Snow in New Orleans!!!

What a surprise to see it snowing outside our home this morning! We heard it hasn't snowed like this in New Orleans since the 70's. It was Tavo, Magdalena and Nino's first time to experience snow. Tavo wasn't so sure what to think about it.

Cute Kids

Happy Holidays!

Magdalena Charming More Grandparents

Here's two cute photos of Magdalena and her grandparents McDonald. They stayed for a few days after the baptism and got to hear Tavo's first word "agua." Yay!

Baptism for Two Acunas

On November 30th, both Ninito and Magdalena were baptized at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in New Orleans. The priest, Father Tony, had just returned from a trip to the Holy Land and brought back water from the River Jordan to baptize the children with. It was a moving ceremony and we were happy to share the occasion with grandparents from both our families and our neighbors Claudia and Benicio. Ninito was sick, but fortunately had a brief respite and was able to make it to his baptism. Magdalena wore the dress that her mother, aunt and two nieces were baptized in.

Magdalena Meets Abuelita Christina

Magdalena finally got to meet her abuelita Christina over Thanksgiving. Her grandmother even made her laugh out loud for the first time! Tavo also had fun with his abuelita. Here is a photo of them feeding ducks at City Park.

Zoo with Friends

Today, Tavo, Magdalena and I went to the zoo with Rea & Jackson and Andy & Tiba. Tavo was double excited...getting to see animals and his friends at the same time. Even with three cameras, we could not manage to get a photo of all three looking up at the same time. Magdalena had a nice nap in her wrap.

Morning Time

The kids look so cute in their pajamas, happy after a good night's sleep.

Beignets & Darrell

Our friend Darrell from Washington DC came to New Orleans for a business trip and we enjoyed showing him around. Of course a stop at Cafe du Monde was included. Tavo is fond of beignets and has figured out how to add more powdered sugar...

A Clip of Magdalena

Serious or not so serious moments

Here is what happens sometimes when we are taking a photo of Magdalena by herself...Tavo ends up joining the photo session. We think Tavo looks so much like his Uncle Jason in the photo where he is making a funny face. We often see family members in the kids, but never ourselves. Some people say that Tavo looks more like Jana, and Magdalena like Nino. But others say the exact opposite...Ninito looks like his father (except for the hair) and Magdalena looks like her mother.

Los Hermanos Hermosos

Magdalena is more interested in Ninito lately, especially when he is entertaining her.

Dia de los Muertos

Jackson Square in the French Quarter had a Day of the Dead celebration with mariachi music. Tavo had a blast running around and, as you can see, right up to the musicians. Magdalena was alert for part of the afternoon. She is now 2 months and has gained exactly 2 pounds since her birth.

Pumpkin Kids

For Halloween, we took the kids trick or treating and then to the 1st annual Halloween Parade. It was exactly like a Mardi Gras parade with floats and marching bands, but the beads were orange & black. Tavo picked up trick or treating fast and Magdalena stayed awake for the entire parade. Tavo's candy mysteriously turned into healthy treats like prunes, dried fruit strips and pineapple overnight. Mama and Papa are still enjoying eating the good candy.

Nathaniel Look Alike

Hey Birzers,

Don't you think Tavo looks like Nathaniel in this shot? Actually we all woke up very early that morning and he has a sleepy look on his face. He sat and held his sister so gently that morning.

Magdalena is content next to her brother in this shot (in most earlier shots taken next to her brother, she was crying).

More of Magdalena

Magdalena is growing fast and is quite a cutie. She smiles and coos a lot these days. Her favorite activity (besides sleeping) is taking a bath. Her least favorite is riding in the car. She already holds her head up pretty well and puts weight on her feet when you stand her up. She is also beginning to watch and be entertained by her brother more and more.

City Park 3

The next outing in City Park was for Voodoo Music Festival. It was a beautiful day out to hear music in a beautiful setting. Tavo walked right up to the front of the stage to check out Glenn David Andrews. Magdalena woke up for the Zydepunks. Tavo played with his friend Jackson, and then went to sleep during Wyclef Jean's dynamic performance.

City Park 2

This is the Sculpture Garden in City Park. We were in the park for "Japan Festival" where Tavo was mesmerized by a show of Japanese high energy drumming. Magdalena slept through it, as well as through the stroll in the garden, cozy in her wrap.