Faboo February Update

Ben is getting so tall! Everyday he seems a little more grown up just to be counterbalanced by moments a pure immaturity. We love our Ben. He always makes me laugh. Always makes me smile. Sometimes makes me crazy. He has decided he loves techno music and the "Black Eyed Peas." As his taste in music updates, my iPod outdates. Gotsta get some new tunes. Ben is very proud of the fact that he can hold Mia when he's standing up, as he should be. He's very good at it! Spencer loves, I mean LOVES to read. He is currently devouring the "How To Train Your Dragon" series and the "Fablehaven" series. It is not unusual for us to have to pry him away from a book in order to participate in other activities. I'm so thankful he enjoys it! February was literacy month at the school and he ran with it. Spence loves his little sister and just melts and says, "Ooooo Miii-yaaaah" when ever she's around.
Will is too stinkin' smart for his own good. I cannot keep up with the witty, funny, amusing things he says. His vocabulary is growing daily. He's reading at a third grade reading level. He LOVES to play Wii. In fact, yesterday when he said the prayer in primary he ended his very heartfelt prayer with, "Please, bless the Wii." Here's a picture of him listening to my iPod, dressed in his sunday clothes, and snowboots. Priceless.
Mia continues to grow exponentially. She smiles everyday. She has recently discovered her hands and loves to suck on them and swat at her toys with them. She loves to see her brothers smiling faces. She cannot resist falling asleep in daddy's arms. She is such a joy. I've been singing to her, and it feels good to be doing it again. Our favorite diaper changing songs are, "My Favorite Things," and "Getting to Know You." When I sing them she often will stop crying and listen with big eyes. She's my sidekick and partner in crime. I feel like we're becoming quite the dynamic duo. p.s. I can't help but play dress up with her all the time. She has so many clothes, I don't want to miss seeing her in them. She's usually a good sport about it :) This having a baby business takes it's toll on the emotions and Alfonso has been and continues to be my rock through it all. I cannot help but lean on him for support. He helps me to laugh when I'm too serious, and helps me to believe in myself when I feel like a failure. I'm so glad I have him to keep me grounded and can only hope that I'm giving as much as I'm recieving. I'll try at least.
He took the guys to the Monster Truck Rally and to see the Harlem Globetrotters last weekend. I didn't go because I was recovering from a little foot surgery. Which is ok, it's good for them to have some "guy" time together. As you can see, they had a GREAT TIME!!!

Blessed

Yesterday we blessed Mia at our church. It was a small affair, just some close family members and our ward family. I was so rediculously nervous that Mia would spit up on her dress, like that would even matter. She didn't, by the way. Alfonso gave her a beautiful blessing. He decided to bless her in English even though it is his second language. As the blessing began, he did great, but I could tell he was struggling a little to find the words he wanted to say. Later I found out that Mia was wide awake during the whole prayer just gazing up at the faces of the preisthood holders around her. By the middle of the prayer, Alfonso paused for a long moment, and then proceeded to pray in Spanish til the end of the blessing. Although I dont speak spanish, I was able to catch glimpses of he was saying, I felt the spirit and knew that he was speaking directly from his heart. It was absolutely beautiful. After sacrament meeting we planned to head home for a small get-together at the house. One small hiccup, Ben and Spencer didn't get the memo. And in the chaos of the emptying chapel, we lost track of them. Alfonso and I lingered at the church for a while trying to figure out if they had gotten a ride home or if they had gone to the bathroom or something. Hoping they had gone home with family, we left for home, all the while trying to call various family members on their silenced phones. When we got home, they were NOT THERE. Alfonso rushed back to the church only to find them sitting in their primary classes, with no clue what was going on. I felt like I had experienced a genuine "bad parent" moment. Anyway, we finally got them home safe and sound and the eating, visiting, and playing could begin.






Here's a picture of Mia and her little cousin Natalee. They are only one month apart, I can already tell they are going to be good friends.

My dad and brother-in-law Rob, were able to sleep through most of it :) Aren't sunday naps the best?

Midway Ice Castles!

This was so beautiful and fun! Dress warm though! It's -18 degrees outside right now!