Fall....gotta love days like this.

We finally had some beautiful fall days and we had to take advantage of them. Gabriel had a great time playing in the leaves. It was fun to show him how to play in the leaves and throwing leaves in the air and laying in a large pile of leaves. All those fun things you can do in the fall. :)

We hope fall stays around for a while longer before the long days of winter get here but we know that is probably not going to happen so at least we were able to enjoy some wonderful days....

All dressed up and going....to PROM?

"How do I look? I'm all ready for my first prom. Okay, it was church but don't I look cute?" His look was complete with sweater vest, dress shoes and of course the bow tie.

Raspberries Anyone?

So the weather is starting to feel more like fall these days and that means it's time to visit the local orchards. Gabriel and I went with some friends and their kids to pick raspberries in Hastings at a farm/nature center. When we first arrived the first thing we saw was a large pumpkin patch with some HUGE pumpkins. Very cool!

It was hard to get a picture of Gabriel because he was so distracted by the HUGE pumpkins.

We finally made our way to the raspberry bushes. It took him a little while but he finally decided to help picking.

"Look Mom, I found one!!"

His smile says it all.

We also found some enormous apples at the orchard. I think we will need to go back and pick them when they are ready. Yummy!

I couldn't resist the perfect photo opp... My handsome little man.

Gabriel got to pet his first baby cow. He was so excited and proud of himself after he touched it.

I think this picture sums up our entire trip. We had a great time and were so glad to spend some time in the outdoors and with some great friends. Thanks Stacey, Ken, Kelly and Gina!

First Trip to NYC!

A couple weeks ago our whole family took a trip to New York City. Enrique had a basketball reunion with his high school friends and it was a great excuse to tag along and take my first trip to the "Big Apple". We had planned a short weekend trip, we were to get there on Friday early afternoon and come home on Sunday night. Just our luck on Friday there was a thunderstorm that hit the east coast which cancelled all flights and left us stranded in Chicago for over 10 hrs. It was a long day of waiting be we managed to sneak in on standby on the last flight that night. Unfortunately since we didn't get to NYC until 1:00am we missed seeing our Broadway showing of Phantom of the Opera, which was going to be one of the highlights of our trip. BUMMER!!

To make matters worse we didn't get our luggage until Saturday afternoon. Lets just say that we learned our lesson about how to properly pack carry-on luggage with diapers and clothes! I was really nervous traveling with only one diaper left; just praying that Gabriel didn't have a BM. Lesson learned. :)

Saturday morning after only a few hours sleep we woke up and got ready to go watch Enrique play some basketball and to enjoy the sights and sounds of NYC. First, I headed down to the hotel gift shop to buy some shirts, toothbrushes, etc. since we still didn't have our luggage. The largest women's adult shirt was an XL which was really more like a small. Let's just say my baby bump was really showing that day. LOL! :)

Geared up in our NYC shirts and Enrique in borrowed shirt, shorts and running shoes to play in we made it to the gym. It was great to see some of Enrique's old friends and meet some new ones. As soon as the game started you could tell they were all there to prove something and there was some serious basketball played that day. Here is a picture of some of the guys after playing for several hours. Great job guys!!

Later that day we met up with some friends at the Rockefeller Plaza and then walked around Times Square looking for some last minute Broadway tickets. We settled for tickets to go see Altar Boyz that night which was better than missing the opportunity to see a show but I know that Phantom of the Opera would have been much better. :)

Posing with our friends Patricia and little Sarah. Gabriel was too shy and wouldn't stand next to the cute little girl so I had to hold him on the opposite side. It was funny to watch him lean far away from her.

Hanging out in Rockefeller Plaza with Papi.

This is my favorite picture of Gabriel and I in Times Square. Lots of people, lots of lights and noises, a lot for Gabriel to look at. He had a great time and was a great sport with all our activities and walking around.

On Sunday, our last day in NYC we went to brunch with our friends Joel, Patricia and little Sarah then made to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. I was really excited to go to Ellis Island and see what it was all about. So many of our ancestors came through Ellis Island when immigrating to the United States I couldn't wait to see what it was like.

Here is a great picture of Enrique and Gabriel at our brunch Sunday morning. I just love the candid shots and in this one they are both smiling. One of my favorites for sure.

Here we are on the ferry taking us out to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. One of the only family shots we got from the trip and I love the New York skyline in the background.

Here is a great shot of Gabriel while we were on the ferry. I think he had just woken up and the look on his face is like "aren't we there yet?"

Eating lunch at Ellis Island. Gabriel made the funniest look after biting into a yummy dill pickle. He actually liked it! Enrique was grossed out since he doesn't like them so Gabriel must take after me when it come to that. :)

Overall, my first trip to NYC was great. It was long, and we were all exhausted when we finally got on our flight home Monday afternoon (not Sunday night like we were supposed to), but it was all worth it. I would like to go again some day and maybe actually make it to my Phantom of the Opera Broadway show.

Our Little Slobber Monkey

My little man..."Mom...I'm ready for my last swim lesson...Let's go!!" We've been taking swim lessons for the last 8 weeks and it has been so fun. Gabriel loves the water and seemed to have a blast in the pool.

Gabriel was just hanging out on the stairs waiting for me to finish getting ready. Papi took a couple snapshots of our little man. He's already 15 months old and getting bigger everyday. What a love!

Bath Time! Gabriel looks just like his papi when he was younger. That smile is unmistakable...I love it!

Gabriel was so happy...he got to help mami make some oatmeal cookies. He has a great time sticking the measuring spoons into the flour mixture and flinging it all around. :) With the flour on my face it was just like those rice crispy treats commercials when the mom sprinkles flour on her face before bringing the treats to her family. It was so much fun.

What a cutie! Gabriel was loving watching papi play basketball in the Dominican Republic at the home of Juan Luis Guierra... a famous singer from the DR.

Go Papi...Go!!

How can you look at this face and say no? I think he just woke up here as you can tell from the red face. :)

Hanging out mi mami...