Bored at home.. no way!

We have spent quite some time at home with snow melting but still getting more storms and 10F weather. However, it doesn't mean we cant still have fun.. Take a popcorn ball for example. Grandma had some left and it was a true sweet treat! You are right, neither of them could finish it all.. but sure enjoyed trying.

We noticed during the holidays that Benjamin liked things on his head, like the rain deer ears, hats... but I didn't realize that earmuffs would be part of these.. With his funny semi-dancing walk there he goes.. Groove it son!



Another day, Samuel decided that he could fit his little legs in Grandma's snow boots... I couldn't help it laugh, so silly.



Of course, Benjamin had to try, but after not succeeding, decided it was funner to chase big brother.. At last they found the baseball glove and ball and moved into that.


A couple of Wednesdays ago, the boys scouts were having a derby race at our stake. Grandma thought the kids would really enjoy it.. and they sure did. Especially Samuel, since he is always wanting to be involved in "big boy"activities.. Before the actual race, they played some basketball and how can Samuel not join them.. well, I brought him a small ball that he kept trying to dribble and shoot.
When it was time for the race he loved watching over and over again..

Hockey game

A couple of weeks ago we decided to join the Mavericks (UNO) in one of their hockey games.. Samuel was very very very excited, since he has never been to one.. We explained the "time out" for 2 minutes without playing.. hilarious.. He kept track of all the fouls because it meant time out for him.. and was sure to let me know when time was up and the player was back on the ice. Although he had a hope that Cosmo (BYU mascot) would be there, he still enjoyed seeing their mascot.. However, he said Cosmo was much cooler than the big bull. Funny moment: when he saw the maverick he thought it was from the Chicago Bulls.. haha what can you say, when children have such great power of association. We also enjoyed waving at the small hot air balloon since it was shooting prizes.. (on paper anyways) Samuel really enjoys celebrating scores in any sport.. here is how excited he gets..

Daddy and son sure were having fun.. Benjamin was into it mainly when they scored because of the noise and signing, but by the 3rd period he started getting bored, and got passed to grandpa since grandma held him for a while until he started trying to whistle his popcorn and the people in front of us moved.. he enjoyed blowing raspberries with him. Every time he heard people cheering or whistling he tried too..

We had a great time, even though the kids stayed 2 and a half hours past bedtime.

Daddy time

After watching the food network, Jay got excited to adventure in the kitchen. He is very good following recipes.. Let's be honest, when you don't have all the ingredients for all these exquisite recipes, you got to be creative and still come up with yummy stuff.. at least most of it.. and that would be my kind of cooking..

Samuel of course, got so excited about helping daddy, especially when I usually let him get involved with my cooking.. to a certain extend... where safety allows..

Just letting the dough rise made Samuel very impatient.. asking every other second is it had risen.. But the fun started when the dough was done.. here goes the ingredients..

As a good mom I was taking pictures as they were about to eat it.. but mommy got the dirty look since they were trying to bless the food in order to eat.. you can see Samuel all reverent..At last!Thank you daddy for a great homemade dinner!!

Moreover, daddy doesn't only feed the preschooler but the toddler too.. very cute!

The last couple of Saturdays we have gone to see daddy play church basketball at the stake center. The boys have been sooo excited watching daddy.. You could hear a silence with only the ball and the players agitated breath and Samuel's voice helling.. "go daddy!" even when he was on the bench.. hehe so cute.. After the game was over, the kids really enjoyed playing with the balls and feeling big..

Benjamin was soo funny, lately when he is excited he just has a walk which I call "rhythm walk" sooo cute..

We are sure enjoying this daddy time before we wont see much of his shadow for a while..

Gracias abuelita..

Since my brother went to my country for Christmas (Colombia), my parents asked me if I wanted anything.. and I couldn't pass on this opportunity for few things.. for the kids mainly.. They loved them.. I enjoy the fact that anything from there is so colorful.. and good quality as well. The kids just wanted to put on the clothes and shoes.. but so far just made it to the shoes... So happy with the hats for me, it is gonna be soooo useful in the Island with the amount of sun I will avoid from my face and neck.. Gracias mami y papi.. always so thoughtful.. Samuel thought that was a very big hat.. then, I said.. "it's for me, that is why.." He looked so funny trying it on.. I just had to take a picture..

Happy Birthday Grandma Jevne

People often say you only have one mom.. well, she sure is the one that knows us the best, until you get hitched.. But when your mom is more than thousands of miles away... who is there to rescue the day, listen or help??? My mother-in-law.. but i often wonder where did the term come from.. laws to have more moms? moms with laws? Anyhow.. after Samuel was born, I joined the "Grandma" club, and I called her grandma too.. also because the kids would be confused with two mom-calling in the house... the truth is.. she has been there for us. I even met her at the same time I met my husband.. and thought, what a sweet mom (which gave Jay automatic points! ha ha). I cant count how many times she drove the 16 hours from Omaha, NE to Provo, UT with no specific reason but to see us or for other important circumstances like moving, having babies, graduation, BYU games...
Really, she has been there...When we were two +1.. +2..We simply enjoy the everyday things.. that makes a routine now days in our lives..Truth is she..
loves serving others,
puts her family before herself,
teaches us all the time with her wisdom from moves, meeting people, callings, accidents...
cant say no to the grand kids.. or grown up kids..
scrapbooks for fun and looks like art..
really knows how to cook, sew, drive..
and ultimately spoil.. plus LOVE of course..
oh, and makes the best chocolate chip cookies ever!!!
That is why we made her one of her favorite cakes.. (sopapilla cheesecake), and the boys just enjoyed helping her blow the candles.. even Benjamin from his high chair.. then Samuel gave her the card we made her and a small gift... which the boys were intrigued to see.
Happy Birthday Grandma!!! we love you.

Snow fight and library fun..

We decided to take at least Samuel outside to have an anticipated snowball fight.. Since weather improved and warmed up to 30s F after being in low -30s F last week. However, daddy didn't let poor Samuel get to the snow. He was already throwing snowballs at him.. Notice Jay is in shorts too.. And in case I didn't mentioned, he was also shovelling before we got out.. Then we showed Samuel how to make snow angels.. but the snow was already so hard it was hard.. Nevertheless, he still tried.Samuel couldn't keep his balance while walking through the deep snow.. He had a lot of fun, regardless of sinking in the snow..

Later, Samuel helped daddy bury me in the snow.. no pictures because I had the camera in my jacket.. that is what happens when the photographer gets involved in the fun.

Friday was story time at the library, but this time they had snowman theme. After singing a couple of snowman songs and reading three books, they decided to have a snowball fight! That was very unexpected. However, the kids loved it, especially Samuel! Can you tell?

I'm glad they were cotton balls though. Otherwise with Samuel's powerful arm he could have brought tears to few.. After the fight was over, they had a little craft activity where they could make their own snowman.. Samuel loved every detail of his snowman.. and can't even smile because of his concentration in the project... like me. Here, the final product:We definetly can have jolly winter days!

Staying warm and fun inside..

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUNTIE RIRI!
During the Holidays we were blessed to have auntie Riri visit us. Did travel, got sick, ate out, watched lots of movies and had fun.. But she had to leave us again. Samuel was very sad, and the next three mornings he kept asking if she was back.. We miss you and also wish you a Happy Birthday!

Finally, we made time for Ginger Bread Houses! It was the first time for both of us, Samuel and I.. He was soooo excited, I helped with the structure, and making sure the candy and crackers would stay; however, he was the one who chose where the candy would go.The first day he wanted with a roof and the other without it. On the second one, he wanted toys and people and furniture.. a lot of detail.. besides a garage.. it was great! Yes, we ate a lot of the candy.. but was worth it. Of course, Benjamin wanted cracker and candy like any little one, so after we started we had to stop and wait for Benjamin's nap time to actually do it. And the result.. After Christmas, Samuel has been wanting to fix everything in the house with his tool box. I am so glad I got the actual box so that all the pieces can be boxed up and easy to carry. Naturally, Benjamin always wants to see and do what big brother is doing... so he helps. One day as Benjamin was finishing his snack, Samuel decided his little brother's high chair needed some repair.. and although now is banned to do any playing under his chair while Benjamin is still in it (safety) he was looking very serious and determinant on his work. I love seeing them play together, especially when fighting is not involved. My favorite time was when they were trying to fix (or break) the baby gate. Although, I think they had a unified reason to do it.. for what the gate means to them..

Before Grandma took down and put away all the Christmas decorations, I tried taking some shots of the kids in their Santa outfits.. But when one smiles the other looks away.. so we just have fun taking a bunch of them waiting for the winner shot.

And the winner is.. Although Samuel is not looking at the camera, I loved what was happening on the picture.

After those by the tree, we tried in front of the fireplace.. but they were done.. so I could only get one. Still cute, although Benjamin had his eyes closed. This winter in Omaha has definitely hit a lot of records for coldest.. with low temperatures of -11F plus windshield making a -30sF temperatures Alaska freezing to go out of your house. So we have spent a lot of time inside.. funny story, the children come up with creative ideas.. like Samuel playing Cook baking under the table (oven) with a wood puzzle (cookies in tray).. I admit I really get into some of this pretending like another child.

The other morning after breakfast Samuel was excited to see how happy I was that Benjamin finished all his eggs. And to approve my happiness, he decided to hi five Benjamin and pound it as well.. so cute.. just watch..

Basket ride time.

Benjamin loves to get in and out of boxes or baskets, especially when laundry is being done.. But daddy had a fun idea.. basket ride! Samuel joined in too.. what a cute moment..

'Til we meet again Jenne..

Jenne McCarchy was not only my in-laws neighbor, she was a friend, a daughter, a mother, a grandma. You couldn't spend with her 5 minutes without laughing and feeling that you truly found a trust worthy friend. She might have been on her 60's but she lived and acted like 20's. Originally from Indonesia, she traveled a lot, swam a lot (teaching at YMCA) and even used to have several day cares. Once she had more 80 kids! She was good with children and adults.. She has been leaving with her folks for a number of years to look after them(80's), but now she was looking after her 2-year-old grandson Kaleb during the day since both parents worked full time. I met Jenne when we moved with my in-laws earlier in April this year.. Pretty soon we became good buddies.. she wanted to hang out a lot with us for the social part for Kaleb since Samuel is only a year older than him. And she literally knew all the fun places around Omaha for children. Although I was working part time, we still tried to hang out 3 or 4 times a week. Soon we became good friends. We said good bye when we left to the Island thinking we would see her and Kaleb in a year and a half and still may hang out like this summer...

Three months ago, Jenne was diagnosed lung cancer. Although she started treatment right away, it had already metastasized to several areas through out her body. After being out of the hospital for few weeks she came home to be with her family for the weeks or days she had left. We know plans don't always work the way we want. When we came back in November, I visited her and talked briefly since she was leaving to the hospital again.. Unfortunately by the time she came back, and got to visit her, she couldn't talk or even eat anymore. I still visited her for the last three days before she passed away.

She was always taking care of everybody, but now was every body's turn to take care of her.. at least that is what i told her.. She did more for me than what I did for her. The last night I visited her I reassured her to not be afraid, because Heavenly Father was waiting for her besides a lot of other friends and family. I gave witness of the gospel and the plan of salvation. It doesn't end here, it is just part of the journey and there was much to come. Before I left I sang to her the hymn "till we meet again". The day after Christmas day, Jenne passed away holding Joe's, her father, and her aunt's hands. We miss you Jenne and like the hymn says.. "God be with you 'til we meet again".

Christmas is here..

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE JEVNE KLAN!
Few days before Christmas, grandma got these cute set of rain deer ears.. Samuel thought is was cool but Benjamin just fell in love with them. As soon as he would see them he yelled for them until he could put them on or somebody would do it for him.. Here with grandpa after family prayer saying night night.. well, picture first though..

On Christmas day, that was the first thing he saw and put on, after the sucker in his stoking that obviously he already knows is candy.. He looks soooo adorable..

Samuel was very excited about opening the presents, Benjamin didn't really care since didn't understand, as long as he had his candy from his stoking, which he kept carrying everywhere.

Once the stacking cups where unwrapped, Benjamin really got his attention on them.. and Samuel finally with his so anticipated tool box set.. Who is the doctor kit for? Anyone?

(Left) As we were opening presents, Jay's brother Tyler, who is on a 2-year-mission for our Church in Germany, called on skype.. so we got to talk to him for a while.. it was great to do that, especially when he only gets to call for Christmas and Mother's day.. so glad we were here for that.

(Right) I forgot to mentioned that Omaha had a blizzard, it was so much snow that when we were opening presents we couldn't help to notice a neighbor country skiing on the street.. just passed in front of the house.. hilarious...
Earlier in the month, we had a Christmas party at our ward.. and what can I say.. Santa came too.. We started by coloring a long banner they had for the children to keep them busy before the food was served.. Even Benjamin wanted to color.. or just eat the crayon.. When it was time to sit on Santa's lap, Benjamin didn't think he was that great..

So mami had to jump in.. although he settled down fast after giving him the candy cane.. But Samuel decided to act "tired" rubbing his eyes, which is another way to say don't want to be here. Daddy got to sit in Santa's lap too..

Christmas was really especial because we were all together, well.. we missed you Tyler. Remembering the birth of our Savior was a great time to rejoice together as he eternal family we are.

Happy holidays to all!

Quick trip to Arkansas..

Most of my mother-in-law's family lives in Arkansas. Her only brother Jay lives in Georgia but decided to visit the rest of the family with his only daughter Danielle, who we have never met (we, meaning the kids and I). So we decided to meet them in Harrison, Arkansas for a couple of days.. long drive for Grandma. Kids handled it pretty well, although we took a lot of books, few movies, and the play hut.. of course they are so spontaneous that anything can create a game..

Of course, it also was at the same time as the basketball and bowl game for BYU.. so without a question had to watch it at the hotel...

However, a loved this last picture on the left because it shows everybody's interest, including Benjamin's falling pants! haha

Later at the restaurant a member of each family introduced the rest and got to know and tease each other. We were glad for everybody to see the children and commented highly of them... Here a last picture with uncle Jay and his daughter Danielle.. Good to see you all!