to get to spend it with friends and family who we love. 

During the day we had lunch with Papa Fofo where Miss Lucia impressed him with her drawing skills (which she gets from her Mama)

Of course jokester Mateo couldn't resist doing bunny ears in this family photo

Later that evening we headed over to Abuelo Julio's house for a Cuban New Year's Eve celebration. And yes that is a roast pig wearing a fedora...what can I say ...they are Cuban

Although not feeling 100%, Tia Raqui and cousin Elena came out for the celebration as well. Poor Tio Jon was too sick to make it.

Miss Lucia found these accessories to ring in the new year in style

Mister Mateo chose to hang outside and watch the fireworks.

We had a wonderful ending to 2013, so here's hoping 2014 is just as good.

Happy 2014! 

M&L Arrive in Miami

So yesterday's drive from Orlando was the longest commute ever. We had a great time at Animal Kingdom and then as we were leaving the hotel the car battery died. We got a temporary jump that took us to a Walmart that was nearby where we had to buy a new battery. Walmart was so packed that we could not wait for a mechanic so Freddie and Eddie decided to do it themselves. It got dark, really rainy and we only had a flashlight. It took a long time but we finally got home by midnight. The kids passed out on our way to Miami, so this morning the woke up at Grandma's! Yahhhh!

 Of course they woke up bright and early to see what Grandma got them for Christmas - Skylanders of course and Lucia got a fashion bust to style

 Lucia wanted to go riding on last year's Christmas gift - a tricycle

 And Mateo did an excellent job as well

 Later they squeezed in some pool time where Lucia let her hair down

 And they did the funky dance

Lucia has gotten much better and braver with her swimming. Look at her go

And this is the famous "Funky Dance"

Later we met up with Yves (aka Lucia's Padrino), Kleber (not pictured) where surprise, surprise she fell asleep. It seems to be a trend this vacation we are really wearing her out. It was a great day.

M&L Disney World Day 4 - Animal Kingdom

Today was regrettably our final day in Disney World. So what was the plan? Well to visit Animal Kingdom of course. Then we were off on our drive down to Miami for the remainder of our winter break.

 I didn't get to go on the safari because it was apparently marked as too bumpy for a woman in my condition, but Eddie was kind enough to capture their fun times.

This Rhino looks as tired as I feel.

 Lucia, Mateo and Aba all had fun on the safari

 There were all types of animals - deers

 Hippos

 And elephants

 Next we headed to a safari brunch with Mickey and friends. Here is Mateo in the conga line around the restaurant.

 They got to meet new characters they hadn't seen like Daisy

 And some familiar ones like Mickey

 I guess Mateo was not too impressed with Donald

 But Goofy was his boy

 Later the kids joined me on a walking tour where we got to see this gorilla up close...cool!

 Later, Mateo and Eddie went to Expedition Everest and Lucia and I went to go "see" the Lion King, but little Miss Lucia slept through the entire rather loud show

So long Simba, so long Animal Kingdom and so long Disney World

M&L Disney Day 3 - Hollywood Studios

Day 3 in Disney World started very early. We had a scheduled breakfast with Lilo, Stitch and friends and then it was off to Hollywood Studios.

Lilo with Mateo and Lucia

They also got to pose with Stitch (and as you can see Mateo had a little Stitch with him as well)

Pluto stopped by too

And of course the main mouse himself - Mickey Mouse!

Our first ride- Tower of Terror - which was one of Lucia's favorites. She said at first it was scary but then it was a lot of fun when she got tickles in her stomach. She also barely made this on the height scale, but the hair helped out.  I again was not able to go.

I was able to go on this one - Toy Story 3D ride which was Lucia's 2nd favorite ride

Next we hit Disney Jr Live show where we saw Sofia the First

Jake and the Neverland Pirates

And Mateo got to catch gold fluttering coins released from the rafters

Later Mateo and Papi went Star Tours - Lucia was too short and I was too preggers.

Both Lucia and Mateo had gift cards which she spent on these mouse ears

And Mateo spent it on Perry the Platypus, Stitch and 3 peas in a pod

Oh yeah, and also massive lollipops 

For dinner we met up with the family and also dined with the cast of Cinderella where Lucia posed with Prince Charming

Cinderella

Elena and Cinderella

The Evil Stepmother who was hilarious

Ugly Stepsisters - Drucilla

And Anastasia (who got in a big brawl with her sister and asked Lucia if she ever fought with her brother to which Lucia replied "no" ahem)

After dinner, Lucia and Elena posed in front of a massive Christmas tree in the lobby of the hotel

And Abu and Mateo posed with crazy silly faces. Earlier in the evening Mateo had been reprimanded for making a silly face during a family photo, so Abu told him he would do crazy faces with him later.

Elena also wanted to get into the silly face action

M&L Disney Day 2 - Magic Kingdom

Today was our second day of our Magical stay in Disney World and I can say it was definitely one of the busiest and most tiring. The reason? Because today was when we were going to go to the Magic Kingdom and there was lots to do and lots to see.

 One of the first rides of the day - Thunder Mountain. This was one of my favorites growing up, but unfortunately given my state I was unable to ride. This did not stop the other 3...Lucia barely made it in on the 40" mark (to tell the truth I think her bun had a lot to do with this)

 I was advised that a stroller was necessary for any kid under the age of 8 and I have to say given all of the walking we did it is the truth. I don't know if Mateo would have survived. Who knew I would still have children in a double stroller at this state.

 Another favorite of mine - Splash Mountain...this was the before picture

 This was the big splash drop...

 ...And this was after. Soaking wet and happy!

 Next we went to Belle's castle for lunch.

 We dined and Mateo had dessert

 While Lucia took a nap

 The nap re-energized her for the 2nd part of the day...Bippity Boppity Boo Boutique, where she got to start her transformation into a real princess for the day. First the outfit - Rapunzel

 Next she was set up in her salon chair and introduced to her fairy godmother

Then there was some hair combing,

 Bun forming,

 Crown adding,

 Nail polishing,

 And some smiling

 Cousin, Elena, was also happy to participate and watch the transformation

 Now for the finishing touches some face jewelry, magic pixy dust,

 Some more smiling and....drum roll please......

 The big reveal. You can see by Lucia's expression in the mirror that she was truly surprised. This was the first time she was seeing herself and she couldn't believe it.  I almost cried ( I know I am a wimp)

Princess Lucia

 After the transformation, Lucia actually sat for a 30 minute photo session and never broke a smile. I was shocked

 Aba added more accessories with white gloves and shoes for the princess

 Princess Elena was dressed as Snow White

 I think Elena was also mesmerized by Lucia's transformation

 And finally big bro Mateo got to see his sister's new look 

 The long day left a lot of people tired - Abu

 And Freddie napped during dinner

 And now for the 3rd and last part of the day - the lighting of the castle 

 And the Electric Parade down Main Street

 The kids had a great time

But even big boy Mateo couldn't last the whole day without knocking out...whew