in no particular order...

 Food truck Fridays have become a regular happening around here...

flank steak grilled cheese sandwich.  

Biscuit starts asking on Tuesday if we 'go to food trucks now Mama"

A couple weeks ago on a random Sunday we took the kids to Grandfather Mountain.  Everyone returned home in one piece (though I aged about 10 years).

family hike.  marcus was a nervous wreck.  i was prepared for someone to bash their head in and bleed to death on a rock.  we made it about a mile before turning back. 

gorgeous weather.  the kids have been obsessed with going again and keep asking about the mountains.  must be the latent Andean genetics.

the mile-high bridge.  also known as the "swinging bridge" (for good reason).  also known as "where mama nearly died of fright when javier decided to race across it".  there are some boulders you can climb to go to the overlook (sans barrier).  javier was incredibly pissed that we didn't let him go.

These chuckle-heads have started 3 day 2's at St. John's Preschool with Ms. Josey & Ms. Teresa

They love school and are annoyed on Mondays and Fridays when they don't go.  Javier especially loves it.  They have lots of friends from last year in their class and were just invited to their first birthday party solo (as in not as Emi's tagalong brothers).  They are un-potty-trained and, as evidenced this weekend, are COMPLETELY uninterested.  I promise to announce it to the world when they are potty trained, but really, I'm not worrying about it any more.  In January I'll be signing them up for gymnastics/tumbling (once they've turned 3 they can start participating in these things).  Javier is a speed demon on his balance bike and Andres loves his scooter ('cooter) more than life itself.

emipalooza 6.0

It's like all we do is party around here...

 the outfit says it all

Birthday girl may be the last kid on planet earth (or at least in Charlotte) who still thinks a house party is the greatest.  I guess I should be flattered but damn it's a lot of work.  Next time, 5 kids, MAX.

For her party Emi wanted a carnival theme.  That meant Mama spent wwwaaaaayyyy too much time hand lettering signs for different carnival games and clearing out the backyard for the bouncy house.

A few quick shots...

We couldn't be prouder of our Puchis and how she has blossomed at 6.  She's a.l.m.o.s.t. reading, a magnificent big sister to two, slightly annoying baby brothers and a happy kindergartner.  Weekends and after-school are jam-packed (too packed for us!) with soccer, ballet, swim lessons and religion classes.  She's a sweet girl who takes care of her friends, loves her family, and is incredibly compassionate.

Photo credits: Mandy French Photography

Gooollllll!!!!

He would never admit it I'm sure, but I think Marcus has been waiting for yesterday ever since he heard he was having sons.

Their first soccer practice.

Granted, it's not like they're on a team or anything - just Soccer Shots which is the same program Emi started with back in the day with her playgroup pals. She was a bit older then... 3 I think. The boys are in a "pee wee" session for 2s being held in our neighborhood park.

Warmups...






running like lions



giraffes. Could cry about not getting a shot of them doing "airplane move" (foot on ball, arms outstretched). Next time.



"team meeting" - bless Coach Stephen - 4 2 yr old boys is not an easy audience!



someone got distracted - surely not the last time that'll happen



pennies on!



wrap-up - someone liked to sit v close to Coach and put a hand on his knee.

As we thought, Andres was loved the whole experience and was super in to it and attentive (not counting the frequent water breaks because the Biscuit gets hot and sweaty). Javier, arguably the more "talented" (can you really say that of a 2 yr old?) wasn't so interested in doing what he was told and wandered off several times. He liked it... he just wanted to play his own game. Overall a successful first outing of soccer which is a good thing since they've got a drawerful of soccer jerseys and a soccer-crazy Papa.

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easter

I'm a blogging fiend today!  It's all about catching up while the kids are away! :)

Easter - good flipping luck trying to catch a picture of all 3 monsters smiling.

 over-accesorize much?

 not sure if the smile is evil or true joy.  holy headlock.

 these children are nuts.

The mayhem begins!

Then, the candy eating...

q viven los novios

Far too late in finally posting wedding pics...  Note: these are crazy blurry - phone is/was dying combined with people who wouldn't stop moving for 3 seconds equals a hot mess picture-wise.

Rehearsal Cocktail:

 sweet baby Lucia... she chilled the.whole.night.

 Reception:

 Papa had gotten Emi a super cool wedding sticker book for her amazing job as a flower girl.  It was a huge hit during the cocktail hour.

 kids table

lucky table 12 - probably one of the noisiest tables. (and mrs. castro? HA!)

 i had a lot of pictures like this one.  these people don't.stop.moving.

 little cousins and the big girl cousin.

emi is the blur on the left.

The Sunday after there just HAPPENED to be a Redskins game.  We are crazy, rabid, die-hard Redskins fans.  We crammed 9 adults into the minivan for what can only be described as a highly illegal drive to the game.  But totally worth it.  Nothing cures a hangover like football, an ice-cold beer, a Ben's Chili Bowl half smoke and screaming with joy because your team won.

 outside the suites before the game.

 even the beer tastes better.