Orange Belt!

WOW! Breaking the board.

Today Matthew tested in Karate for his Orange Belt. He did AWESOME! Daddy video taped the whole thing and I got some great shots, especially of Matt flying through the air. Matthew is making such progress with Karate. He enjoys going to class and coming home to show Gabby and Alex all he has learned. Unfortunately, my camera ran out of battery so I did not get a photo of Matthew with his orange belt. I am glad I got the shots of him kicking in the air!

Alex @ 20 months

Our little boy is growing up so fast!
Wearing Gabby's dress up ballerina slippers. The boy loves shoes!

Ballerina Gabby!

Over the weekend Gabby performed in her ballet recital, twice! The show was on Saturday and Sunday. Her performance was to the Skater's Waltz. She looked beautiful and did such a wonderful job! All her practice at the studio and at home paid off. She knew the whole routine and looked like a natural on stage. It was truly a lovely experience to watch. She was so excited she came home after the first show and practiced her routine twice. We wish you all could have been there to witness our princess perform. I know it is a lot of pictures but there were so many great shots, I could not resist sharing them.

Do you have your tickets for the show?

What show? The Gun show!
Matthew and cousin Vinny decided to pose for the camera and show off their "guns". Check out those faces!

Mi Familia!

Our time in Cape Coral was filled with celebrations galore. Not only did we celebrate Grandma's 95th birthday, but we also celebrated my brother-in-law Mike's 40 something birthday and my niece Alyssa's 13th birthday. So lots of cake, candles and fun. Here are some pictures of our family in the Cape.

Alyssa celebrating 13 years of life

Mike celebrating 40 something years

The Kellys ~ Mellany, Carly, Chris and little Nate due in August!

Little Grandma doing her usual...fill-ins

Alyssa looking cool in her Ray Bans

Alex riding in Carly's car seat ( I couldn't resist adding this picture)

Carly (3 years old)

Vinny (7 years old)

Mikey (16yrs) and his girlfriend

Happy 95th Birthday Little Grandma!

Mother's Day weekend we headed to Cape Coral to celebrate my Grandmother's 95th birthday. Yes, 95 years! Juana Ramos is my maternal Grandma who was born in Puerto Rico May 7th 95 years ago. She eventually came to the states and resided in New York city for many years. She then moved to Long Island, NY and has lived with our family since I was a newborn. She was a permanent fixture in our family. We moved to FL in the late 80's and Grandma came along.

She now lives in a one bedroom apartment by herself and is very self sufficient. Up until a few years ago she would sew by hand. I am privileged to have some of her beautiful creations. She still enjoys her fill-in books and loves to read in both English and Spanish. She continues to cook and clean and watch her favorite novellas each night. I have been blessed with good genes. I hope that I am as lively and as beautiful as she is at this age. She has endured much in her 95 years but she remains hopeful, strong and vibrant.

Here are some pictures of the big celebration that was held at my parent's home.

::The Girls:: Lisa, Me and Mellany ::Pre-party festivities:: my older sister Lisa playing with the kids

The great grand kids on the look out for little grandma

Surprise Grandma!

The Birthday Girl

My Mom and my grandma Juana

Younger sister Mellany, Titi Felicia, Me, older sister Lisa, Mom, Greg

Grandma and some of the great grand kids

Cousin Vinny and Matthew

Gabby and Little Grandma

Happy 95th Birthday Grandma!