Our New Blog

Blaaaagh!  So this blog page filled up and we dont have the heart to delete any of the posts.  So many good memories.  So, we will instead provide you with the new blog link that we will be updating with G-Unit antics! http://guilarfamily.blogspot.com/

Magic Kingdom

I've learned that your child's first visit to Disneyland may very well be more precious to you as a parent, than to your utterly amazed child.

 

 Upon entering the park on Sunday morning, we immediately saw Donald Duck (Tiago's favorite Disney Character...well...er...maybe).  Tiago ran up to Donald, waved, grinned and said, "Hello." His expression was priceless--melt-your-heart--sincere enthusiasm. But Donald was in a hurry to get somewhere (we are assuming a very important date with Daisy).  But, not to worry, Goofy appeared ready to give a high-five and a hug!

 Shortly after meeting "Real Goofy," we met "Real Dale." (or Chip?) Tiago now loves both Chip and Dale more than ever since this momentous encounter.

But, the best part was yet to happen.  We walked down Main Street and were greeted by enthusiastic employees who were happy to have a visit from little Super Man.  We passed through those famous pink castle gates and entered Fantasy-Land.  Our first ride dejour: Peter Pan's Flight.  Tiago was in awe. So much so that we rode again later that evening and again the following day.  Later, he attempted to pull the Sword from the Stone, but concluded that (while equipped with Super Man powers) he lacked the proper magic.

Dumbo was another park favorite (he definitely racked up the frequent flier points at Disney)!

We took a quick spin through Toon-Town (sat in Goofy's house for a photo op), and made our way over to Tomorrow-Land.

Tiago loved that he was able to take charge behind the wheel.  Daddy's back and neck were a little less enthusiastic about the ride.  (This was another park favorite to be repeated.)

Tiago was not a huge fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.  In fact, he nearly cried (which speaks volumes--our little fearless dare-devil rarely turns down an adrenaline boost).  Interestingly, tho, he insisted on pirate Mickey ears, a hook and a sword and he can't stop singing Yo-Ho-Yo-Ho! 

After roughly 5 hours in the park (and roughly 8 hours of non-stop-fun to go) we took a spin on one of California's very first monorails for another mellow moment for the G-Unit.

Adding to his frequent flier miles yet again, Tiago took another spin on the Rockets as a first course of action, upon arriving at the park on day 2. 

While  we were exhausted from our 12.5 hours of Sunday fun, we woke up early with anticipation, and we returned to Disney on Monday to meet more Disney Characters, re-visit some park favorites: Peter Pan, Dumbo, Rockets, etc. 

Then, we snapped a quick family photo and headed over to California Adventure!

California Adventure Land

On day two of Disney Land fun, we used our "park hopper" passes to check out the California Adventure Land portion of the park.  It should be noted that after 12 hours of Disney fun the previous day, Tiago was essentially hung over and ready to fall asleep by 10am (no joke).

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We thought he would be thrilled to see the new Cars Land portion of the park (Radiator Springs in technicolor).  However, even McQueen himself couldn't prevent an ice-cream melt-down.  (Note to self: never give a tired 3 year old a $10 chocolate-dipped ice-cream cone on a hot day!) Tiago pulled himself together pretty quickly though.  He actually loved the Bugs' Life portion of the park and enjoyed, tremendously, the gnarly "Grasshopper!"

And he was absolutely tickled to meet "Flick" the protagonist ant.

While in between something like a 5th and 6th wind, we took a mellow caterpillar ride on "Heimlich" (make that two rides)

And we weary superheroes floated up and away in a cracker-jack box.

While Tiago didn't seem too interested in waiting in a long line to take a picture with McQueen, daddy saved us a spot in line to meet Mater.  Tiago gave him a sweet hug.

We were a little bummed to be 1.5 inches too short to go on the main-attraction of Cars Land (not even a little toilet paper in the shoes, or spiky hair could have helped us).  But, Tiago was happy to do a tractor swing and play near the various statues.

Cars Land was, in a word, MADNESS.  From his vantage point, he may not have been able to actually appreciate the fact that we were in Radiator springs.

No matter, we met up with his good pal, Diego, and were able to partake in some Under The Sea adventures and help his pal celebrate his birthday!

Disney Parades (plural)!

Tiago was a HUGE fan of the many Disney Parades.  We saw three features in Disneyland Park and one in California Adventure Park.  All were fantastic and wonderfully captivating.

(Above, Tiago scopes out a good parade viewing spot for later that evening.) Mommy happily volunteered to "save a spot" for an hour, while Tiago and Daddy ventured over to the Jungle Boat rides and Swiss Family Tree House!

 On the second night of parade viewing, we upgraded our spots (just a few imperative seats further away from the blasting speakers) and sat closer to the street curb for good viewing.  Tiago's pals Diego and Mia met up with us to join in the celebration.

 Tiago was on his 2nd (or 20th) wind at this point but pulled it together for the final parade.

 (Peter Pan was deserving of a standing ovation, naturally!)

Our 7.5 hour drive back home was perfect for recapping the whirlwind, magical moments at the happiest place on earth:

The Power to Read!

Wow, our little super-hero is determined to gain the power to read!  Despite his dyslexia odds.  Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more proud (and relieved).  He's learning all of his pre-reading skills such as letter recognition and using visual cues.  He can recognize all of the letters in his name (and spell it out loud), and he uses associative memory to remember letters of the alphabet, saying, "M is for Mateo, Micaela, tio Matias, tio Miguel and Mommy!" and "H is for Henry (Thomas the train character)!" This boy is going to be ready for kindergarten!

A Week In Oregon

Two days after returning from our trip to the South, Tiago and mommy re-packed their bags to join daddy on his pilgrimage up north.  The Pacific Northwest.  First, we drove to Grandma Naomi's on the coast.  Tiago tried his hardest to stay awake for the entire trip, but after car-sickness (both child and dog), a massive rainstorm and the longest 12 hours of his life, he fell asleep at 10pm--just an hour before arriving in Newport, Oregon.

 I really couldn't blame Tiago for wanting to make the never-ending car ride a little more bearable.  And with a THREE-trailer truck--resembling a train--passing us during a thunderstorm, why NOT roll down the window?!  

(The dog, found the trip to be stomach churning and hair raising.)

 The next morning we took a hike down to the beach and enjoyed a cool, damp fog (slightly different from the scorching hot week in North Carolina)... But at least, Tiago, er, I mean BATMAN, got to put on his rain coat and check out both of Paul's very cool motorcycles.  That's right, Paul (also a Gemini) has TWO bikes.  Our little Dark Knight couldn't have been more pleased.

 On our way from the coast towards the mountains, we made a quick stop in Corvallis (Nate's hometown) for a romp at Avery Park.  And, wouldn't you know?  Tiago loved the park which contained Nate's childhood favorite: the old Georgia Pacific locomotive!

 Finally, we arrived at daddy's favorite place to recharge his batteries: Willamette Nat'l. Forest

 (and there was even a double rainbow over Clear-Lake--just for dramatic effect--as if it isn't breathtaking as it is.)

 We hiked, we rowed boats, and we roasted marshmallows with Grandpa Josh, Lana and Tasha

 The kids had a blast.  The dads had a blast. The mommies...well...we enjoyed seeing our families happy...and a glass of wine didn't hurt...

...But we really enjoyed the hotel in sunny, Bend, Oregon, at the end of the trip!  Tiago swam confidently in his new floaties (brought back from North Carolina).  He and Tasha swam like fish until their eyes burned with chlorine!

Then, back at the rooms, they burned off any left over calories by jumping on the beds.

 It was a trip worthy of many naps.  So, naturally, Tiago skipped all of his naps and saved up for the long, sunny, drive home!

Trains, Planes and Automobiles...and Swimming!

This summer, Tiago's abuelito and abuelita invited him to visit their home in Georgia.  And, WOW, was this California boy excited about Georgia.  Why? you might ask.  Well, 1st of all, you must fly on an airplane to get there.  2nd, there are trains there.  Old trains, real trains, toy trains. (Need there be more?)

As if playing with abuelito's elaborate toy model train set wasn't enough, we also got to see an old Civil War train: The General!  Tiago's exact words were, "Whooaahh! Muy Grande!"

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In addition to playing with trains and trucks with his abuelitos, Tiago got his first swim lesson from abuelita.  He learned to blow bubbles and kick his legs.

 Abuelito, on the other hand, taught him how to defy gravity.

 During the hot, humid evenings, we hunted for fire-flies (aka: luciernagas, aka: Tinkerbell)

After a nice stay in Georgia, we hopped in the Jeep and drove to North Carolina to celebrate 4th of July with the cousins.

 (More swimming)

 (After swimming, the kids watched Cinderella.  Naturally, the sparklers were then waved to the tune of Abra-Kadoo, Bipidy Bopidy Boo)

With all of the hot, hot, heat, we got our quota of swimming for the summer (a welcomed heat, since we typically have to fill our kiddie-pool with the tea-kettle back home)!

 (An outing at Jordan Lake, followed by super-hero/Disney Character lunch at the La Serna's)

 (OK, not all of our summer swimming was done in pools or lakes.  Some was done standing in the front yard during a down-poor in 90 degree heat!)

 (more trains and automobiles in the "play room" formally known as, mommy's bedroom. check out the oak tree on the wall!)

Grandma and GrandPaul

This Spring we had a nice visit from Grandma and GrandPaul-Paul.  Tiago enjoyed taking them to CuriOdessy's Magic Mountain Park, where he and Grandma faced down the jaws of a ferocious Dragon (or, rather, casually sat in the dragon's mouth)...

They also took refuge behind the castle's gates and courageously mastered the tunnel of doom (aka: a very tall slide)...

After their game of dungeons and dragons, Tiago and the family walked over to the far side of the park to watch airplanes land at SFO, and observed para-gliders and windsurfers in the bay.

Later that weekend, the family enjoyed a rare sunny day at Half Moon Bay.  It was actually (almost) warm enough to put your toes in the water...

...On second thought, it was much more fun to just run towards the water and then quickly run away from the icy waves as they approach!

Thanks to Naomi and Paul for convincing the sun to come out for a wonderful weekend!