Tio Diego's visit

My brother Diego came to visit us during memorial day weekend back at the end of May. He hadn't seen the boys in two years, so he was very excited to see them again. They had seen him on skype and enjoy his tricks with the web cam.. We made a quick welcome sign.

Benjamin had no problem holding his hand and being close to him. And Samuel could only think of helping with the "cougar" suitcase. He was happy to help Tio, and I was happy to see him helping out. That same day happened to be the opening of a new exhibition "Ice Age" at the Children's Museum. So we went from the airport to that. They had some really cool stuff, but it was sure packed. The next day (Sunday) Tio Diego gave to them some presents. One was an awesome piano! They were so excited. He also got them the unforgettable Twister, as well as a "cool microscope" and card game. The could wait to be back from Church to play. Then, my brother started drawing to Samuel all the people in our Colombian family and explaining to him the importance of learning well Spanish so that some day he could communicate with them. It broke my heart, because I have done a lot of impressive things with them but teaching them Spanish. So it was a good reminder for me to really get on the ball. We are making some progress but I think the best results will come from only speaking Spanish to them. We will see our progress.On Monday, we went soccer game with another ward (with friends from our Church) and Diego got to play (he is really good) and had lots of fun with Jay and the rest of the families who played. I wish I had taken pictures but didn't so. Later that afternoon, we went to a new park and really enjoy playing with Tio. Even swinging with him. Baby seemed to enjoy watching as well. Back then he wasn't crawling but was trying to.Then we came home for BBQ dinner. Jay grilled and it was delicious.Then more games, which included spending time with Tio on his demo of how to play piano. By the way, my brother took several years of organ in his early youth. I was forced to learn from him, which I hated so I never did. I do remember the basics though. While playing, baby Daniel seemed to enjoy the melody..

Another day they play horsey and basketball, one of their favorites.Until they discovered Diego's "toy". His really cool computer, kept them entertain for a long while. Men and computers..

While Benjamin napped, Samuel got the perfect opportunity to play chess with Diego. He was super excited since I had told Samuel how tio was in the chess club at a early age and taught me just so he could practice all his book plays with (yes, lab rat). However, because of it, I knew enough to teach Samuel. So, indirectly, thank you Diego for teaching me such brainy game.

We also went to a quick visit to the zoo. Overall, the kids really enjoyed having my brother visit and spend quality time with them. Got to say the rest of the family did too, since the first night he helped all of us to fix the router for wireless Internet . YAY. But it wasn't simple; it took him a while.

Thank you Diego for coming and visiting us! We loved having you and learning with and from you! Samuel has a very similar personality to my brother, and got to say they do have a especial connection. It was great to see my brother with my children and share the blessing of family and posterity.

We love you Diego, and hope to see you in less than 2 years!

April wedding post..

This is a lovely love story, which just started on friendship.. My brother-in-law, Tyler, is 8 years younger than Jay and just got back from his mission last september (2010). He met Chelsea when my in-laws moved here to Omaha 10 years ago, since she was in a different ward but had common friends, and her twin cousins were in his ward. Long story short, they liked each other for a very long time, but never said anything, and Tyler seeing his friend's drama with girlfriends decided to wait to date until after his mission (smart!). After his got back he was just going to work and spend time with family and friends till winter semester when he was planning on going back to school to BYU Idaho, were she was going to as well, and happened to have this fall semester off too. What he didnt know, is that his dad (now bishop) and Chelsea's aunt (our stake Young Women's Pr) were on the move to set these two off to the altar. Each one started commented to each young adult about the other etc.. (They had to have this picture, it says it all!)Well, soon enough there was a dance and she invited him, and from then on.. all we heard was about Chelsea and her family etc... Jay still being on the Island, made things difficult for this lovers to decided near future.. Tyler couldnt wait and proposed on Christmas Eve.. with a little of my artistic help.. and my boys cuteness..

They were a very adorable couple.. I personally give more credit to Chels, since her beauty and sweet smile won in every photo.. They had all kinds of different pictures, but these were some of my favorites.. Who doesnt want shakes now?

Then, they kept thinking about the date.. that they would wait until Jay came home in August.. yeah right. Since she (Chelsea) was done with school and back to her last semester before graduating first by a week than Jay, they decided to still do it in April. So in April 14th, 2011 they tied the knot. Their personalities are sooo fun..

But still, she was a gorgeus bride.. And so the party began..

We knew of a couple who got sealed with their two boys and they were the ages of Samuel and Benjamin now. So we asked if we could borrowed their tuxes.. sooooooooooooooo CUTE!!! We missed JAY in this photo.. sad.. I just couldnt get enough of the boys.. Grandma and Grandpa Jevne came from Wyoming as well, as uncle Dave and June. Auntie Riri and the boys.. and doing her magic on Grandpa's neck.

I spent most of the night going after the kids.. well, Benjamin for a while and then with baby awake, my hands got sore running after my two-year-old. Samuel, got introduced by one of Chelsea's cousins to angry birds and other games. Carla (my mother-in-law) made over 500 suckers in daisy flower shape with 1/4 of jelly beans in the center.. crafty! The boys saw her do them over and over and kept asking for one. We kept saying at the wedding.. So Benjamin's palatte couldnt get enough!

Pretty cake and lovely decorations..

Two families = more fun! (Two mother-in-laws, and Tyler and his new father-in-law)

My boys..

The day before the reception was the sealing at the temple and the dinner.. And the kids loved the yummy food and monkeying around as usual!

Lovely celebration.. Now we are very very excited to have a new auntie! Welcome to the family Chelsea~!

And the neverending official education begins!

My first baby started preschool last August 2011. It doesnt seem that long when I had him on my arms as a baby. I am soo excited for him. He is far beyond his age as far as knowledge, letters, numbers but definitely needs the social aspect of school. I hope he can continue with that great excitement he has for school; especially, when homework is introduced.

Popcorn Drama

Grandma and grandpa have talked to us for a while about some plays where they allow the audience to throw popcorn or money to the villain (the money to anybody who caught it first). So we decided to take the kids to it.

At first they thought more the popcorn was to eat.. so we didn't give it to them till after it started. Here they are waiting for the show to start. (By the way, Samuel decided that mosquitoes wont bit him if he were his soccer socks..)The floors still so clean.. And my boys waiting and waiting since to get those front sits you had to be early.. Even though, some friends were a lot earlier and were saving seat.. Thank you Jim and Cherie.

They explained the rules (throw only popcorn or bills folded for flying purposes), and the play began.. They were pretty confused when they saw people throwing popcorn.. but, then they saw how funny it looked and asked for their bucket. And wouldn't sit much after that.. This video shows it good. Love the expressions of their faces.. so into it:j

These were some of the cast, the hero, the heroin, and the sister.. and the villain.

It was hilarious when people threw money, because they looked like popcorn but as they were performing they kept looking at what was thrown to literally "dive" for it. Sometimes, they got so into it, they forgot their lines for a minute..

The kids sure have a blast and so did we. Since the theater was inside a national park, they also had a big playground just outside of it. So we let the kids burn some energy. Daddy gladly volunteer to take them!The park had big slides and Benjamin was excited to clime it instead of going down.

Then they discover the merry-go-round, and daddy carrying Benjamin helped them push and was having as much fun as the kids in it.

Jay also tried to climb the straight slide.. not a good idea.

Unfortunately, on the way back the shrimp Samuel ate before the play plus the popcorn at the play, and the merry-go-round didn't agree with his stomach so decided to vomit on our way home. Fortunately, he had a little blanket since he was cold, so most of it got on his car seat, clothes and the blanket. We had to get him with car seat and all out of the car to wash.. I wanted to take a picture because he looked so funny but I know he would had felt bad, and embarrassed so I didn't.

We loved it and for sure will go back some other time for another wonderful play and a lot of fun.

This is a freaky but funny picture of two priceless expressions..

Who says that throwing food during a show is not a good form of entertaintment and totally available?!

Happy 30th b-day Daddy and more..

Jay turned 30 on May 26th. All he really asked for was an ice cream cake and a job. Since I can only get the first one, I actually talked to a friend from Church who makes amazing cakes to work with my budget and she came up with this awesome cake! It was yummy too! She did the design as well. We surprised him in the afternoon with it.

Yes, it is a BYU cake but also with basketballs and "jimmer jerseys".

Earlier, he got the kids very excited to have lunch at his favorite fast food place. Not only because it was his birthday but because this particular taco bell let you eat free only on your birthday!Samuel also super enjoyed the idea of eating there! Can you tell how excited he was?

On the other hand, baby was getting a little impatient for his food. I wasn't feeding him fast enough, besides, he was also missing his nap at this point.. I couldn't help laugh at his face.. is hard to tell if he is laughing or crying...

Later we had him do a little scavenger hunt to get his presents... Samuel was excited to help.. one of them was a "teach me how to Jimmer" jersey, which he wore next day. We also got and ice cream cake since he had been asking for one for a year. He chose cream ice cream with strawberries and white chocolate chips.. FYI, make sure to tell them to cut strawberries since we broke a knife trying to cut the cake since whole frozen strawberries become rocks.. And yes, it almost seems as the cake is getting into fire.. it was close. Next year we will use number candles! ;)

Some times after wrestling with the boys, daddy gets so tired out by their endless energy that just decides to stay on the battle field and let the kiddoes snuggle..
Daniel is sure growing.. he doesn't like the grass much, at least not touching his legs but will eat it if left on his reach. Lately Jay carries him on his shoulders when outside and he just loves it!
Besides, he enjoys playing with daddy's short hair.

A month ago was mothers day, and I forgot to post few pictures.. Jay let me sleep in and while feeding the kiddoes, cooked some yummy creeps with strawberry and blueberry filling and bananas as topping.. soooooooooo good. The kiddoes made few drawings too. So this is how they brought breakfast in bed..

Jay cooked my favorite Colombian dish, which is a chicken-potato soup called ajiaco. It was very delicious. I had to have a pictures with my 3 boys.. despite the wind they still showed their personalities. haha Then taking advantage we got a little family pic..Although we missed grandma celebrating mother's day with us , since she left to visit my brother and sister-in-law in Rexburg, ID; we made a poster and got flowers at for her arrival. Benjamin can't get enough cookie monster so.. there he goes.

Happy Mother's and Father's day!