MLV Go to Yolaiki's Baby Shower

This weekend was pretty busy for the family. Yesterday, Valentina's Christening and today Yolaiki's baby shower.

Forever the surfer girl - Yolaiki's cake says it all

Lucia and Melanie were very happy to celebrate

And so were the happy expectant mother, father and grandmas

There were a lot of fun games. This one was one of my favorites because it called for men (boys) understanding what pregnant women go through. The object of the game ...for them to tie their shoes with big balloon bellies.

Not so easy is it?

Lucia won a prize by gathering the most bracelets from people. If someone said "baby" the listener had to call them on it and take their bracelet. She started off strong and then the family jumped in and helped her secure her lead. She was very pleased with herself.

The whole family was super excited to help celebrate the festive occasion

Valentina's Christening

Well today was a special day for Valentina and the whole extended Gonzalez, Vielot, Chisholm family. Today was little Valentina's Christening. All in all it was a great day (a smidge sad for me because I miss my dad - Papa Fofo on these types of special occasions)and we were so happy to have friends and family help us celebrate this spiritual milestone.

 Auntie Audris (aka Valentina's Madrina) flew in for this special day

And of course so did Grandma

Lucia and Mateo were happy to have the company...Valentina was getting sick of pictures (little did she know she had a full day of pix ahead of her)

After arriving at the church late, we finally got the ceremony started. 

V seemed to take really well to Pastor Desir

She didn't even cry when he blessed her with the holy water

Proud parents

And godparents - Leo and Auntie Audris

Grandparents and siblings

Vielot-Gonzalez clan 

After the ceremony we headed over to Don Pepe for a little lunch celebration

Valentina got to spend time with other members of the family - like Grandma Cons

Cousins Yvonne, Katherine and Jimmy

 Ryan and Sean

Navita, and cousins Ayden and Antonio (and way in the background you can see the Chisholm -Greene bunch)...very good showing. And a wonderful day. 

Sibling Snuggles

Everyday, I wake up and recognize how lucky I am to have such a great family. And even when they are frustrated and battling one another,  they can always think of times like these...

...they will always have each other.

Sibling Love

Lucia Has a Mega Girl Play Date

So Lucia has play dates all of the time and she is normally really happy about them, but today she was super excited because she was going to have a mega play date with a number of her favorite friends from class.

Lucia, Lally, Clare, Lea and Valentina first enjoyed an afternoon of coloring...

...and later got super fabulous playing dress up in some of Lucia's fairy and princess gowns.

"Girls Rule!"

Valentina Turns 9 Months

It is amazing what 1 month can do, each time we take a picture of Valentina she looks different. What has stayed the same is she is still a happy active baby and we couldn't be any luckier. 

Happy 9 Months V!

Lucia Gets Her High White

Lucia has been waiting for this day for months and months and it seemed like it was never going to happen, but alas...today Lucia was promoted from white to high white.

Sensei always has Lucia demonstrate splits...

...and stretches to the class. We have no idea where she gets her flexibility.

Lucia Gets High White

So proud of Miss Lucia

The Kids Wish Grandma a Very Special Birthday

Today is Grandma's birthday...and we would like to think of it as a milestone although we will not divulge which one. Since we couldn't be there, the kids wanted to send her a special message.

Mateo's serenade

Lucia's message - short and sweet