Eva's Ballet Recital and Other Good Times

During the triplets birthday weekend we also had Eva's ballet recital to attend. It was her first with the Pensacola Ballet but she is an old pro at this. I am so proud of her and she was fantastic in her recital. The triplets sat through her whole recital without a peep. They are obviously cultured babies.

And everyone posed for a pic before entering the performance.

These are just a few awards my kids received at the end of this year. Golden and Eva had their first piano recital. They both got perfect attendance. Eva won a reading medal and both finished in the Honor roll again. Can a mother be prouder of her children......no.

If we weren't busy enough, Golden had to build a gum ball machine. And this is his awesome interpretation of one. He never stops amazing us. 

He also got to go to his first Blue Wahoos baseball game and said he never felt more alive than at the stadium, as you can see by this picture. 

He got his ball signed by the players and...

He got to go on the field with his dad who was asked to throw out the opening pitch. Can it get any better....

then a dad and his boy at the game....

Yes, if you get to meet a Green Bay Packer Super Bowl Champion.
In all, our first year in Pensacola is turning out to be very fun. 

Triplets first Birthday

The triplets finally made it. I thought a year was such a long time but it has been a whirlwind of activity and milestones that I could hardly keep up with. The grands came from Michigan to help celebrate and I thought the kids needed special outfits to mark the occasion. I got them all little onsies with their names on it and the girls had frilly tutus to put on for Eva's ballet recital. Unfortunately, they did not want to pose together for that. So here are the much needed first cake pictures every mother needs.

Carlos may never forgive me for this hat but it was SO worth it.

My boy had no teeth going into his first birthday but at least he and his sisters are walking, Gigi was the first, then Beau, than Carlos

Gigi has the most captivating laugh. And she is always watching you like you are a midterm she is framing for.

Everyone got their own chocolate cake.

Beau was not a fan of the hat either.

But Gigi was a gamer as usual. Note the two teeth. Beau has the most teeth at this point.

Singing a Happy Birthday to the babes.

And the babies went to town on their cakes. 

Beau finally had enough.
On the talk about teeth, I should document that we have a serious biter in our midst. We refer to her as Jaws (from the James Bond movies) or Diente Dura. Beau has had a few time outs lately.

My poor Gigi has been Beau's chew toy when she gets angry.

And Carlos is not free from her wrath either. It is a full time job watching out for Jaws.

BBut when she is nice, she is the sweetest, so we will keep her. The party was a success and we had the in laws and Jerry come in for the festivities. Here is to another great year with these kiddos.

Happy Mother's Day

It was a lovely day on Mother's Day. We got up early but I was given my breakfast in bed before we left to church. How blessed can a girl get to have such well behaved, smart, funny and good looking kids. All I was thinking about was how quickly this time will fly by and no more cuddles every morning. So, I got extra loving today and thanked Heavenly Father for the opportunity to help in the great plan of salvation. Never far from my mind is Zach and I can't wait to have him celebrating with us again.

This is what Golden wrote about me for Mother's Day. It comes with a drawing that actually came out in the front page of the newspaper. It is a picture of him next to me with a grocery cart full of groceries. If that doesn't sum up my life: Feed the masses. Or as Christ asked Peter, "If you love me, feed my lambs." Boy, do I love the Savior if it came down to that. 

Pool Time with the Family

The In-Laws are visiting and the kids love that there is almost as many adults as kids in the house. So with  ample hands we had a splash in the pool. The girls were in costume. The babies in these cute ballerina bathing suits I bought and Eva in her mermaid outfit which she uses as her only bathing suit these days. The boys were in classic board shorts and couldn't be cuter. I do not take for granted every day that I wake up in paradise with the sun shining and the breeze blowing and wonder to myself, much like Phineus and Pherb, "What am I going to do today?" It's been pretty busy but we always find time to be outside.

Gigi models the suit and her walking skills.

Gigi liked to be pushed back and forth across the pool as fast as the mermaid tail could push her.

Beau liked being pampered. She let Golden spin her around while she laid back and soaked up some rays. Later, she let grandpa hold her while she air dried.

Carlos, as usual, loved a good cuddle with grandma. And tried to eat her necklace while he was at it.

Love Gisele's Don King look.

Earlier in the month, the older bambinos had Field Day. I was so proud of them both. I see so much of Mike in their physical abilities. They are really naturals at sports. 

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And lastly, Eva had a cross country run (2miles) which we did with her. It was so cute to see her with her friends running and giving each other encouragement all the way to the finish. No walking in this group.

Eva and Casey

Eva, Casey, and Johanna

A proud daddy after running with his girl.

A Girl in Love

I just viewed my friend Melissa's blog and was surprised that she had blogged about photographing my family after the trips were born. She really is talented. And the kind of person you instantly feel has been your friend for years. I only envy her for the fact that she thought up this great name for her business before I did. She has photographed us a few times and I am honored she displays our kids pictures not only on her blog but on her website. Awesome. Thanks girl!
http://www.agirlinlove.com/heretoday/2011/06/gisele-beau-and-carlos-triplets/

Golden answers his questions

oldie but goody photos

What is your first memory? New Orleans. I do remember Maria the babysitter and her husband.
What is your best memory? Watching the Three Stooges. Oh and when the triplets were born b/c I get to love on them.
What is your saddest memory? When Zach died.
What is your favorite toy? I don't know yet.
Who is Phosphos? A Bakugan.
Why do you take him everywhere? He has never been to Earth before so I take him everywhere to teach him stuff.
How do you like school? It's good.
What do you like most about Pensacola?It's warm all the time
How do you know Mami loves you? Im your child and you said I will always be your baby.
Do you like to see daddy and me kiss? No
Do you like it when I kiss you? No....ok fine, yes I do.
Where should our next vacation be? Hawaii
What's the best part of being a big brother? I do big boy stuff like making my bed and beating people up and I'm taller than my sissy.
Do you love Eva? Yes.
What is your favorite game? Mass effect
What was your first memory of the Holy Ghost? I don't remember.
What was the last thing you prayed for? That we will all be together as a family and safe
What is your best quality? I'm handsome
What is Heaven like? Everything you can imagine is up there
Is Zach there? I bet he is all grown up
What does he look like in your dreams? He almost looks like me.
What do you like most about daddy? I get to play video games with him.
What do you like most about mommy? I hate when you make me do homework. I still haven't found what I like about you yet.
Do you think you will ever love me? Yes. Wait, (he laughs) I already love you.
What is your favorite color? Blue
What are you going to be when you grow up? A soldier if I ever survive.
Don't you know that soldiers have to make their bed? Ok, I will try to get used to that.
What is your favorite food? (with a full mouth) Strawberries.
Are you ever going to move out of the house? No
What happens when you get married? I'm going to have kids and they will have kids and then I'll be a grandpa and old. Then I will die and get angel wings and be in Heaven with Zach and see him as a grown man.
Are you all going to live with me?  Yes. Be nice to my kids.
What is your favorite hobby? Go watch movies.
What is a miracle? You, the babies and dad and ummm....pointing to Eva and skipping her, Grandma and grandpa, Noah and pointing to Eva and not saying her name again....
Have you had a miracle in your life? Yes. Having a friend.
Who is your favorite person? (Eva asks him to say Eva and he responds. Hello I am right here) You have all been so good to me.....(and he whispers in Eva's ear "Not every one) .......
Now he and Eva are in a wrestling match laughing and chasing each other.....He is trying to feed her a dog bone and she is laughing while the triplets watch....

What is your favorite animal? A dog
What is the funniest part of your body? My funny bone
What is your best feature? My hair
Who is the prettiest woman you know? Mom, Gigi, Beau..and.....pointing to Eva.and not saying her name...and another screaming match occurs. Finally, pointing to me. He says "You"
What is the funniest thing daddy ever did? Saying stuff that's funny like funny catch phrases.

Okay I am done...and he walks away.

Questions for my kids

Eva

What is your favorite color? Lime green
What is your happiest memory?  Swimming with the dolphins with the Guerra's in Miami
What is your earliest memory?   Going to Paris and hooking the rings on the merry go round in the park
What is your saddest memory? When Zach died.
What do you think Heaven is like? Better than Earth. And you will be with Heavenly Father and your family.
Do you dream of Zach? Yes. He looks like a baby like Carlos. And when he is older her looks a lot like Golden.
When did you first feel the Holy Spirit? When I first got him at my baptism
What is your funniest memory? Too hard
How can you tell a bad person from a good one? That's too hard.
What is a miracle? It means Heavenly Father rewards you with a miracle.
Have you had a miracle? Yes, the triplets. Apparently it's a miracle to me, you and the whole family.
What do you love most about Gulf Breeze? The beaches.
What are you going to be when you grow up? A dolphin trainer or a doctor or an actress.
Do you remember the pre mortal existence before we came here? No, that was a long time ago.
What do you love most about daddy? He has great jokes.
Do you like to see daddy kiss me? It's gross.
What is the funniest word you ever heard? Guppa ( A word I made up for the junk in your eyes in the morning.)
What do you look for in a friend? Their personality.
What are you going to be doing in five years that you can't do now? Be in middle school
What was the last thing you talked to Heavenly Father about? I asked him what to pray about.
What does it feel like to be a mermaid? Very( said 5 times) awesome.
When you get married will you still be a mermaid? I don't know.
What if you couldn't have babies if you stayed a mermaid? I would be devastated.
So would you change? Yeah (hesitantly she answered)
What age are you most looking forward to and why? Twenty one because you get to be sealed in the temple with your husband at that age ( I plan to get married at that age)
What is your favorite book? Piper Reed Party Planner
What is your favorite movie? Splash
What is your favorite hobby? Swimming
What is your favorite subject? Science
What is the funniest part of your body? The funny bone.(she says laughing)
When you to collage do you want to move away? No.
How long are you going to live with mommy and daddy? Probably until I get married. But I will visit you constantly every day.
Why do you like spending time with me? Because you are always with the babies and I'm always at school. It's just fun.
When do we spend time together? Mostly around 7 at night at least 5 times a week.
What is your best quality? I'm very nice.
Are you pretty? Yes.
What kind of husband are you looking for? A Mormon. That's for sure.
Yeah, but will he have to be cute? Sure.
What do you want me to know now? A want a twin.
Does Beau count? No. I mean same age. Not just identical.
How do you know I love you? You say it almost a thousand times every day. You know mom. You know it's true.
How do you know daddy loves you? Every day he comes home and cuddles me. And he always jokes around with me and gives me a lot of kisses. And love jokes with me.
Do you love Golden, he will never know I asked you this? Yes and no. Yes because he is always watching out for me and No because he can get obsessed with video games.
Where should we vacation next? Costa Rica again.
What is your testimony? I know that the Mormon Church is true and that Heavenly Father sent us down here because we chose the right. And I know that my family loves me and I know that the Holy Ghost will help me all my life. And I know the scriptures are true and that Heavenly Father sent me with a great family. Amen.

Thanks Eva.