is how to get a decent photo of them together.

My attempts.

Last October 31, together with friends and their kids, we went trick or treating at Sofitel Hotel. We first had a sumptuous buffet lunch at Spiral and were we full, of course!

Here’s Jon and I while enjoying our lunch.

With some friends.

And the kids!

Snow White meets Dracula.

Snow White, Dracula and a Flamenco Dancer

The hotel had plenty of advertisers and we took home lots of loots from chocolates to biscuits to gift certificates to packs of juices and even disposable shoe covers would you believe? Kids had fun and enjoyed trick or treating and the magic show too. Will definitely be back next year.

My kids with their angkong and ama – Jon’s parents, my in-laws and my kids’ spoilers. Meant that in a good way. They are my kids’ number one fans together with the doting Auntie based in Virginia now. Add their Ninang Ivy to the list too! LOL.

Photos were taken during one of our trips to Highlands. Weather was perfect and we were about to go fishing. We had the fishes to ourselves as we were there really early. We took home a lot to Sophia’s delight of course. Fishing has been her favorite pastime lately (aside from horseback riding) when we are in Highlands. We spent a good two hours I think just lazing around the fishing area. The breeze was a little cold and Jon even fell asleep on one of the benches.  I spent time surfing the net though and was even able to look up some Medicare supplement being offered by a friend through my cellphone as there was complimentary wifi.

If there is ever a place we love visiting over and over again, I’d have to say its Hong Kong. Why? Well, aside from being a shopping haven, its also very convenient to go to because it only takes about an hour and a half or so via plane to reach. So we love going there all the time! I also love love the busy streets while my kids (well, my eldest actually) adore Disneyland, what else. So for the nth time for me and Jon, 5th time for Sophia and 1st time for Mateo, we trooped to the cosmopolitan centre where the East meets the West last August 28.

While it was freaking hot as its summer there, we still had a blast. My eldest won’t stop talking about her last Disneyland Adventure while my boy, at nine months, of course, doesn’t have a single clue where he was and what he was up to. I’m sure though that the mere fact he was with daddy, mommy and achie, it was more than enough for him to be happy.

Honestly, I was hesitant to go on with the trip as it’ll be my first time to travel with two kids if ever. I was thinking of postponing it until Mateo is atleast one. But we went ahead since my in laws were HK bound too. We boarded on different flights though. So what can I say about the trip? It wasn’t as hard as i thought! Not at all. In short, sisiw. My eldest is turning out to be a very good traveler at 4 yo while my little boy was such an angel. Now we are all geared up for a long haul flight!

I’ve posted all the pics at my flickr account while selected shots are also at facebook. All in all, the trip was stress free (to my surprise) and it was truly a great bonding experience again for our little family as with every trip we took over the last four years. Here are some of the photos but before that let me share how we evolved through the years with our every visit to Disneyland.

Past photos …

Our latest photos at the very same spots …

***I was just pregnant with Mateo in the 2008 picture and look how big a boy he is now with the latest photo. Ang bilis talaga ng panahon!!!

Anyway, on to more photos …

Breakfast with the Disney Characters

Sophia with her faves …

The kids at the hotel lobby …

It was indeed a happy trip. Never mind that Mateo’s two bottom teeth chose to come out while we were there so he didn’t like drinking milk (but would eat a lot of solids thank gawd), Sophia came home darker than ever because of too much time under the sun and we didn’t get to shop much (but we did check out some bluray laptops), it was still worth it.

How was your Christmas, everyone?

Ours was uneventful yet meaningful. Naks. Seriously, we just stayed home since we have a newborn in the house. Jon’s family was with us Christmas eve while my family arrived Christmas Day. I did all the cooking with very little help from the helpers (who did the cutting of all the ingredients) and Jon (who did the mashing). Well, we had very simple and easy to make dishes anyway – Wagyu Rib Eye Steaks, Mashed Potatoes, Buttered Veggies and Baked Macaroni.

Sophia had fun opening her giftsssss. All the stuff she got is worthy of another post. Will write about them once I download the pictures. I’m just too lazy to look for my camera now and get my new flash memory card.

Anyway, Christmas Day also marks Mateo’s first month. He’s by far the greatest gift and blessing we’ve ever received (after having Sophia of course) and having him in the family makes Christmas all the more joyous and merry. We really can’t ask for anything more. We’re a family of four now and we can’t be any happier – for real.

Here he is – our month old little boy.

Santa has been extra generous. He was also a week and a half early in giving the little girl one of her many gifts this Christmas. Look!

It now completes the set.

My gift has arrived too aside from the digital frame I requested and got early last week. Will post it next with a photo too of course.

Since we already have this one,

we are now aiming to get the one below to complete the set. I’m sure my “kids” will love it. Their own playground right at our backyard. Don’t you agree?

I really hope “Santa” will be extra generous (and rich!) this year.

My yayas will definitely get their share of exercise when the kids play every afternoon and won’t be needing a diet pill at all. Haha.