BARLOW OHANA

Moms around the World-Week 35

2011-12-07T21:35:00.001-10:00

Fernanda-Germany: 5:30pm-decorating the Christmas tree.

Milena-Hawaii: 4pm- At the BYU football game

Khennya-England: 3pm-at the mall.

Michela-Brazil: 4:30pm-At a Helping Hands project.

Renata-Holland:5pm-Receiving her citizenship!

The cougars are in Hawaii!!

2011-12-03T21:16:00.002-10:00

I was very happy today because David got to see his loved BYU football team!!

BYU is going to come to Hawaii every two years and you can be sure that we will

be at the Aloha Stadium cheering for the cougars.

The game was great and the cougars won against the warriors.

41 X 20.

Eddie is back!!

2011-12-01T21:31:00.001-10:00

Our elf on the shelf is back and hopefully he will help me with the kids.

With Isaac and Sam I need all of the help I can get! :) lol

Moms around the World-Week 34

2011-11-30T21:09:00.000-10:00

Fernanda - Frankfurt - Alemanha -6pm

Enjoying Christmas time.

Hevelyn - Brasil

Hevelyn is back in Brazil and visiting her in laws.

Renata - Rotterdam - Holanda

Learning about emergency preparedness.

Milena - Hawaii - USA - 12:00h

At the Temple with her husband.

Michela - Araraquara - Brasil -7pm

Celebrating her daughter's birthday

Khennya - Ely - Inglaterra -9:30pm

Reading to her son.

Temple Day and Beach time!

2011-11-25T20:49:00.001-10:00

Our ward has a tradition to have a session together the day after Thanksgiving.

Since they had babysitting for us David and I went to Temple in the morning

and after lunch we spent the day with our friends the Ogdens.

I love the beaches of North Shore, we went to Kahana Bay and the kids had tons of fun together

playing on the water and kayaking, while I relaxed on the sand with Holly.

I love going to Temple with him...

I was siting talking to Holly and when I look at him, it was to late! oops...

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2011-11-24T20:31:00.000-10:00

We spent the day with some friends and we had a great time today!

We cooked a lot of yummy food and I was very glad that David got a very traditional

Thanksgiving dinner. It was so much fun to spend such a special day with great friends and talk about what it

really makes us thankful.

I have so many blessings in my life it would be impossible to make a list but my tops are:

1. My family and friends.

2. My faith and my feelings about it.

3. My health.

4. My accomplishments and goals.

etc, etc, etc...

Moms around the World-Week 33

2011-11-23T20:23:00.000-10:00

Fernanda - Frankfurt - Alemanha - 4:15pm

Fernanda taking pictures of her son.

Hevelyn - Texas - USA -10pm

Having fun with her kids at Walmart.

Milena - Hawaii - USA - 9:3oam

Skydiving!!

Michela - Araraquara - Brasil -10pm

Registering a moment with her daughter.

Khennya - Ely - Inglaterra - 1pm

Cooking with her husband Andre.

Renata - Rotterdam - Holanda -2:30pm

Enjoying a traditional party Sinterklaas in Utrecht!

My "bucket list" is getting smaller!!!

2011-11-19T19:42:00.001-10:00

Robby was a great instructor who made me feel great about it!

Look the size of the tiny plane...

At this moment I was praying really hard!! hahahah

The view you have is fantastic!!

When I saw the parachute open, I was very glad :)

I always wanted to skydive but since having kids I had the idea on the back burner. I had a great opportunity to jump today and I took it!!
I was very scared but David, my friend Bruna and "Robby" (my instructor) were great and made me feel like I could it. Robby was talking to me the whole time, when we got in a very little airplane he started to ask me about my family and when I realized they were already opening the door and people started jumping.

Keep reading

Breaking Dawn

2011-11-17T19:33:00.001-10:00

I loved seeing Edward again tonight!

As always, our friends group got together for a big party, a long time waiting in line (we were first again :)

and enjoying another movie of my favorite vampire.

PS: It was awesome to see Edward in Rio! It proved he knows where to go to have fun!! lol

Moms around the World-Week 32

2011-11-16T19:04:00.001-10:00

Michela - Araraquara - Brasil - 5:15pm

Visiting the Campinas Temple

Khennya - Ely - Inglaterra - 12:30pm

Sightseeing in their new city.

Hevelyn - Texas - USA - 8:30pm

Cooking at home

Milena - Hawaii - USA - 7:30pm

‎Watching Hannah read the BoM to Isaac.

Renata - Rotterdam - Holanda

Spending time with her husband

Fernanda - Frankfurt - Alemanha -2pm

Visiting a mall with her son.

Crazy hair day!

2011-11-15T18:49:00.001-10:00

The kids love the "school spirit week" because they get to have crazy hair, wear different socks, warriors attire, Hawaiian attire, etc...

Sam has been quiet lately and when I go look for him here is where I find him!

He watches the window for hours so if you want to know anything

that happens in our street, you can just ask Sam. lol

Isaac's prayer video :)

2011-11-12T18:43:00.001-10:00

Here is the proof...
Heavenly Father or Santa??

Heavenly Father or Santa Claus?

2011-11-10T18:10:00.001-10:00

Isaac has been praying for quite some time now and lately he has been treating

Heavenly Father as Santa Claus.

It is funny and cute to see him praying but I have to be better on teaching him the right way to pray.

His prayer goes something like this:

Heavenly Father, thanks for this day, thanks for mommy

daddy, Belle, Hannah, Isaac and Sam.

I want to see the castle (talking about the Sleeping Beauty's castle from Disneyland)

say hi to Mickey, watch transformers, wear my Halloween costume

go to the park , in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I made this "pumpkin Toffee cheesecake" for our book club today and it was YUMMY!!

Go here for the recipe.

Moms around the World-Week 31

2011-11-09T18:48:00.000-10:00

What some moms do around the world

on the same day 11/05/11.

Moms around the World-Week 30

2011-11-02T22:06:00.000-10:00

Trick or Treat!!!

2011-10-31T20:31:00.001-10:00

I started the day going to my exercises class with the Stroller Strides girls.

Today it was a fun class and we were invited to dress up since today is Halloween.

Off course I would do my part right?

I even got a gift card as a prize for my costume :)

It was funny to run on the street and see people's reactions.

Can you imagine a bunch of moms running/exercising around with costumes??

We also had a little party for the kids and Sam had tons of fun.

After lunch I went to watch the kids school's parade but I forgot my camera! :(

I made some cute cupcakes to another party we had across the street on our park.

I always love watching all of the little kids dressed up.

My kids were sooooo excited!!

When got dark we went "trick or treating" and the kids got to many candies...

Halloween Weekend

2011-10-29T20:14:00.002-10:00

We had a great weekend.

The girls had tons of parties to go and they had fun dressing up with different costumes.

I was lucky this year since the girls just decided to wear the clothes from their Ballet recital

that they missed while being in Utah in vacation.

The three of us dressed up as ballerinas.

I fed the missionaries on Friday night and I used these cute Halloween plates, cups, etc...

but between us, I just didn't want to wash the dishes after dinner...

Belle had a party tonight from 6 to 10pm. It was her first "late" night out.

More parties and costumes...

Tonight we went to a Halloween party from our Church Ward.

The kids got tons of candy and I had fun with friends.

Isaac's first day of elementary school!

2011-10-17T20:00:00.003-10:00

Isaac started on the new school today.

He was happy to wear an uniform and go to the girls school.

I try to have fun with the kids for dinner tonight and we made "rats" with a Brazilian meatball recipe and spiders cupcakes. My kids love this things :)

Someone was sccccared!!

Can you believe Buzz lightyear sleeps?


David and I...oh I can't forget to mention my awesome favorite color shoes :)

Belle's Birthday Celebration

2011-10-14T13:52:00.000-10:00

Belle wanted to take some friends bowling to celebrate her birthday this year.

The girls had a lot of fun and it was nice for me to just order their games/shoes and food
and sit to watch them :)

Happy Birthday my Belle...

Fall break and Belle's Birthday :)

2011-10-10T09:42:00.001-10:00

Our month of October was very busy but it was great!!

1-I have been trowing or giving baby things away, since Sam is my last baby

it is kind of nice to get rid of the things we do not need anymore.

He sits on a chair at the table instead of a high chair.

2-The kids and I ready to watch General Conference. I love to stay at home and relax listening to

the talks. I had so many favorite ones...

The kids were also out for a whole week for fall break.

We spent time at home, relaxing, watching movies and enjoying waking up a little later.

We also took trips to our favorite places to eat, ice cream/frozen yogurt shops,

our friends pools or simple games with a good old hose on the trampoline.

The kids had fun and I loved the break :)

I woke up craving "empadao de frango" today. I had all of the ingredients and voila...it was delicious!

1-Sam brings me the diaper and wipes when he wants to be changed. lol

2-Belle at her exact birthday. She turned 10 on 10/10.

As you can tell looking at her picture, she looks like and acts as a young women.

On 2002 I tried to make Belle's first birthday cake and it was a disaster. I tried to make a butterfly cake and it looked so bad that I vowed to myself to never make another birthday cake to any of my kids.

Since then I have been buying them ready because I believe I was not born to make cakes. Fact.

This year Belle asked me to bake some of my cupcakes and I said yes but don't worry because for her birthday celebration, the cake will be mad by someone else. :)

Dear Yochabelle:

I cannot believe you are 10 already. I know I say that every year but it is

what I really feel. Time is going by to fast and even tough

I enjoy and I am very thankful for your help and maturity

I still remember when I saw you for the first time.

You changed my life forever Belle.

I will never forget how fast I fell in love with you and how much I love you now.

To me, you will always be that baby that was smaller than a little doll.

You grew in me and I decided to keep you.

FOREVER.

Love you, Mom.

My Isaac is in school...

2011-10-02T12:33:00.000-10:00

Isaac started school on September 1st.

Dr. M. asked me to take him to be tested by DOE because of his speech.

Dr M is very worried with Isaac all the time, since the tumor he has been worried about this or that

and sometimes I love it because he is getting the VIP treatment but another times I just don't agree.

Who cares he does not have the number of words a 3 year old child is supposed to have at this age?

(with me he talks so much that I sometimes have to tell him to be quiet, I always understand him and

we speak a second language at our home)

I took Ike to be tested and enrolled him in a part time pre school.

He had tons of fun and I enjoyed having the mornings only with Sam at home

until DOE called and told me Isaac needs to be in school the whole day (7:30 am to 2pm)

Here are some pictures of him at pre school and his first day at his new full time school.

Isaac is going to the same school the girls go to.

Isaac's first field trip, he loved riding the bus :)

Saying good bye to his friends and their turtle pet and emptying his cubbie.

The month of September...

2011-09-29T21:45:00.000-10:00

Another soccer season for Belle. Her coach was telling me that Belle is getting better. She is getting more aggressive and running faster. I enjoy watching her games. I only wish it wasn't so hot out in the field. I love the Waipio Soccer complex and I love soccer.

Belle always prepares the best FHE's. She is very smart and I love to see how she loves the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My baby is growing up.

Isaac always has tons of birthday parties to go. I see a pattern of "having tons of friends" just like his mom.

Sam is driving me nuts. He doesn't stop a minute and with Isaac I could not leave him alone for 1 minute...with Sam is more like: I can't leave him alone for 10 seconds or I pay the consequences!! hahahah
He likes to lay down and listen to the girls practicing piano.
and finally... if Sam gets in trouble with mom he always has Belle :)

For the first time in my life, I won a "cooking competition". It was nice to have a real "chef" choose my dish. I made a Brazilian cold salad. Here are some pictures taken at my friend's Foeata's house where I took my salad to be appreciated :) I used a recipe from my firend Michela's mom from Sao Paulo.

Another recipe I made from "our best bites" and my cupcakes that I made to take to the dinner we have every year before watching the Relief Society General Conference" broadcast.
What a great conference we had that night. Pres Utchdorff gave a talk "Forget Me Not", that in my opinion was one of the BEST talks I have listened to. I came feeling full and recharged.
Watch it here if you missed it.

Sam showing that men can wear purple and that he is big enough to not need a highchair anymore!! Out with all of the baby stuff :)

I also went to a Hawaiian party, off course I was by the lady cooking something yummy. I want to learn all I can and I am glad that Hawaiians/Asians have been teaching me how to use ginger and zillions of different sauces. She was making the famous Hawaiian pancet or fried noddles. Do you like her pan? The food was yummy.

The month of August...

2011-08-30T22:18:00.000-10:00

David and I went to the Goncalves Temple Sealing. Hope is a very good friend I have and I was so happy to be with her this day. I am also glad that Families can be Together Forever.

My friend Monica blessed her cute son this month and invited us over for her yummy empanadas from Argentina (David caught me eating some) Jacob is the cutest baby :)

Belle on the first day of school. We always have two first days, one that they can wear anything and the first day they have to wear the school uniform. The girls do not like to wear uniform.

I am learning to be a "boy mom", Isaac is doing great with potty training, he does not have any accidents anymore and it was by far easier to train than the girls were. This day he was yelling my name and when I came outside he pointed me the "xixi" on the tree and said: Look mom!!! That was me!!! I guess it is true that boys can pee anywhere :(

Spiderman went to one of his friends birthday. He had a lot of fun!

More yummy recipes from my favorite girls and having friends over to eat with us as always...

Sam is in love with Mickey and it is the only hour of the day that he sits quiet :)

I had some of the young women over for some cooking. I love these cute girls!

Saying goodbye to my friend Leah and her boys. Since Kris died, Leah is moving back to San Diego to be closer to family. I am going to miss her.

Our family hiked "Diamond Head" today. The hike is really easy and the views are GORGEOUS!!!

Hannah teaching us at FHE how to sing one of her Primary songs in sign language and some of the girls of our monthly Book Club.

Back in Hawaii and last weeks of July

2011-07-30T19:58:00.003-10:00

Since I have been taking so long to update the blog

I decided to do this big posts with all what happened each month after getting home.

I was really happy to see David again, everything is back to normal now

and the only sad thing was the time it took me to get things in a routine again.

I took more than 2 weeks to clean the house, organize and put things away

and get used to "real" life...finally I am glad I did it.

I got to go to the Book Club. It was one of my favorite books by Jane Austen "Pride and Prejudice", nice talk and yummy food. I made this dessert from my favorite girls, Our best bites girls :)

I also decided to challenge myself and do like "Julie and Julia" with the Our Best Bites books. It will take me a long time but I am going to make every single recipe from their book.

The other picture is David and I going to a really fancy dinner with the JRC Society. JRC is the LDS attorneys society. I met some really nice people, ate yummy food and listened to the top LDS Church attorney. He was very nice and we had a great night.

We got to go to the Vercelles Temple Sealing. It always touches my heart to see a family get sealed. Sherryl's family was even more especial, I know her since she was learning the gospel with the missionaries and she is my Visiting Teaching companion too.

Hannah having fun with the Iphone app that has the hymns with sing along captions. We love it because we do not have to "find" our Hymns books anymore...you just put in your TV and voila!

We had plenty of park days, the girls enjoyed their school summer break. Here is Belle entertaining the kids from the neighborhood as always and Sam showing you that he doesn't like my TV shows :)

Hannah helping me to bake these cute cupcakes from the book, they turned out pretty good huh? I think Sam loved it!!

More "park days"

Sam showing you how you can get what you want!

We went camping with some of our Ward's members. You probably know how I feel about camping...lets just say that it is ONCE at year event. It was fun having our friends around but I still didn't change my feelings about camping :) but I would love to "camp" around the pool in a hotel anytime :)

I also surprised David with a cake for his birthday. He had fun celebrating with his friends and getting me to go camping with him as one of his presents! The cake was a Transformers cake, off course :)

Family Pictures and good bye Utah!!

2011-07-16T16:48:00.000-10:00

Our direct family minus David, his sister Anne, Parker and their two sons.

Missing daddy in this family picture

Receiving some love from grandpa

Mom and Dad with their grandkids, missing are Breitling and Henry.

We left to Hawaii at 3pm today, I was very happy to leave Utah to see my David but I will for sure miss:

1- Mom Barlow's smiles and late talks full of wonderful advices.

2- Having outings,dinners and parties with the whole family and friends.

3- Shopping in nice and modest clothing stores. (Hello Downeast Basics, Maurices and Bohme)

4- The sweet Spirit I feel only while visiting LDS Church sites.

5- Eating at Rodizio Grill, Braza Grill, Tucanos and Cafe Rio and especially the Nielsen's ice cream shop.

A lot of Barlows together...

2011-07-16T16:14:00.001-10:00

We had the Barlow reunion tonight at Mom Barlow's home.

We had yummy food and Dad rented a Karaoke machine.

I had a great time talking to other Barlows that I do not see very often in our family gathers.

Everyone is always very nice to me and my kids.

It was our first Reunion without Grandma Ora...

Lasts days in Utah!!

2011-07-12T16:00:00.002-10:00

We had tons of fun in Utah, the kids loved being with their cousins and I just had the best time

with anyone and going everywhere!!
This is our last week before we go back home and I see my David. *wink*

Sam having fun in grandma's bathroom

Face Time with daddy!!

Yep, the cup is full with "BUGS"!!!!

Laggon Park Day 2 and Lagoon a Beach

2011-07-09T15:41:00.002-10:00

We went back to Lagoon and to the water park side today,

the whole family was there but at 5pm everyone else

left and I stayed late with the older kids until 11pm.

It was me, Kennedy, Grace, Kaylee, Kaden, Belle and Hannah.

I was glad to bond with them and I also had some very good laughs!

I love my nephews and nieces, hopefully they won't forget that I can be fun :)

I also had tons of fun!!!!

I don't even to mention that the girls had tons of fun huh?

Mom Barlow's Birthday celebration!!

2011-07-08T20:41:00.000-10:00

I was excited to celebrate mom's birthday with her this year.

The kids and I got her a mint/chocolate birthday cake,

my sisters in law, mom and I went to Olive Garden for dinner and all the girls/women went to the

"Dolly" musical play at the park. Dolly is one of mom's favorite musicals.

Happy Birthday mom!

I had a new dish with chicken ans shrimp that was really yummy.

Temple Square with Great-Grandpa Halls

2011-07-06T14:01:00.001-10:00

We spent the day with grandpa Halls today.

We had lunch at his favorite restaurant and went to walk around Temple Square.

Grandpa loves me and I love him.


Grandpa loves Belle, he used to babysit her when she was a newborn baby.

Sam on grandpa Halls lap...finally the two "William" are together.

I love you grandpa and I always will!!

What we did the most in Utah...

2011-07-05T13:47:00.000-10:00

was visiting family and friends!

I did take tons of pictures in these 45 days I was in Utah but I also missed a lot of moments that I can't believe I didn't have my camera to catch it.

PS: I still can't believe we forgot to take a picture together Betinha!! :(

These first two pictures is with my BFF Raquel. We met when I mived to America 12 years ago, we were classmates and best friends since the first time we saw each other.

Ra has three cute kids and I love her.

Here is at Jen Allred's home.

I met Jen in Topeka while our husbands were in law school.

They just spent a week at our home in Hawaii before we left and this day we slept over to pay the visit.

Jen has a cute little girl called Allie.

Happy Independence Day America!!

2011-07-04T13:03:00.000-10:00

We had a great weekend celebrating the 4th of July!!

It was full with family, good food, "guarana", fireworks at home and at the park (best seats in town)

Singing "America the Beautiful at Church (my favorite song from here),

Sunday dinner, Parade, candy, 5K run, Barbecue (Brazilian style including grilled pineapple)

kids show,etc... I was very excited to be in Utah where the 4th of July celebration is huge

but I missed the fireworks at Ala Moana Beach and David off course.

Sam had tons of fun in grandma's guest bathroom

Yes, we were that close!!! :)

Hoogle Zoo!

2011-07-02T13:02:00.000-10:00

Mom Barlow and I had a relaxing time at the zoo while the kids played and watched the animals.

This is the Place Heritage Park.

2011-07-01T11:53:00.000-10:00

This park is a really cute pioneer village.

The kids had fun pretending to live in the past and learning to be thankful for the pioneers.

Moms around the World-Week 12

2011-06-29T12:32:00.002-10:00

Rebeca-Argentina: 4pm playing with daughter

Fernanda-Germany: 11am playing drums with son

Hevelyn-USA: 12pm-visiting a stadium with son

Michela: Brazil-11am-at the Campinas Temple

Milena-Vacation in Utah-11am-visiting a park with family

Clearfield Pool

2011-06-28T11:37:00.000-10:00

We had fun with the whole family at the Clearfield Pool.

Belle showing grandpa's name that was in the city council when the complex was built.

Law School friends!

2011-06-27T11:20:00.002-10:00

We had a play date at the park with my friends Alina Ballard and Sheri Johnson.

We met in Topeka while our husbands were in law school.

I always have to see these girls when I am in Utah.

Mom Barlow also came with some of my nephews and nieces.

Here is a picture of my sister in law Karen's van.

FULL with kids!!

Shane, Lucy, Katelyn, Anabelle,Landon Ballard, Belle,Hannah,Isaac,Samuel Barlow and Marek, Asher Johnson.

Belle's first 5K and Lagoon!!

2011-06-25T21:01:00.000-10:00

We went running really early today!

It was Belle's first 5K and she did great...

The funny thing was that I got third place in my age group!! Pretty cool huh?

We had a great day with the family!

The girls had a lot of fun riding with their cousins at Lagoon Park.

Talking to daddy that really wishes he was here too!

Some of us :)

Hannah with uncle Scott and Sam with grandma Barlow!!

The kids first "Festa Junina"

2011-06-24T19:55:00.001-10:00

"Festa Junina" is a very fun and traditional party from Brazil.

"June Party" is full of fun games, dances (pioneer dances style) and food.

This was the first "Festa Junina" that the kids participated, one of my favorite things about my kids is that

they adapt to my Brazilian style so fast! Belle and Hannah were speaking

Portuguese so fast that drives me crazy...why can't they do that to me?

I look at their direction and there they are mingling with Brazilians like it was the easiest thing for them!

Even Isaac wanted to dance with a little girl that he never saw before, play games and play with the other Brazilian kids. I confess that it makes my heart really happy...

I think my kids will love Brazil just the way I do!!

(crossing all of my fingers)

Who has friends, has everything...

on the left is my little Isaac dancing a "quadrilha" with his mommy!!

I love these cute kids!!!!

This is my friend Hevelyn's family!

Park and Provo Falls...

2011-06-23T19:50:00.000-10:00

The kids and I went to Provo to spend the day with one of my besties.

Vivian is also from Brazil and is really nice.

We took the kids to the park and to visit this cool falls on Provo Canyon.

I love Provo, it brings good memories and I love to see the beautiful mountains.

Moms around the World-Week 11

2011-06-22T20:38:00.001-10:00

Milena-Utah: 1:30pm-taking her husband to the airport

Fernanda-Germany: 1:30pm-son playing with her star puncher.

Hevelyn-Utah: 8pm-playing with Halloween costumes.

Michela-Brazil: 4:30pm-making napkins for a Church dinner.

Rebeca-Argentina: 2:30pm-at her daughter's school helping with crafts.

Visiting the Cheshires!

2011-06-21T20:32:00.001-10:00

Tonight we went to David's older sister Casey.

It was my nephew Kaden's birthday and we found out that Sam is just running now!!

He is walking EVERYWHERE!!

Happy Birthday to me!!!

2011-06-20T19:32:00.005-10:00

Today is my big day!

I always loved my birthday, I feel special and I am glad that I got to live another year.

I do not like to cry on my birthday but today I cried a lot.

I had a great time until I had to take David to the airport, he is going back
to Hawaii to go back to work.

It was sad, I am not going to see him for a whole month but I know that I LOVE when we get back together

and I need to enjoy the time I have with our family.

This beauty right here is what I got for my birthday...

I wanted this 70-300 lens for my Nikon really bad!!

I am really excited!!

This is my favorite Brazilian cake my Friend Vivian made for me!!

We had lunch at my fave Mexican place: Cafe Rio!!

David and I minutes before leaving to the airport..

I also loved that mom Barlow and Dieter made possible a really nice shopping spree and my mom that sent me a box full of my favorites from Brazil. I feel loved!

Happy Fathers Day!

2011-06-19T19:06:00.003-10:00

Today was Fathers Day and we were happy to be able to celebrate

with everyone.

We had a nice meeting at my in laws ward and had a yummy dinner.

The kids had fun with their cousins and David had his mom's food, meaning...

everybody was happy.

Sam is in the middle of everything :)

The kids had a nice show for us!

To the best father in the world (aka: David B.)

I love that you are my kids dad.
When I married you, I knew you were good to me but I didn't know what wonderful dad you would be!
The kids are lucky, I am extremely lucky.
You are the best dad I know!
(thanks for doing the dishes, moping the floor sometimes, reading, bathing, feeding, teaching them,
etc, etc, etc...
Please keep doing it..

I love you more, Mi.

(aka: the chick that needs a lot of help).

My 35th Birthday Celebration!!!

2011-06-18T21:16:00.000-10:00

Mom watched the kids today and David took me to my favorite place in Utah!!

I just L.O.V.E. the Salt Lake City Temple Square.

We had a wonderful day and also had dinner at a great Brazilian Restaurant.

I do not feel anything different turning 35 years old...well I have been saying this since

I turned 18! Is something wrong with me? Am I supposed to feel something??

Not happening to me...

I am a really lucky girl, I was completely happy today!! Happy Birthday to me.

11 years later...

2011-06-16T20:27:00.004-10:00

I already told you how I met my David.

For you that don't know, I met him at the Manti Pageant in 2000.

It is pretty cool that in the middle of thousands of people

he came and sat by me and the rest is history...

That day and this place is very special for me! I wanted to be back before but

we finally made it!! 11 years later, 4 kids and a great journey here

we are!!

It was freezing..at least for my body!

We drove from California to Utah today, we got at grandma's house pretty late!

Moms around the World-Week 10

2011-06-15T20:19:00.001-10:00

Milena-California-USA

At Disneyland with my kiddos.

Fernanda - Frankfurt - Germany -5pm

Fer made a wonderful airplane for her son!! Pretty cool huh??

Michela - Araraquara - Brazil - 10:45am

At the mall with her daughters!

Rebeca - Buenos Aires - Argentina -4:25pm

With her husband.

Hevelun - Utah - USA -5:15pm

Crafts with her daughter.

Disney California Adventure!

2011-06-14T19:40:00.001-10:00

We had a lot of fun at the California Adventure Park.

I love my family...

Our days at Disneyland...

2011-06-13T17:00:00.000-10:00

The kids were really excited about going to Disneyland!!

I was pretty worried taking 4 kids to that craziness but as always...

we had tons of fun and the kids faces were priceless!!!!!!
We rode the famous rides and sometimes I stayed with the boys while David and the girls hit the
big rides...thank goodness for "baby passes"!!

He has more fun than anyone else!!

Right before the fireworks!!


Happiest place on earth??? Not when you go with 4 kids!!!! hahahahah Disney: Tah, tah for now...

California days...

2011-06-11T15:46:00.000-10:00

We arrived last night in California,

we stayed with David's brother Josh's family.

They are always nice to us and we had fun spending time with them!

Today we went to Hollywood and stopped at the girl's favorite store to

pierce their dolls ears!??

Here is the proof...it was pretty funny to see David paying for that bill!!

Can you tell how bored Isaac was?? lol

After lunch we stopped at the famous Hollywood Blvd.

I never had the desire to see it and now I know why...

It was dirty and smelled horribly so we didn't stay too long at all!

At dinner we met with the other Barlows and went to an Angel's game!!

I was excited to be at this game because it had a "Taio Cruz" show after it.

Do you know who he is? Go here if you don't.

I throw my hands up in the air sometimes
Saying AYO!
Gotta let go!
I wanna celebrate and live my life
Saying AYO!

Baby, let's go!

Utah to Las Vegas

2011-06-09T14:44:00.000-10:00

Today we left really early for a Disneyland trip.

We stopped in Vegas for a day to take a break from all of the driving!

We stooped at the famous Cove Fort-Utah.

A very special place for Pres. Hinckley, here is why...

and lunch at the St. George-Utah Temple

We spent the night in Vegas!!!!

Moms around the World-Week 9

2011-06-08T11:22:00.000-10:00

Milena- Utah Vacation

5pm at This is the Place Park

Fernanda: Frankfurt-Germany

12pm-Doctor's appointment

Michela-Sao Paulo-Brazil

5:50pm: reading

Hevelyn: Provo-Utah

7:15pm: with daughter at a photo shoot

Rebeca-Argentina

5pm: Picking lemons at home

Dinner at the Briggs new home!

2011-06-07T10:54:00.001-10:00

Tonight we went to David's little sister's home for dinner. The kids had tons of fun playing with their cousins and we enjoyed the good food and company.

Sam at grandma's home still wearing girl clothes and praying for the temperature to get better :)

"Churrasco" and good company!

2011-06-06T10:42:00.001-10:00

Today we left the kids with my sister in law and went to Salt Lake City with Mom, Dad and Dieter to see for the first time at the This is the Place park, the statue of Israel and Elizabeth Barlow. If you want to know who they are click here. After that we went to the new Brazilian Restaurant called "Tucanos" at the Gateway.

Sunday dinner with...

2011-06-05T10:22:00.001-10:00

the Barlows, Dieter, Cheshires, Briggs, and Thurgoods...
We always have fun when the family gets together. Today we had dinner, the kids made up a talent show and David gave us a Family Home Evening's message followed with some yummy candy leis for the kids. It would probably be a little chaotic for you having so many of us together but it does not bother me at all :)

Our first family party!

2011-06-04T09:57:00.002-10:00

Today all of David's brothers and sisters that live in Utah, Great grandpa Halls and aunt Margareth's family came over to grandma's home for a barbecue. The kids loved playing with their cousins and I loved that they were busy so I could sit down and enjoy everyone's company.

Hannah loves boots just like I do...here she is enjoying the cooler weather to wear some, I should have done the same!

Goodbye Hawaii

2011-06-03T09:25:00.002-10:00

The day finally arrived for our Utah/Vegas/California vacation. We will be away for 45 days and I can tell it is going to be an AWESOME summer!

The flight was a little hard, Sam's is at an age that he won't stay seating with his seat belt on...it was a long flight but we made it!!

Waking up at grandma's house...we love it! Sam wearing the girls old pjs because as you may know, we do not own a single pair of long sleeves pjs in Hawaii!

Moms around the world-Week 9

2011-06-01T19:45:00.001-10:00

I am so excited to have this project with my friends...

every Wednesday I get a email with their picture and beautiful messages

and acts of love.

I truly believe friends are forever too!

Rebeca from Argentina is missing this week but she will be back on Wednesday.

A true HERO!

2011-05-30T20:28:00.000-10:00

This Memorial Day I started doing something I should have done a long time ago.

I put it up a American Flag in honor of all of the fallen soldiers in the world.

Our flag today was in HONOR of KRIS Lorenzo

my neighbor/friend that was killed last week in Afghanistan.

We got together with Leah at the park in front of our homes to celebrate Kris's life

and I am so glad I got to go since I won't be in San Diego for the Funeral.

This week has been really sad, it is so hard to watch my good friend suffer so much

and have a little I can do to help her.

I think all day about her and her little boys and how the future will be and tears come to my eyes.

I am so glad I was there to give my friend a hug and to tell her that Families are Forever,

that Heavenly Father loves her and so do I...

PS: Some of the photos were taken by Brittney Lowder
and some are mine.

RIP Kris...

Out of school!!

2011-05-27T20:14:00.000-10:00

School year was over yesterday!

The girls are excited for their summer break

and for our trip to the mainland.

To celebrate another very successful school year with ALL

wonderful grades I took the kids to play and celebrate their girlfriend Alani's birthday.

Moms around the World-Week 8

2011-05-25T20:11:00.000-10:00

I love these girls!

It is awesome to have friends all over huh?

What a S.A.D. day!!

2011-05-23T20:03:00.003-10:00

Today I received some of the saddest news I ever heard...

My neighbor/friend Kris Lorenzo was killed today at 11:40am

by a bomb in Afghanistan with another 3 soldiers.

Kris was married to my friend Leah and they have two little boys the same age as my boys.

Kris was only 33 years old.

I will always remember Kris as a great husband and daddy.

I will miss seeing him inside of his garage working in something to his boys,

his friendly hand wave and his smile.

RIP Kris, I'll will always be here for Leah and the boys!

Can you imagine how sad I am?

Moms around the World-Week 7

2011-05-18T11:40:00.001-10:00

The coolest thing about our project this week is that we added a new mom from...

Argentina!

Rebeca Bogado was born in Brazil but lives in Buenos Aires since she married a Argentine.

She has a little daughter and is also a stay at home mom.

The fun thing about Rebeca is that she is Brazilian, her husband is Argentine, her mother in law is Italian and her father in law is Paraguayan and they all live together!!

I am excited to see pictures of Buenos Aires since I have been there long time ago.

Want to know more about Rebeca? Click here.

My prayers go to Michela and her husband Junior, who is in bed right now fighting against the
terrible sickness called Dengue. Get well soon man!

She will want to wear my heels...

2011-05-16T11:13:00.002-10:00

I took Belle to buy some new shoes on Saturday

(because her shoes are to small again-same old story)

and we found out that her shoe size is 6.5!!

I could not believe it since my size is 7.5 or sometimes 8

but Belle is only 9 years old and I...well forget it! :)

Pretty soon she will want to wear my shoes and my high heels shoes

and I was thinking today...

what am I going to do????

After shoe shopping, Belle and I had lunch at "Jolibee's" the

famous Filipino fast food place that all of my friends were telling me to try.

We had fried chicken and it was really yummy indeed.

PS: I know I was supposed to try something from your country but let's go slow ok?

I forgot to tell you that we have one of my favorites Mainland stores here at Ala Moana that opened earlier this month!!

I am so glad that I won't have to pay shipping to get my faves from the

Bath & Body Works store.

I like the beach here but this is also a nice view...

Belle wasn't sounding very nice while practicing her piano and when I checked her out

I found Sam trying to play a duet.

First "Moroccan Food" experience!

2011-05-14T10:42:00.002-10:00

Last night I went to a really cool restaurant called "Casablanca" with some of my friends from Stroller Strides or from my exercise classes.

Casablanca is a Moroccan Restaurant in Kailua and some things were unique and lovely.

As soon as I came in I saw the beautiful decoration with awesome lanterns, ceramic plates, rugs on the walls

and the sealing was design to make you feel like you were eating inside of a tent.

Our waiter was really nice and told me to seat on these huge leather cushion on the floor and

get ready to wash my hands.

He came back after a couple of minutes with a beautiful silver bowl and silver water pitcher

and we washed our hands right there.

There was no napkin, it was a hand towel instead.

I then learned that we were not going to use any silverware until our last course.

I had soup, salad, appetizer and dessert with my hands and since I ordered

"Lamb Brochettes"

(the only thing I could remember and pronounce the name)

and they serve it in skewers, I didn't use any silver wear for the whole meal.

I confess it was a little weird eating with my hands, especially the salad.

The food was delicious and now I want to go to Morocco too.

They also served us a tea but since I do not drink tea I can't tell you if it was good.
The most interesting thing of the night was when a cute lady came by our table and splashed some "orange blossom" water from a silver bottle on top of us saying that it was for good luck. The water smelled really nice but the water on my face it was a bit to much for me. David talked about the smell after I got home. Poor Monica, my friend from Argentina, who is 7 months pregnant, she got splashed a lot more since the lady said her baby also needed. LOL

Happy Birthday Samuel!!

2011-05-13T10:18:00.001-10:00

Once a upon at time...

there was a really cute boy who turned

ONE year old today called Samuel!

He LOVES his mommy and her hip

because it is the best place in the earth for him,

loves his daddy and siblings because they play together all the time,

really enjoys his baths and rice cakes and

he has ALWAYS the cutest smile on his face.

PS: Well, the last one is for who he knows anyway...

Told in his own words...or maybe mom's.

I love Samuel so much, David wrote something very beautiful on my Facebook page today and I totally agree: Sam you came to give us the best year of our lives and now with YOU, our family is complete! Love you chuchu :)

Book Club!

2011-05-12T09:57:00.000-10:00

We had another Book Club meeting

this month.

I didn't like the book and the way of a "Tiger Mom" really is.

Did you read this book? Sheeeeesh...

Genevieve did a wonderful job hosting us this month.

I had fun with the girls and I got to hold for the first time my friend Foe's newborn baby.

Painoa is her first boy after having three girls :)

I made a yummy strawberries dessert from my Friend Wendy's recipe. to share.

Girl's School Songfest!

2011-05-11T09:16:00.008-10:00

Today the girl's school had a party and invited us to come and see

all of the work the girls did this year and watch the school's Songfest!

I know I always say this but I can't believe another school year is done

next week (last day of school is May 26th) and especially my Belle who is already going to

FIFTH grade...

David, the boys and I were there to cheer for the girls!

Happy: Isaac still copies his daddy and calls me : Babe :)

Moms around the World-Week 6

2011-05-10T10:25:00.000-10:00

Milena-Hawaii: 12pm Happy Sam at the girl's school Songfest

Khennya: Sao Paulo- Enjoying her husband before he moves to Holland first to get things ready for the family.

Michela-Araraquara: 5:30pm: Getting back on exercising.

Fernanda-Germany-5pm: Fer's son enjoying a homemade popsicle.

Hevelyn-Utah-5:30pm: Taking her daughter to a YW activity.