Multi-tasking

I've obviously had a pretty busy summer, and in particular, a busy couple of weeks.  Things have been chaotic and it's all I can do to keep up with every day life.  Today was another full mommy day.  I was juggling an extra kid who happens to be potty training (and is very stubborn and unmotivated about the whole process), took Dylan to tumbling, missed Preston's morning nap, went to Alicia's to get Dylan's hair cut, made lunch for five kids while Alicia fed nursed her baby, made sure Anthony and Preston took afternoon naps, caught up with/decided my future with two friends on the phone and finished talking just as Anthony's dad arrived to pick him up.  A few minutes later, Preston woke up from his nap and we took a walk around the cul-de-sac.  I picked a few weeds in the front yard, tightened Dylan's training wheels, reminded Preston not to run out into the street 15 times and finally went inside to wash up and start dinner.  At this time, my dear husband walked in the door from a long day at work and started making phone calls to arrange everything for his Young Men's activity (while simultaneously reminding me to keep the hungry kids quiet).  Sigh.  It was just one of those days, but I was in good spirits and determined I could do it all.  I fed everyone, sent my husband off to faithfully fulfill his church calling, and got back to business. Dylan and I (emphasis on the I) straightened up the toys in the family room, did the dishes, cleaned the toy room and then I put the kids in the tub.  (Sorry this is longer than I expected) 

Okay, so here's where the trouble begins.  I have to learn to slow down when I get into turbo mode.  I decide that I can clean the two upstairs bathrooms while the kids are taking a bath.  I think it's called multi-tasking.  Yep, I can do it.  I'll clean their bathroom while Preston bathes, take him out and then finish mine up while Dylan plays a little bit.  (Yes, I watch my kids in the tub - don't freak out about this part of the story).  So the kids are splashing and getting all clean and I'm scrubbing and scouring and thinking I'm the world's greatest mom.  I can do everything and anything.  Good for me (pat on the back).  I finish the bathroom and get pruney little Preston out of the tub.  He HATES diaper changes, putting clothes on and anything that holds him down so I gear myself up for the fight.  I put lotion and a diaper on him and decide it's good enough for now - we'll do jammies when Dylan's done.  I set him in the toy room, where he LOVES to play and usually does so for quite a while.  I run into my bathroom for a quick cleaning and a minute later I can hear Preston in the bathroom with Dylan.  Dylan is talking to him and laughing, but I don't worry.  Preston likes to watch Dylan and put his hands in the water.  No big deal.  Then I hear Dylan giggle and yell, "Preston's in the tub again, Mom."  Crap.  I leave the water running in my bathroom sink and run in there to see happy little toddler boy and his brand new diaper sitting in the bathtub again.  I wish I had a picture to demonstrate, but you'll have to settle for the thousand words rather than the priceless photo this time.  There was too much going on to grab the camera.  I take a mommy moment and decide it doesn't matter - I'll just throw the diaper out later.  I run back to finish the mirror in my bathroom.  In the meantime, Dylan has decided diapers shouldn't get wet and yells to me that he's going to take it off and throw it away.  No big deal, right?  That's what I thought.  Who knows what happened, but when he pulled the diaper off to put it in the garbage, absorbent diaper crystals went everywhere...in the tub, on my clean floor, all over both kids, you name it. Dylan is yelling again so I run back in to check on the process (literally 30 seconds later).  Preston now thinks Dylan's ability to enter and exit the tub at will means he should be able to do the same.  He's out of the tub, soaking wet and running full speed towards me.  In case you were wondering, diaper crystals, water and linoleum do not mix.  Full speed he slips into a sideways split and starts screaming.  I pick up soaking baby and do my best to comfort him.  Oh, I don't think I have mentioned his tendency to cry so hard he forgets to breathe.  In this case it makes sense, but whenever he's really upset he cries like the wind just got knocked out of him and he can't find that next breath.  Kind of a new thing we've discovered.  His lips turn blue and I sort of panic inside for a split second and then I realize he'll be fine.  So I get blue-lipped, soaking wet baby to calm down and take him back to rinse off the diaper crystals and dry him.  And we are back to square one.  I start all over with the lotion, diaper, and jammies, get Dylan out and do the same and then shut the bathroom door and leave the new mess we've just created behind.  This is exactly why my two most commonly used phrases at home are "Honestly" and "Give me strength."  

I think I used to be good at multi-tasking but maybe it's too much to ask of a mommy dealing with quick, unpredictable, little people.  It took twice as long and WAY too much energy.  A time saver it was not.  Oh well, it's just another moment in this adventure I call life.

More Family Night Adventures

Today for family night we just had a little lesson on the Holy Ghost.  Nothing fancy at all.  We had homemade pizza that I threw together at the last minute, but it turned out okay.  Then as we were cleaning up, Dylan asked us to start singing.  We hadn't officially started our family night, but we started singing anyway.  He wanted to sing in Spanish so we did "Give Said The Little Stream" and "Secret Prayer," Marcos' favorite hymn.  You just never know what's going to get that kid going.  One minute Dylan hears the word "secreta" (Spanish for secret) and the next he's darting behind the cabinets in the kitchen and singing/whispering "Shhh shhh, secret agent.  Shhh shhh, secret agent."  It's from another episode of Backyardigans that he loves.  Apparently the word "secret" sparked his memory and he had to transform himself into secret agent character.  I wonder if it's a sign that we're watching too much TV when everything we do ends up in our reenacting some cartoon episode.  

Jazmin's Quinceanera

Jazmin's quinceanera was a blast.  Food, friends, dancing...all the elements of a great gathering.  It was so cute to see our little Jazmin as the star of her party.  She was darling!  Dylan loved the playground and some new friends he made.  He also thought the birds they had at the back of the yard were pretty dang cool.  Preston wandered around popping balloons and squishing the decorations.  He also went around taking things to random people and sitting on their lap.  He's such a friendly little guy right now.  We met the coolest Samoan kid named Paisa on our trek.  He is so friendly and kind and just has a gift for getting along with people.  He reminds me a lot of Marcos.  Preston could apparently sense his loving spirit because he just followed him around everywhere.  It was so sweet to watch.  Marcos danced with Jazmin during her money dance.  It was fun to watch the slight awkwardness between them as they danced together.  By the end of the party, Preston was so exhausted.  It was a very long day with only one nap that morning.  We waited for Dylan to have his turn at the pinata and then left.  What a great ending to a super fun day!

Climbing the rock wall

Preston making friends with Paisa (Pie-sa)

Pa dancing with Jazmin (the birthday girl)

Dylan pleased with his pinata skills

Saturday Swimming

Swimming with the kids was so much fun.  I'm glad Melissa called and invited us.  It was just me and my boys and Melissa and Tony for the first two hours.  Then Marcos came and met up with us after he played tennis with Esteban.  Everyone had a great time.  The water in the pool outside wasn't too deep so Dylan could play with Tony without any problems.  They had a little area for babies too, which was nice for Preston.  He would get out of the baby seats, lie down in the inch-deep water and swim around.  He didn't notice as he would get to the edge and fall off the stairs into the two feet water though.  He tries to be so independent.  He sees all that big brother can do and wants to copy him.  Tony and Dylan loved playing with the water guns and Preston loved that he could wander and touch the water at his convenience.  There were a few girls that were around 2 or 3 years old that just loved Preston.  They would push him in his little bouncer seat.  He didn't seem to mind the attention one bit.  He's getting to be so friendly.  We brought sandwiches and treats and just had a great time playing together.  We ran into people from our ward and even an old MTC teacher of Marcos'.  Crazy how small the world can be...especially when you're in a swimsuit.  

Water fights

Preston loving the water fountains

One of the little girls who took care of Preston

Dylan's happy swimming face

An Evening Out

Going out with Tomi, Joel, Sid, Amy, Esteban and a few of Tomi's friends was so much fun.  We went to dinner at CPK and then were going to a movie, but just about everything that could've gone wrong, did so we ditched the movie and went back home.  It was so great to get out and the babysitter did great with all our crazy little munchkins.

Tomi and me

Trying on sunglasses

Amy and Sid

Richard, Joel, Sid, me, Kylie, Esteban, Amy, Tomi, Billy

Joel, Billy, Tomi, Richard

Pioneer Day

The 24th of July was a fun day for us.  Like I said in my earlier post, we stopped by Amy and Esteban's to visit for a few minutes and then headed off to mom's house for a bbq and fireworks.  Dylan was not in love with the idea of sparklers this year.  He was content to watch everyone else do them.  He didn't mind the other fireworks though and loved helping choose which one we would light next.  Preston was too brave, as usual, and wanted to go pick up the fireworks.  Yikes!  He did not like being held back either.  We tried having him jump with grandma, setting him in the airplane bike, giving him a fountain drink (he loves holding his own drink with a straw) and finally settled on the stroller.  For some reason the carseat and stroller are okay with him.  He understands that he's stuck there and sits quietly most of the time.  Preston loved watching the fireworks.  He was completely captivated with the bright lights and noises so once he was safe in his stroller seatbelt, we were good to go.  It was a long night though and everyone was exhausted by the end.  

Happy little Dylan

Bribery: Preston and his drink

Nate, Alicia, Kenya, Grandma and Kamyn

Preston accepting his stroller confinement

Cherry Hill

We went to Cherry Hill Wednesday with a pretty big group.  It was my aunt Carol, kids Mary Jane and Jonah and their two friends, my mom, Tony, Alicia, Kamyn, Kenya, me, Dylan and Preston.  The kids all had a great time and loved the water.  Preston's getting more and more independent with every passing moment so he just wanted to walk and swim by himself.  The kid has no fear right now.  He'd try to dive out of his inflatable boat whenever I wasn't paying attention.  Dylan followed the big kids around most of the day.  They went on the slides and Dylan slipped down before them without a mat.  I think it was a bit traumatic because he's asked me several times since why he went down the slide himself.  Okay, bad mom award.  I thought he'd be fine - he was with a 12-year-old.  Sometimes there's just not enough of me to go around.  Preston wandered up and down the ramp to the stage, tipped over chairs and ran away from me giggling.  Naughty little baby!  He left with several bumps and bruises.  I think I'm in for the long haul with him now.  I had hoped his more mellow personality would spare me from the toddlerhood moments I remember with Dylan, but I was wrong.  It was such a fun day though.

Kamyn and Grandma floating together

Kenya andAlicia

Preston and his cookie

Dylan and Grandma

Thirsty brothers

Dylan, Preston and Mommy

Treehouse Museum

The kids loved the Treehouse Museum.  Dylan could sit and play at one station for a half hour or so, but our little mover made that almost impossible.  I chased Preston around all day trying to make sure he didn't take toys from other kids, get lost or fall down too many times .  Silly baby!  We had a great day, but I was definitely tired by the end of our excursion.  

Preston making his move.  

I love that he isn't much bigger than the pieces in the game.

Dylan playing store with some kids.  

He LOVES playing store and takes it very seriously.  He makes 

sure he pays for everything so he isn't stealing from the store.  Funny kid!

Playing dinosaurs.

One of the few pictures I could get with the two of them in the same area.

Chasing my little monkey over the bridge.  

Preston thought it was pretty funny to run away from me.  

Why do my kids love mischief so much?  I must be doing something wrong.

Crazy Week

I do not know what happened, but this week has been so crazy.  Half the things we did were spontaneous and I didn't even realize how busy I was until I downloaded my pictures from the week.  No wonder I haven't posted since trek.  It wore me right out.  Here's a brief recap.  Monday we had Anthony at our house.  It's been a busy few weeks and we haven't had him around as much so we really made the most of it and played all day.  Tuesday I decided to get out of my hot house and go to the Treehouse Museum.  The kids loved it!  That afternoon I took the kids to my mom's house so Marcos and I could go hike the mountain since the race is next week (YIKES!)  We didn't get home until 10:30 p.m.  Luckily my mom brought the kids here and tucked them in for us.  What an awesome grandma my kids have!  As a side note, that climb up the mountain was so dang hard.  I'm going to need some prayers and luck going into this crazy race.  I did not think I was going to make it.  I was actually further along than I thought I was but at the time I didn't think I could find that last bit of will-power I needed (stupid mind games).  I was pretty nervous...the last thing I wanted was life flight coming to rescue me.  Wednesday, my mom called and said they were going to Cherry Hill.  I hired a babysitter to sit at home while Preston took a nap so I could take Dylan to tumbling and then we headed off to Cherry Hill.  What a long, fun day.  It was bedtime before we came home.  Thursday was Pioneer Day.  We watched the parade at home and then went to the park.  We ended up stopping to visit with family at Esteban and Amy's house before we headed up to my mom's for a bbq and fireworks.  Friday night we ended up going with Marcos' cousin, Joel and his wife Sydney, Tomi (Marcos' sister), Esteban and Amy to dinner.  We met up with a couple of friends Tomi knew from Florida.  We left all the kids at Amy and Esteban's with a babysitter.  Poor girl!  She made bank though so I'm sure it was worth it to her.  Today (Saturday), my sister, Melissa, called to see if we wanted to go swimming.  Marcos went to play tennis and met up with us later.  We were there all afternoon.  Then we had to run home, shower and get to a birthday party.  It was the quinceanera for one of the girls in our trek family.  Her family is from Costa Rica and she's the cutest thing ever.  It is latin culture to throw a big birthday bash for girls when they turn 15.  It's kind of a coming of age party.  So we spent the evening there with some of our new friends who we consider family now.  Wow, what a week!  It's been fun but exhausting.  It's Saturday night and my house hasn't really been cleaned this whole week.  I haven't done any grocery shopping and the laundry is piling up.  It's going to be nothin' but work this coming week.  Maybe we can try to spread the fun out a little bit next time.  The next few posts will be my attempt to document these fun events with some pictures.

Handcart Trek 2008

These pictures are in no particular order.  I hate the way blogger uploads photos.  The top four pictures here were taken and edited by Britney, one of our girls.  I LOVE this picture of Marcos and me.  We look like a real Ma and Pa.  

Ma and Pa Uboldi

The boys and their blue bandanas

The girls

Pa, Britney and Ma 

(cute picture, but not exactly flattering with my big dress bunching in the front)

Daniel's 14th birthday

Brayden's mad dance skills and Jazmin, our social butterfly, were always entertaining us

Part of our family after the fireside on Sunday

Our bonded family the last day of trek

Meeting our family Thursday morning (all clean and ready to go)

Edgar, Weston, Thomas, Britney, Ma, Pa, Jazmin, Daniel, Alyssa, Hailey

Ben, Brayden

Pulling the handcart

The guys kickin' it country style

Ben, Brayden, Pa, Weston, Daniel, Thomas, Edgar

The girls frolicking in the meadow

Ma, Alyssa, Hailey, Jazmin, Britney

How do I even attempt to put into words our experience during trek?  I'm not sure I can do it justice.  I'll try to hit on the highlights without boring you with the journal details.  

The first day was pretty awkward.  I think they do that on purpose.  They don't put friends in the same families and they didn't give us any kids from our own ward.  We ended up with a few kids at the last minute that we didn't know we had too so just remembering names was difficult.  Looking back, we can laugh at the conversations that took place during the first moments of pushing and pulling.  So what's your name?  What grade are you in?  What do you like to do?  Oh, so you like the color blue, me too.  Stuff like that.  Awkward, but necessary.  The first day really is meant to break you down.  We walked around 12 miles total with our 300 pound handcart.  It was not an easy day.  People were hot, dirty, tired and emotional.  Sometime in the late afternoon we had the women's pull.  For those of you who don't know what that is, it's a type of reenactment of what happened when Brigham Young asked the men to join the Mormon Battalion and help fight in the Mexican-American war.  Many women were left alone for years.  We pulled the kids to the side and read them a portion of the history.  Marcos and I had watched a video from another stake's trek four years ago and were very moved by this part.  Marcos definitely didn't want to leave us behind to struggle.  I had to convince him that it would ruin the experience if he didn't let the women do it alone.  I was already crying just reading the story.  One sweet girl of ours trying to ease my pain said, "It's okay, Ma.  We don't have to pull all day.  It'll be over soon."  I was glad she said something because I was able to clarify why I was crying.  I told them that I was not crying for us or what we would have to suffer, but for those who had to actually say goodbye to their husbands and sons and carry on for years without them.  I cannot imagine that kind of sacrifice.  This was merely a moment to demonstrate that difficulty, but of course it would not last forever.  Could I actually carry on myself if this were real though.  I was told not to help the girls until they couldn't do it themselves, but with only four girls, they didn't make it too far without needing a little assistance.  After about 50 feet or so, they were pretty much stuck so I jumped onto the back to help push.  My girls pulling were about to fall over so part way up we traded positions.  It was really hard.  The cart would start to roll backwards and you just had to stick your position and breathe for a minute until you could all keep going again.  It was pretty humbling.  The hardest part I think was for the men up watching in silence.  I can only imagine how it would feel to watch us struggle and not be able to help.  After the pull was over, we gathered in families to discuss what we had accomplished.  The women felt so strong.  The men were truly humbled.  Marcos lead our discussion beautifully.  He started by saying how difficult it was to watch and said, "That's my wife, guys.  Do you know how hard it is to watch her struggle like that and have to sit back and watch?"  He asked our youngest boy who would turn 14 the next day how he would feel if that had been his mom pulling.  He just lost it.  He was crying so hard.  It was the sweetest thing I've ever seen.  Then Marcos looked at another girl who had come into our family with a pretty bad attitude and asked her for her thoughts.  After choking back tears for a minute she said, "I've just never known the church was true as much as I do now.  That was so hard.  No one would have sacrificed that way unless they knew it was true."  We all left feeling the spirit so strong.  Marcos talked a little to the guys about always helping women in life and not leaving them to push and pull alone.  It was truly a beautiful discussion.  The girl who it affected the most walked off to the side to pray and was still not ready when the handcarts pulled out.  I held back to wait for her.  I think that is when the family bonding really started.  

That night we set up the tarps around our wagon, ate dinner and got ready for bed.  The girls all helped each other, but most of the guys wandered around with their friends.  Poor Marcos had to go up the mountain to change because no one watched the tarps for him.  At 10:15 p.m. we had 15 minutes until lights out and couldn't find three of our ten kids.  It was not a happy moment.  We rounded them up and had a pretty serious "tough love" kind of discussion.  We talked to them about the sacrifices that had been put into this trek and that they could choose to get what they wanted out of this experience, but that if they chose not to participate, we'd rather know about it so it wouldn't affect the others.  It left a bitter taste in both of our mouths and I went to bed praying in my heart that things would work out.  I didn't want trek to be a babysitting job.  

The next morning we did a 180.  The kids started pitching in and we didn't even have to ask them to.  We had some time to talk about pioneer stories and that seemed to help set the tone for the day.  It was also Daniel's 14th birthday.  Another boy, Ben, followed him around to keep him away from the wagon and the rest of us worked to decorate the wagon for him.  It helped lighten the mood and everyone loved it.  Daniel wasn't sure why he was being tied up and locked in the port-a-potty, but he was super excited when he came back to see his birthday wagon.  We stopped for a longer lunch and played games, slept, chilled and had birthday rice krispie treats.  Hopefully it helped make his day special.  We were really starting to feel like a family.  After the first day, the second day of six miles or so seemed like nothing.  We actually had time to visit and hang out under the tarps.  That night we had a stake fireside and then a hoedown.  Okay, so at first the kids thought it was a little lame and only the die-hards joined in, but by the end the majority of the kids and adults were participating.  I LOVED it!  I'm a total geek though.  We did several different dances, but the last one was in a square of eight people.  I had the cutest partner, corner (that's the boy on your corner) and boy across from me.  They were so animated as they danced.  I couldn't help but grin from ear to ear as some teenager swung me around and around and doe-si-doed me.  It was awesome!  Good thing we only walked six miles that day because we burned another bucketload of calories during the hoedown.  I was totally sweating.  

After the hoedown, we broke into wards for a little devotional.  Our ward is small, but it was really cool.  The other pa from our ward is in the bishopbrick and since the Bishop couldn't be there, he lead the devotional.  There were the two couples, four young women and four young men.  We were basically the size of a family.  Our discussion wasn't fancy, but it was profound.  First we all went around and told a couple of things about our experience at trek.  What everyone liked about their family and so forth.  For the most part, everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.  Different people talked about challenges in their families like health problems, communication difficulties, and people that didn't get along with others.  They also talked about how awesome their families were and the competition for who had the best family began.  I talked a little bit about how wrong I was about some of the kids.  It was hard not to pass judgment the first day based on the little bit we knew about them.  Some were grumbling and others wandering off all the time.  As we got to know them, however, we realized how wrong we were about many of them.  After that, the member of the bishopbrick opened up a testimony meeting.  The words spoken were powerful and the Spirit there was so strong.  I love teenagers sometimes.  Their desire for coolness and their need to bear their testimonies is so cute.  It's a balance for them to find the right words to say, hoping no one will think less of them.  Some were simple and others more eloquent, but the Spirit remained the same.  One person talked about the family she was in and how her Pa didn't speak much English.  It was difficult for them to communicate, but she said she learned so much from him because when he bore his testimony, you could feel it.  Another person talked about not understanding the painting called "The Last Hill" until now.  It really was just rolling hill after rolling hill and you always wondered how many more you would have to climb before you reached your destination.  The leaders talked about sacrifice both then and now and how amazing the youth really are.  I felt that too!  It's crazy to me to think that these kids are going to be leading our church in a few years and the need to help guide and direct them hit me hard during this trek.  By the end, we were all crying and freezing.  The sun went down before our hoedown sweat had time to dry so we were in need of some sweatshirts by the end.  It truly was a beautiful meeting though.

That night was so much fun.  Everyone stayed around for family scripture and prayer and then just tucked themselves in bed.  We talked for awhile, losing the tired kids one by one.  We talked to them about each of their individual personalities and how they all add to the family we had become.  Marcos told a bunch of funny mission stories and everyone laughed.  The conversation flowed so naturally - it felt like a real family.  Whatever was on their minds, we talked about.  We even talked about how different they were than what we thought at first and how we need to be careful to give others enough time to show us who they are deep down inside.  

Saturday morning was bitter-sweet.  We were all eager and wanting to make it to "Zion", but knew it was the last time we would spend together.  We got dressed, had breakfast, had family prayer and scriptures and later had a solo experience.  It was awesome!  The kids all went off with their 5 gallon buckets to sit on and read scriptures, wrote in their journals, prayed and pondered.  I really enjoyed the time I had to reflect on what I had learned.  After the solo experience, our family gathered back together and had a testimony meeting.  Marcos started it off and I ended it.  A couple of the kids were pretty shy so when it looked like they needed a little help, I just asked them what they liked about trek and it helped them get their words going.  We ended up hearing a little something from all of them, which is what we were hoping.  Some testimonies were stronger than others, but they all have at least the desire for faith (which is what I was reading during solo time) and that is all that is needed.  I love that scripture.  I think it's in Alma 32 somewhere.  About not needing to have a perfect faith, but having hope.  And that if you can even just desire to have faith, you have started down that road.  I am explaining it horribly, but it hit me pretty hard.  

In some ways this trek was easier for me than real life.  I hated being dirty, hot and tired, but my real life with little kids to teach and take care of sometimes feels just as overwhelming.  The first day Marcos and I were our normal selves and loudly figured out how to do things.  We didn't fight, but we discussed things with less patience than we should have.  By the second day, that didn't happen once.  There was such a need for team work that everyone just pitched in.  With all the lessons and stories we shared about the pioneers it helped me realize that we really are a good team.  We can do anything together and I wouldn't want to have to go through any life experience without him.  

After all the spiritual moments that morning, we packed up and got on our way.  All the water breaks that day seemed so tedious.  We were all so eager to go fast and get there.  But when we had to actually say goodbye, there were a few tears shed.  Luckily I kept it together for the first time the whole trek, but a couple of my girls and even the guys seemed so sad to leave us.  I never thought I could have such an influence on teenagers, but it seemed we must have.  It's weird to me sometimes.  I still think of myself as one of the youth so being the "Ma" was kind of strange.  These kids were looking to us to lead them and I think we did just that.  We got invited to soccer games, a quincianera (15th birthday party) and everyone is dying to have a Uboldi pioneer reunion.  But above all we left with our hearts full and our testimonies strengthened.  Now I know why they put all that work into trek every few years.  It was worth every minute! 

Sprinklers

We woke up early a couple weeks ago to try to get some things accomplished before our busy day began.  Marcos mowed the lawn and I tried to keep the kids out of the way.  It was only 8:30 a.m. but Dylan could not resist the hose with the sprinkler attachment.  The pictures capture the moment perfectly - soaking wet pajamas and a grin from ear to ear.  What a nut!  

Surf's Up

We bought this water container for trek a couple weeks ago.  It was around the time that my kids had a horrible virus and were stuck indoors for several days.  Luckily my creative little Dylan never lets me down during moments of boredom.  He turned it into his surfboard and was singing "surf's up, surf's up, ho daddy, ho daddy..."  It's from an episode of Backyardigans that he LOVES.  What a cute little surfer!  I finally had to hide the water container in the garage.  I figured it was going to end up getting squished or broken if I left it out to be used by my 4-year-old, but it definitely provided some much needed entertainment during our cooped up summer sick days.  

Sergio's Birthday Bash

Saturday night we went to Marcos' friend, Sergio's, birthday party.  He's from Uruguay, which is quite similar to Argentina in culture.  They had a big "asado" (bbq) with their typical ribs, sausages and other yummy food.  Dylan had a great time playing with the kids, although one kid got a little too aggressive playing Kung Fu Panda and scratched Dylan's face up pretty good.  Let's just say he wasn't very happy about that!  Some of the older girls were so cute with Dylan and dragged him along to play with them.  They discovered this hammock and I couldn't get Dylan off it.  It was a fun night catching up with old friends. 

The party

The birthday boy cooking asado

The hammock

Family Reunion

We had a Timmerman/Littlefield Family Reunion today.  That's my mom's mom's side of the family.  As far as I know, this is the first one we've ever had, but it was a lot of fun to see some familiar faces and meet many others I didn't know.  My great grandpa Timmerman would have have celebrated his 100th birthday next week so they did this to celebrate his life and the life of my great grandma as well.  It was so much fun.  They had it catered by Famous Dave's BBQ and rented a blow up castle for the kids.  They also brought a net for volleyball and a soccer ball.  The older boys (Marcos included) ended up playing soccer with many of the younger generation playing or watching.  The inflatable castle was a hit for all of the kids small enough to use it and everyone just had a great time talking, eating, looking at old photos and relaxing.  It was great to learn a little bit more about that side of my family and reflect on all that family means to me.  Since this was about my grandma's family I wanted to say a couple words about her.  She didn't live close to us so our visits weren't regular, but were very meaningful.  Growing up, we usually visited 3-4 times a year.  She is a very private, quiet person so I don't know that she'd love this very public shout-out, but at the risk of her embarrassment, I'm going to do it anyway.  My grandma is awesome!  We have always felt so loved and taken care of when we are with her.  She is the best hostess ever!  She can feed an army with little notice and seems to have beds to fit any number of guests.  She never forgets a birthday or holiday and always is thinking of what she can do for others.  She is an incredible example of secret service.  She doesn't do things for recognition, but because they're right and the way we should live our lives.  I won't get into it, but there are so many stories I could share about my grandma and her service to others.  Not just to those easy to serve, but those who truly needed her.  I love my grandma and am so grateful I am a part of this wonderful family.

Grandma Flowers (we call her Grandma St George) - my mom's mom

Baby Kenya

Preston loving the bounce castle

Tony and Melissa

Jonah and Dylan admiring Marcos' soccer skills

Grandma introducing her side of the family

Super Grandma to the rescue

Back: Kathy, Steve, Mom, Barney, Dylan, Preston, Marcos, Maria, Tony, Melissa

Front: Kamyn, Nate, Alicia, Kenya, Grandma, Grandpa, Carol, Mary Jane, Kyle, Jonah, Bill, Francy