Bummer!

Our computer broke so I can't post pictures or anything for a bit. Sorry! Happy New Year to all and to all a goodnight...for now!

Merry Christmas...kind of

This Christmas season was a mix of all that life means and has to offer...loss, love and life. With the passing of two family members and a good family friend we entered the season with heavy hearts and thoughts of others in their grief, as well as our own. But life is also about celebrating living. Picking out our Christmas tree, setting up decorations, seeing Santa and spending time with family reminded us about the beauty of life that continues on after others end their journey. All in all it was a reflective, tough yet joyous time for us...proof that more than one thing can exist at the same time and all can be true.

On Christmas day we headed outside as big flakes dropped and I could hardly contain myself! The snow was wet and heavy...perfect for building a snowman.

We decided that the front of Summit House was the perfect spot for our "man" and thought the rest of the residents of our condo would enjoy our front yard decoration! We even put eyes, one of great-grandma's knit hats and a carrot for the nose!

After this we realized at around 3pm that Angel's wallet was missing and spent most of Christmas day turning our house over looking for it. By 6pm all credit cards had been cancelled and we were just starting to accept the $400.00 charge for a new INS Green Card. It was a real downer but we tried to stay upbeat for Ignacio. At 8pm with the winds beginning to whip I told Angel I was going to take the garbage down and, with a broom, look out on the street in the snow one more time for wallet, thinking that it dropped out of my lap the night before. I knew the plows would be coming through and after that all hope would be lost. As I hit the street I moved the broom through piles of thick snow and puddles with no luck. I crossed the street and began my best to find it when, all of a sudden I saw something black and shiny. There it was, wet as can be but in tact! Christmas saved!

On Christmas day Ignacio woke up at 5:40am and there was NO coaxing him back to bed so we trudged out the living room where we had his present from "Nino Jesus" (baby Jesus) waiting for him. It was a big semi with 20 matchbox cars inside! Here we are snuggling on the couch.

The 24th we headed over to Krissy's house for a dinner with more family. We all chipped in and in the end had a really nice meal, laughed a lot and watched the kids rip open their presents with excitement.

"Baby Adia" (as Ignacio calls her) was happy as a little buttercup on the 24th in her little pink tights. She gave auntie more smiles than I can count, runny nose and all.

This year at Macy's holiday display Ignacio was a bit more suspicious of Santa and, while he didn't cry, he certaintly wouldn't let him touch him! He slept good that night so it wasn't too traumatizing!

Matrimonio

Sr. Angel cried the whole way down and so did everyone else. It was so beautiful!

Henry's two boys...Ignacio loved them!

All smiles!

The reception hall.

Dancing the night away!

Ignacio is reaching for the squeeky frog the photographer is using to make him look his way. Little does he know that Ignacio isn't just going to look at it...he WANTS it! After the picture Ignacio was crying because he wanted the frog and all of Angel's aunts started chanting in Spanish, "Frog, frog, frog" so that the photographer would give it to him, which he did!

Our family...

Now is this model material or what? So beautiful!

Marlenita seeing her dad for the first time in his Navy uniform. There was not a dry eye in the house!

In Memorium...

Panama!!!

This is the bus that was sent by Henry's family to take us an hour out of the city to their beach home.

Miguel and Henry's father, Joe.

Just one view from their backyard of the golf course on the property. Roger...looking for a vacation.????

Swimming with abuela in the backyard pool at the beach house. At the end of the day we took the golf cart to the private beach on the ocean and picked up shells and enjoyed the waves.

Because our apartment was downtown in Panama City we walked around to see the sights. Here we are at our favorite eat spot.

We decided to take a boat ride to an island for the day. The trip was one hour long but the sun was hot! Miguel and Angel ran to get two of the only four umbrellas being sold at the beach.

On the island there were very few places to eat but we managed to take a walk to get out of the sun. Ignacio fell asleep...finally!

Cristian and Ignacio taking their first walk as nudists on the beach. Ignacio spent the whole day in the sand and, with it almost 100 degrees out we had to keep bringing him under the shade.

This was Tuesday night at Henry's parent's home. A very formal affair with waiters, paella served for dinner and good conversation.

The indigenous of Panama sew these beautiful clothes. I bought one that represents fertility and women to remember being pregnant on the trip. This is the woman who made it. Now all I have to do it find a frame.

Here we are celebrating the birthday of Ignacio, Senor Angel and Miguel. Their birthdays are three days in a row! Ignacio was very focused on the cake and waited patiently as we all sang "Cumpleanos Feliz" three times.

Abuelos got Ignacio a fire truck!! Notice how tense his body is with excitement!

The three generations cutting the cake together. It was so special to be able to celebrate with family from far and wide. I cried as we sang because it was so overwhelming to be surrounded by people from this part of who Ignacio is. It was a reminder and reinforcer to me as a mom to kindle and nourish his Venezuelan self and never, ever let him forget who he is.

Here we are at.....guess where???.... A MALL! This is Angel's aunt who was in town for the wedding. Ignacio was passed out.

Henry and Marlene the day after the wedding.

Just some of Angel's aunts who were in town for the wedding. Some he hadn't seen in 15 years. So special to be together and laugh!

Abuela pretended he was a lion and Ignacio would get on top of him and they would snuggle.

Snuggle time with Tia Marlene!

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YOHOOO who's two?

Ignacio celebrated his second birthday a week early with his friends and family in the U.S. before jetting off to Panama to whoop it up with his family down there. It was so fun to have such a great mix of people to laugh with. Ignacio spent the entire party with ALL his cousins. The best part was the "dance-off" which he and Adriana as a couple clearly won. Cutting the cake shortly after he almost burned his eye brows off when trying to blow them out. Mama and Papa helped out as to avoid a 911 call.

Ignacio got so many great, diverse gifts including this electric guitar from Tio Miguel and Tia Maria. Among the other gifts... markers, a choo-choo train set, books, puzzles, a plastic food set, a BIG sled and a music set.

He got really focused as we sang.

Our neighbor made this cupcake tower, which, if I were a good suburban mom I would have made. It was so beautiful and a total hit!

Hey, you guys ate all those chips! Addison also spent 15 minutes alone in a corner hiding trying to open a bag of Teddy Grahams.

Ignacio's cake...keeping in line with our transportation theme. Thanks Tia Casey!