Saturday, March 29, 2008

A Visit From Ninong


Disney World Spring 2008
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Isa's Ninong Steve called a few weeks back to let us know that he was planning on coming to take the family to Disney for Easter Weekend and if we were available. Of course!

Disney
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Isa with Dad
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

Seeing as that I am his eldest son's ninong (that's godfather for those of you tagalog impaired), as well, I was more than happy to take some time to hang out. I even had plans to have the three kids do an Easter Egg Hunt over the weekend and possibly a boating/picnic outing on another day. As luck would have it the weather forecast was spotty at best.
Seeing as that I am his eldest son's ninong (that's godfather for those of you tagalog impaired), as well, I was more than happy to take some time to hang out. I even had plans to have the three kids do an Easter Egg Hunt over the weekend and possibly a boating/picnic outing on another day. As luck would have it the weather forecast was spotty at best.

Lorenzo is all grins
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527

A last minute command decision was made to scrap the boating/picnic and move the Disney visit to the Friday they would arrive. I was a little concerned about Steve leaving at 5am that morning and spending all day at the park immediately upon arrival, but I guess he had his Wheaties earlier.

Auntie Carla & the midget
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
After a quick break, lunch of pan seared Tilapia, shrimp and sea scallops with a quick Mandarin Orange Salsa (it's Good Friday!) and packing all the kid's needs and the SUV for the trip we were off to see Mickey. I figured we'd be there after 3pm and stay til 9pm - six hours should be more than enough for a bunch of toddlers, right? Weather had been predicted as scattered showers for Saturday, but Friday couldn't have been any more beautiful. Sunny with a little bit of breeze it hinted at the drop in temperature to come later in the evening.

Looks like trouble
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Teacups!
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Lorenzo had a plan to hit the Racetrack first (he loves cars). I was the bad guy when I suggested Haunted Mansion (I loved this ride as a kid) and scared the hell out of Lorenzo (Bad Ninong Erick! Bad!) Zacahary on the other hand stayed a trooper. I knew Isa wouldn't like her stroller for very long, but it came in handy for her afternoon nap

Carousel
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
A few rides on Dumbo, the Mad Tea Cup Party, the carousel, Peter Pan, Small World and a few others made the children's day. Carla, El and I were pretty beat but Steve wanted to keep going. What the hell dude??? So we stayed til 11pm until Carla looked like she was going to collapse.
The next day was spent going around town shopping and eating out. It did rain here and there, but not terrible. Our big plan was to eat out and go to see Horton Hears A Who (El and I hadn't been to a movie in over a year - a story unto itself), but I think the previous day's excursion left some residual fatigue with everyone. Oh well.

...
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
By Sunday I had to go to work in the morning so Steve and Carla took El out for brunch at Mimi's Cafe. I then realized WE NEVER HAD OUR EGG HUNT! Doh! Oh well, I have plenty of candy for the taking...

Thanks Steve and Carla for Isa's pasalubong(s). I hope the boys enjoyed themselves. It was great seeing you guys and YES we will consider moving back to Charleston again. Kisses from Isabella.

Sunday, March 23, 2008

Congrats to Bartels & Tip!


Horne, Frank C and Me
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
An old colleague and buddy of mine from Golf Channel tied the knot to his fiancee,Tip. Although I was unable to make most of the social events surrounding the wedding I did make it to the actual wedding. Held downtown at First Presbyterian the church and ceremony itself was beautiful.

The reception was held at Interlachen Country Club in Winter Park. I've never been here (it's a private country club), but it was also a beautiful location. Plenty of food and drinks Isa and I hung out for a couple of hours to wish Tip and Eric congratulations on their wedding day.

Ex-TGC'ers crew
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Surprisingly I knew a few people who made it out that I hadn't seen after they left Golf Channel.

I initially saw Stephen Horne who then let me know that JP, John and Frank Corday (also fellow Drive, Chip and Putt alumnis) had made it down for Eric's big day.

Randal and Lisa
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Also ran into Jen Hansen (who Isa immediately gravitated to) and Randal and Lisa (Randal left TGC to head for much greener pastures in Seaworld - yo man let me know if they need someone for the in-house art department!).

Bartels and Tip
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
I was a nice night. Just sad that Ellen had to work that night at the hospital. Had to fly solo, but Isa made a great date for the evening. Congrats to the happy couple and have fun on your honeymoon from Down Under and your Lord of the Rings tour!

Glutton for Punishment?


Dalawa!
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
What are we? Nuts? I guess during the daily grind of our lives I may have failed to mention that we are expecting baby number 2. Oops my bad. I thought I told some people, but after chatting it up with a few here and there I realized that maybe I failed to mention it to more people than I initially thought. So yeah. There it is!

April 11th we should be able to find out the sex of the baby. Although it really doesn't matter to us (we just want the baby to be healthy) we have names picked out for said baby if it's a boy or a girl. Nicholas (Nico) for a boy and Madeleine (Maddie) for a girl.

Dalawa!
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Some friends were shocked at how soon we wanted to get back in the saddle, but what can I say? We're gluttons for punishment. Nah not really. Isa has been a real joy for us and we liked the idea of having the second (and possibly last) baby close in age to her. I'll keep you posted.

And by the way...Congrats to Goose, Marc and Dave on their upcoming babies. When it rains it pours.

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

Get on the Potty Train...Poo-Poooh!

El's mom thought Isa was at the stage to start potty training. I thought it was tad early, but what the hell do I know? I still use Depends. Ellen went to Target and picked up one of those musical potty trainers and started getting her used to sitting on it even after she had wet her diapers. Gotta start somewhere right?

Isa sorry in advance for posting this online. You can kick me in the ass when you get older. What can I say? I enjoy chronicling even the most mundane aspects of your life.

Reading is Fundamental
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Don't get us wrong - we're not trying to pressure the little tyke, but she seems like a quick study with things. Hell she even figured out that the bathroom is also the best place to catch up on your reading. Crate and Barrel's Spring 2008 line is quite nice...

Cheetoes...mmm


Cheetoes...mmm
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Mom loves White Cheddar Cheetoes. Isa lvoes White Cheddar Cheetoes. Need I say more?

Boating Day Soon?


Life jacket Isa
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
I've been itching for a long time get my boat out on the water again, especially with Isa and Ellen. The weather has been kind of beautiful only to get spotty again so in preparation I bought Isa her first life jacket. Here the lovely Isa models for us proper etiquette and usage of said vest.

Happy Birthday Gabriel!


Kissing Cousins...what?!?
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
My nephew's second birthday was just around the corner and my sister was wanting to take him to Disney for the first time. Since we weren't going to be able to go to SC for his real birthday party we decided to have a little outing for the kids.

Cherilyn arrived Thursday night with Gabriel. El picked them up and they met me for dinner at work. Must've been a long trip cos by the time I got off of work everyone was already in bed! Isa, Gabriel, Cher and El - DEAD ASLEEP. And it was only 10:30pm. What the?!?

playroom
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Friday I tried to sleep in just a bit longer and Cher was nice enough to wipe Isa's butt butt and give her a bottle, although Gabriel let me know before too long that it was time to play. So we did.

It's funny how easily amused kids can be. We had grand plans of going to the Orlando Museum to catch a vintage toy exhibit, but traffic was horrific and I decided against it.

Target Rocks
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
I tried to make up for it by taking the birthday boy to Target to pick a toy. We must've spent easily and hour or so going up and down the aisles of toys and the two knuckleheads finally settled on a $3 pink ball. HAH? Afterwards I took Len to IKEA for the first time to experience its wonders. I even got Gabriel a cool stuffed gator/pillow (but we forgot to pack it in her luggage before going home to SC - :( snif! ). Some fat b*tch in a wheelchair even tried to run him down while waiting in line to pay for our booty. Ima kick her ass!!!

Stroller action
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Ducks at Disney
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Saturday we got up fairly early so we could all go to Disney for the day.

Mom and Isa
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Aaarrgh!
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Unhappiest Place on Earth
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527


Kiddies at Disney
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
It was his first time there so we got him his first Mouse Ears with his name embroidered on it and a couple of Mickey shirts for the little monkeys to wear there.

Auntie Rachel
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Rachel was able to meet with us and treat Len and Gabriel out.

Baloo
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
A few rides, photos and lunch later it was time to go home. We wanted to eat somewhere fun, but we were tired so Len treated us out to Hurricane's wings - mmmm

Blowout
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Of course, no birthday would be complete without cake and Auntie Ellen made sure it was, of course, Ice Cream Cake which the birthday boy wasn't shy about digging his little fingers into it. Yuck!

Birthday Cake
Originally uploaded by erickpineda527
Sunday Len and Gabriel had to fly back out to SC. Hope they had a good time. We did! Sorry it took so long to post these pics up!