My Birthday!!!

September 19, 1980 is the day I was found behind a cabbage leaf, or so my dad always told me. That was the day this little princess was born. And...........29 years later we are still celebrating what a great day that was. Right? Unfortunately, Rico had to depart for Atlanta on my birthday to attend a week long work conference so he and I enjoyed a nice dinner together on Friday (the 18th). Having the great friends that I do, Carol, Jamie and I took matters into our own hands and went out Saturday for dinner and cocktails. Avery spent the evening with his best friend Jadyn and his Godfather Pat. They had a little party of their own at Jadyn's house.


Carol, myself and Jamie at dinner at Cha Cha Coconuts.

Ooooh, Carol, lookin so sassy this early in the evening. Is this a preview for coming attractions?

Jamie and Carol preparing to hit the dance floor in FULL FORCE.

"Drink up, Jess, we expect you on the dance floor with us." Says Carol

"Jamie, don't waste any time. Get on up there and shake your groove thang."

Oh, look who else didn't waste much time gettin up on the bar. "Avery, does mommy make you proud?"

"Careful, Jess, don't bump me off the bar with that booty of yours." Says Jamie

AND THE NIGHT ENDED THERE..............................!!! What fun we had.

Seattle or Sarasota???

The last few days have been nothing but RAIN, RAIN and more RAIN here in Sarasota. It feels as though we are living in Seattle. While we do need the rain, it sure makes us miss the sunshine we are spoiled to have generally year round. So, on a day like today, when it is ........raining......... we had to make the best of it. And............what better way then to gather up the neighborhood kids and PLAY IN THE RAIN. This was Avery's first adventure of playing in the rain. He just LOVED IT!!!! Note: it was pouring while we took these photos.


Brianna, Rebecca and Ashton

Ashton and Brianna "Vogue, Strike a pose, there's nothin' to it." Avery and Rebecca and Jesslyn watch from behind.

Going from house to house. The girls treat Avery like he is their long lost baby brother. It is precious to watch them pamper our little stud muffin.

"I will beat you all to the top of the driveway, ready, set, go!!!"

"Idea: Lets go splash in the puddles girls." Says Avery

Tampa Bay Rays Game!!!

Saturday Night the Alcala Family went to Tampa to watch the Tampa Bay Rays get SPANKED by the Detroit Tigers. Actually it was a great game until the middle of the 7th inning , thats when the Rays decided to sack the bats. Oh well, Avery had a great time watching all of the people, listening to the music and watching the lights. Tropicana Field is an exciting place to watch a baseball game. We had press level seating which included an all you can eat buffet. Avery ate more nachos and hot dogs that night then his mom and dad have their entire life.


In the elevate on our way to the "Press Level." Avery, don't look so thrilled.


Stuffing our faces with hot dogs, nachos, peanuts and pepsi.

Finally, in our seats. The game is about to begin.

He was so excited and laughed almost the whole time.

Daddy and Rico watching the game....very intense

Saturday Night Cookout!!!

Saturday was a very dear friend of ours, Doug's, birthday. To celebrate we made a whole day of it. They guys all went golfing while the wives and kids stayed behind and played. It was a great day. We all got to have some fun and hang with good friends. Then, at night, we all went to Dougs for a cookout, swimming and cocktails. The weather couldn't have been more perfect.


Avery relaxing in his stroller after a long swim with daddy.

Doug, Jud, Avery and I sit with stuffed bellies. Yum, what great food they had.

Carol, Chloe, Jamie and myself watch as the dads take the lil' ones swimming.

Daddy and Avery go for a dip.

Pat......yep, he definately needed to have another beer at this point. :)

Myakka State Park

This past weekend Rico took the entire weekend off work.....Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Woohoo!!! Let the planning begin. Friday turned out to be a beautiful day. Finally, a day where it stayed in the 80s.....seemed like a cold front to us Floridians. Anyhow, we packed a picnic lunch, put on our gym shoes, packed the stroller and went to Myakka State Park for some hiking, a picnic lunch, sightseeing, and we even did some research on some camping possibilities for the winter time in the future.


We saw several different wild animals....below are some wild turkey. Come one and come all to the Alcala house for Thanksgiving. We've got dinner ready!!!

You wouldn't believe all the alligators we saw. Too many to count, literally. Below is one of the biggest that we saw.

Bambi taking a stroll. We were so close to all these animals. Not sure who was more scared of who???

Rico climbing the stairs to the expansion bridge to take a view of the entire park. He said it was amazing. I stayed below. I am happy with my feet ON THE GROUND!!!

Avery and I along the hiking trail, but notice the palm tree right behind me....see the neat angle it has grown in.

Playtime at Playtowne

Rico and I have a very close knit group of friends here in Sarasota. We started out as a group of 6 crazy adults and it has evolved to a group of 6 "trying to be mature" adults and 4 sweet kids. This group consists of Rico, Jessi, Avery (16 months), Pat, Jamie, Jady (2), Chris, Carol, Camdyn (3) and Chloe (5 months). We all try to get together as often as possible. Last Thursday we all gathered up the children and went to one of the malls for dinner in the food court and to let the kids play at "Playtowne" in the mall. It was a great time had by all.


Avery crawling through the tunnel "hey, make way, Im coming through."

Jamie, Chris and Chloe. Chloe is still a bit too small to attempt that "play" thing.

Avery and Camdyn get in the car. "Cam, you better let me drive," says Avery "I have a much better driving history than you." Side note: sweet little girl on left brings Avery his blanket (A.K.A his sniffer.)

"Come and find me................."

Camdyn has already got out of the car and ran for dear life. Little girl still trying to tempt Avery with his sniffer. "But I don't need it right now," he says.

Avery and Jadyn both jumping out of the canoe. They both know what's good for them.

Although kinda blurry, Camdyn flashes her gray shark she attempts to scare the kids with.

At the food court. Can somebody please explain why Rico is ALSO at the kids table???

Privacy Please!!!

Those with children know that there is always something new about them, whether it is something they say or do or even don't do. Well, Avery's new "thing" is closing all doors whereever he is (yes, even in other people's houses.) This includes those times when he is playing in his room. When I walk in his room to see what he is up to he will stop what he is doing, go close the door and continue on playing. So, recently I have found a way to let Avery play in his room in his "own privacy" yet I can still supervise. I have set up the video monitor on a shelf to enable myself to see (almost) full view of his room while he plays. However, there is one corner of the room that is out of viewing range. Of course from time to time THAT ONE corner is the corner he is playing in. So today I went in to check on him and this is what I found.


He has taken EVERY book out of his book basket and climbed in it. When I peeked in he was just sitting there in the basket reading a book. By the time I came back with the camera he was done reading and attempting to climb out.

Pancoast/Alcala Family Vacation 2009

August 1st - 8th, we had the annual Pancoast/Alcala Family Vacation. Each summer we all pack up the cars and head to someplace new and fun, on the beach of course. This summer it was Destin, Florida. Great spot for family vacations. Below are a handful of the many pictures we took.

Avery and Rylie one morning. Rylie says, "lets go to the beach already" and Avery says, "uh, its 8:30 in the morning, can we at least have breakfast first?"

Ryan, Holli, Rico, Jessi, Camryn and Avery go for dinner at Baytowne Wharf

Ahhhh, what a cute pic. Holli and Cam waiting for dinner

Waiting on Rylie to bungie jump. Papa says "these guys are NUTS."

Mimi and Avery pose for a pic by the water. The weather was gorgeous

An afternoon swim after the beach.

The Whole Gang at the beach one evening

"The Outlaws" There really is NO explanation for them.

All the females of the group

Ryan, Phil and Rico.....yes they had consumed some cocktails by this point in the night

Rylie and Avery giving good morning hugs.

Just a view of the water. It is GORGEOUS in Destin

After the consumption of a few more cocktails.

Ryan and Jessi......we knew EXACTLY what we were doing.

Holli and Jessi chillin in the shade at the beach.

Ryan giving Camryn some smoochies.

The females at "the Track", an amusement park.

Rico and Jessi at "The Track"

Rylie on her own private jet.

Avery enjoying EVERY minute of "The Track"