Great birthday pictures from Pops and Grammy!
We've had a super fun week and weekend! Jada's birthday was so much fun, and Pops and Grammy sent these adorable pictures -- thanks!

Joli went to her little friend Gracen's birthday party this weekend at a Kid Sized Gym - it was great! It was basically like a soft obstacle course where the kids could do all sorts of wacky things like climb an indoor rock wall and go down a mini-zip-line. Way, cool!

On Sunday, Joli, Jada, Mia, Aunt Jenny and I went to the Mystic Aquarium where we had so much to do. Seriously, for the first 20 minutes, Joli and Mia kept screaming, "Look over here! Look here! Woah -- look over here!!!" They loved it there! Even Jada got to look through a little toddler-sized fish tank. The girls all picked up starfish, pet a crab, and marveled at the sea lions. Sorry no pictures... Daddy had the camera at the comic convention where he was a mini-celebrity there!

Hope you enjoy these awesome birthday pictures!
The Vega boys and girls
"Enough with this posing, this cookie needs to be eaten!" What is this??? A family photo???? Whaattt!! All the girls .... (and Jorge)

"See ya next year, peeps!"Jada big girl!!

Oh, Little Jada! Happy Birthday!
This is Jada playing with her giraffe while Joli and Mia rip open her presents..!

"Uh, guys. I'm a little nervous about turning 1 year old! Anyone hear me? Grover? Worried??"

"Next move... Disney. Once I get this walking thing down, I'm outta here!""I DID IT!!"

Happy 1st Birthday, Jada!!
Jada had a beautiful first birthday with all her East Coast family and friends, and we could not have asked for better weather!

We rented a bouncy and all the kiddies exhausted themselves in it. Even Jada got in on the action!
Joli and Mia hosted a Dance Party while Jada was taking her 2nd nap.
Jada finally emerged from her nap and enjoyed some time on the slide!
"BYE, everyone! Thanks for coming to my party!!!"

"MY A-DIDAS!"
There happens to be a really great story about Jorge and his wish for a pair of Stan Smith Adidas sneakers. Let's just say, after NINETEEN YEARS, Jorge finally got his first pair of Stan Smith Adidas originals! Congratulations Jorge! He was making so much noise in celebration that Andy came upstairs to see what all the "racket" was about (Stan Smith... Adidas.. tennis star... "racket"...) ouch.

Joli also looks mad-stylish in her new glam Crocs. These shoes are the best - mostly because she can put them on by herself in a jiffy! Jada also got a new pair of stride rites as she's walking a little. Sorry about the YouTube feed- sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. But, trust us, she's starting to walk! Maybe before her 1st birthday??

NOW PLAYING: "JADA TAKES HER FIRST STEPS!"

We had a nice Easter this year! Joli and Jada got a slide for the livingroom and a little rocking pony that they love! Joli was awesome and helped to put the stamps on Jada's birthday invitations - not an easy task! The girls have the best time in the bath, although Jada is having trouble following the "do not splash water outside of the bathtub" rule. She thinks it's hilarious to throw water out of the tub, and when I correct her, she simply says, "ehh!" and laughs at me. Great. Joli is very helpful, though, as she loves to shampoo Jada's hair!
Jada's birthday is in 1 week! My goodness! She loves to crawl and even stand up unassisted. She talks and talks and talks and talks all the time and sings when you ask her to "Sing Ariel Song!" She also loves "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands!" and can sing along with the CD. Our daily routine? Jada wakes us all up around 6:15am, demands that Barney is turned on, and then sits quietly until about 6:30am when Joli wakes up to snuggle in bed. Jada then gets her bowl of cheerios -- which she quickly unloads in our bed -- and then sings along with the TV. She's now forward facing in our car, and she seems so much happier to see all things going on as opposed to just facing the car back seat.

Jada also knows how to "blow kisses" and "hug" and says "yummm" when you give her food. She loves the remote control (and TiVo-ing programs), climbing all over Gordon, and splashing in the toilet. Yes, the toilet. Which we have quickly stopped her from doing. She also drinks milk from her sippy cup and eats lots of yummy grapes and pasta.

OHMY GOSH!! I'm watching Jada walk!!! Gotta go!!! (where's the darn camera??)

Just some stories...
No pics right now, just some stories!

The girls are cracking us up every day! Jada is having kind of a tough time sleeping at night, but oddly enough she wakes up refreshed and ready to go at around 6:30am. She sits up in bed, slaps Mommy in the face, says "Heehh, ehhh!!!" and then sits on Mommy's head. Soon after, Ate Joli comes in and wants to snuggle, but Jada would rather use Jo as a climbing wall. Thankfully, Joli is pretty even tempered and allows Jada to lunge over her all while pulling her afro.

Joli is Jada's best cheerleader! We always hear Joli saying, "Good JOB, JADA!" Joli says it when she sees Jada standing unassisted, ("Good job, Jada! Good standing!") or if Jada eats all her breakfast ("Good job, Jada! Good eating!"). But, Joli also says it when Jada is being particularly naughty .. like when Jada slaps Mommy in the face, ("Good job, Jada! Good slapping Mommy in the face!"). I guess Joli is still learning differential behavior. Great.

Let's see... what else? Joli has a new found infatuation with her bird feeder that Jorge bought and set up outside. She checks it every morning when she wakes up and stares at it for about 2-3 minutes before getting in the car. She loves that bird feeder! Joli also has a favorite pet -- no, not Gordon. No, not Jada. But, this little stuffed dog she calls "Ella." We can't go anywhere without "Ella." Oh, and "Ella's blanket" because it would be a tragedy if Ella got "cold."

Joli also loves getting her nails done. Poor Tita Mari used to do them at least 1x a week, and now Tita Elma does her nails. She loves it! Today, Joli is wearing "red" which she calls her "grown up color." Tee he hee!

Jada loves Mommy. Okay, she loves Daddy, too, but she really only cries when Mommy leaves.... she basically chases me around the house and cries until I pay attention to her. Oh, and she loves to turn off the tv. Even when we say "no, Jada. No touch!" She turns off the TV and then looks at you and says "Hehh!"

Oh, Jo!


This is a bit delayed, but here is Joli's tigger picture -- 44 months old on March 17th (yes, a little late!). She is super hilarious - someone taught her "hey, I have a secret.. come here.." *fart*. She said that Uncle Andy taught her it.. is it true?

Her hair has been the big topic of conversation as of late. It's a gigantic 'fro, but when we actually style it and put product in it, it has these beautiful big curls. Today, we stopped by the local candy store, and Joli is always so sweet (no pun intended). She has incredible manners, is very responsive, and well, isn't a "brat." Even the women at the store were commenting on how sweet and well mannered Joli is. When we left the store, Joli said, "Mama, I have good manners." Yup, she does. She's the best!