The Maldonado Family: Playing Catch Up

So, I figured if I posted our holiday photos before the end of the month, I wouldn't feel so behind schedule. Perhaps January 31 is better late than never? Our Christmas celebrations were nice and relaxing...not too much rushing around for once! Christmas Eve was spent with Scott's brothers and their families as we waited for Mom and Dad Maldonado to arrive from Puerto Rico. Their flight was delayed a bit, but it was wonderful to see them again. The kids were happy to see them too...it meant we could open the family gifts.

Below are pictures of the nieces and nephews as we waited for Grandma and Grandpa to arrive.
First photo is of Nathaniel and Katie; the second photo is Christian, Jonathon, and Eliza.

Mandy asked Jonathon to go wrap Spencer's gift...this is the bag he chose. I don't think he understood why the adults in the room where laughing. :)

Gabriella and Scott Jr. were able to join us Christmas Day evening. They opened their gifts quickly, because we had invited a family from the ward to have Christmas dinner with us. Both kids took cooking classes over the summer, so Scott gave the kids their favorite ingredients: Hungarian Paprika for Scott Jr. (according to him, his potato salad just isn't they same without it); and Hoisin Sauce for Gabriella (she just LOVES saying "hoisin sauce"). Spencer, of course, simply enjoyed the wrapping paper the most.

The day after Christmas, Spencer and I flew to Utah for Diana and Brandon's wedding (Dec. 27). It was a beautiful snow-covered day for the happy couple. It was also nice to see family again, although there didn't seem to be enough time to visit as much as I would have liked. Maybe next time!

(Couldn't resist posting Spencer's naptime bed-head.)

Luckily, when we returned from Utah after the new year, we had one last visit with Scott's parents before they returned home.

Earlier this month we made Gabriella work for her birthday present. In the middle of the night I tied a string to her present (a giant gumball machine) and wound that string all over the house, ending at her bed. Her job was to follow the stringy path to find her gift.

As for Spencer, he finally has his first tooth (it arrived the day of Diana's wedding) and he is getting quite proficient at scooting about. When I look back at pictures taken just a few months ago, it's hard to believe how much he has changed in 8 months!