Our Blue Christmas....

Ronnie's grandparents on their wedding day. Isn't this a beautiful picture? They were married for 56 years!! Our inspiration!!! She gave me this original picture back in September when she came to visit us in Georgia.

Our life was shaken and it has changed quite a bit since late December. It was definitely a blue Christmas. We lost someone who was an inspiration and probably our most biggest supporter. Ronnie's grandmother passed on Dec. 23. Ronnie is the person he is today because of her. She was so important to both of us. Granny now lives in our hearts forever. We went to spend Christmas with her in NC and we didn't expect to be in the hospital by her side for 5 days and eventually have what happened. It really shook us pretty badly, as well as the family. But we moved forward like she wanted. The first night in the hospital she gave Ronnie orders to pick up her order from Cracker Barrel for Christmas day and we did what she wanted. She was definitely the rock in his family. The one who kept and made traditions important. She LOVED Ronnie. He was #1 in her heart. We miss her dearly! Along with losing Bettie, we have been dealing with Ronnie's mother's health. Luckily it has gotten better. But she was shaken up of everything that has happened. Our life has been a whirlwind, but we are fine and moving forward. :)

This was on Christmas day in NC in front of Granny's house. It was definitely a site to have a white Christmas. We believe Granny had something to do with it. She always wanted a White Christmas!

I took this picture of Granny's tree the night we arrived to her house in NC. Her and I watched "Christmas Vacation" while the family picked up BBQ for dinner. She knew that was R's favorite food. And we watched his favorite movie! Crazy, right? Her tree is the kind of tree that has many memories and tradition, just like what made Bettie. She treasured family. I love her tree......

These are the kind of ornaments she has on her tree. This was Ronnie is 1st grade!! LOVE!

Thanksgiving in Miami!

It was so great to head home to Miami for Thanksgiving with my family. I haven't been home since May, so I was super relieved and excited to go there. We had a great time catching up with friends. My stepdad cooked an amazing meal, that included the traditional Cuban roasted pig! My mom and I made pumpkin cupcakes and it was hit! Although, I didn't get to see everyone I wanted to, it was still so good to be home, even if it was just a little while. Here are some pics of our dinner. We went to Miami the week before Thanksgiving, so we could split the time to be with Ronnie's family in NC on Thanksgiving.

My Grandmother and us.

Table setup.

My brothers, mom, grandmother, and I.

The pig, my stepfather and my brother, Mike.

My brothers, stepbrothers and their wives!

My big, fat, Cuban family!

Finally, my pumpkin cupcakes! Cute, right? They were delicious!

My 29th Birthday!

Last weekend, I celebrated my 29th birthday with my family in town! My mom, stepdad and brother Mike flew up to Georgia from Miami to visit us. I was so excited because I've been dying for my parents to see our new home and because I am extremely homesick and miss my family very much. I haven't been home (Miami, that is) since my grandmother's passing in May and life has been a whirlwind since then. It's hard to deal with her passing, and this whole new life transition, without having family close by. I've had to handle it all on my own and it just makes me miss my family soooo much! But I am blessed with the most amazing hubby who does help me see a better new day in each day. So, having my family here to celebrate my birthday was icing on the cake!

Anyways, we did a lot while they were here. We visited the cute town that is Dahlonega, GA. Had delicious food everywhere we went and my parents whipped up a delicious meal here at our home on one of the nights. My parents have this thing where they LOVE to go all out at home on the weekends. They get dressed up, my stepdad whips up a delicious restaurant quality meal, they have "happy hour" before dinner, my mom setups a fine dining table with her finest china, and dinner is enjoyed with family or friends in the luxury of their home. It was quite nice to be told by my mother to dress up, only to come out of the bedroom and into the kitchen with martinis served and the table whipped up to perfection! I really enjoyed the special treatment in our home!

We cruised around Atlanta and just enjoyed being together. Simple. Here are some pictures from our weekend!

Full House ♥

I ♥ it when our home is a full house! Looks like these little guys will be dropped off very soon to spend a few days with us in Georgia. I can't wait. I am sure we will make cupcakes and cookies galore, per Nick's request, since we have 2 ovens! My life was complete when these guys entered it. So excited...and I am sure my dad and my step-mother appreciate a quiet house for a few days!

i'm a proud big sis!

So, if you happen to come across this magazine, Disney en Familia, (I know you probably won't), but, just so you know, a very special little guy is on the front and featured inside. This little boy was born on the same birthday as me and it was the BEST birthday present God has ever and probably will give me. I just wanted to share these because I am so proud. How could I not be? I will do ANYTHING for this little guy and he knows it, too! enjoy the cuteness!

Happy 4th!

We wish all of our family and friends a happy 4th of July! We wish we can all celebrate with you... Have a cupcake on us!


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papi.

Happy Father's Day papi!!!! My dad is the BEST in the world. So the best, he had to have 5 of us. But I'm still daddy's little and ONLY girl. ;)

It's because of him I find so much strength and courage to do everything in my life. Truly. It's because of him I have so much love and good in my heart and know how to give it in return.

I love you Pa. Thank you for being YOU!

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noche buena in nc

A very, Merry Christmas to all of my followers, friends and family! This is my first time ever to not be celebrating Noche Buena (Christmas eve) in my entire 28 years with my family. It is very hard, but I have to remember about how lucky and blessed we are to have them in our lives and each other. Nothing is more important than family. I've come to REALLY understand that the past 3 years. I will be OK.

God has blessed us with so much and here's to another great chapter in our fairy tale. We are full of faith and He never lets us down when we need Him the most. Happy Birthday Jesus!

Now off to marinate that turkey full of Cuban goodness! Oh, you didn't know? Yes, Erika is making her first official turkey. But something tells me this will be a team effort. My nails are too pretty in red to rub that turkey.

RONNIE!!!!!! :)

christmas at home.

Christmas is finally at the Wray home! Phew! With so much going on, I barely got through decorating. Lights outside the house will probably not make it out because of the wet and busy weekends we've had. But we are ready inside! I picked out a bigger tree this year. I wanted a 7 footer and we managed to pick it out in 32 degree weather last Sunday evening at about 8pm. Talk about luck It rained all day Saturday so we had to wait. Not many new decorations this year, except a few ornaments we picked up on trips from this year (Disneyland, Biltmore House, Ronald Reagan Library) and some new kitchen decorations.

We wish you could be here with us to share our Christmas with you...but you are in our hearts. It is a little bittersweet this year because this may be our last Christmas in our first home. We will be spending it in NC and not in Miami with my family, too. But we are very lucky, hopeful and looking forward to what our future brings. We rely all of our fate to the Lord. God is good! Merry Christmas to all of our friends and family...our love and prayers for many Christmas blessings!

The mantle.

Tree closeup

Last year's Christmas card.

Our first Christmas card, 2007

View of the family room

My new favorite ornament I picked up at the Biltmore House Christmas shop.

First year of marriage and engagement ornament, the slipper. :)

Picture of the night we got engaged.

Our entrance

decorative pillows. I love the "Christmas Kisses" so much.

Kitchen towels

My favorite this year....my candyland in the kitchen!

dear blogging, how i've missed you!

My fellow blog readers,

I apologize for neglecting you! It has been a stressful and busy past 3 weeks. Back to school madness! And on the weekends, we've been cleaning or just resting. So, not much has gone on. But I am hoping things slow down a bit soon, so that I can plan and think about the exciting months ahead. Within the next 6 months:

-I turn 28! ah!

-My pa's 50th birthday in Miami! BIG FAMILY PARTY!

-Ronnie's best friend's Lino's Bachelor party in Miami in October.

-Ronnie turns 30 in November!!!! The BIG 3-0!

-Our 2 Year Wedding Anniversary! Where does the time go!

-Then, the holidays, of course. We are thinking of doing Miami for Thanksgiving.

-My best friends Jackie's bridal shower in November in Miami.

-Then Jackie and Lino's wedding in Walt Disney World in January!

-And last but not least my best friend's Janelle's bridal shower and wedding in February!

Whoa! Told you there would be excitement within the following months! We are looking forward to everything. There is also A LOT of changes that might be happening in our lives, but I am not ready to reveal what they are. Good changes, but non the less, difficult decisions to be made. We are excited for whatever our future holds. But the "waiting to see" part is very hard.

I will keep you posted on the latest happenings.

Like Mickey Mouse....see ya' real soon!

Life as a little brother....

I had to take video of Nicholas after he found himself a perfect spot to watch Fernando in his swim meet on a HOT miami father's day!

He's too much! Quite possibly the cutest littlest brother a girl could ever ask for...

(Sorry for the video quality. The freeze frame makes him look sad. TRUST ME he wasn't!)

busy, busy, busy

My mami and me.
We've been so busy lately! Sorry, I haven't blogged in over a week.

We were in Miami Mother's Day weekend. We had such a wonderful time, like always. We shared some special moments with the family. A sunny and warm (no, wait, HOT!) Saturday in the pool and a lovely dinner with mom. She showed me how to set a table "Martha Stewart" style....with the China, water+ wine goblets, and chilled perrier water pitcher out. Yeah, all out! And my stepdad's dinner, yum! On Sunday, it was with Dad. I visited my Tita Zoila and then we went to have an early dinner at Joe's Stone Crab! Pictures soon. I promise!

Ronnie had to get on an early morning flight from Miami to travel for business. I hopped on the plane for home in NC on Monday. We haven't seen each-other since we were both in Miami.

I've kept myself busy since Ronnie is away, of course. I do not like being home alone. I am still not used to it and I don't think I ever will be. So, I've kept busy at school (especially since our NC state tests are next week...super stressed, btw!) I want to re-paint our master bedroom, so I've gone to Lowes several times to pick up some paint samples. I've had dinner with friends and I shopped at the Teacher store to pick up a few things for next year using some PTA funds. And prime time TV has worn me out, too. (DWTS, Idol, Ugly Betty, etc)

BTW, I do love the phone calls my mom and dad give me while he's away. Especially my dad's at night right before I go to bed. :) So sweet. Puts me at ease hearing their voices.

Ronnie gets in tomorrow. And I am counting the hours. I complain how he's always attached to my hip. But I am the same exact way! I guess it is called being 'newlyweds'! :)

our family's tiger woods

My brother Danny has been playing Golf since his teen years. He has a big passion for it and is very good at it, too! He loves to compete against my dad, my brother Mike, my Godfather Andresito and anyone in my family who is willing to get out on the course. Danny has worked at the golf course for several years. And guess what he does when he's not working? You guessed it, he's GOLFING! (Is that a right golf term, anyway?)
This is Danny playing golf. This picture was used in a Johnson and Wales University ad. He attended JWU for a little while.

Just recently Danny signed up for the Golf Channel Amateur Tour. So, far he's played in 4 tournaments (including one at Walt Disney World) and has won the top 4 spots in the competition! I know, amazing! But even more amazing is that he won his first tournament this past weekend!!! I know, crazy awesome!!! Click Here for his current stats.

I just wanted to brag. Danny has so much talent. And I am glad he's fulfilling his dream and working at something that is so hard. I love him so much. He's even influenced little golfers in our new generation of brothers, Nick and Fernando! HOW AWESOME IS THAT!?
My dad with my little brother, Fernando.

My littlest brother, Nick! Look at him go!!!!! How cute is he?!

FAMILY IS THE MOST WONDERFUL THING! And God has blessed us with an awesome one!

Miami Day 2

Day 2 was also extremely fun! My dad took the day off and I spent the day with him, my step-mom, and my little brothers. (They were on Spring Break, too.) Fernando and Nicholas are the loves of my life! I can't even express how thankful and blessed I am to have them. They truly own every piece of my heart and I miss them terribly being so far away. So, I always soak in the time when I am with them.

We decided to spend the afternoon at Sawgrass Mills Mall. The boys and my step-mom went to Wannado City for a little bit, while my dad and I shopped! Check out some pictures we took together waiting in the car for my step-mom to arrive.






After the mall, we took Nick to Tae Kwon Do class. It was so adorable seeing these little ones kick and defend themselves! (Or run away from eachother...LOL!) Nick had taken a nap driving back down to Miami, so he wasn't really up for class. Poor thing...but he was still as cute as can be!

The day ended with pizza at my dad's house and my Godmother Tati and my Grandmother joined us! Truly another wonderful day with my family!