Miami Christmas 2008

Carlos and I are spending Christmas and New Years 2008 in Miami, Florida. Our American Airlines flight departed LAX at 7:40am on December 23rd. We are on our way. This is my second Christmas in Miami. I am both nervous and not, at the same time. At least this time, I know all the players. I have met most of his friends. I have spent time with most of his family. Why am I still nervous? It is a big deal. Like the meeting of the parents over Thanksgiving. It is still a big deal. I am being planted deeper into the family and in the mix with all of his very dear friends. Yup, this is exactly why I am nervous.

A few things will be different on this trip. I have met the 'best' friend who will not be part of the picture this holiday. We will meet Tio's new fiance (future 5th wife). We have decided not to go diving in the Keys this trip. Instead, we will journey to Orlando and spend some time with his cousin Sylvia Clara and her family. They have a 5-acre ranch with horses and 'peace and quiet'. I met Sylvia Clara when she came to Los Angeles for a teacher's conference but I have not met her husband or her two children. Carlos just adores Sylvia and her family. We will have a very nice time in Orlando, I am looking forward to the trip.

His mom will be waiting eagerly for our arrival. Gisela is such a sweet woman. She has been excited for our trip to Miami since she left Los Angeles after Thanksgiving. We will be staying in her house... the house where Carlos and Alina grew up. Once again, Carlos gets the living room sofa and I get the guest bedroom. It's kind of cute... !

I am excited to see the twins, Gabriela and Carolina. I can just imagine how much they have grown in the last year. Carolina looks very much like her mom and Gabriela is a spitting image of her dad. Both girls are absolutely adorable and spoiled terrors in the making (more on this later).

Then there is Cory. Carlos' godson and a heart-throb. He is the cutest little man!!! If I ever decide to have children, I would dearly love love love to have a little boy. Since coming to Los Angeles and spending time with us in March, Cory has taken to calling me "my Vickie" and Carlos "my Carlos". Some months later, Cory saw a picture of an Asian woman on the box of some Apple/Mac product, pointed to the Asian woman and said "look, 'my Vickie'" I just about died from happiness. Now, let's see if he recognizes 'his Vickie' when I show up on his front door step.

There is so much about this trip that I am looking forward to. Despite the warm weather, I will enjoy spending time with his friends and family. I will enjoy watching Carlos catch up with his friends and share stories of the past year. More precious than anything, I will be with Carlos and cherish spending this Christmas with him.