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!

family room

Just got back from my best friend's Janelle's wedding in Miami.

Janelle got engaged while visiting us for New Years 2009. It was a wonderful, surprise engagement on top of Grandfather Mountain in Boone, NC. It was very important to me that I was able to be a part of it. (I took this picture below) Jay is a GREAT man who LOVES her so much. He did a great job planning his engagement to Janelle.

I helped her plan this wedding. Planning lasted a year and we were so anxious for it to all come together. Janelle is like my sister. Being her Matron of Honor was very special for me. She was my Maid of Honor for my wedding. I even let her borrow my veil for her something "borrowed" and I couldn't have been any more proud to do so. I will blog more about the wedding later, but I just wanted to say how very happy I am for her and Jay. I just think about the wedding and tear up....it was very emotional and special. I was happy to be able to visit my family, as well. It was hard to leave Miami this time. I guess its because I don't know when I will return. Either way, the entire weekend was very special for me and I will treasure it forever!

The weekend before returning to Miami, Ronnie and I went to GA to meet with the painter to get an estimate. We got a great deal to paint our master bedroom, dining room, and some repairs around the house. We hope the painter to get started sometime after we close this month. Things with our current home are going smoothly. We get visitors practically daily, so we are praying everything is successful in the end.

Meanwhile, I'd like to share with you with what our new family room looks like! I am in love with our brick fireplace and built-ins. It's a BIG open area attached to the kitchen. I love the wood floors and I really like the carpeting for those cold winter nights snuggled on the couch. We plan on having our TV set on the wall over the mantle (like we have in our current home). I LOVE the windows that look out to the patio and backyard. And lets not forget the ceiling. I wish I knew what that kind of ceiling is called right now. But I think it makes the room! Here are some pictures.

The only thing that gets us is the fireplace....sorry folks...it's a total FAKE! But it looks pretty! We'll live... :)

View from the laundry room to the open area of the kitchen to family room.

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!

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!

Miami Day 1 Part 2

My time in Miami was really short, but I got to spend some amazing time with my parents, brothers, and friends! I was sad to leave, but I will be back in May in just about 4 short weeks!

First and foremost, I have to officially announce that I am now Janelle's MATRON OF HONOR! I am so blessed to have her in my life and I am so honored! Janelle surprised me at the airport when I landed and I have never been so happy to see her in my life!

On Monday, my mom and my best friend Janelle took the day off. I felt so loved! We rose bright and early and went to South Beach for a few hours and had some lunch there. It was the most relaxing 4 hours I have had in a long time. I was able to get some color (which I needed badly) and enjoyed the warm weather. After the beach, we went to some bridal boutiques where Janelle was able to try on some she liked and I was able to try on the Matron of Honor dress for her wedding. Its gorgeous and she, my mom and I approved. It fit so nicely and the color is beautiful!


Anyways, I will close day 1 in Miami with some pictures of us on the beach! Enjoy!