Tomi's Visit: Children's Museum

I was waiting to get some pics from Abuela's camera but the blogging must go on. SO....

We went to the Children's Museum on Monday. My mom was watching Nicholas and Alex and it was WONDERFUL to spend with them. I brought a long Kylie, since her and Milli are close in age. They all had a great time!

Milli, Tomi and Kylie trying to put some puzzles together. Thank goodness Tomi had her nieces with her to help her :)

The helicopter is always a fun place for the kids. Nicholas was inside the "tower" thing pushing the buttons and talking to those inside the craft, the other three, Milli, Kylie and Alex, were enjoying the ride.

I don't love the upstairs part... BUT this time we had SO much fun up there. I say skip the bottom and go straight for the top next time! Nicholas and I built some building and them watch them get destroyed with the earthquake simulator. He is so cute! I love him!!!

We had lots of fun with the magnets. (not pictured) We built all sorts of different things. It was a really fun time.

Otis just hung out and slept the whole time. He's an angel.

After the museum, Tomi, Kylie, Milli, Otis and I did some window shopping. We also got some chocolates from the "little chocolatiers" at their avenues shop. It was very delicious and a very nice afternoon.

Remembering Karen....

Two years have passes since I lost one of my very best friends. I think of her every day and I miss her tons! I wish I could call her just to chit chat about whatever. I know I will see her again... but for now I miss her!

Tomi's Visit: Abuela's B-day

The real reason Tomi came was for Abuela's B-day. Tomi and I decided she need a visit from her baby so we planned it all out and it was supposed to be a surprise. After two weeks Abuela had a rough day so we just made her happy by spoiling the surprise. :) we are the best daughter she could have asked for ... heheee...

The cake with lots of candles. I was halfway through lighting them and they all blew out. I said, "forget it" and just had her blow out the lighter : ) The cake is a Yellow Cake Mix from Betty Corcker. We added orange zest to the mix and used the juice of one orange plus water to have the necessary amount of liquid it called for. The rest was just way the box calls for it. The filling was dulce de leche. You can buy it at a Latin Market. The frosting was Brigadeiro. Its sweet and condensed milk, one tbs of chocolate powder and a tbs of butter. Cook until thick, stirring constantly. Then spread over the cake. Its a sticky brazilian fudge. We had to make a double batch of frosting.

Some of abuelas grand-daughters. Kylie was MIA.
Otis and Marissa (Marcos and Maria's baby girl) they are two+ weeks apart. It will be fun to see them grow up together :)


Esteban was the grill master that day. We had steaks, oven roasted potatoes, grilled veggies, green salad, a bean dip and chips and salsa. It was all very yummy!

The best part of this day was seeing my mom so happy. She does so much for all of us! We love you ma!

Tomi and I forgot to give her a "sito susson" for her b-day... i guess it was have to wait until next time :)

Tomi's Visit: The Arrival

Tomi arrived on the 28th of August late at night. My dad picked her up and we met for yogurt at Orange Leaf. We had a great time chit-chatting and laughing at my dad's stories. We hugged a lot and I am sure we looked a little funny and kid-like while we hugged and kissed like sister-who-haven't-seen-each-other-in-2-years would have hugged and kissed :) (that was a mouth full and probably grammatically incorrect... I don't care :))

After yogurt we went to the hospital where my mom works, since that is really the reason Tomi came. For my mom's b-day. It was a sweet reunion. We talk to Tomi almost daily and it is amazing to have her here! Tomi bawled like a baby when she saw my mom, it was cute.

We met some of my mom's co-workers and then took our picture together and parted ways until the morning. It was SO fun to be together again!!!

We ran to the store for some last minute things and came home to make my mom's cake for the next day. My mom loves orange cake with dulce de leche filling and a brigadeiro frosting. It turned out really yummy!

Tomi was beat from her trip but we managed to get to bed by 2am! This was just the beginning of a great and very busy week.

Sisters are the best!!!!

$8.97

I have A LOT to blog about... but this could not wait.

See that smile on my face? It also came with tears in my eyes. That is because I went grocery shopping at the newly improved Smith's and they have some "exotic" fruit for sale. Among these new fruits is my favorite of all the fruits, passion fruit. I have seen it there for several weeks, but because of the price on the fruit I have not purchased it. Its $2.99 each! I couldn't hold back the desire to purchase it today... so I did!!!!

As soon as I got home I cut open one of the three, yes I bought three (hence the title of this post), my smile was from ear to ear and my eyes filled with tears of sheer joy! Its amazing that a fruit that perhaps look unappetizing can bring so much joy and bring back so many great memories. I quickly ate all three (after Dave took these two pics).

I enjoyed it some sugar in it...mmmm, SO GOOD! Dave however was not impressed with taste and for sure not impressed with the price (party pooper!). I think it was $8.97 well spent.

ps. I also got some on my white shirt... My shirt liked it too.

Oti's Blessing

We had Oti's Baby Blessing yesterday at our home. I am glad it is done and a little sad to never do it again. Dave did a great job and I could tell he was emotional as he spoke. What a wonderful blessing it is to have the priesthood in our home!!!

Otis was surrounded by men who love him. Included in the circle was Dave, Grandpa Al, Abuelo, Marcos, Esteban, Uncle Mike and our sweet Bishop Moyes. I love all of those men in different ways :) We also had the love and support of many in attendance. Its amazing how much love we can feel for our family at these times!

Since we did it at home we had to have an opening prayer and the Bishop asked me to share my testimony. Leah said the opening prayer and asked that the spirit be with us, I LOVE THAT GIRL!!! She was nervous, but did a great job. I bore a quick testimony and of course cried, because I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude!

The best part was to have so much family here. Otis was passed around from arm to arm all night and he loved it. All of my family was here, including my dad, as well as my aunt and her whole family. From Dave's side of the family we had Grandpa Al and Diann, Karalee, Sarah and their families and Amy and the boys.

It was a wonderful event!

I can't help but be grateful for the abundance of love our Father in Heaven has for us, for our little family! We feel so incredibly blessed to have Otis as part of it. My heart is full!!!

"Too Religious of a Blog...."

This is MY blog. I blog about things that make me happy, my kids, my beliefs and some times I blog about my faith. Its great because its MY blog!

My religion, my faith, is what helps me get through my life. It gives me hope, guidance and it helps me understand why I am here on earth... being tried, even from the people who should simply love me unconditionally because they are my family. I try to respect others beliefs and not push my religion upon them.

I feel amazingly blessed by the opportunity Dave and I have to have four children. It might be more than others ever wanted, but we feel this is what is right for our family. I honestly wish we could have more. I don't judge others for just having one or two kids or more. It would be nice to have that in return.

I hate feeling judged!  I am not perfect and I have passed judgment at some point, but I don't do it on purpose.  I really try to love everyone.  Wouldn't it just be nice if we could all just love each other for who we are and not dislike someone because of our differences, rather embrace others differences?!?!