We were fortunate to be able to head down to Florida to visit Cuban Daddy's family & some time away before school started. Thanks for the timeshare deal, Noni & Popi!! We had such a great time catching up and hanging out together. Please keep CD's dad ("Papi" or "Abuelo") in your prayers. His health has really deteriorated the past couple of years. :(
We try to get down there whenever we can now.
*** To see pics of our road trip & ideas to keep little ones busy, see previous post.***
Grabbing lunch before we meet up with Daddy for the road trip down:
We have super light sleeping kiddos (like their mama...whoops), but knew that they'd need to sleep in the same room w/ us this week. We were a bit nervous about how this would go, but we were happily surprised! They slept on their little pallets, thru their Daddy's loud snoring (what?! ha) and their Mommy's late night bedtime. Still waking at 6:00 am seemed like a success to us.
The "before"
The "after"
They were thrilled to get to see their Abuelo for the first time in a long time:
K getting tickled & G's first guitar lesson!
Our niece and nephew are so sweet, and great with G & K!
Love this one: intense lizard scouting.
Lots of puzzles, books, and baby doll play going on here.
My SIL or "Tia". CD & his Mami
"The guys": CD's brother, his Dad, & CD himself
They're too sweet!
Be jealous. Be so jealous.
His Mami's food is so amazing...better than any of the Cuban restaurants we have tried. I mean, seriously. And G ate all of my *bananas*...and whoever elses she could sweet talk into sharing!(*Okay, super 'American' just now, I know. I just can't think of the names of the two different kinds we had, and don't want to mess them up.) Platanos & ...?
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We were with family nearly the whole time, but we did have one night to visit one of my friends/former coworkers who was also in the area.
It was fun to meet her cute new baby, and the kids were instant buddies.
It's possible that one of us got entirely too much sun that day. I'll let you decide.
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And, again, the opportunity came up to swing by a friends house on the way to Cuban Daddy's parents'. We had a quick lunch together, and were able to meet their little man too.
Again, instant buds w/ the kiddos.
And, as for these two guys? As fate would have it, they showed up in the EXACT same T-shirt. And of course they were thrilled to have this moment documented & publicized. ;)
The college days are SO over. But how great is this?!
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My sweet in-laws, enjoying watching the family play in the pool.
She's gotten brave this summer!
When in the pool, she lives in these goggles!
And gets the little red raccoon eyes.
mmmm...so sweet.
Mr. "I'm a big boy."
Fun with big cousin J
Toddlers ate MORE than the adults. Swimming is hard work!
Loved our poolside picnic
The fam (minus Papi/Abuelo, nephew J, and me)
Proud Mami with 2 of her boys. Love this shot.
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I was dying to go to the beach one day...
(and it was fun that our niece J was able
to spend the day with us!)
I will not forget days like this.
They had the best time running to and from the ocean, playing together, and laughing. Ahh, it was THE best.
Daddy & cousin J built this cool pool!
I was attempting the sun burn tan, while the kids ran to me to tell me all that was happening...then back to Daddy in the ocean. They were so excited.
SO proud of himself for putting the goggles on himself.
Love. this. kid!
My most handsome little guy
He wanted on my back while we were playing in the ocean at the end of the trip. He stayed like this, completely motionless, the whole time. Just so relaxed. Oh man, it was awesome. I was soaking it in...and apparently, so was he.
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We weren't able to do Disney this year. And that's okay b/c (1) My kids don't know the place exists. And YES, we're trying to keep it that way for a while! (2) We're saving money. (3) We don't think they'll remember it. (4) Neither of them are comfortable around 'mascot' types (aka: the Chickfila cow in person causes trembling terror in both!), so we're not thinking a bunch of those walking around would go over too well. (5) More family time.
All that said, we did decide to drive to Downtown Disney for a little taste of the fun!
And they seemed excited...although skeptical...of these guys!
And the "So, they're twins, right?" questions continued... Asked ALL the time. And when we answer that they're 20 months apart, you should see the looks we get.
It's hilarious. Like they think we're lying.
Overall, they enjoyed Downtown Disney! Cuban Daddy and I, however, swore to each other we were NOT coming back in the summer heat.
He nearly melted...it was a close one.
I was able to hang out w/ my beautiful niece one night...just the girls. She's so fun!
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We really had a nice time with Cuban Daddy's family. They are so kind and loving and fun. I love seeing pieces of what his life was like growing up, and what (& who) has helped shape him into the man he is today. A man I know his parents are so proud of. What I loved most about this trip is the special time that G & K got to spend with their Abuelo, Abuela, and rest of the family. This trip, more than any in the past, I can see the kids 'soaking it all up.'
My husband, his parents, and my babies. What a great photo!
One of Cuban Daddy's brothers, M, and his amazing family!
Us
Ahh, fantastic!
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...And I'll leave you w/ a couple of random shots of the kids being their fun, cute selves on the trip:
Monsters in Mommy's shoes..............................................."Playing iPad"
Ready for a swim...the day G learned to swim underwater!!!!!..........Wearing blanket 'dresses'
And, finally, the long journey home. Lots of driving, a couple videos, lots of Mommy-Pinteresty created games, sleep (ha, gotcha again...This didn't happen, people!), stops for potty & food & of course "We need to stretch our legs!".
This photo is of CD walking the kids FAR away on one of our meal stops as there was a super crazy old country guy all over us...and our car (practically IN our car!)...and asking us a million questions...trying to tickle the kids...yeah, all kinds of creepy.
"I'm good, honey. I'll just hang here w/ this guy, make up lies about where we're headed,
and try not to be touched. Thanks." ~ Georgia Peach
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And we're back home.
And caught up on laundry and dishes. (Nope, not lying this time.)
And G's school starts this week. (It's possible I'll cry.)
And I'm about to prep our I-600A packet in hopes of getting it in the mail.
"Hip, hip, hooray!" as K would did yell.
~ 6 in Love ~
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