Spidey Halloween

Posted by Jay in Ohio

Superheroes were on the menu this Halloween and there was something about Spider-Man that Mateo was 100% fixated on this time of year. So a muscled-up Spiderman costume was in order. There was a fun Halloween party at the PreSchool we attended with a Parade (indoors due to rain this year) with all the kids dressed up in great costumes. Everything from girl Pirates, Strawberry Shortcakes, Princesses, Lightning McQueen and everything in between was on deck.  The kids had some yummy cupcakes and then we were off for some fun trick-o-treating.

Here in Columbus, the cities rotate on what days Trick-o-Treating takes place and I think that’s a kids best dream since neighborhoods travel to other neighborhoods to get in 2-3 days of non-stop Candypolooza! Our neighborhood was packed this year and I could’ve sworn I saw a couple of 3 & 4 year old little elbows being thrown grabbin for candy :)  Mateo had a great time and got a bagful of the sweet stuff.  Too much as a matter of fact. But another fun holiday in the books and the preparation starts for the “Operation Santa betta bring me some Toys” 2011.

The rest of the pics are here in our gallery.

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To the Pumpkin Patch

Posted by Jay in Ohio

We took a quick trip to visit Leeds Farms and it was a packed madhouse since it was a bright sunny weekend day and every family from Central Ohio seemed to have the same idea we did to visit the Pumpkin Patch. Mateo and Mom had a ball on all the rides and exhibitions as Dad was feeling way under-the-weather.  There were zip-lines, pedal car rides, banana-trains, huge pumkpin bouncy bladder and farm animals galore. It was a fun time for all and we got to pick out a few good pumpkins to take home and decorate. Sadly, there was a serious vehicle accident outside the farm when we were visiting that required the life-flight to come in, so we’re praying the family in that car is doing ok today.

Rest of the pics here in the gallery.

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Happy 3rd Birthday Mateo!!

Posted by Jay in Baby, Ohio

We celebrated another extraordinary year with our son and he had a blast at his birthday party over at the MyGym kids play area in Powell. Most of Mateo’s friends from early preschool and pre-school came to celebrate. I don’t know how the MyGym chaperones managed to keep fourteen 3 year olds busy and occupied for 2 hours but somehow they managed :)

The kids played games, jumped on the trampoline, climbed pretty much everywhere, rode the zipline, went bubble-chasing, jumped into the ballpit and a had a puppet show too boot. I think the toddlers had a good time running around and an even better time having their parents chase them from play area to play area. After all that jumping around – we ended the day with all the kids sitting down for some Spider-Man birthday cake which was super-yummy.

Thank you so much to all the parents who came in on their busy Saturday (especially during the Ohio State game!) and an even bigger thank you for all of Mateo’s friends that came to join him on his birthday. He very much appreciated all the nice gifts and has yet to put them down.  We placed all of the pics from the event here in our family photo gallery.

Never far from our hearts is how special this day is as well for his twin brother Cristian – we miss you tremendously every day and wish you the happiest of 3rd birthdays as you watch over your brother from up above.  – Love Mommy, Daddy & Mateo

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Gonzo Family Reunion – 2011

Posted by Jay in Featured Articles, Vacations

Woohoo!  Another year and we’re back at it for our yearly annual reunion and this time we back to the campground.  This time we headed towards northern NY state and the Finger Lakes area to Watkins Glen State Park. It was named one of the top campgrounds in the state with picturesque hiking trails, waterfalls, a gorge, tons of shade, an olympic-size pool, and tons of amenities with nearby Seneca Lake only 15minutes away – all of which we got a chance to experience.

Weather was great for the first three days so we took advantage and set up our tents quickly to get settle in.  Norma got to making her tasty Chilli while waiting for the rest of the families to arrive, with Jr. and Justin getting in the latest in the wee hours of the morning.  The cousins were happy to see every one all over again and excited for all the activities to do on the weekend.

On Friday, as is customary, every family takes a turn making meals and Chris and Kelly threw down a hearty campground breakfast.  We then went on our first excursion and took off on a family hike to the gorge, which was picturesque with the falls and pools of water all around us.  The hike did kicked most of our butts.. so we split into those who roughed it back and those of us who – lets just say some cheated on their way back by getting a ride to the site.. We came back and settled in for lunch to relax and then dinner by the campfire.

The next day we had another good breakfast and a few of us decided to go out to the lake for a boatride while half the family went out to the big camp pool to soak up some sun. The boat ride on the lake was fun, where everyone had the opportunity to drive the boat, including Mateo, Olivia.. and Rico Suave (Justin). Its was a pure blast scooting all around the lake in our pontoon boat and the kids were petered out at the end of it. We came back and played a pick-up game of basketball for the boy’s bragging rights.

We had a great weekend, but ended up packing and taking down tents in the rain (because of hurricane Irene).  Other than the hurricane, and the crazy drive back to home through it – we all had a blast! See you guys again next year!

Tons more camping pictures are posted here in our gallery.

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Celebrating Latin Culture in C-Bus

Posted by Jay in Ohio

This was our second visit now to the annual FestivalLatino in downtown Columbus. We decided to go early on the first day to try and beat the heat but it didn’t work out like we thought it did since it was blazing hot by lunch time. This year seemed to have more focus on Caribbean food than in previous years as Norma was on the prowl for good Mexican food but there was good food aplenty with Cuban, Dominican and PuertoRican flavors. They were playing some reggae music by a band from Trinidad and Tobago when we arrived so we missed some good salsa and merrengue as the livelier bands usually come on at night but Mateo didn’t mind as he was boogeying-down to Bob Marley’s “Jammin”.

It’s always surprising when you see so many folks come down to celebrate the vibrant and colorful Spanish culture out here smack in the middle of the Midwest – hopefully it will continue to grow.

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