Oh what fun it is.....

Outside trying out Avery's new power wheels. Watch out, he doesn't even have a license yet
"Gotta wash those hands before Christmas breakfast."

Rebecca and Brianna come over to watch Avery open presents.....and help of course.

Now Avery assists Mimi in opening her gifts. Papa opens a new Elmo toy for the bathtub....wonder if he'll share his toy with Avery?

"Catch, Papa." Papa always help with trash detail,but this year he had an assistant, Avery.

Christmas Morning

"Santa found us, Santa found us." Avery sure was a good boy this year. "Come on mom, get me outta here, I wanna see what Santa brought me." In actuallity, Avery was the last one to wake up Christmas morning. Can you tell we were all super excited to see Avery's reaction Christmas morning.
Daddy shows Avery where to find all the goodies

"Wow, look what I found." He shoots, he scores............... Lebron, watch out

Papa and Josey chill on the couch and just take in all the excitement.

Opening the stockings Santa filled

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is just as exciting for us as Christmas Day. We all look extremely forward to our traditional Christmas Eve meal of finger foods followed by a beautiful Church service at St. Patricks. We always get there early to enjoy the lights and the gorgeous music. After church we always drive through local neighborhoods to sightsee the displays of Christmas lights. However, this year we had another tradition begin since Avery is now a toddler and starting to understand who Santa is. Therefore, after viewing all the lights, we had to get home and get Avery to bed since Mr. and Mrs. Claus had several toys to put together before the little guy woke Christmas morning.


Mimi has the perfect touch. Avery is sound asleep and waiting for Santa to come
Done with dinner and ready for Christmas Eve Mass....Mimi and Papa pose by the fire.....the fire we almost needed for warmth, but not yet!!!

The Alcalas are ready for Church.

Christmas Season 2009

It has been a month since I have posted anything on our blog. Where has the time gone? We have been happily busy preparing for the holidays and of course our visit from Mimi and Papa. My parents have been coming to Florida for the holidays since I moved to Florida in 2002. We have established several traditions and routines that make each year so enjoyable. Now that dad has retired they were able to come for 2 full weeks. Unfortunately, this was the COLDEST winter we have had in 10 years, but of course, we made the most of it.


Avery and Josey peak out the front doors for a visit from our neighbors

What better way to spend your time then with your grandson making repairs around the house

Needless to say, Avery and Papa have quite a bond.....they have too much fun together

Avery and Mimi snuggle up on the couch to keep warm. He loves to snuggle with Mimi

"Avery, you ready for a bubble bath?" says Mimi....."Why yes I am, Ill get right in." (clothes and all)

2009 Christmas Parade

Saturday night we ventured to downtown Sarasota in the "FREEZING COLD" weather. There was a predicted low of 47 degrees, which we are NOT used to. However, since we were going to a Christmas parade and we don't ever get this kind of weather, we welcomed it. We were still able to eat outside and enjoy the sights. Of course we were accompanied by Pat, Jamie and Jadyn....who better to share this fun night with!!!!


Pat, Jamie, Jadyn, Jessi, Avery and Rico at Cinco de Mayo for some delish Mexican cuisine. (the kids are there, I promise, you just can't see them.)

Jadyn always gets a kick out of Rico. She had him playing ring around the rosie later.

Our little bug all snuggled up. He WASN'T gonna get cold, trust me.

Jadyn snuggled up....Pink hat was a must.

Pat and Jadyn anxiously awaiting Santa's arrival

An attempted family photo

Chillin, watching, waiting, waiting, waiting..........WHERE IS SANTA?

An attempted group shot, minus Jamie and Jadyn's head.....This photographer needs fired

The Brester Family

Jadyn still on the lookout for Santa (the parade was at our back)

Parade was over, back in the car watching Barney...."I ain't takin this hood off, mom."

Rosaire's Petting Zoo!!!

Wow, what a gorgeous day. 80 degrees, sun is shining and we were blessed to enjoy this day OUTSIDE. First, we went to Rosaire's petting zoo. We got to watch our neighbor, Rebecca, ride horses and see all sorts of animals. Brianna (other neighbor girl) showed Avery around the petting zoo where he was able to play with different animals. Avery was LOVIN' it. He wasn't afraid of anything, all the while mommy is running frantically from the goats as they tried eating my pants.

After this, we all headed to the park to play, yet some more and have a picnic with Jadyn, Rebecca, Brianna and of course Avery. Cheers to a beautiful day!!!


Avery and the goats........BAAAAAAAAAAAA BAAAAAAAAAAA!!!


Brianna shows Avery how to "nicely" pet the goats.

Avery just couldn't find the time to cheese out for the camera.

And, here's the same picture again..................

"Hey, Avery, here's a chicken you can hold," says Brianna

Chickens, roosters, you name it, they were all here to play.

Peekin' in the hen house. "Peek-a-boo, come and get me."

Avery and a billion goats. Good thing he wasn't scared.

Ft. Myers, Florida w/ the Pancoasts

This past week my brother, Ryan and his family were vacationing in Ft. Myers, Florida which is luckly only an hour away from Sarasota. Rico was able to take a few days off, so we packed up and headed to Ft. Myers for a fun-filled visit with Ryan, Holli, Rylie and Camryn. We swam in the pool during the days and went to a park and out to dinner during the evenings. We enjoyed some beautiful weather, delicious seafood and of course AWESOME company. Aren't vacations great?

Rylie, Camryn and Avery after bathtime. Snuggles w/ the cousins.....so much fun!!!

"But, Aunt Jessi, Avery and I don't want to go to bed yet," says Rylie. "Ok, Rylie, how long would you like to stay up for, its vacation afterall," replies Aunt Jessi.

Uncle Ryan says "Kids, it's now officially bedtime, story time, then night night."

Rico feeding our niece, Camryn, some oysters, shrimp and stone crab. (No worries, it was baby oatmeal and applesauce)

All the while...Ryan and Holli endulge in some oysters.

At Lakes Park in Ft. Myers. What an amazing park. Those with kids could spend the entire day here and have plenty to do.

Holli and Camryn watching everyone enjoy the park. Cam is still a bit young for the slides, but she still enjoyed herself.

"Uh, mom, could you get that sun out of my eyes, thanks!!!" says Camryn

Rylie was in heaven at this park. She could've spent the night if we let her.

Avery was LOVIN' it too. He was flyin down those slides in full swing.

Rylie and I on some sort of contraption that made me reallllllly dizzy!!!!

Firefighter Rico slides down the firepole........................"weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee"

Rylie and her daddy on ANOTHER dizzy contraption

Daddy shows Avery the intracies of driving the firetruck.

Daddy helping push Avery down the slide. This child LOVED the park.