The Vallecillo’s

We decided that while we are still in Orlando we need to make the best of it, so we decided on an outing to either SeaWord or Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Since we had already gone to SeaWorld last year, we decided we needed to do something new. Animal Kingdom is not as big as the Magic Kingdom, so you can actually get your fill in one day.

We carefully tried to device a plan that would take us to the best 4-year-old-friendly rides, which included the Kali River Rapids. We went there first, but we ended up backing out of in lieu of staying dry and warm. Unfortunately we decided to go against our instincts and rode DINOSAUR anyway. I will say that I blame the stupid Animal Kingdom map because that ride did not have the “might be scary for children” icon next to it like so many others did. This ride was not only deafeningly-loud, but also very dark and scary with big dinosaurs jumping out of the dark. It was so dark I was unable to see Larsen’s face throughout the ride, but I felt his little hands grab a tight hold of mine once the ride started to get scary. I thought for sure we were going to leave that ride with a crying and hysterical child, but surprisingly enough he was not. We know he was scared because he has been telling us ever since, so I’m very glad that for whatever reason it didn’t send him overboard.

On a positive note, he did get to see Mickey (his favorite) and did not pull his usual cover-the-face-with-hands move he so often does when he is either scared or embarrassed (more than I can say for his picture with Chip and Dale). As usual he is not completely happy because he remembers his cousins Ali and William had autograph books back at the Magic Kingdom a few days ago, so we are already hearing about how he did not get Mickey’s autograph because he didn’t have an autograph book. I’ve already got a list going for next year

Gary and Marie have been taking dancing lessons, but were having a bit of trouble getting the Salsa steps down. Clearly this was a job for the Rican, and as you can see dancing lessons ensued. I’m not sure they helped any, but it sure did draw a crowd.

I guess we started this little tradition about 3 years ago when Cuca decided to invite the family to Orlando for Thanksgiving. I guess she didn’t realize this would become a yearly gathering, but now it is too late and it is what it is. It seems every year a few more join the festivities, thus the ever growing need for expansion. It is always great to see the family together so I say: “the more the merrier.”

In fact, there were so many more people this year that John, Papo and Dan (Cuca’s boyfriend) had to build an extension to the dining room table just so that we could all fit in one sitting. This extensions wasn’t by any stretch of the imagination a work of art, nor was it meant to serve as an example of fine carpentry…but by golly the darn thing did its job and nobody even notice once the table was all prepped up and ever-so-nicely decorated. Oh, did I fail to mention the extension had to be tied to the main table with ropes so that it wouldn’t wobble?

As with any Thanksgiving day I’ve ever known, food was aplenty and we ate as if it was going to be our very last meal…EVER! Another thing there was plenty of: kids! This family has been “busy”! There was (in no particular order): Larsen, Rylie, Kelsey, Ali, William, Pierre and Sebastian. OK, so there were only 6 kids…but I swear it felt like there were at least 7! The kids had a blast though, but I really wonder where they get all that energy. I mean, for the most part they don’t eat…but they can run full-throttle from wake-time to night-time. The Army should look into this…really!

It was now dark and suddenly Pierre shows up with a box full of fireworks, and I immediately became his assistant (yes, pyromania is present in the Vallecillo gene-pool). We had no clue how powerful or wimpy these fireworks-in-a-box were, but we wasted no time to find out. I have to tell you, Pierre is crazy (no, he really is!) and, as you can plainly see, does not fear the whole powder-fire combination. Me, well…have you seen how much gel goes into my hair? Exactly…fire hazard! I tired to keep my distance as much as possible.

Seriously…how can Thanksgiving be complete without fireworks? Just list the pilgrims did! (with the help of the Indians, right?)

Let me start by saying that going to Disneyworld with a group of 16 people, is…well…interesting

I quickly appointed John (Jean Marc) as the “guide” for the day before anyone could think to nominate me. We quickly made our way to a few rides, but it didn’t take long for stomachs to start growling and the hunt for the best overpriced under-flavored burger to begin. Mandi, Larsen and I ended up sharing two soft-drinks and two large McDonald’s french-fries…plenty of food for 3! No wonder we were stopping for a “snack” not 15-minutes after that.

We tried to do as much as can be done in one day at the Magic Kingdom, but you really need at least two-days if you want to see it all. We rode several rides, but the one that stood above the rest was the Barnstormer at Goofy’s Wiseacre Farm. It is a small roller-coaster for kids that I never suspected Larsen would enjoy as much as he did. Not to say he did not enjoy the Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Cinderella’s Golden Carousel, it’s a small world, and Pirates of the Caribbean, just that he showed the most excitement on the roller-coaster.

At the end of the day we all made our way back to the Cinderella castle for the “Cinderellabration” (only Disney people can concoct such nonsense terms). Not trying to be a total negative-Nelly, but why does Cinderella need a daily crowning? Does she have a “special” limited-time-only princess title that must be renewed daily at 5:30 PM Eastern Standard Time? And while I’m asking questions, why is Snow White, Jasmine and Aladdin at this crowning? Did they just happen to be in the neighborhood? I must to know!

Darkness was no upon us, so it was time to call it a day. The process of exiting the Magic Kingdom is a tricky one, and it easily can take about 2-hours if you are not careful. I mean, there are those who need to go potty, those who need a snack for the road, those who want one more picture, and of course those who need to get a “last minute souvenir/gift”. Then there is the usual group “head count” before exiting, and the discovery that not everyone made it back. So if you and 15 other friends ever go to the Magic Kingdom together, make sure you account this required extra time into your exit strategy.

Today we got to see Nanette and Lynette – my brother’s daughters (yes, they are technically my nieces, but since we are all within 1 or 2 years apart in age calling them my “nieces” is kinda creepy). Somehow me and Kurt (Lynette’s husband, stop asking questions!) ended up with the kids – ALL the kids – while the girls went to…ummmm…went to… hmmmmm. Where did they go to? Darn it, I think we got tricked!!!

Anyway, Kurt and I took the kids to the park and luckily they decided to be civilized and not terrorize uncle Kurt and Luis. It was all fun-and-games until someone’s handful of sand met with someone else’s eyes.

Later that night all the kids went to see ICE! at the Gaylor Palms hotel, basically a very cold indoor city or park of some sore made totally out of carved ice. I stayed behind to finish some work, but I heard they all had a great time.

Larsen hasn’t seen his cousins for quite some time now, but in the short time they have been together today it is clear he has already picked “favorites”. As you can see from the picture below Allie (Nanette’s daughter, do I need to draw you another diagram?) is the lucky winner.

All 4 of us (mom is here with us) are off to Orlando for a little Thanksgiving family time. This year is going to be extra-special since a large part of the family is going to be together. You know…since there is a “dad’s side of the family” it can get kinda complicated. Allow me to demonstrate with mom and dad at the top of the tree (one more level up and I would drive you crazy scrolling the page just to get through mom’s side of the family!):

• Nilda (mom)
  • Luis (wife Mandi)
    • Larsen
• Luis Sr. (dad)
  • Blanquita (real name Blanca)
  • Cuca (real name Carmen Teresa)
    • Jean Marc (wife Natalie)
      • Sebastian
    • Marie Claude
    • Pierre
  • Papo (real name Luis, wife Annette)
    • Lynette (husband Kurt)
      • Riley
      • Kelsey
    • Nanette (husband Bill)
      • Aliana
      • William
    • Paulette

Our flight to Orlando was a bit on the bumpy side, and a lot on the stinky side. Not only did we fly a small 50-seater jet, but we also sat on the very last row of the plane – right next the lavatories. I’m not sure what kind Mexican food the people on the previous flight had been eating the night before, but the stench from the bathroom was in the “construction site port-a-potty on a hot, sunny and humid Sunday afternoon” league. Some people pray for a safe trip, we prayed for nature not to call upon any of the other 46 passengers in hopes of keeping those doors shut for a long as possible.

As with any “travel day”, not much got accomplished other than getting to our final destination. By the time we got to my sister’s house and settled-down the day was pretty much over with.

Since we leave for Orlando tomorrow morning, we celebrated Thanksgiving with the Wright’s at our house so that we wouldn’t miss our yearly turkey-bonanza with them. Grandma Judi brought her “hall-pass” in the form of the most delicious deviled-eggs ever (I’m serious, no deviled-eggs = no service). As usual, there was more food we knew what to do with…so everyone went home with their fair share.

After the feast the girls engaged in a riveting game of Uno…I’m telling you, them girls are a wild and crazy bunch! Cousin Jason was playing Uno too, but in my eyes for that time he too was part of the “girls” (I think they all went back to the bedroom afterwards and did their toes, but I’m sure Jason won’t admit to it). Emma and Larsen wanted to play in the backyard, so I had to send out the “poop-squad” to make sure it was safe out there for the kids. Wouldn’t want one of them stepping on one of Belle’s “land-mines” and then having to burn a perfectly good shoe.

The kids also enjoyed the trampoline, but it got even better when grandpa Ken decided to get in with the kids. It didn’t take long before they all went WWF on grandpa. It was like Andre the Giant being double-teamed by Randy Savage and Chyna!