St. George was so much fun. We got to spend a lot of time with my Grandma and Grandpa and also got to see my best friend, Lisa, and her husband Greg. The first morning we got up and went on a hike up to the red rocks. We walked in with two other ladies and their five kids and Dylan just assumed we were hiking with them. We couldn't get him to leave their side so thanks to our social bug, Dylan, we made some new friends. Preston's schedule was a little off the first day so he was a bit grumpy, but it was still quite fun. We went and saw Greg and Lisa's place and went to have some frozen yogurt after. The next day we went to play tennis and then I met Lisa for lunch. We went to this new place called 25 Main. It was really fun. We ended up talking for about two hours and then she had to get back to work. We met that evening after Greg got off of work and played some friendly tennis games, while our famous photographer, Dylan, snapped a million shots. Grandma kept Preston and said he played really well and went right to sleep. Thank goodness he was back to normal by then. Again we went to get ice cream. It was more for Dylan than for us. Saturday Greg had to work so we went with Lisa on another hike. It was closed so we didn't walk too far, but it was still really fun. We followed that with a picnic in the park, Horton Hears A Who with Dylan, Mommy and Lisa and a scrumptuous dinner with the grandparents. The whole trip was really fun. Sunday morning I started packing while everyone else played outside for a minute. To Dylan's surprise, there was a racoon in the trap. Dylan was pretty nervous, but thought it was really cool. All in all, it was a great trip. We got to spend lots of time with people we love and got to do a bunch of fun things too. We played tennis, swam in the hot tub, played on the swings, went on two awesome hikes, had ice cream every day and were pampered with Grandma's delicious homecooked meals. What a lucky bunch of Uboldi's we are! I'm so glad we were able to slip away for a few days. It was a great trip!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Preston and the Cookie Crumb
Preston was a curious little baby who could crawl, climb and get into mischief. He was a typical one-year-old baby boy. He laughed and giggled and tried to be like his big brother, Dylan. One day, following a typically healthy lunch, he was exploring the house and made an exciting discovery. Preston learned that many leftover food crumbs fell right under his brother's stool and often remained until the dreaded vacuum machine could be retrieved. He smiled as his eyes fixed on one large, mouth-watering oreo crumb. It was one stool down and just over an arm's reach from there. He quickly set out to accomplish his new mission. He focused on his ever-developing motor skills, took a deep breath and began. Pull up, dive down, climb through and...ugh...waaa..... What is going on here? Yep, baby Preston was stuck right in the barstool, just out of reach of his precious cookie crumb. Poor little Preston. Luckily he found plenty of other food crumbs within reach and was able to entertain himself while his mom snapped some pictures and rescued him from the evil barstool.
Painting With Dylan
I tried to get one last coat of paint on the new shelf in the office while Preston was asleep. That left me with one little helper to manage during the project. Here are a couple pictures of Dylan the painter. Trust me, painting with a 4-year-old is no easy task, but I figured it was worth the experience to let him be my sidekick. It was tough, but fun for both of us. He LOVES painting!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Reflections of Christ
http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html
This is a truly breath-taking video of the Savior's life. For me, the pictures captured a million scriptures read and moments pondered. It helped me really see the Savior as a human being born on the earth. One who lived like us, but never sinned - a perfect man. It's hard to completely envision sometimes, but was very real for me in these pictures. I felt like I was there, like the Savior was my neighbor and friend. I am thankful for the moment of reflection this video brought to me. I keep wanting to say something more, but I can't seem to find the words. It is absolutely moving... He loves us, He died for us, and He lives again!
Dylan & Papi
Dylan and his Papi have become quite good friends lately. Dylan loves being like Marcos. He loves playing and watching soccer just like Papi. He loves music and playing the guitar. I love looking in my rearview mirror and seeing his scrunched up face as he gets into a song. Dylan loves just about anything Marcos does - he just likes hanging out with him. The other night, we grilled some chicken and the kid was in heaven following Marcos in and out of the back door a million times, asking for a plate or whatever other errand Marcos had sent him to accomplish. It's been really cute to watch! Marcos has always been a good dad and enjoys the kids more than many fathers do, but the last few months, I have watched him grow and become an excellent dad. Why? I don't know. But the man misses his kids so much when he's gone and can't wait to come home and be with his family again. The other day, Dylan said to Marcos, "When I'm a Papi, I'm going to name myself Marcos." When Marcos told me about that, we both got a little teary-eyed. It was Dylan's own way of expressing his desire to be like his Papi when he grows up. It was so sweet!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
How I Met My Love
I found this on a couple of blogs I frequent and thought it was a good idea. Sorry for my lengthy answers, but I thought some of the questions required a little more of a story than a simple answer. Anyone reading this...consider yourself tagged.
(Answer all the questions HONESTLY)
1. Where did you meet?
Weber State University. I was walking up the stairs in the Union Building to my orchestra class and heard my name. I looked around and couldn't see anyone I knew. I'm sure I looked helpless trying to figure out who had called out my name while simultaneously trying to keep my cool so my friend, Sherice, finally rescued me and said, "It's just my friend, Marcos." Okay. I gave a polite wave and kept walking. A few days later, he was talking to Sherice again over by the Greek offices, where a whole bunch of my friends were "studying." He just comes on out and says, "Hey baby, do you want to go out some time?" I could feel my face turn a hundred shades of red and probably land on something closer to purple. All my friends were around and getting hit on by some wanna-be player was not exactly my style. I said, "No, I don't even know you." He comes back with , "Well, what if we double with Sherice and her boyfriend? You know her." "Um, no." Then one of my sorority sisters blurts out, "I'll go out with you." And that was that. Marcos and Heidiann doubled with Danny and Sherice and I thought nothing more of it. Apparently they didn't hit it off because they only went out once.
Marcos and I spent the next year getting to be very close friends. I felt so bad about the way I'd turned him down and never quite knew how to bring it up. He helped me with my Spanish homework when I didn't get it finished in time and we became pretty close. Almost a year later, I was trying to find a date for our spring formal. I emailed my friend, Lisa, and told her I might just ask Marcos because we were good friends and it wouldn't be such a big deal. Marcos happened to walk by her computer screen when she was reading it and saw the email. He emails me out of nowhere and tells me he saw the email accidentally, but that he would be honored to be my date. Crap! By that point, I had a date so I didn't know what to do. I just ignored the email. As a side note, I didn't know who the email was from at first. muboldi I only knew him by Marcos. What the heck kind of a last name is Uboldi anyway. I would hate to have that for a last name. Yep, it was a total curse! Never think that you hate someone's name. It might just become your own. Now I'm quite fond of it...it is unique and is the name of a man I love very dearly.
During the summer, I had an inter-communications class and had to interview someone from a different country three separate times. My mom suggested Marcos. I called him up and went to Centerville to interview him. He turns the dang thing into a date by suggesting we go to Robintino's while we talk. We had an awesome conversation and it hit me - I was completely into him. The more questions he answered, the more I liked him. It was actually a really great way to get to know someone that I would end up dating. Just lay all the questions out on the table first and then see if you still like each other. We finished the conversation watching a baseball game at the park. At the end of the night, he looked at me and said, "Now can I ask you a question?" I replied, "Sure." "Would you ever consider going out with me if it wasn't for a grade?" Ouch, that hurt. "I guess," I said. We met a few more times for my class that summer and then started "dating" officially in the fall.
2. What was the first thought that went through your head when you met?
Who is this guy and why is he yelling out my name?
3. Do you remember what she/he was wearing?
Nope, but probably jeans and a t-shirt. That's what he wore most days around campus.
4. Where was the first time you kissed this person?
Under the bell tower at Homecoming. We became true wildcats that night! When I realized he was following everyone outside, I was freaking out. I'm thinking to myself, "Okay, I guess we're going to kiss tonight." It was major anticipation leading up to a first kiss. Then we get out there and I've made up my mind that I'm cool with it and he is just as nervous as can be. He and a friend of ours (who we saw out there with another friend of ours) were taking the free mints and throwing them and talking and moving around all nervously. It was like Jr High or something. When the stupid bell started to chime and everyone started kissing, he wasn't even next to me. What the heck! He finally came over by me and it was like he didn't know where to start. After waiting for my "prince" to initiate things, I finally decided to rescue him and just get things started myself. Luckily after the awkwardness passed, it was actually a pretty good kiss and a great memory.
5. How did he/she ask you out?
During the interview I mentioned earlier, he asked me if I would date him if it wasn't just for school. For our official Homecoming date, he called me up and asked if I wanted to go. Talk about butterflies...for both of us.
6. Where did you go for your first date?
Okay, it depends on what you consider a date. That's why I rambled on so long earlier...these are not simple questions here. Either Robintino's and then the park or Homecoming. Marcos considers Robintino's our first date because even though it was for a school project of mine, he had the idea to go to Robintino's to talk and then paid for the date.
7. How long did you know this person before you became a couple?
A year, almost to the date.
8. Has this person ever proposed to you?
Yes. He proposed on February 20, 1999 in Memory Grove. We went on what I thought was a late Valentine's date to the Inn at Temple Square and then he took me on a carriage ride. I was a little suspicious, but didn't think he would have a ring yet. He knew I'd always wanted to go on a carriage ride so I figured he was just giving in to my constant requests. We got down and walked around and he proposed on the bridge. It was so sweet! Hmm...he got down on one knee and said something like, "Babe, you are the love of my life. You make me so happy. Will you marry me?" I may have left something out, but I know those lines were in there. Cheesy, but sweet and totally true. I said yes and then honestly, we were both so dang giddy...like school girls. We didn't know what to do with ourselves. We were prancing through Memory Grove and laughing and yelling. I know, it sounds a little crazy. It was, but it wasn't. It was actually just true bliss. We got back on the carriage and Marcos talked to everyone that passed us on another carriage (or a car or on foot). He would yell out, "Hey, we just got engaged" and hold up my hand to show them my ring. Just like Marcos!
We were married 4 months later, on June 25, 1999 in the Bountiful temple. It was another Marcos and Maria moment. We were totally content to do our own thing. We broke the mold a little and had the reception in my mom and step dad's backyard. And of course I had no backup plan for inclement weather. Luckily el nino calmed down that morning and we had a beautiful reception with no rain. It was perfect weather! I honestly never thought too much about my wedding except that I didn't really want to have it in a church gymnasium (sorry people) and I didn't want it to be boring. That's all we really talked about. Marcos had the same thoughts. So I didn't worry about too many of the details like the cake, knife and serving thing, garter, napkins, etc. I made the decisions and kept everything clean and simple, but it didn't matter that much to me. Everything did end up beautiful thanks to my mom (and others that helped with different parts of the reception). We were so much more focused on what we needed to do to have a great marriage, not just a great wedding. We took those temple prep classes in both of our wards - overkill maybe, but I take eternity very seriously. It was an awesome wedding though. There was lots of food and dancing and no formal Mormon wedding line. It was just mingling, eating and dancing. We wanted it to be fun for everyone and I'm pretty sure it was - most people didn't leave the reception until 11:15 p.m. We were having way too much fun to leave early. It was another giddy schoolgirl moment, full of awkwardness and joy, all wrapped into one big bundle. We were just so happy and in love. It was a truly memorable day!
9. Do you and this person have kids together?
Clearly everyone on this blog knows the answer to this already. We have two little boys. Dylan was born March 2, 2004 and Preston joined our family on March 15, 2007.
10. Have you ever broken the law with this person?
I don't think so. We're not really the law-breaking type. Maybe if you count speeding while we were both riding together in the same car. Marcos can have a lead foot sometimes, but that's probably as close to law-breaking as we get.
11. When was the first time you realized you liked this person?
When he emailed me about going to spring formal, I kind of got a little butterfly feeling. And maybe even a little before that. I couldn't believe he was so nice to me still and would help me with my homework, even though he always said he was part of our sorority's "black book." Not true, but he always said that. I for sure knew I liked him a lot that first date we went on when I had to ask him a million questions about himself. He tells this entire story from a way different point of view. He says I started liking him when he was playing soccer with a combined sorority/fraternity team (he wasn't in a fraternity, but they asked him to play with them). He says as soon as I saw his mad soccer skills, I was hooked.
12. Do you get along with any of the ex's of your partner?
I haven't met any of them and I don't want to. I don't like to consider myself the jealous type, but I probably would be if I met one of Marcos' ex-girlfriends. He ran into one of my ex's though and that was awkward. The dude lived in San Diego so showing up to our ward in Bountiful was just weird. I guess he'd gotten married and his wife's dad was in this bell choir that came to play for our ward. Marcos just shook his hand and introduced himself. I was the one who didn't know what to do. I guess he's probably better than I am in situations like that. But he tells that story a little differently too. Crazy kid!
13. Do you trust this person?
Yes I do.
14. Do you see your partner in your future?
Um, yeah. Eternal marriage and all I'd like to think so.
15. What's the most expensive thing he's given you?
I don't know. He's such a bad gift-giver. I love the man to pieces, but he is the type to show up to the party and be the center of attention, not plan anything. He usually forgets to buy me a present. Of the many many strong points the man has, giving gifts is not one of them. To his credit, he would let me buy anything I wanted. He is very generous, he just doesn't put much thought into stuff like that. And I didn't ever think so, but maybe I'm a little pickier than I thought I was. I'm just way too practical and a little bit of a tightwad. If he buys me flowers, I am grateful, but cringe at the idea of money spent for something that is just going to die. So I try to give hints and he does his best. Okay, sorry. More than I should have revealed about the crazy me. But I guess my wedding ring. I'm sure it's probably the most expensive thing I own besides our cars and our home, which we bought together. If you want to know what the most expensive present I have given him is, it's a 1957 Fender Vintage Reissue Guitar (his dream guitar!!!!). Yep, I used to be pretty good at presents. Now I've laid off spoiling him so much and we just do what we can with a much tighter, post-home-owner budget.
16. What is one thing he/she does that gets on your nerves?
I remember being first married and realizing all his endearing quirks that bugged me, but didn't. He can be so laid back and yet so OCD at the same time. He used to play indoor soccer like 4 nights a week and watching his routine to get ready was hilarious. He would tuck his shirt in, then untuck it a little, then tuck it in a little more. Then he'd put his shin guards on and pull his socks over them and pull them up, and fold the sock down... I love things like that though. They don't really bug me, they're just a part of him that few people know about (well until now).
As for a real thing. I guess probably his tendency towards procrastination. I guess everyone has that once in a while, but Marcos puts most of the important things in life off until he has to get around to it. It makes the organized part of me a little crazy at times. But we're pretty good at compromising and working with each other's quirks.
17. What is one thing you do that gets on his/her nerves?
He HATES when I have a new project I'm determined to do that requires his help. Remodeling or rearranging furniture just drives him crazy. Not that he cares whether or not I actually move things around, but when he comes home, he wants to relax for a bit and not get roped into some new project. I tend to be restless and need to change things often and he could go his whole life in the same clothes, furniture, car, home etc. He's a pretty simple man by nature.
18. Where do you see yourselves in 15 years?
Raising teenagers I guess. Yikes! That's frightening. Hopefully in a little bit bigger home or the boys might kill each other. But don't mention a new home to Marcos. Mr. Content thinks we're going to live here forever. :) Also, I hope we are a little less strapped financially, but saving wisely for our future.
19. Will this person repost this?
Nope. Not unless he wants to tell his side of "our" story. Then he might make me help him. Just kidding.
I hope none of you think my answers to these questions minimize the love I have for Marcos. We have a fun and honest relationship and are pretty much open books. There just isn't much we won't tell you if you ask us wanting an honest answer. But he is the love of my life. We were definitely meant to be together. I know it sounds cheesy and I won't go into details, but we just were. We both know it! Even though we have our moments, we get through them together. There isn't anyone else I would rather ride through this roller coaster of a life with than Marcos. He is an awesome father and a very loving and caring person. I couldn't have picked a better man for me!
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Birthday Dinner
Grandpa Mike (my dad) and Grandma Suzanne came up last night. We went to Olive Garden for dinner to celebrate the boys' March birthdays. Dinner was delicious and the kids behaved as well as could be expected. There was a spilled lemonade episode, Dylan scooting his chair in and out from the table, and a fussy baby by the end, but it was tolerable. That's life with young kids at a restaurant close to bedtime. What a tasty meal though! On the way back to the car, Dylan said something about having another Grandma and Grandpa. I didn't think twice about it. I said, "I know. You have lots of Grandmas and Grandpas, and abuela and abuelo. Aren't you lucky?" He smiled and said, "I sure am!" A few minutes later, Marcos held up his hand as if to give me a high five (I know, so high school) and said, "Good job." I had no idea what he was talking about. He told me that was a great response to the grandma and grandpa comment and that he wouldn't have thought of it or known what to say. With such little kids who have only known extra sets of grandparents because of a divorce that happened long ago, it's such a non-issue. They ARE lucky to have more people to love them. So if nothing else, my husband thought I was super mom for a minute. After dinner, we came back to the house and the kids opened a present from Grandma and Grandpa. Preston was just thrilled to be in the living room and not locked in the family room with the gate up. We couldn't get him to even look at the present for like five minutes. He kept wandering over the piano. Ah, 1-year-olds...they're so easy to entertain. Once he realized he had new cars to play with, he was interested. They are so cool! They are soft on top and you pull them back and they take off. Even on the carpet, they were getting some pretty good distance. Dylan loves having a little brother. To him, it just means double the presents. Preston is still so good at sharing. One of these days, that is going to change. Dylan opened his present and it was a rescue pet. A chocolate lab that is now appropriately named Chocolate (pronounced in Spanish or English for our bilingual home). He was so cute. Preston gave him a Fur Real baby lion for Christmas that he hasn't played with for awhile and he went right upstairs and got him out. Now both of them are considered his rescue pets and they make noises together. Dylan slept with both of them in his bed last night. He wanted to feed them this morning and wanted to give them a bath with him. When I told him they couldn't go in the water because they have batteries, he asked if they could just watch while he took his bath. Funny boy! It was a fun evening, despite the chaos that inevitably comes with two busy little boys.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Our New Family Room
For those of you who follow my blog, I finally found a solution for the family room that kept nagging at me. I organized most of the house and am working on the office, but no amount of rearranging that room seemed to tame my restlessness. We have the same couches we have had since we got married almost nine years ago and the fabric was totally wearing. We didn't really budget in new couches this year so I finally decided to just redo things the cheap way. I found some slip covers, a couple of throw pillows and a new rug and now things look a little less "lived" in. Here are a couple of pictures of the new room. They're not great, but you get the idea. I don't really have a "before" picture so I'm attaching a couple of pictures that show the old couch and rug so you can kind of see the difference.
Easter 2008
Easter morning was a rush. Luckily Dylan didn't remember it was Easter when we woke up so we got everyone showered and dressed before we went down to find Easter eggs and see what the bunny had brought. Dylan LOVED finding eggs and was cute about putting an egg in Preston's basket every once in awhile without even being asked. I think he chose his least favorite colors, but at least he was willing to share. Preston did find a couple of eggs himself while he was crawling around the family room and was content to just sit and inspect an egg or two. After church, we went up to my mom's for Easter dinner. It was a great weekend!
I've been trying to figure out a better way to post pictures so we'll see how this goes. For now, you can see Easter pictures at the following address.
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