Weekend Pics

We haven't really had any fun photos to post lately but I figured I better get on the ball and start taking some recent photos and telling everyone what our little man has been doing. For starters he is now a karate master and he walks around and kicks and punches everything while yelling "YA". He also has started running up to us and yelling "BOO" and then running off. It's so cute!!!! Last weekend we took the front rail off of his bed and turned it into a toddler bed. He's very good and getting up and down since we lowered it so we figured we'd get him started now. We went and bought a safety rail and it fits perfect so he can still climp up the end. But, he has always hated that bed for some reason and has always preferred to sleep in the pack and play...now with the front rail off he'll at least nap in it. We can't believe how big he's getting. Last but not least, our sisters have started treating him like a small puppet and teaching him the funniest things. It doesn't help that he's SO smart that it only takes one time and he knows it. Aunt Mel recently taught him to pull up his shirt when she says "where's your baby?" My kid eats so much that his stomach is constantly sticking out and he looks pregnant. We wonder how he stays so skinny. One more thing...he likes to clean. He picks up his toys willingly every night before he goes to bed and begs to help me when I clean. HALLELUJAH!!!

Nothing exciting...

We haven't posted anything lately because nothing major has occured...well, that's not entirely true. Ricardo took his karate school competition team to a tournament a couple of weeks ago and all but 3 of the 16 got 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. The following week was my 35th birthday and of course the wonderful flu and sinus infection decided to strike the night before so I spent the next 5 days trying to shake it. Then unfortunately our wonderful neighbors had a family tragedy and we have been trying to help Beryl deal with the loss of her husband of more than 60 years. It really puts into perspective what's important in life! Tonight, Ricardo and I are going on a date while Alexander stays at home with Aunt Mel. Maybe I'll take a couple of pics this weekend to post.

El Cumpleano de la Abuelita!

Sunday was Igsora's birthday so we headed out to eat Chinese and enjoy the afternoon. The food was YUMMY!!!

Fun at the park

One day when Ricardo was spending some time with his uncle, Igsora, Mieta, Alexander, and I headed down the street the beautiful park in Igsora's neighborhood. It's just gorgeous and was all decorated for Christmas. I just love the pic of Mieta pushing the stroller and then walking with Igsora and Alexander...so sweet!

Alexander's Baptism

Yesterday was Alexander's baptism here in Venezuela. We went to a beautiful church in a suburb of Valencia called San Diego...super nice area. Most of Ricardo's family came for the occasion and were so excited to be there. Ricardo's cousin Grice is the Godmother and his best friend Karl is the Godfather. Afterwards we went to Karl's parent's house and had a party and of course it's not a party in Venezuela without lots and lots of beer and lots and lots of liquor even when it's to celebrate a baptism for a 14 month old. So, in every picture you'll notice everyone is holding a drink or maybe even two. HAHA! Ricardo was really excited that both sides of his family were there and that he got to see his two best friends Kiko and Karl. This was the first time I'd met Kiko and his wife Lesley along with their son Rafeal. He is 4 months older than Alexander and just so cute. He looks just like his dad that's for sure. Lesley is American so we sat and spoke to each other for a while in English which was super nice for me that's for sure. Interestingly enough Alexander's Great Grandma and his Great Great Grandma were both at his baptism. Ricardo's Grandma is 85 his Great Grandma is 91 and both are still doing great. Alexander may not remember either of them later in life but it's so awesome that they're still around to see him and get to know him now.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! FELIZ ANO!!!

A Room With A View!

We headed to the beach on Tuesday evening for a few days of much needed relaxation. We arrived in the dark but what we woke up to was totally worth it. The place we stayed at was on the beach...when I say on the beach I mean the water sprayed our windows and we slept listening to the waves hit the rocks all night...just awesome! It's called Morrokue and it's in a small beach town called Chichirivichie (chi chi ri vi chi). It's family owned and sort of like a bed and breakfast. We fell in love immediately. Ricardo made take pictures from the hammocks that hang on the patio so my step dad could see what he'd be looking at when they come with us next time. LOL! That day we headed to the island just across the way from the hotel and it was Alexander's first Venezuelan boat ride so we hooked up his life vest and got him all ready. The ocean was really rough because of the full moon but believe it or not that kid feel asleep before we even took off. The boat was rocking so bad that even Ricardo was a little freaked out. Not Alexander. Ricardo was so mad because we'd spent an hour trying to get him to nap before we left too. Evidently he's a sea man at heart. He slept for like 2 hours on the beach on his new little towel so Ricardo and I played catch while he slept and got some rays. It was SUPER hot! Ricardo, of course, had to get some VERY fresh sea food and had me take a pic (ignore the women in the background). Alexander finally got up and we ordered some food from the cafe and then played in the water for the rest of the day. We also bought some gifts from the beach vendors including a birthday surprise for my best friend's oldest dauther. I can't wait to give it to her in April when she turns 9. A surprise from the beach...who doesn't love that! I got a new sun dress which I will be sporting when it gets hot in Indy in like 6 months. LOL. Sadly enough we had to leave yesterday morning and come back to Valencia for New Years Eve but we can't wait to go back next year for hopefully a little longer.

Lunch with the Guerreros

Some fun pics of Ricardo's dad's side of the family. We went to a country club type place on the outskirts of Valencia and had lunch with Ricardo's aunts and counsins on his dad's side of the family. Some family friends joined us...including Ricardo's old Karate coach from the National Team, Carlos (or Negro as they call him here). He brought Ricardo a full Venezuelan Team suit and he was just thrilled! Again, Alexander got a ton of gifts from his family including his first pair of real underwear which are absolutely adorable. They're little boy boxer briefs and just the sweetest things. It's hard to believe he's almost old enough to wear them. He also got lots of stuff to play with at the beach including his own beach towel. We ate traditional food...well they ate traditional food and Alexander had chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes and I had grilled chicken with mushrooms. I was definately not eating muscles, squid and whatever that had in it. EEK!

Lunch with Abuelito

We had lunch with Ricardo's dad one day this week. He was so excited to meet Alexander, he could hardly wait. The restaurant we went to was sort of like this meat place we love in Indy called Fogo de Chao but of course it was all open to the outside which was awesome. It's was call El Mason de Carne...A table of meat. And, some of you will want to ask if there was indescribable meat and the answer is no...it was all yummy and quite describable. LOL

Surprise, Surprise, Surprise!

Ricardo's sweet familyhad a HUGE surprise birthday party for Alexander. It was complete with a total Mickey Mouse theme and when I say "total" I really mean it. The walls, the tables, the cake, even the table and chair covers were in true Mickey colors. I was so surprised too...they went to SO much trouble and just showered him with gifts and love the whole time. It was pretty amazing. This was the first time he saw most of his aunts, cousins, and friends so he was a little shocked at first but immediately warmed up as soon as he saw all of the Mickeys (including a Mickey pinata) and that his family wanted to hold him the entire time. He didn't like that at all of course. HAHA! One of his best gifts was from his cousin. They have all had this Jeep truck that has been passed down since Ricardo was little. His cousins had it, he had it, his little cousins had it, now it's Alexanders. It was so precious to see that toy being passed down and Ricardo just loved it that it's his son's now. It's missing pieces and is carrying dirt from 30+ years but it's so sweet that he has it. On a much more comical note, Alexander's cousins and aunts were putting the candles in his cake and they have about 7 different birthday songs they sing and then they put these firework like candles in the cake and they sing again...this time in English. Well, one of the candles fell over and caught the table on fire. Seriously, I thought I'd be on America's funniest home videos (you'll notice the horrified look on my face). It was safely extinguished by the way!