Happy Holidays from the Sanchez Family

This year has brought a lot of changes and its had it's ups and downs but the constants have been Leo, Nic and Pebbles.  I'm so grateful for my family and the life we have.  I know next year will again have its uncertain moments, it ups and downs but mid year we'll complete our family with baby #2!

Merry Christmas and we wish everyone an amazing 2012!

 

N@

Outtakes from family our photoshoot

I was so late to the game that I never ordered photo Christmas cards...oops.  But I did want to get a family picture of Leo, Nicolas, Pebbles and me.  So I lugged the heaviest tripod (borrowed from work) to the empty field behind our house and tried to set up our family picture. 

I really liked this spot but...


The sun was to my side so not very flattering.



Then I tried taking the sun head on...bad idea.



Last I found this spot.  At first I thought it was too shady but it would have to work.


I tried setting up the photo and realized the white balance was off




I fixed the white balance to the shade option and I got a golden hue...great success.


I set up the camera and put it on a 10 second timer, then I would run to the spot.  At one point, I hit the shutter but Nic decided it was more fun to run away than to stay for the pics.  So this is the cropped pic of one of them...not too bad


and this the next one of Nic running toward us...he is such a silly boy


and the Christmas Card....will be revealed tomorrow!  so stay tuned.

Blogging Hiatus w/ a good reason

Blogging has been on the back burner lately because life has been crazy. 

It has been especially crazy because back in late September we found out that I'm PREGNANT!!  We decided to let caution to the wind and see if we would be blessed with another baby.  Lo and behold, on Sept. 20th we got a positive pregnancy test!

Weeks 6-10 were a little rough.  I was exhausted, nausea, hungry, had lots of food aversion, and did I mention exhausted. But after about 10 weeks it got better and I had more energy and wasn't as nausea.  I still have some bad days but they are few and far between.

We announced our pregnancy to our family and friends during Thanksgiving weekend.  Everyone was so excited and happy. It took them a little while to figure out the shirt but after about 10-15 minutes they finally caught on. 



So here is a recap:
Expected due date: May 30, 2012
Weeks: 15 weeks 4 days
Weight gain: 2 lbs
Next appt: Jan 5th and we'll find out the sex then!

And here is a pic of my 15 week belly pic. 



I didn't think I would "forget" that I was pregnant but with being a wife, mom, and working full time, it is easy to forget.  Then other times I amazed that in just a few short months I'll be holding a little tiny baby.  I'm really enjoying this pregnancy and trying to take advantage of sleeping all night and our small family of 3!  Because before long we'll be 4!

I'm going to try to post weekly about my pregnancy and maybe get back to taking more pictures. 

Until next time!

N@

13 years ago today

13 years ago I was 17 going on a date with this skinny, cute, and sweet guy.  Who would have thought that 13 years later I would be calling him my husband.  We grew together from teenagers to adults with careers and a little person that depends on us.  At 17, I never imagined that we would move away from family and friends just a week after we got married.  Live happily in a far and foreign land, Raleigh, NC (LOL) just the two of us.  We traveled to fun places and we started our careers in Raleigh.  And after being together 10+ years and married 4+ Nicolas was born.  Nicolas has made us a stronger couple, better people and is teaching us how to be the best parents. 

And now after 13 years we are back in Florida closer to family but it is still just Leo and me (and Nicolas and Pebbles).

So this is dedicated to the first Love of My Life, my husband, the father our child, and my best friend.


Lakeland, FL Nov. 2011


Jamaica Sept. 2009


Raleigh, NC Summer 2007

Love you Gordis!

Iheartfaces: Mommy's choice

I've been in a terrible slump lately but this has to be my favorite picture of Nic this summer summer.  Nic is 2.5 years old and I'm loving every minute of him.  This summer we have spent a lot of time outdoors and here he is just hamming in up.  And yes he is not wearing pants.  It is too hot in FL.

To see more great entries click below!

Family Vacation 2011-Cruise

To celebrate our 7 year anniversary we decided to pack up and go on a cruise with Nic.  We decided a 5 day cruise was long enough to be gone but just the right amount with an active toddler.

We spent Labor Day weekend down in Miami hanging out with friends and family.  Nic and Juan hit it off when we went for lunch.  Aren't they the cutest!



We left on Labor Day, Sept 5th.  Nic loved the view from the ship and our little room. It was cozy and the perfect size for the 3 of us. 



The first day was spent on the ship.  We ate, played in the pool, ate some more, napped, back to the pool, ate, ate and ate.

The first stop on the trip was Turks & Caicos.  It was a beautiful sunny day and we spend it on the beach. 



The second stop was Half Moon Cay and it was amazing. The beach was beautiful, the water was warm and shallow, and it was all to ourselves (and the rest of the members in the cruise LOL).






Our last stop was Nassau, Bahamas.  We took a ferry boat to Blue Lagoon Island.  Another day of just swimming and enjoying the sunny weather.


1st post baby bikini outing.


Goodbye Bahamas!



We had a great time relaxing and spending time as a family.  Nic was great.  He loved the boat, the pool, the beach, everything.

To many more family vacations!

To see the entire set and some of Nic click here

Have a great week and September if I don't get back to blogging this month. 
Natalia S.

Happy 2.5th Birthday Nic!

2.5 years ago today Nic was born.  I remember going through the first 6 months of Nic's life wishing I could fast forward time.  But sometime around the year mark, I stopped feeling this.  I cherish each milestone and each month and at 2.5 years it is only going faster. It seems that I'm always tired and can barely keep the house afloat but today I wanted to make celebrate Nic's 2.5 birthday.

It was pouring and I picked up Nic at 5pm and went to Target to get some cake mix to make him celebratory cupcakes.  We got soaked but we got the stuff for the cupcakes.



The ingredients


Mixing the batter


Counting how many cupcakes we are going to make


Watching them bake


Blowing out the candles


And a few with Mami




He was so happy with his cupcakes and so was I.  They were delish. 

Happy 1/2 Birthday Nicolas, I love you more than you will ever know. 

Until the next post
N@
ps-please excuse the crappy shots but the memory is more important than the quality.

Long time no post

I think it has been over a month without an update.  I feel like I've neglected my blog and photography but I still pick up my camera weekly and read other people's blog (LOL).  Life is catching up and after a long day at work and spending time with Nic the last thing I want to do is edit pictures and sit in front of a computer. 

I still have not gone through the 800+ pics from Napa/San Francisco.  I did post the first day of our trip on picasa. 

Instead of sharing the ones that are technically right, I'll share the silly ones from the first day. 


My sister, Caro, and BFF, T, waiting to be picked up.  I gave them the wrong description of the car, oops!

The best combo cheezits and champaign. (LOL)


Me acting silly!

And one of T & Caro resting up.  We were tired after a cross country flight.

I'll hopefully finish editing my trip pics soon but don't hold your breath!

N@

Zebra , popsicle sticks and toilet paper rolls

what?  How are these related.  I've been wanting to have a craft day with Nic but I'm 1) totally not creative and not artistic and 2) limited time.  But last week we did one of our first art projects one evening.  We made a zebra out of toilet paper rolls, popsicle sticks, and construction paper.

Here are the pictures.  Not beautiful but Nic liked it and that is all that mattered.

The materials

Nic is concentrating on the project ahead

He is comparing the zebra to the model we found online.

The final product

Nic admiring our work

I'm going to try to do one of these at least once every 2 weeks. What do you think does it look more like a cow? LOL

N@

I'm tired, back from vacation

I should not complain that I'm tired b/c I got back from my girls only vacation on Monday but traveling always takes a lot of of me.  Especially after a long week at work and a very active toddler.  I'll do a few blog posts about my girls only vacation but for today I'll just post one of the few shots I pulled off my memory stick.

This is one of the first pics that I took when we (Carolina-sis, T-bff, and I) arrived in San Francisco.  The fog was thick that day and cold but I think this is normal.



Here is one of us three.



All we have from the trip is memories and some awesome pics.

The first is not technically a sky shot but I'm going to link up to Skywatch Friday anyway!

Have a great weekend!

Father's Day 2011

I hope my gordis had a great Father's Day because he deserves it.  Every morning he gets up at 6:20am, gets Nic ready for school, drops him off, and heads to work (1-1.5 hour commute).  Works for 9-10 hours and then heads back home and finally makes it by 7:45pm.  I complain all the time because I'm tired and I hate the commute but Leo doesn't complain.  He does it.  He cherishes the little bit of time with Nic before school and makes sure to hug and tell him he loves him right before bed.

Days and weeks go by without me acknowledging how lucky I am for Leo as a husband and father.  I hope he knows that even if I don't say it, I think it and feel it everyday.  We have a good thing and I hope that it only gets better.  To many more years and Father's Day.

Love you Gordis!

Here are a few pics from our Father's Day.



Father's Day Breakfast in bed!


A hug from Papi


Baseball Game!


Running the bases after the game!




And they are safe!


And a rainbow to finish off a great day!!

p.s.  These pictures suck technically but the moments are what count!

N@

A little something on this Wednesday

I was looking through my e-buddy's Ashley's links and found this photo challenge.  I fell of the challenge wagon a few months ago because my creativity is being trumped by exhaustion.  So I barely pick up my camera during the week.  But this weekend after creating a container garden w/ Nicolas I captured this blooming flower. 


I love the shape of it and the color and the best part is that it is SOOC! woohoo! 

Here is another macroish shot of the coolest grasshopper.


It is hard to choose so I'll give you both!!

I hope you like them and if you want to see some more great macro shots click below!




Have a great hump day!
N@