Culture Night!

Marcos and Briel playing the drum.
Marcos explaining the traditional dress of Mozambique.
Our Stake had an Culture Night on Saturday and Marcos was asked to do a display table and talk a little bit about Mozambique. Marcos also dressed the kids in the traditional dress. We gathered all the stuff up and had fun reminiscing about our trip back in 2000. Oh, how I wish to go there again! Our kids want to go as well. Too bad it would cost $6,000 just for all the airfare! Crazy! One day we will take the kids, most likely when they are at an age where they will appreciate all the things we have here in America!

Turkey Time!

We have been singing these fun songs about a turkey in preschool and Briel just loves them and tries to do the actions. Remember, I have never professed to be a singer so don't be too mean about my off key notes!

Zaquel actually knows all the words and does his own version of the song!

New Glasses

A few weeks ago, Isabel was commenting on her best friends glasses and how cute they were and such and such... Then she said that she couldn't see very well at school.
I said, "Do you want glasses just because your friend has them?" You know how kids are...always wanting what their friends have! So I arranged for the school nurse to test her eyes and low and behold, she failed. What a horrible thing to say! I really didn't know! She has forgiven me now so all is well and she can see!!

Halloween 2009

Here are the kiddos before we went to the church for table treating.
Trunk-or-Treats were outlawed a few years ago by the Stake because of liability issues...


Two cuties!
I made them go out at 8:20am before we headed off for school for these photos. Isabel kept telling me "I'm freezing!" I didn't really care! I needed to get pictures and this is where we do it every year. Never mind that is snowed two days earlier!

Isabel as Fancy Nancy!
Her favorite part of the costume was the tutu, accessories, and glasses!

Superman actually sitting still and he isn't even sleeping!

Everyone before the Halloween parade at school, which didn't start on time I might add!

Here are the vampires with all their loot! The teeth were a big hit! What a fun idea!

Here is Zaquel's Halloween Bucket from preschool. I made the buckets and the parents sent the treats to help fill them up. I think they turned out pretty cute!

Zaquel with his candy bucket from preschool.

I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween!

Briel is 1 year old!

5 Day old Briel!

My doctor thought we had it all planned out. She was to be born on the 24th of October by c-section at 8am in the morning. Well, I tried to tell him that my babies don't wait for that. I knew I would not be coming in that day I would have already delivered!

There I was at 12:30am, very, very, very large and in labor. We made the nice little 20 minute jaunt to the hospital and Marcos was making sure we hit every pothole known to man on that road! Meanwhile, my contractions are occurring every 2 minutes. I am admitted at 1:30am. The hospital is quiet, I might get in right away. My hopes are dashed when they tell me another woman has my same issues and she is dialed more than me. Alas, I have to wait. Thank Heaven for modern medicine to slow my contractions.

Finally, I am ready to go in and have this baby! We didn't find out what sex it was because she was being very modest at the time. I see the operating table, I am scared! It is extremely narrow! I told my nurse, "I am not going to fit on that! I am going to fall off!" She reassured me I wouldn't. They strapped me in. a few minutes later, I hear a scream... She is here! It's a girl! We are thrilled. I cry of course. She is healthy, and I am relieved.

The pain and emotion we go through for these children is absolutely remarkable. However, we do it, willingly, purposefully, because we know the plan. We understand and can see the big picture. I love you all especially, my chosen three!

Two day old Briel.

The kids loved her from the moment they saw her. An instant connection formed forever in all our hearts. There truly is nothing like a baby...





Here she is at 4 weeks old. What a beautiful baby she was if I do say so myself!! And everyone says she looks so much like me...

Here's to "WITCHING" time would stand still a little longer!

Coincidence? I think not!

Okay, I am a little late at posting this but I want to share it. One of Marcos' professors at Dixie College was called to be the new Mission President in Maputo, Mozambique in July of this year. We had lunch with them before they left and we gave them Marcos' family's information and addresses. We feel so blessed that they are able to contact them and teach them the gospel.

This is a picture of the Spendlove's with Marcos' family at his brother Bernardo's home. His sister Belinha is currently taking lessons and attending church every week. They hope to baptize her in December!

Herriman Reservoir 8-29-09

We had so much fun at Herriman Reservoir on Saturday! Uncle Luke and Aunt Emily planned this fabulous outing and we are planning to do it every year! The kids loved playing in the sand, splashing in the water and eating of course! The water was a bit cold but we all ventured in sometime during the day. I even went for a boat ride courtesy of Uncle Luke and Jacob. What a fantastic day for us all!
Here are some highlights...

Papa and Briel

Two girls in the water.

Testing out the FREEZING COLD water!

"Don't take a picture of me!"

Mom and Briel

Isabel in the coolest sandcastle ever!

Aunt Kira, Jared, Briel, and Matt.

Aunt Kira, Uncle Jeff, and Aunt Joye wanted to eat early.

Lunch Time!

Yum! Eat up those yummy sandwiches and granola bars!

Awww, all of us! Try not to get blinded by my white legs!

Isabel was BEGGING to get burried in the sand, so Zaquel, Uncle Jacob and Abby gave in to her request!

Almost there!

Aging Isabel into the teen years by adding some bustiness.

Top view of our well "endowed" mermaid! These beauties were Uncle Jacob's idea!

Voila (WhaLa)! Isabel the sand mermaid!

Zaquel, Abby, and Isabel going for a boat ride with Uncle Luke.

Uncle Luke twirling the boaters!

Briel doing her favorite thing, eating that is, sand is the meal of choice...nice I know!

Zaquel chillin' out in his chair eating Swedish Fish!

Isabel with her nice wad of gum in her mouth!

Caleb, Abby, and Isabel out to test the water.

Dinner Time!

Hmmmmm, what should I EAT next?

BONUS! She can use a straw!!

Briel has really taken to dinner time. I am sure this comes as no surprise to any of you! Just look at the cutie!! Soooo "chubby"! This will be the only time I can get away with calling her that so I am!

When it is time for dinner, we always say the prayer first and when Briel hears the word "prayer" she does this! We laughed so much when she did it the first time, we thought it was a one time thing. Well, she is surprising us each day as she keeps folding her little arms for the prayer!! Now, if we could just get her to stop screaming during the prayer...