Our Merry Christmas

Ilan's first Christmas pageant at preschool.  It was so cute seeing him sing songs I didn't know he knew. 



Nia showing off her bandaged forehead - she got 9 stitches 2 days earlier trying to avoid her nap.  She and her bedroom door had some heated words.  The door won.



Santa at Joey's work.  Ilan froze and forgot to tell Santa what he wanted.  We were lucky enough to have Santa visit our home on Christmas Eve so Ilan could tell him he wanted a plane on Christmas morning.





Ilan decorated the gingerbread all by himself ... after he ate a third of the candy.


All dolled up for Christmas Eve mass.  Loving that Nia is starting to ham it up for the camera.


Finally, Ilan and Nia will pose together for pictures, but still impossible for them to look my way at the same time!

Superman and Wonderwoman to the rescue

Nia in a nutshell

And so it begins ...

T-Ball season is here!

BANG BANG!

Cousin It no longer lives here.  In its place is a beautiful little girl with a new 'do.

Baby #3 is 20 weeks

Here's our baby half-way baked. Four and a half months more to go! He/she will remain a surprise just like big brother and sister! Baby is currently 11 oz ... just like Nia was at 20 weeks! Ilan was 13 oz. Hmmm, makes you wonder ...

Too cute!  Baby is already trying to suck its fingers!

18 months

First Day of Preschool

For weeks, I was so worried that Ilan would cry inconsolably when I left him - but darn him, he was excited and didn't even look back when I dropped him off! Geez! I guess I was the only one affected by separation anxiety.

Our Firecracker

She's super sweet and loves to blow kisses

But as she easily smiles and gives ojitos, she can quickly pout and throw herself on the floor when things don't go her way.  However loud she pops, she'll bring out the sweet smile again and make you forget all the fuss. 

After 2 hours of swimming

... and patiently waiting for dinner ...

He never made it to dinner.  Ilan was in bed by 5:30!

Introducing #3

Morning snuggle

... before their spats sprinkle the remainder of the day ...

Is it July already?

Ok, well tomorrow is officially July and the blog hiatus is officially over, for now.  So for the past month this is what's been going on to avoid the blazing heat:

Lots of pool time ...

Lots of popsicles ...


Since I didn't have any brothers growing up, I assume this is the norm ...   Nia wasn't complaining.

Breaking child labor laws?

Seriously, I wasn't punishing Ilan to clean toilets, he really wanted to. He was pleading, "Mommy, me turn.  Pleeeease."  REALLY!! Who am I to deny him!  If at age 2, cleaning bathrooms make him happy - have at it!  In fact, he can keep this chore until his teen years.  By then, I'm sure, he won't be volunteering.

And in case I broke any child labor laws, Ilan was treated to a trip to the library.

Hair no more

Ilan is ready for the summer with his new 'do. Eventhough I get to see more of my handsome boy's face with this shorter look, I MISS his long hair. It looks like I'm the only one crying over it since both sides of the family seemed overjoyed with Ilan's haircut. I swear the longer hair is gonna make a comeback once the cruel summer is over.

Cascarones and other Easter goodies

Training wheels

Ilan is officially in a big boy bike! Ilan picked out the shark bike himself and helped Daddy build it. Gotta love those Handy Manny tools!

THANK YOU to the Great-grandparents De Luna!

Nia is one!

Ok, she turned ONE two weeks ago, but barely getting the chance to do some blog lovin'. It's been a chaotic 2 weeks since we've been back from San Antonio - stomach viruses, colds, Oh My!

Here's our little lady and her big day!







More pictures to come in a few days!

11 months

this is probably the tamest bedhead she's had ...