Mini-Vacation

Here is just a little snipit of our excellent vacation in St. George. Isabel and Zaquel had such a blast in the pool. Zaquel is sooo friendly and he tells it like it is when he is asked what his favorite part of swimming is.

SuLynn and Alena, sorry I missed you. Maybe next time! Don't hate the vacationer!

There's nothin' like talking to the ladies!!

Crawling?

So I can't believe that Briel is 8 months old already! I mean somedays it seems like it has been 2 years since I had her and others seems like just a few months! Where did the time go? And why isn't it going faster?

While we were on vacation, Briel decides that she likes being on her belly. Then she proceeds to move her arms and legs to crawl, but she goes backwards instead of forwards. Hmmmmm, stubborn or genuis? See for yourself.... it is right at the beginning so don't miss it!

Boots Rocks!

ok, so we have the best cat in the universe!! I thought it was maybe the 2nd greatest cat when it caught a gopher in our garden, but now that it is actually catching mice, well that changes everything!

I really hate mice espeically dead ones! So after breakfast, Zaquel went outside and he was trying to tell me that a "mammoth" was outside and it was dead. I tried to understand what he was saying and I couldn't! Why didn't he just tell me it was a mouse? Who knows! So I just kind of ignored it and then he kept coming back in and telling me about it. So then Isabel went outside and she said it was a dead mouse! Can you say N-A-S-T-Y? Gross, gross, gross! Of course Jungle Boy is at work so I have to take care of it myself. I was screaming the entire time I had to do it. The pictures don't show how disgusted I was! Yuck!!! Needless to say, I did it and now the sun can kill off the putrid guts from the grass! EWWWWWWW!

Yes, friends, the cup went into the garbage too! There is no need for that anymore!

Poop or Frosting?

WARNING! If you don't mind being grossed out, keep reading. If you mind, stop reading here.

So, Briel has been constipated this past week and it has been rough for her. So I gave her a laxative a few days ago, nectarines and raisins. Her body has adjusted well to the treatment.
(Little did I know how well until today!)

Jungle Boy had just given Zaquel a large spoonful of chocolate frosting and he ate it with great enthusiasm. He finished and put the spoon in the sink. (what a good boy)

Jungle Boy then got Briel out of her crib and headed toward the kitchen to make her a bottle. Zaquel was following him (a little too closely). Then all of a sudden I hear Zaquel trying to scream with his mouth wide open and tongue out. He had, what appeared to be, chocolate frosting on his tongue. He started spitting it out on the floor and we were getting a bit upset with him. We asked why he was spitting out his chocolate frosting. Jungle Boy said, "Don't you like chocolate anymore?" and "No more frosting for you!" All the while, Zaquel is still trying desperately to get us to remove the "chocolate" from his tongue.

I went to grab a wet paper towel and wiped out his mouth. Then I proceeded to clean-up the floor and the "chocolate" did not smell like chocolate at all!

Jungle Boy then said, "I think Briel pooped!" Poop she did! All over Jungle Boy's pants, shirt, arm, the kitchen floor and Zaquel's mouth!

Jungle Boy took Briel cleaned her up, (another good boy) gave her a quick bath along with Zaquel (his 2nd one of the day).

We then sanatized the whole kitchen and wish we could have done the same with Zaquel's mouth!!

I guess when Jungle Boy picked Briel up, his arem squished her diaper and her EXTREMELY brown and runny poop fell out of the top of her diaper and right into Zaquel's mouth. Can you say wrong place at the wrong time? His size didn't help much either. Poor kid!

After we figured out what happened, Jungle Boy told Zaquel he could have frosting whenever he wanted! That is the least we can do!

#1 Teacher (aside from her mommy)

We made it! I can't believe 1st grade is over! I couldn't have asked for a better teacher if I had hand picked her myself! (Hee hee) Maria was the perfect fit for Isabel. She needed her structure and guidance. She seemed to thrive in her classroom. What more could a #1 mom wish for?

What a fun year we have had! So many fond memories of school: homework, birthday fun, Valentine's Day, Parent conferences, timed tests, class books, Millcreek Canyon, Moms and Muffins, Dads and Doughnuts, Field Day, and every other thing in between! Isabel did so well in school. I am so proud of her growth. She has really, really loved her teacher and school this year. I hope she will continue to do the same throughout her life! Stay Smart!!!

Zaquel loves Maria soooo much! He always wanted to share whatever we were having be it bagels, smoothies, or cookies with her. He would say, "Let's take one to Miss VanAdrigum". Such a giving boy! Who knows where he gets this! Maria was always so kind to let him play on her computers or read her books. He especially liked the Spiderman book. He still thinks he can run into her room whenever he wants. He might not care if Isabel is in there or not! He just loves Maria!!

Here are all the cuties! Yes, the baby is crying because we are inside the school! I mean really girl please, please get over this!

Why we are broke!

Zaquel loves drumming on the empty cans. No way could he do it on the full ones! We might lose that precious and expensive food!!

ok, this pic says it all doesn't it? Did I mention Briel is in the 101st percentile for weight and the 97th percentile for height? That is how we make um' strong enough to last! You'll be glad to know this is only about 2 months worth of food for the girl!

Water, Water Everywhere!

Water Boy making good use of the wasted water.

This is what happened when I tried to lighten up the pic. It now looks like fire instead of water. At least you get the idea of how much was coming out of the hydrant! Crazy!

The rushing water

Going back for yet another bucket, bringing the total to 32 buckets or so!

So, last Thursday night I was getting ready for bed around 10:00pm or so when I hear water rushing. I immediately blamed Marcos and asked if he turned the sprinklers on. You know, he does that sometimes just to get more green grass and raise our water bill! He said "no" and I said come and listen, water is on somewhere. So he reluctantly got out of bed and looked out the front door and sure enough, water was rushing out of the fire hydrant across the street! I went in and called the police being the economically responsible person that I am. They asked me where I lived and then proceeded to tell me that the water people were flushing the hydrants tonight. Ok, I was fine with that. I still felt I was doing my duty to alert them. (I didn't know that I would find a folded up flyer telling me this the next day on my counter. Apparently, Marcos found it first and didn't tell me about it.) I then go outside and find Water boy scooping up the rushing water with a bucket and dumping it on our lawn's dead spots! He said "We shouldn't let this good water go to waste!" I had to capture this moment even though he was really mad at me for taking his pic! He is so useful! That is why I love him so much! Way to go Water Boy!

Welcome to the 21st Century

ok, Steph and Maria this one is for you! We have finally arrived in the technology century now that we have a cell phone! I know you are so wonderfully proud of us! Don't cry too much about it! It is a fabulous GO Phone so we don't have a monthly bill and pay for the minutes as we need them. Brilliant Idea!

Our Garden

Tomatoes, sunflowers, and mini pumpkins

The corn as babies aren't they so cute?
Here is our lovely little garden. We hope it grows nice and big by the fall. This year we SHOULD have, pumpkins, watermelon, popcorn corn (I wanted real corn, Jungle/Gardner Boy won), tomatoes of course, cucumber, zucchinni, lettuce, cilantro, sunflowers, peppers, and whatever other seeds pop out!

I took Isabel to the play "Treasure Island" at Hale Center Theatre last Saturday for her reward for doing so well in school. It was so awesome! The ticket lady told Isabel to remember that the people were just actors and none were really getting hurt. They told me that it was a little violent but I didn't think much of it. Well, it was! They had real swords fake blood bleeding, I am not sure how they did this, but it was quite remarkable. I think Isabel's favorite part was when some of the pirates got thrown off the ship and into the water. Yes, I said water! They had the deck of the ship for the stage and real water around it. Amazing! They even gave towels to the people sitting close because they would get wet from all the splashes! I had forgotten the story and was reminded how great a story it was. Isabel did not want her picture with the actors. Too bad. She still is a bit shy for things like that. I think the costumes intimidated her just a bit. Anyway, it was so much fun! Now I have someone who likes plays in our family! After I made Marcos go to one at the Shakesperean Festival in Cedar City because he got FREE tickets, he said he doesn't want to see plays at all! I mean really who would pass up free tickets to a Shakespearean play? Jungle boy!

Dolphin Fun Run

Having a blast at West Valley Elementary's 1st Dolphin Fun Run. We hope this will be an annual event. We had so much fun exercising and competing. The PTA, well Bridget and James, did a fantastic job on this! We enjoyed every minute of it!

ok people, enjoy this pic! Briel is actually happy at the school! Maybe because we are not actually inside the building. She cries everytime without fail as soon as we enter the school. I do hope she will grow out of this bad habbit!

Isabel just before the 50 yard dash

Zaquel flexing for us just before the 50 yard dash

Marcos helping Briel finish the " Diaper Dash"

Briel eating her bib instead of racing. Come on girl! Shake that fat off of you!

Zaquel having his 1st of many, many, many oranges for a snack!
Isabel running 2nd for the family relay
Papa managing to struggle across the finish line with that extra weight!

We were one of the first to compete in the family relay. Poor Marcos had to carry 21 extra pounds of "Briel weight" that is our excuse for coming in next to last! Thanks to Kari for taking these pics for us!

Here is Zaquel coming across the invisible finish line! I made Marcos run with him so he didn't get distracted by the playground!!

Here are Isabel and Zaquel getting ready for the kids' 1K race

All of us after Marcos finished the 5K. Can't you see the huge beads of sweat on his forehead? Oh right, he's black! Love you Honey!

Marcos getting ready for the 5K

Marcos taking his prize for 2nd place in the 5k with a time of 26:14. Way to go sweetie!

Our Little Reader

ok, this pic is for me! We worked really hard on homework this year together. Somedays it was a bit rough, but we got it done. I mean Isabel that is... Here she is with her folder full of stickers which means she did not miss one week of homework! Fabulous!

You gotta love it! One happy 1st Grader!

Here she is receiveing her 2nd medal for coming in at #3 in her class. She really wanted to be 2nd but oh, well. We told her as long as she does her best that is all that matters. When we got home she said, " I have a 2nd and 3rd place medal, now all I need is a 1st place one." Maybe next year girly! We love you!

Here is Isabel at the AR Awards Assembly getting her 1st grade medal for earning more than 50 points! Way to go girl!

Preschool Program

The portrait for Zaquel. Marcos said he looks like a basketball player. Maybe he will be one in the future.

I did a portrait of each student and here is Zaquel with his. They all turned out really nice I think.

I let Isabel help do the last song she was thrilled!

Weather song Zaquel was" windy" I know, I know, how appropriate. It's like his mom was in charge or something and knew just what kind of weather he would be!

" Jingle Bells" song Yes, that is my sister Joye helping Matt. He was very bashful and a bit unwilling to participate. :) There's always one!

Here is the song "We Give Thanks" with their cute little Turkey hats.

This one is for you Joye! He did actually do it himself during practice! :)

Race for the Cure Heroes

I think he is meditating. He said it was a "Ninja" thing...who knows!

Here are the kids with the scarves and capes we got at Race for the Cure on May 9, 2009

cuties

The Pack minus the Leader

My girls and their Papa