Snow Hike with the Youth

Armando took the youth in our ward hiking to Donut Falls last weekend and they had a blast. This is a video that the president of the Young Women sent to me. Armando is working hard to teach the young men to be responsible and, of course, he is always finding a way to have fun with them too!

Guest Room Makeover

I've been wanting to do a guest room makeover since we moved into our house over six years ago. Earlier this spring, things fell into place and Armando found a comforter I loved and we finally did it. We means 90% Armando and 10% me. He has such a talent to look and look until he finds the perfect detail for everything. I don't have that talent . . . my talent is more like the talent for appreciating what he's done and smiling inside every time I walk by and see that pop of my favorite green on the cool grey. 

I did pick up the green R a few months ago and Michaels and had it in our downstairs living area . . . when we put the picture shelf together, I thought it was the perfect final detail.

The only thing we kept from the previous room is the photo I took in Honduras a few years ago.

Sometimes I'd like to move into our guest room. :)

Surviving the Winter

Thanks to Gram and a little mechanical work, Armando is surviving the winter storms with a little more ease this year. The poor thing practically freezes to death every time he has to shovel the snow so this snow-blower comes in very handy!

Honduras vs. U.S. World Cup Qualifier

Armando and I got to attend the US. vs. Honduras World Cup Qualifier here at Rio Tinto Stadium in June. I was torn throughout the game . . . should have been cheering for the U.S. but my heart went to the underdogs who didn't win. :( After it was all said and done I wish I would have just ventured out in the stands and took a ton of pictures of everyone's crazy team spirit. I did get a few shots, but nothing like what I saw. 

¡Feliz dia del Padre!

I am blessed to have a husband that loves to play with his girls! I was going through photos from this spring and came across this series that warmed my heart. After a Sunday afternoon nap, Armando challenged Marcela to a game of one-on-one soccer while Cecilia rode around on her bike. I love that to Armando it is important to be an active part of his daughters' lives. He loves to hear about their school experiences, to know what they are learning about and who their friends are. He loves to play with them and help them learn important skills. There is nothing better than hearing laughter and play coming from another room or the window to the backyard as he plays with his girls. I am grateful that we can experience this journey of parenthood together because he has so many strengths that are my weaknesses and visa versa. Happy Father's Day to a wonderful Papi that loves his girls so much!

Buried in the Snow

Marcela and Armando were itching to build a snow fort, but the snow was too dry so they opted to pretend they were on the beach and they buried Marcela in the snow.

Only her little face was sticking through.

I love that first grade look with her two front teeth starting to come in and the big smile in her eyes as she looks up at her Papi. And I'm thankful that my girls have a Papi that takes the time to play with them.

"Good Fences Make Good Neighbors"

That's what our realtor said when we bought the house and we had to repair the 5 fences that we share with surrounding neighbors. To date, we have repaired four of them . . . and when I say we have I mean Armando has. He's done a great job and the best part to-date is the new gate he added so that we can have a closed-off back yard for the girls to play in. He finished right in time for the snow to fall. For never having had any practice or training, I'd say he did an amazing job! His to-scale schematic looked just as awesome!

A Family Room Revival

BEFORE: A horrendous (yet comfortable) couch, and hand-me-down everything. We rarely spent time in this room and after four years of living in this house, it was time to make some changes. So, we got rid of the couch and everything in the room except for our electric piano.

White walls are fine for awhile, but it was time for a change.

Armando taped and I helped a little.

And then he put some faint blue on the walls. You almost couldn't see it.

But put it next to this lovely color and watch out . . .

Pop! I'm in love. Both with the handyman that did this whole thing himself and the colors and new room he has created.

For months we gathered the furniture and accessories and I just couldn't imagine it like Armando explained it, but when it all came together, I have to remember that Armando has a knack for these things and I should just trust him. AFTER:

I've actually sat down to play the piano. And Armando and I love to watch movies after the girls go to bed. And the girls love to watch movies on the new tv. The DVDs actually stay organized.

And more than anything the girls love their new play room. All of their books, puzzles, dress up, dolls, toys, and art supplies are here.

They love this table and spend so much time here having tea parties and coloring or doing puzzles and Marcela loves to do her daily summer homework assignments here.

We are very pleased with all of the hard work that Armando put into this room. Now, it's our favorite in the house. 

Now to start brainstorming about the kitchen that could use a little paint itself.

The Running Man or Shuffling?

Our generation called it the running man . . . (yes that's Armando jamming with his cousins . . . I'm guessing he must have been an early teen).
Fast forward to the next generation and they're shuffling.

I have NO idea where Marcela got all of this energy because if I remember correctly this was the same day we arrived and I was practically falling asleep while taking these pictures. She and Sofi were definitely "electricas" as they like to call it!

A Play on Words

*Just a disclaimer - This is a little comical skit that Armando wrote up for our Church Christmas Party from The Book of Mormon. It was written and presented in Spanish as the play on words is in Spanish.

This is just my summary. Lehi tells Nephi he has had a dream and that Nephi and his brothers must return to Jerusalem for the plates of brass (called planchas in Spanish). That word is important. You'll see why later.
After an unsuccesful attempt at obtaining the planchas in Jerusalem, Nephi's rebellious older brothers are angry with him . . .

and they resort to beating him . . .

An angel appears and tells Laman and Lemuel to stop.

In the meantime, Sariah, the boys' mother complains to her husband that he is crazy and should have never sent her boys away - they are lost forever and it is his fault!

Meanwhile Nephi has success in Jerusalem. Laban (the evil man that had the plates) is drunk and Nephi is able to get the plates from him.

Nephi is a hero . . . he returns with the goods . . .

"Las Planchas" - the joke is "planchas" in Spanish is the word they use for the golden plates but also means "iron" as in the tool you use to iron your clothing. So the irony of it all is that after all of the trouble Nephi went through in being valiant and obtaining the sacred and cherished "planchas" he doesn't come back with the golden plates, but two irons.