Just the latest...

It's been a while since I've updated, and I've thought of a million things I could write about, but I'll just keep it to the basics. I'm happy that our Valentine's Day turned out better than I thought it was going to be. I've been wanting to start a breakfast tradition for a couple of years, but this year it finally worked out. We had all been sick that week and I didn't have time to get to the store to get the girls some Valentines, however my mom did come through for me. She had gotten the girls some really cute outfits when I was there visiting and I was going to wrap them up as a Valentine from her, but she let me just let them be annonimous and so the girls had something waiting for them that morning. We had a really yummy breakfast and we all sat around the table together at 6:30 in the morning. I turned the camera off while we ate so I could be more in the moment and it was lovely. We went around and told things we loved about each other and fun just being together. The tradition is definately sticking around.

 Over the weekend, Gabriela had her first dance competition. We had to go up to the Salt Palace for it and she was pretty excited about it. She got to perform her new lyrical number and they wear these little princess dresses. She did really well and doesn't seem to get nervous at all. But after spending our whole afternoon up there, I think we are both done with this dance thing. It's taking over our lives and our family's. Grandma and Grandpa were nice enough to drop in and watch her second number.

 And these two little rugrats hung in there for the five hours that we were there. I spent most of my time chasing and trying to find them as they ran around the convention center. That Sophia is a fast one! The picture is really bad, I know, but those are the outfits they got in their valentines and they refuse to wear anything else these days.

 Oh, and everyone had to get in on the makeup action. Bright red lipstick included. And for some reason, Sophia insisted she wear this ginormous bow on her head all day.

In other news, we went to an RV expo...don't ask how we ended up there...on Thursday and we found the perfect one for us. We've been thinking about one for a while and how nice it would be to take to GA every year since we can't fly anymore (too $$$). The girls wore themselves out going in all 1000 or so RV's in that place. I thought I was going to have this baby right their on the expo floor from all the walking. I was having major contractions that night, but we survived it.

Life is good. It's been busy. Just looking forward to hanging around in my sweatpants today and not doing anything. Thank you President's Day. Oh wait, I never did have time to go to the grocery store on Saturday. I guess I better get to that since we have nothing in the fridge or pantry.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Our love was sweet back then...

but it's even sweeter now!

Happy Valentine's Day Amor!

Gabriela's Valentine's Day Party at School

Well, we had Gabriela's party today at school and I volunteered to go help out, which is always fun, and the girls and I had a good time (mostly) making these cute Valentine's for her class, thanks to Familyfun.com. They are cute little flowers made from hearts with suckers stuck through them.

 This is the Orange Table making cute valentine's for their parents, or whom ever they choose.

 They also made cute notes to their teachers at this table.

 I think decorating and eating your own sugar cookie was the crowd favorite.

 And these are by far the cutest things I've ever seen. They made their Valentine's boxes in class and each kid got to decorate thiers after themselves. I like Gabriela's flower in her hair.

 Class photo

 And a silly one for good measure!



A last minute getaway!

So I had big plans to go be with my little sister at the birth of her first baby in March, but as I got talking to Miguel and evaluating the situation, we decided now would be the best time for me to go. So I was extra sneaky and flew home to surprise her at her baby shower. But the only way Miguel was going to let me get away with it is if I found sitters for my kids and totally prepped him before I left.

I washed and packed outfits for each day I would be gone, for each girl, and labeled them all so there would be no confusion. I felt awesome at the end of the day when I got this big project done.

 I left cute little notes and treats from me, in their bags, so each day they would be reminded of how much I loved them. (I know Mommy is spelled funny. We spell it the spanish way around here thanks to a Dora book I read when Gabriela was little. It's just habit now.)

 This is my beautiful baby sister, Cortney, and I before the shower began. She's due in like 4 weeks! I'm so jealous.

 My aunt and grandmother were totally shocked when they saw me as well. It was so fun to see the lightbulb come on and their faces light up when it registered who was standing in front of them.

 This is me and my two sisters. You would never know we were related. I'm obviously the runt of the litter.

 My sister had a great turnout at her shower and now she's set for baby Bentley to arrive. Doesn't she look happy.

 After church on Sunday, and a nap afterwards, my mom treated me and my sisters to an amazing southern dinner. We've got creamed corn, country fried steak, crescants, mashed potatoes, green beans, and fried ocra. And to top it off, she had the most amazing cupcakes I've ever put in my mouth. They were banana bread cupcakes with peanut butter cream cheese frosting. Heavenly! I was also able to visit with my childhood best friend Ereca. She recently moved back to GA with her family from Las Vegas and was insistant that I move back too.

 There's the cook herself! My sweet Mama! I seriously love this woman to death. She is my best friend....well, her and Miguel that is. Thanks for a great time everyone!

Utah Flash Halftime Performance

Gabriela got to perform at the Utah Flash Halftime Show last weekend and she loved every second of it. Well all except for when her pregnant mother fell in the parking lot and yanked her poor daughter down with her. Scared her to death! That will be the last time I wear those shoes. I felt like such an idiot, but I was more worried about her makeup running than my ego at the time. Luckily everyone went unhurt (including her tights). They do the cutest number to a song called "What's New at the Zoo." It's darling and her little group gets to be the zebras. I wish I knew how to get my videos to upload so you could see, but I don't. Anyways, it was fun and she did awesome!

Somebody had a Birthday!

Sophia turned 4 yesterday! She was so excited about it and started the day off with all of her favorite foods for breakfast: cereal, eggs, and quesadillas. We spent the morning making her a princess birthday cake. (Can I tell you how difficult it is to frost a cake with two preschoolers at your hip trying to lick and eat everything in site.)

 At around lunch time, we were ready to start the party. I think she might have been a little disappointed at not having friends over for her birthday, but she hid it well and her face lit up so bright when she saw that there was gifts. It was very simple and quaint and that's the way I'm liking things right now. Grandma and Grandpa came over to help us celebrate.

See how excited she was! Now that's a happy smile.

 Nice cake, huh? That's the part of motherhood that I really enjoy; making my kids feel special and getting to make fun things for them. Love it!

 Getting some sisterly love on her big day.

Taking the honorary first bite of the cake. She's always been great at doing that, even since her first birthday.

 

These kids love to craft and I mean LOVE IT! That's all they do all day. Paint, draw, color, cut, tape, glue, mold. If it has to do with creativity and making things, then they will love it. So I themed all of her gifts around this.

She got stamps, playdough cutters, and magnetic building shapes. She loved everyone of them and had to try them all out yesterday.

We love this little lady and it's a joy to be her parents. She's very compassionate and caring of others and is quick to show gratitude. She has such enthusiasm for life and is super adventerous. She's the one to take with you on any vacation, because she's willing to try anything.

This is how things get done around here.

This is what I walked in to see tonight after my primary visits. Poor Miguel is trying to wash dishes and said Julianne pulled up a chair and climbed up all by herself. I'd believe it. That child is a monkey and loves physical contact. She's the kind that crawls into bed with you in the morning and has to hit, slap, or touch foreheads to let you know she's there. Despite all that, she is still our baby bear.