Here is Alex with his little buddy Owen at a play date in January. Alex is now 18 months old and full of energy.
Our biggest news is that Alejandro became a citizen on January 8, 2010! It was a momentous occasion for us and marked the happy end of many frustrating years spent dealing with the INS. There were 3,500 people sworn in with him at the Convention Center in downtown LA. The only humorous moment was when they played the music video from the song "I'm proud to be an American" which had me torn between laughing and crying. But other than that the ceremony was surprisingly respectful and gracious. It's been a very long road and we feel blessed that this stage is behind us.
A view of the auditorium and some of the thousands of people there. It was really moving to hear about some of the lives people left behind and reasons that compelled them to move to the U.S.
And now on to Mexico!
Here is Alex giving Abuelita kisses! (or maybe he's just pondering giving her kisses)
Alex wrote his first Christmas letter to the Three Kings!Tia Jhoselin made sure the Three Kings spoiled him rotten. 
"Um, what should I ask for?"
"Um, what should I ask for?"
Tying his letter to a balloon and getting ready to release it. Alex added balloon to the list of words that he can say in Spanish. He watched his balloon float away and kept saying "Globo. Globo"
Somehow one list gets tied to a balloon and released and another one is put in a shoe under the tree? Maybe by next Christmas I will understand the Mexican traditions better.
Alex checking out his spoils the next morning...
Cousin Ubaldo taught Alex how to play with cars and he is now OBSESSED with cars. He hides them all over the house, lines them up, races them, chews on them. It's endless fun for this little boy.
Driving lessons from Tia Jhos...Apparently in Mexico they start young
Family sombrero night!
Alex showing off his Mexican side...
Snuggling with Tia Diana...
And, yes, he ate a steady diet of chocolate and cookies while on vacation...
More chocolate yummy-ness
Showing off his personality
Baila, Alex, eh eh. Baila, Alex, si, si.
Don't you just want to pinch these cheeks?!
Jammies and a cowboy hat. Can a little boy be any cuter?!
Getting love from Mama and the tias. Alex was quite the little man flirting with all the ladies!
Alejandro's friend Justin from work and his girlfriend Angela met us in Mexico after Christmas. We spent a few days in Mexico City and took them to Teotihuacan.
We have a picture nearly identical to this one from about 9 years ago. (Of course we are both skinnier and he has less gray hair in the other photo.) We are enjoying our days and years together and feel very blessed with our marriage and our life!
Absolutely nothing in this photo about Alex, I just think it's a cool shot...
A night on the town in Mexico City....
The streets were packed with people enjoying the holiday festivities. There was fake snow in the zocalo and they had snowball fights, ice skating and snow-mobiling. Mexico City is both overwhelming and dazzling. It reminds me of New York City; the first time I was there it freaked me out, but every time I've been back it has grown on me more and more.
A view of the (very active) volcano, Popocatepetl (try saying that world when you're learning Spanish - not so easy!)
Back in Puebla, here is Alejandro's family!
Alex and Papa in their matching USC Tshirts!
Alex meets Tio Luis for the first time.
More chocolate yummy-ness
Showing off his personality
Baila, Alex, eh eh. Baila, Alex, si, si.
Don't you just want to pinch these cheeks?!
Jammies and a cowboy hat. Can a little boy be any cuter?!
Getting love from Mama and the tias. Alex was quite the little man flirting with all the ladies!
Alejandro's friend Justin from work and his girlfriend Angela met us in Mexico after Christmas. We spent a few days in Mexico City and took them to Teotihuacan.
We have a picture nearly identical to this one from about 9 years ago. (Of course we are both skinnier and he has less gray hair in the other photo.) We are enjoying our days and years together and feel very blessed with our marriage and our life!
Absolutely nothing in this photo about Alex, I just think it's a cool shot...
A night on the town in Mexico City....
The streets were packed with people enjoying the holiday festivities. There was fake snow in the zocalo and they had snowball fights, ice skating and snow-mobiling. Mexico City is both overwhelming and dazzling. It reminds me of New York City; the first time I was there it freaked me out, but every time I've been back it has grown on me more and more.
A view of the (very active) volcano, Popocatepetl (try saying that world when you're learning Spanish - not so easy!)
Back in Puebla, here is Alejandro's family!
(of course this is only like half of them, there's like a million of them)
Tia Rebeca gave everyone matching sweatshirts for Christmas with our names on them.
Alex and Papa in their matching USC Tshirts!
Alex meets Tio Luis for the first time.
His middle name is Luis, after Tio Luis. (it caused quite an uproar with the other uncles. oops.)
Alex reclining with his teddy bear and drinking Mexican hot chocolate in his bottle
The family crammed every activity they ever wanted to do with Alex into our two short weeks with them. Alex went to the play area at McDonald's twice in one day, played at the park, and yes, got his hair cut and styled!
Alex reclining with his teddy bear and drinking Mexican hot chocolate in his bottle
The family crammed every activity they ever wanted to do with Alex into our two short weeks with them. Alex went to the play area at McDonald's twice in one day, played at the park, and yes, got his hair cut and styled!How funny is this picture?!
He even got to ride a race car!
Thanks for reading! We had a great vacation!
Thanks for reading! We had a great vacation! I promise it won't be another three months before I post again.
Lots of love from the Castillos!
1 comment:
How fun! He's so big. It looks like the family in Mexico love love loved him up. Awww!
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