Temple Open House

Kind of dark but you get the idea!

All of Us!

Hurry! Take the picture! This won't last long!

playing in the fountain

Us in the reception room enjoying a cookie or two in the kids' case!

We were so glad we took the opportunity to attend the open house for the new Oquirrh Mountain Temple last Saturday July 25th. We had a great time! What a neat opportunity for our children to go in and see where their parents go.

Isabel's Temple Top 3

1. The diamond lights (chandeliers)

2. The sealing room with the mirrors
3. The baptismal font


Zaquel's Temple Top 3
1. The waterfall (fountain)

2. Angel Moroni (yes, he is black but only due to a lightning strike! He is not related, sorry Zaquel!)

3. The jewels

My favorite was when we were outside by the fountain looking up at angel Moroni and Zaquel said, "Where are the Lamanites?" So I guess he has been listening during scripture study!

Outdoor Fun

Two girls having fun!

Here is Briel lookin' good in the dumptruck of all places! Amazingly she fits in it! The kids had fun pushing her around the patio. We didn't let Zaquel push her too much...it would have resulted in stitches for sure!

Fireside

Back in June, (yes, I am a bit slow at posting things!) Marcos was invited to be a guest speaker at my sisters Youth Conference in Provo Canyon. He did such a great job! He spoke about his conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, growing up in Africa, the importance of education and choices. He has come a long way and I am so privileged to be his wife!

He has done one other fireside I have been to. It was when we lived in St. George and were dating. I went with my roommate Keli and we enjoyed his stories way too much!

Love ya honey!

Baby Contest

For those of you that remember, back in April of this year I entered Briel in a baby contes, with this photo, in the West Valley Journal. Thanks to all of those fabulous people who voted for her, she took third place! Nice!

She won a free photoshoot and 8x10 photo from Kathryn Michaels Photography. If you want to see one of the adorable pics from the shoot, click here. Enter the site and click on galleries, then babies and Briel is the first one up.

I guess this photo has edge lighting which is very difficult to do. I am so gald we could help Kathryn out with this! Anyway, I do have to say, I think Briel is just gorgeous! No bias at all right?

Well, enjoy the picture and wish us luck for the final contest in January of 2010! We are in the running for Disneyland! I do hope we win since we have never been there! No voting this time, only professional judges...a bit more intimidating but exciting none the less!

African Remedies

So I am finally on the mend after being sick for a week and a half with a very nasty virus.

No, it wasn't Swine Flu. Marcos took me to the Dr.'s twice to make sure. Both times the test came out negative.

I usually do not get sick, but when I do, I do it very well. I can probably count on my hand the times I have been ill. I mean besides getting Malaria, passing out and vomiting in Stress Management Class (remember that Keli?), passing out at church, at home when I was pregnant, and now this horrible virus, my life has been pretty healthy! Even when I was teaching full-time, I was rarely ill.

Marcos was such a great hubby over the last week. He had to take 3 days off work to take care of me and the kiddos. With the week-long fever, I couldn't even get out of bed! But when Monday came around I was on my own! Thanks to our neighbor, Megan, she came and played with the kids after their naps! What a great help that was!

ok on with the remedy. I am all for natural healings and treatments when appropriate. That is why I love Africans. They are all about that too! We believe in the power of limes. Yes, that is right, limes. Marcos juices them up and we drink it up! It is a bit powerful, but it cures the common cold and that nasty virus I had.

When Marcos was able to go to the store, he bought a huge bag of 50, yes, 50 limes. The cashier was very interested in the party we were going to have. Little did he know there would be no tequila involved. So, I have been drinking the lime juice and it has really helped me get better. So next time you get sick or feel it coming on, go out and get some limes and drink a little bit each day and you will feel better in no time!

Children of God

I am so glad my kids know who they are! Now, if I could only get them to remember that when they are in an all-out brother-and-sister brawl!

Dinner with the Missionaries

What is it with boys anyway? I mean do they have to be so boyish? So here's the story...

A few Tuesday's ago, we had the missionaries over for dinner. All was well, the dinner was deliciously sumptuous, if I do say so myself, and then it was time for the favorite dessert of browines and ice cream topped with chocolate sauce. Mmmmmmmmmmm...

So Zaquel decided he was done and jumped down from the table and headed towards the bathroom. I loved his independence or so I thought... Then a few minutes later, during their spiritual message sharing, the missionaries were giggling. Yes, giggling! You see, Jungle Boy and I were facing the missionaries and our backs were toward the hallway. So we said, "Is he naked?" (referring to Zaqel of course) They said "yes" and tried not to laugh. So right as we are turning around Zaquel says, "I have poop on my butt!" We turned around and there was Zaquel bent over with his little bum up in the air and poop all over it! I mean really, boys and poop, I just don't get it! He wasn't trying to be funny, he really needed some help cleaning himself off. I let Jungle Boy do the honors. I know, so nice of me!

By this point, the missionaries were crying because they were laughing so hard! Then a few minutes later, all cleaned up and with only underwear on, Zaquel graces us with his presence once again. He then tells one of the missionaries as he is pointing to his chest, "These are my boobies!" How nice of them to get an anatomy lesson as a trade off for a spiritual one! I tell you, never a dull moment at our house!

SIDE NOTE:
The missionaries did say it made their day! They had been in an accident earlier that day and were a bit stressed out. So next time they need enlightening... I am sure they will be right over!

And yes, he is wearing underwear in the pic!!!

St. George 2009

Our Little Swimmers!

Us with Karla. We stayed in her place our last year of college while she was on her mission. What a blessing that was for us! She too is a vital part of our Personal St. George history.

Our stop wouldn't be complete without a visit with Dan, one of the most generous, intelleigent, kind, and dedicated men in the world. He was one of the instrumental people who helped Marcos get to Dixie College. Amazing! And yes this is Marcos's favorite shirt.

Marcos with our old boss George.

The kids on a couch in the Gardener Center where both of us worked as college students. This is where Marcos used to check-out my hot (back-then-before-kids) legs while I was working as a catering goddess.

The kids at the fountain on Dixie's Campus.
This is where Marcos and I went to our 1st dance together...sigh. It is also adjacent to the grassy area where we had lunch together and a lovely little bird decided to drop a load right on Marcos' head. The way it seeped into his spongy curls was fascinating! I don't think I have laughed so hard in my life. He was so embarrassed! You see, we were still just in the dating stages of our romantic relationship and I think his face was bright red underneath all that blackness! Love you sweetie!

Here we all are at the Brigham Young House. This was a cozy little spot for reading or a great pic! Thanks to the sister missionary who took it!

Us at the Brigham Young Home. What industrious people those Mormon settlers were! I mean dragging all that pine down from pine valley to build this house, planting a garden complete with cotton, importing a tree from France so their silkworms could have their staple diet of Mulberry leaves, and handcrafting just about everything!! One of my favorites were the almond trees in front. I am so glad I don't have a toilet like Brigham Young's. If you've never been up to his room, all he has is a ceramic canister with a lid. Nice I know. That is why I wasn't born then. I couldn't have done it!!
Why don't I have such a nice tan like my kids? Oh yea, I'm white!

Isabel basking on a rock at the park.

Okay, Zaquel was so fast going down the paths! I am so surprised that he didn't take out one of the many walkers!

There is literally a park just a stone' s throw away from the condo's backyard. We took their scooters for them to enjoy the park's paths.

She loved the water! It was fun to see her splashing around and trying to tip herself over face first in the water! So sweet!

My Guys! How cute! I was so glad my sis-in-law let us borrow the life-jacket!
Zaquel could swim and jump-in with ease! And I didn't have to worry too much about drowning with that! Nice!

Who was this amazing photographer?

This was her favorite thing to do at the pool.
What! Is that Zaquel in the hot tub? He isn't 14 so shhhh! Don't tell!

Isabel right before she jumps in!

All the kiddos by the condo door.

Swimming fun times!

We had so much fun on our little vacation! The kids loved swimming in the pool and Marcos and I loved reminising (spelling?) of our dating days/engagement/1st year of marriage that happened at Dixie. What a fabulous place with so much history, personal and community. It was so nice to stay in the same condo with my kids that I stayed in as a girl with my family. I think it's amazing how things work out and I don't believe there are any mistakes when it comes to those things. Heavenly Father has a purpose for everything and he puts us in places where we can achieve those purposes. Anyway, what a great time it was. It is so nice to look back and see how far you have come together. (Marcos and I that is) I mean after 12 years we are faring pretty well.

We were able to reconnect with some friends of ours in Cedar City and had a great time at Discovery Park with our kids. Papa and Briel on the swing. How adorable!On the Pirate Ship Isabel and Zaquel on the sweet tire swing

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!