The Dardano Diaries

Guess who's having a GIRL!!!!!!!!

2011-03-29T19:17:00.001-07:00

beloved hippo
say cheese!

the sisterhood...
Papa letting himself get pounced at the birthday party

Cowboy day at school- normal day for Cash

yes- that is snot- and that is my husband:)

that would be ME!!!!! I can hardly believe it myself- which is why I haven't posted until now:) And as you might have already guessed, yes, she does already have a closet full of clothes:) We are so ecstatic to welcome a little girly girl into the family (and you know we need it!)...we can't wait until july!!!

other than that...

We have been busy busy with other things. Pierce had his 5th birthday- can't believe he is 5. We celebrated at the usual bounce place- and he celebrates daily (still) anytime he sees the number five or hears it. My sweet boy has become quite the helper around here. Its funny how they go from being a baby to one day being able to carry out 'favors' for mom and little babysitting tasks. He has gotten so big and heavy and he is crazier than ever. He wedged my exercise ball between the couch and the ottoman and told me to watch as he jumped on the ball and did a front flip onto the couch- over and over again. He is loving soccer this year and cries like its the end of the world if he doesn't get more than three goals:) Thats my boy! kidding. I love him so much and he has brought me and my family so much happiness and LAUGHS- I feel so lucky to have him.

We have also been working on our house. Not technically- someone else it actually building:) but it has taken a lot of planning and deciding, etc- which can be extremely exhausting! But we can now (almost) say that after two years we can now sit back and watch it come together. That makes two babies due in July!:) I guess we won't be bored!

Other than that we have been doing the usual. Cash is getting extremely sassy..can I say that about a boy? He surprises me daily with different 'deals' and ideas. anytime I ask them to clean up he is instantly 'too tired' or sick:) and when I start my rebuttal he starts interrupting me by imitating me and speaking really loudly over me saying "excuse me! I'm trying to tell you something!" sometimes I laugh- and mostly I think- where did he get this? Lex has turned into the tyrant of the house. he is such a ham- he knows how to win you over...which is good because he is also extremely evil sometimes! If Cash or Pierce has to go to time out he runs over- makes sure i am watching- and laughs and kicks them! If you say no-well you better watch out- he gets the biggest smile on his face and does whatever you just told him not to faster and with more vigor than before- and before you can get your hands on him he is sprinting away. We are in for it!

Ok-other than THAT we haven't been up to much.. and since a picture is worth a thousand words...

Christmas..a little late.

2011-01-12T18:54:00.000-08:00

My oh my how I loved Christmas this year. Pierce and Cash were so excited about EVERYTHING!! They had asked for power wheels for months...and repeated it to santa the THREE times they ran up to sit on his lap at three different malls:)- needless to say we were so thrilled to see their faces on christmas morning- there is nothing better. Santa came to Nana's house again this year for the Christmas eve dinner- once again (and yes, these pictures are their faces when he walked through the door), their faces just say it all. They had the little nativity- Pierce and Cash got to be shepherds- and you would have thought it was the first time my dad had ever read the scripture story:) - seriously- he kept stumbling over himself- it was classic. And as is tradition as well, we got the boys pajamas for christmas eve night- and this year we actually got ourselves some as well- we went up and changed and surprised them...i was batman and mauri was superman. They were pretty excited. They ask me every night to wear the batman ones...

I truly feel so blessed to have my little family. I love these guys more than I could ever say- they make me smile and laugh everyday. I look forward to everything so much more because I have them to share it with. I know I will miss them at this age...

almost christmas

2011-01-11T17:20:00.001-08:00

Well actually some of them are from christmas we just have to split them up. Dont ask me what all of them are doing with that white sheet though...they find the wierdest things to play. Lex is getting so old- and actually pretty big, too. He beats up on the other two like you wouldn't believe- You will no longer hear me say 'poor lex'- he just walks up and hits the other two for no reason- and if its not with his bare hands its with a sword or a bat or anything else thats lying around. Oh- and don't ask what that giant spot is on his forehead...wasn't a zit- but we were glad it showed up just in time for christmas day!!:)

Until next season....

2011-01-10T07:11:00.000-08:00

And I can't wait for it! I love watching them play. They are both ready for next time.. And yes, that is a spiderman costume under cash's uniform.

Pierce's coach was actually a soccer player from south africa- good training starts early!

Enthusiasm

2011-01-10T06:48:00.000-08:00

Rarely do any of my angels ever slow down long enough to...well they never slow down. I still klike to find Cash passed out in odd places (usually on the couch)- but also on picnic tables...And here is Pierce at his class thanksgiving party. And man was it a PARTY!- he took his role very seriously as you can see.

Cash and Papa

2011-01-10T06:25:00.000-08:00

Remember when everyone said Cash and Papa were like twins? Or how he would always go to my dad when he was a baby and run to him as a toddler? Even though his affection has grown a little bit more guarded these two will always have a special bond. And don't worry Dad, I wont tell everyone else that he is your favorite:)

Just scaring Lex- hoping he wont come outside... what a sweetheart.

Mixed Martial Arts

2011-01-10T05:58:00.000-08:00

...or we just call it Karate:) The boys love it. They basically have a private lesson every time they go because its so early in the day. go figure- they really enjoy running, jumping, kicking, and punching?... Superheroes watch out! I have two in training right now:)

so serious

2011-01-09T18:16:00.000-08:00

I came around the corner to find this the other day. apparently he needed to have his diaper changed- poor Lex- no one around to help so he might as well try...

the usual

2011-01-09T17:58:00.000-08:00

They look older in these pictures to me. Way more than in real life- but maybe thats because they are whining or something else that blinds me to just being able to enjoy their sweet faces. these are just for fun...

Love is: eating an apple just because your brother is doing it and trying to bite at exactly the same time..

Soooo innocent...

"Vegetavels"

2011-01-09T17:47:00.000-08:00

So we have some neighbors who are indian (not cherokee, from india)- actually both of our neighbors and pretty much our entire street....but anyway; they are super nice and they grow some kind of vegetable that I have never seen before (i call them cumkwats (sp?)) and they tend to grow over our fence alot. My children enjoy this- and I appreciate it because they kind of experience a garden without me actually having to grow one:) I know I should not let them pick so many off- but I just love hearing Pierce say 'look at this vegetavel...its a beauty!' I have stopped correcting him because now its just funny.

Do you think I need to change someone's diaper?

Pierce picking Vegetavels... clearly lex is going to get the hang of it sooner or later..

He's a genius!!!

2010-12-22T12:17:00.000-08:00

kidding;) but it WAS pretty exciting to turn around and my little monster is writing his name on the side of the tub! I didn't even have to tell him what came next! These are the moments of being a parent that nothing can top. I love watching them grow up- I get so excited for everything else I get to see- and a little bit sad that the baby part of them goes away...

Welcome autumn...(pretend its still thanksgiving)

2010-12-22T06:57:00.000-08:00

Ahhh.. christmastime:) Too busy! I have much to catch up on before the year is over. My boys are crazier than ever and getting bigger and mouthier by the minute! I am consta ntly amused with the things they come up with. I got soooooo mad the other day and I had asked them a million times to stop what they were doing- I had already counted to three like ten times...just to have them start up again after two minutes- so I said (in my very sweetest voice, i can assure you) Do NOT make me count to three again! Pierce:"I have an idea. why don't you count to five?". then cash starts laughing...

Always in costume this one....

oh this is his "cheese" stance. I had been telling the other boys to say 'cheese' and this is what he does in front of the camera. lets hope he grows out of it

My two spideys. you can just imagine when they have these on how softly and quietly they play together.

His majesty...

For the record...

2010-11-10T12:24:00.000-08:00

It was never my wish to have my boys photographed wearing sleeveless superhero shirts that are five sizes too big. But in the interest of full disclosure (since I believe this would be the second time you see these shirts) there is no way they cannot be seen in these since they wear them all the time. And for that matter there is no way i can actually feel ashamed because I am the one that purchases things like this every chance I get. To be honest I kind of get a little giddy when I get to the sale section of a store (to my credit there is no WAY I would spend full price on these things) and lo and behold there are some awful, colorful, anything with superheros on them, shirts. I snap them all up and get excited for the debut and for the sheer joy they will feel everytime I say "look what you get to wear!":) I know they border on white trash...(border?) but the damage is done. I was hooked the first time I saw them flying around the couch after the shirts transformed them into superheros:)

My little Raptor

2010-11-08T09:41:00.000-08:00

I can't help it- look at the socks! Once again, who knew what joy I would get out of just seeing him on the field?! He still doesn't really do anything...but it will come- i just know it! in the mean time I will take pleasure in seeing him in this little uniform. This middle picture is him making his raptor claws for the coach- something he does on the field quite a bit...:)

ahhhh, cash:)

halloween fun

2010-11-07T11:56:00.000-08:00

So this year I did not get to pick their costumes. A sure sign that I am losing all control for good:( I tried for weeks to ask them what they wanted to be.. see if they would waiver at all- in vain. Spidey and Iron man. They made a cute superhero pair though! We gave them the costumes like it was christmas- instead of santa the 'halloween ghost' visited:) There really is nothing like watching your kids get excited. I can't WAIT for christmas!!!!! We had three opportunities to dress up this year- yay for facepaint. and one was my mom's famous halloween party. I did not get a picture of the table:( my favorite part always...and there was a pinata and games galore and a hayride- fun was had by all. good job marmi- and good job abby- the special surprise guest we had to sing our songs! She was really getting into it- some of the best pics I couldn't post because they were too blurry because of all the thrusting! Love the enthusiasm sister big... I also appreciate my baby Lex who got the shaft with the halloween costume this year. A dragon one night, superman the next- hand me downs until he has a voice...but he WORKED the dragon..we have officially decided that he will be known as 'sexy dragon'.

sister big :) they love it- my mom's nickname for them

sister great big:) ha!

sexy dragon

he really thinks he is iron man. rarely broke character

Pumpkins!

2010-11-04T18:11:00.000-07:00

I realize it is november- but we DID go to a pumpkin patch at the arboretum before halloween:). We decided last minute to head down there so there will be no pictures of mauri or myself who were in sweats/ workout attire. The boys loved it- so many things to climb up on and jump off of- what more could they ask for? We brought lunch and had a little picnic, too. It is so fun to watch them get older and see their little personalities start to form. Pierce runs into everything with guns blazing- anything he is involved in is AWESOME for him- he'll run right in to any group of kids and just go. Cash is my thinker. He watches and analyzes situations before he decides how he wants to proceed (funny, my mom says i was like that when I was little). And then there is Lex- who has lots of personality still to show; but you wouldn't know it- I tell the boys to get their shoes on and before they have stopped what they are doing Lex comes to me with his shoes saying 'jew, jew' (thats 'shoe', folks;) and then he sits down to allow me to put them on. turn on music and he is dancing WITH hip thrusts. and as a side note his favorite thing to eat is a 'mamoe'- an apple- don't ask me how he came up with that one- but he walks over to the fruit basket and yells it at the top of his lungs. I have even tried hiding them with a dishtowel because he doesn't eat all of it he just spits it all over the house...but he won't be fooled. and i continue to buy apples just for the 10 minutes it buys me that he isn't walking around saying 'mameeeeee':)

he's MINE:)

2010-11-04T06:54:00.000-07:00

Thats right, ladies...I'm the lucky lady:)

So many fun things to tell lately- I don't know why but men must be born with a fascination with poop, gas and bottoms. Pierce was blessing the food the other night and (he always gets this high-pitched voice; so sweet) it went something like this: "thank you for this food, thank you for our hearts:), bless that we can share, be careful with our owies.... help us to (and I can hear him start to smile) not toot,..then him and cash burst out into fits of laughter as cash starts to dance in his seat to his little 'my bootie' song- and don't worry, lex is right there with them fake laughing:) At the same dinner Cash was telling me about how he doesn't like girls - Pierce apparently doesn't either; and Pierce is going to start calling them jell-o; cuz they don't have any bones. You would not believe how those two laughed at that one...for like 10 minutes. aahhh, best friends...

I am glad I have a picture to document this. Cash and his 'green chips'. no more needs to be said.

SOCCER!! and thank you iron man..

2010-10-27T18:55:00.001-07:00

I am officially 'that' mother. Just putting my boys in their uniform made me laugh and I could not and still can't wipe the smile off my face! It is too much joy! Pierce is actually a pretty good little player (not biased)(though I expect nothing less, given his blood:)- and I can't help but coach him constantly on the sidelines. I know how annoying it is, but when that little guy scores and turns to give us the thumbs up, you would think its the world cup. He loves to score, too-and heaven forbid he doesn't...gosh I wonder why he thinks its so important:)

Then we have Cash. He did not leave my lap for the first two practices and games. Then the third game he was sitting in my lap and I was resorting to bribery- I told him we could go pick out a big iron man toy if he played- still a no...but wait...a few minutes later he jumps up and says 'i wanna try!' and runs out there and plays the WHOLE Game!! Now to be fair I wouldn't really consider it playing- he was out there making raptor claws at the other team and running away from the ball at times...but he was out there and loving it- and has loved it ever since:) the skill level comes later, right? But don't worry, you wouldn't have known it from my screaming and taking pictures on the side:)

Exercise.

2010-10-27T18:42:00.000-07:00

I am not worried about my childrens' cardiovascular health. I swear they do not sit down unless they are asleep or eating. its amazing that some girls sit and play polly pockets for hours- Now they will play cars, but it is only a matter of minutes before the cars are flying against a wall and then a few minutes more and they are playing dodgecar with eachother. I actually am not worried about my exercise most days either. I think I have a while before I sit down on the job...

have we noticed yet that he is never Not in costume?

I am laughing right now. This is how Cash and lex play while pierce is at school. They just laugh and laugh...He is going to be one tough little man.

How annoying do you think it might be to have this guy laying all over you trying to get you to play while you are just trying to watch your show and have a snack?

These moments are what I live for. I love them too much.

Boys.

2010-10-27T17:54:00.000-07:00

So their new snacking spot is behind the couch. They think this is cooler than the table, maybe a little daring just because its not the table and how can I get angry when it brings them all together? - even if it is in mischief. Lex just follows these guys around everywhere- he is by far my most daring little one. If they climb up a chain ladder at the park you better believe this guy is not far behind- I feel like he is growing up so fast. It breaks my heart sometimes though because they will be playing cars or superheros and he walks up and they run as fast as they can into my room( with him hobbling behind) and shut the door in his face:( I am always having to step in and mediate...I know one day they will get it. The other day in the car we drove through a patch of skunks or something terrible- and Cash kept whining everytime he unplugged his nose because it stunk so bad and he finally yelled-'get the baby out!'...Cash, thats not the baby..'yes it is- he stinks (sob sob)...he's stinky(more sobs)...' gotta love him.

Quick lake trip

2010-10-26T07:01:00.000-07:00

I'd like to thank papu for wearing this life jacket this way. You don't get laughs like this too often. Shameless:) We took them to the lakehouse when they were here just for the day- and aunt V and bobby, too. A good time was had by all- too bad Vanessa is such a wussy... I think she lasted one minute on the tube- sorry I don't have pictures- but she was off faster than i could have clicked one anyway:) Really- I don't even have pics of bobby and mauri.. which would have been good. One of the things I most enjoy in this life is watching people fly off the tube or hurt themselves while wakeboarding...
This picture of Cash while he is asleep- gosh he looks like such an angel- I need to take a mental picture of his sweet face to reference when he is telling me 'he doesnt like me and he doesn't like people':) I think little Cash must be very much like me- he knows just what to do when he is angry that will really get me..but then he knows how to squirm into my heart like no one else. I know I will hate the day that he gets too big to crawl into my lap and say "i wuv you, mom".

Socks

2010-10-26T06:27:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think- there is no way I will forget this- and then what do you know...a couple of days later I am trying to remember what I was going to write down. I need to recommit myself to recording everything. Yesterday morning I was trying to get everybody ready to take Pierce to preschool- I brought everybody's clothes down and told Pierce to get dressed while I dressed the other two. He kept saying he couldn't get his socks on (they were pretty long and tight, I guess) and he would just throw them. I was scrambling trying to get myself dressed- and I kept walking by and saying 'sure you can!, brinley (cousin) can put her socks on..' and I meant it in a positive way, I swear- but I think that was the wrong thing to say. next thing I knew he was VERY upset; kind of this mad cry pout on the stairs- so I came and sat down on the stairs to help him. he was crying as I helped and saying 'I cant put on my socks!' over and over...SO discouraged and sad. I helped and tried to distract him with the pumpkin fun he was going to have at school- but if you know pierce you know he is not easily distracted. We finally got in the car and drove to preschool- but when the teacher came to get him from the car he said he didn't want to go (he NEVER says this- he jumps out before the car is stopped usually) and when we tried to convince him we got the sad cry again. (????) So I pulled the car up and held him for a minute and asked him why he didn't want to go (knowing, I might add, that it was because of what I said) and he finally said it as he softly wept...he couldn't put on his socks. Soooo, I drove home feeling like the worst parent in the world- but determined to fix it. We came in and he sat right back on the stairs with his shoulders slumped. I went in and got a pair of my socks- ripped off his other ones and we started over. You should have seen his face!!!! This is why you can't explain why being a parent is the most wonderful thing in the world! He went from total agony to so proud and excited- he jumped up and said 'I did it!!" and kept showing me and Mauri and Cash- that proud little smile I will never forget:) and then immediately he wanted to go to school. So off we go...

Small side note. We started Cash in september in the same school because we thought he would like it- I gave it about a week and a half, and even though they said he liked it- he was still sad to go- and it broke my heart- so we pulled him out. figured he would go next year...

We get to the school- Pierce Jumps out to run in and tell his teachers (about his socks that are hanging out the back of his shoes:) and CASH- says he needs his backpack because he wants to go!!!! I clearly dont have it- nor do I think he will actually go- but we all walk in anyway and cash runs to his class circle (they are reading)-and plops down in the middle and tells them all about our halloween decorations. I couldn't believe it.

A low of lows to a high of highs...does anything else describe motherhood quite so well?

Cash's birthday: Part 2

2010-10-12T18:55:00.002-07:00

Well here we are again at pump it up- surprise! my favorite place to have a party- and my kid's, too. My sweet Cash turned three in July and I really feel like things go fast with him. In so many ways he seems to catch on to things so quickly- but then he still seems like my baby, too. Cash is my tender little bear. He puts up such a fight when you want a kiss or a hug- but then gives them freely when you least expect it. He screams at Lex for even looking at his toys- but then when he doesn't know I'm looking I see him sharing and patting him on the head. The other day he got down from the table without eating enough so I told him he had to eat three more bites; he got the sweetest smile on his face, he batted those eyelashes at me and said, so sweetly, like an angel, "no." What am I going to do with him:)

he couldn't decide what kind of theme he wanted- so he went with ALL the superheros..

yep. thats my wolverine!

and yes- just in case you missed it- he did have an accident:)

classic. look at his face!

his happy birthday headband from church- I love it when he smiles- usually means mischief!

Cash's birthday: Part 1

2010-10-12T18:47:00.000-07:00

Cash got quite the celebration this year. Aba and Papu came to visit on the day of his birthday- which was a fun surprise- and they brought all sorts of goodies! superhero pajamas and shirts, superhero cakes, etc. and you know this guy and his superheros:) he was loving every minute.

they actually brought this cake from el salvador- yes- on the flight. now that is a birthday cake!

massive upload of pictures...lets revisit some special moments in the past few months:)

2010-10-12T18:05:00.000-07:00

This would be the downside of having an extra large memory card. But oh how I love going through these pictures! These guys crack me up- I truly don't know what I would do without them. I have been writing down (trying to) the funny things they say and I have to share a few: Pierce's favorite church song is "I am a child of God" and he kind of walks around singing it sometimes- I watched him the other day and realized what he was singing...'I am a child of Gone'- so I asked him who he was a child of? gone. They are also soooo excited for halloWING- and don't try to correct them. Oh- and their prayers get sweeter and funnier every day. While blessing the food Pierce then gave thanks for his bones; and that they are in his body; so that he doesn't walk like jello. And Cash- well blessing the food is what we are working on...but he is thankful for his potty and his booty.
He likes the superheros...

riding the car all over his belly.

might as well start you early, Lex!

guess who?

do you like our piano? clearly they need a little bit of culture:)

something very sad..

2010-09-27T10:55:00.000-07:00

I have been wondering the past couple of weeks how I would post this. three weeks ago I went to the doctor for my monthly checkup and my sweet baby boys heart had stopped. I was so shocked and so so sad in that moment she told me I did not know what I would do. How does that happen? I was almost 17 weeks and had no signs or warning that anything was wrong. I think I felt my heart break- I am crying just remembering that day. To me, he was already a member of our family.

I will never forget how this loss felt- but what I want to write is how this has changed me.

I had never taken my baby to an appointment- but this time little Lex came with me. He was being his usual monster self for the 45 minutes that we were waiting, and when the doctor came in he wouldn't let her hold him (usual for him:) so he sat (writhing and eating goldfish) right up with me on the table during the ultrasound. When she told me and I started to cry my sweet boy stopped immediately and laid his head on my chest..and did not move until Mauricio was able to meet me there. I know I was being taken care of that day. I know that my heavenly father did not want me to be alone and that He knew that having my beautiful healthy boy sitting on my lap would make it better. I came home to my mom who was at my house as soon as she heard and then my two sisters who were there shortly after. My sister in law came no later than an hour later with the most amazing dinner and homemade bread. As I sat there with my mom weeping together- my sweet Pierce was walking back and forth in the hallway in front of us making silly faces and dancing- trying (desperately) to get me to laugh. Cash (my most sensitive) would just come lay his head on my lap. Its funny how things like this make you appreciate what you have. Its funny how the day before I would have gladly let my sister take my boys for a few hours- but when she offered all I wanted was to hold them close. I feel like I am a better mom. I feel so lucky to have these boys and so honored to be chosen to raise them I don't want to fall short. I know what a precious gift they are and what a miracle it is to have them. I feel like being a better sister and a better daughter. I had friends calling and reaching out to me everyday for two weeks. For those of you that did- I hope you know how much it helps just to know people care. You inspired me to be a better friend and neighbor.

I cannot leave out Mauricio. I'm crying again. My husband and my best friend who knows me better than I know myself- and loves me even though I am terrible. I can't imagine going through anything without you. I have my soul mate to be with me when I need someone the most. I had my best friend there at the hospital to make me laugh when no one else could. I am so lucky to have married you. I love you.

Oh- and I am pregnant...with another BOY!!!

2010-08-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

Thats right;) gotta love it! I hope everyone is having a nice laugh and I am glad to be the one to provide that opportunity. I am still laughing myself...mostly because I would never have guessed in a million years that I would have all boys. I guess I need to be toughened up a little bit. I took a moment to mourn the loss of a little mini-me, and that moment was a wee bit sad...but now I am ready- bring it on! they will always have playmates- and when they are playing soccer they have teams, no sissy girls to whine at them or to make them weak:) I do not have to rethink the game room- all superheros and sports- and lets face it, do I really WANT to split shopping time with another girl? ok maybe, but it will be fun to really be the only princess/queen/girly girl, right???

more catch up..

2010-08-19T10:35:00.001-07:00

More of the same with the little ones. Every day pierce and Cash become better friends- or should I say partners in crime. maybe one day they will let Lex in on their club..but for now he still serves the very important role of "intruder" "baby monster" or "the ghost"- whichever one the boys are fighting or running away from that day. I can't help but laugh..I just hope its not creating issues for the little guy. We are still way into superheros and cars- and that is ALL. It actually makes it pretty easy for me. I love my angels:)

Look at the concentration here..

do you think he can see it now?

Someone looks a little bit chunky in this picture and its not Cash..

The famous 'choke' move..

the wrestling continues

and Cash ends up on top!!! good round boys, good round..

Arboretum

2010-08-19T10:12:00.000-07:00

This may have been before el Sal.. but we went..and thats all that matters:) We went with my mom and grandma and a few friends to the dallas arboretum- and i loved it! I must be living under a rock because I had never been and it was so fun! the kids can just run and play and then we had a picnic lunch and they ran around some more- it was perfect weather, too. Cant wait for the weather to cool off so we can go again...

El Salvador....finally:)

2010-08-19T05:42:00.000-07:00

Ok so it has been a couple of months...better late than never! We took the boys to El Salvador in May for a week- we wanted to take them to the beach and we were overdue for a visit anyway- and My little niece emily was getting baptized. We stayed a few days at his aunt's house and then took off for her beach house for the rest of the week- thank you Lila!!!! Needless to say the boys had a BLAST- at the beach with cousins and aba and papu? what could be more fun?:) I don't think there is a better place for my boys right now. They Love the beach; they could play all day in the sand alone- but then they have the waves to chase them, there were people walking by that had been catching fish and they let us have one- that was definitely the highlight for Cash, we put it in a bucket with water and I think he sat there and poked it for 8 hours- he probably finished him off..and there were crabs! everwhere! we found this one in the pool- and then we put a couple more in a huge bin...wait that might have been the highlight...Now, for me, I can definitely say that the best part was having breakfast lunch and dinner brought to me every day. (you know you're a fatty when...:) My kids are still talking about it and are so excited to go back. Until next time...

The hammocks were another favorite part...

Cash in his "gobbles"..Oh my gosh this was so funny! He put these things on and would not take them off- and they squished his face so much i am surprised he could breath..

Ahhhh, uncle B...we miss you!!

The boys with cousin Jake

Love this beach house..

Oh- and that in the background is the city- they have the most amazing view..

I am trying desperately to catch up!

2010-08-18T18:46:00.000-07:00

I don't think it has ever gotten this bad. I have now had to upload like over 1000 pictures and go through and remember the past few months- thats too much to ask of a mother of 3 animals!:) So that we do not forget, some cute things the boys have said: Cash drew a squiggly line/circle/scribble and when I asked him what it was he said it was "Jenus".. his word for Jesus:) I got out the spot shot to clean a stain on the carpet ( it looks like a spray paint bottle) and pierce asked me if i was going to do "spray on shoes" (cloudy with a chance of meatballs)...

Its the cute moments that keep me going in the times when they get in trouble together and start saying to eachother " throw that ball at mommies head so it will break" or "we're going to break you up"...where did they learn this? It seems shocking, I know- but i think they still love me?

Lex's birthday pics

2010-08-18T17:31:00.000-07:00

Birthday cont'd... It was super fun- and the boys could eat cupcakes(frosting only) all day!

Lex's 1st Birthday...almost four months late:)

2010-08-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

My baby boy Lex had his first birthday May 7...he is (and was also in may) such a big boy and growing so old every day! I swear he seems so much older than my other boys at age 1! He knows how to effectively comunicate- even if it is through grunts and screams...and he has a sense of humor that matches the other monsters. They will all wrestle together on the floor and Lex will actually be laughing- I guess I am lucky that the little guy is trying to hold his own in our crazy house!

Peas in a pod

2010-04-26T18:21:00.000-07:00

Lex is getting older and is really starting to interact more with the brothas- this is a good thing most of the time. I am pretty sure that little Cash has not quite mastered the idea of being soft and gentle with his baby brother- and Pierce understands but tends to just smother him completely. Poor Lex must think they are so annoying!- but he loves it (maybe not always) and keeps coming back for more. He is going to be one tough little guy. He was crawling around so happily the other day when I heard him start to fuss- i came around the corner to Cash beating him in the head with one of those stretchy lizards. I asked cash why he was doing that and he said that Lex was "trying to take his blanket." This would have been understandable had his blanket not been two rooms away. Nice, sweetheart:)

A day in the flowers

2010-04-26T18:13:00.000-07:00

last month- maybe a few months ago:) ... we went to the Dallas arboretum with some friends and mom and grammie-goo. It was so beautiful and such a beautiful day- I cannot believe I had never been there before. The boys loved being able to run around and play and Lex couldn't have been happier getting grams attention all day. Here's to going back soon!- eventually..

Cash drops a nap....or does he?

2010-04-09T08:55:00.000-07:00

So, it started very slowly. First, he would just play in his room for an hour instead of taking a nap- which would have been ok if it did not start to get loud after a few days...which also would have been ok if I did not have a baby asleep in the room next to him. Then he noticed that Pierce was not napping because while he was not napping he could hear Pierce downstairs with me. I had no hope after that. I would try telling Pierce to go lay with him for a while- you can imagine the fun they had with that- I am surprised the bed did not break... and i tried laying with him myself- which only made me angry because I could fall asleep in two seconds (and would KILL to have a nap)but no way was that happening with cash next to me telling me I have a big belly, nose, arms, etc. So I gave up. As you can see it took a few days for him to adjust.

Ok- this happened once and has never happened again- nor will it, i am sure...but what a glorious sight!!

In his closet...

brothers.

2010-04-08T20:35:00.000-07:00

Cash and Pierce are so funny together now. If you ask either of them who their best friend is they say the other- and every time Pierce has to go to preschool they cry like they are being separated for life.

Snow again!

2010-04-08T13:13:00.001-07:00

Ok- I now have to play some serious catch up... I think I have just uploaded like 900 pics- so here goes; the last time it snowed we woke up to Cash, pantless, looking out the window and saying snow! over and over and over. had to get this cute bum on camera. It seems like it has been snowing alot this winter- and the boys cant get enough of it. all of them:)

superheroes, an ending, catching up, and Pierce turns 4!

2010-02-12T12:36:00.000-08:00

I hope you are ready for some pictures- I am going to let them say the thousands of words it would take to catch up on the last two months:) Something needs to be said for my friends batman, spiderman, and superman, though; I would be ungrateful were I not to mention what they have meant to me. I think that the hardest part of my life (to date) is coming to a close. My boys are now playing superheroes together all of the time and so well, I might add, that I can watch and entire '24' downstairs without interruption because they are 'saving' eachother and flying around and jumping together. I have now purchased every kind of superhero you can imagine and that alone buys me at least a good 30 minutes while they go through them all and save them all and 'blast' them all. I don't know if they are just getting older or if they have now found a common ground- or maybe they have just realized that they have a permanent best friend at the house- but it has seeped into every aspect of their lives. They have to lay together at naptime, they have to take 'superhero' showers together (another 30 minutes)- and when I say 30 minutes note that in four years I have never -while they are awake- been able to take my eyes off of them for that long without someone crying or someone having to be put in time out. I am loving my life at this moment because of the joy that comes from seeing my boys laugh all day long- AT EACHOTHER!!!! I did not know for sure if this day would come, but now that it has it has been totally worth it:)
We also celebrated pierce's fourth birthday! I am so glad I have such an awesome family that my son can't get enough of and who love him so much:) Once again it was a blast and it was spiderman and batman on the cake (of course). He is such an angel and he keeps getting more and more fun with every year! he is getting to be quite the jokester and such a nice older brother. I love you Pierce:)
the rest is just for fun.....

heard Lex crying and came in to see this...never a good feeling:)

he is naked. why?

This little guy likes his food... just like his daddy I guess:)

I can't believe my angel is four! It really does go by fast I guess. I love my little guy so much.

Auntie V- he LOVES you!

my sweet cash:)

thank you nana and grammie-goo for this. Will live on forever!

This is my little athlete- and yes he makes it:) The skill level is unbelievable..

gotta love these poses!

Ah, brotherly love:)

Another pose for the camera!

This doesn't look so good- thats his batman sword he's got.

This is his wonderful fake laugh- gets me every time..

ho ho ho!

2009-12-28T12:04:00.000-08:00

I am pretty sure that it doesn't get any better than watching your kids on Christmas:) I was loving it this year- aside from the minor glitch of pierce's surgery (adnoids and tonsils out) a week before Christmas- I couldn't have asked for anything more! If every day was Christmas I could easily have 10 kids...but luckily there is the day after to knock me back to reality:) Here are some of the highlights...

the boys working on the awesome batman castle- thanks auntie K and uncle B!
A Christmas hug...

Mom and dad get present of the year award with the giant ocean book- it has easily bought me several hours of silence (not really silence- he still has to have me look and tell me what the creatures are- you get the picture)..

I will look back on these years and wonder how I did it...and people SAY that I will miss it- I will be the judge of that.

Thanks aba and Papu for our easel!!!! they love it! thank goodness it has two sides!

Pierce on his motorcycle- these were a definite hit- Thank you to santa for these beauties- and thank you to my house which has a long hallway for which to use as a track...

Actually- best present of the year might have to go to this 'santa' for the light up lightning mcqueen shoes. I always said I would NEVER get my kids the kind of cheesy, ugly crap that I have now spent quite a bit of money on..but I can't help myself- look at his face!! Ahhhhh, the joy....

Christmas eve at the 'rents...

You see! the batman shirt- I thought it was cool- but it only presents a problem when that is the only thing they want to wear.

My sweet angel fresh out of the hospital. He had just thrown up all over me in dad's car...

Aba and lex...

Christmas day! forgive the mess:) Note the shoes...

Poor lex didn't quite rake it in like the rest of them- but he was happy with all the boxes!

new camera!

2009-11-25T12:19:00.001-08:00

so...my camera broke and I had to get a new one...darn:) hence the 10 years since my last post. anywho, I have been taking pictures like a mad woman trying all of the different settings and gadgets- luckily I have a few willing subjects running around my house (usually without pants on- but I'll take what I can get). I decided these pics make the blog cut because 1. two shirtless boys in snow hats is what everybody wants to see this thanksgiving 2. Lex is showing a little bit of cleavage in the white outfit...and 3. i don't know what Pierce saw in this last shot, but I appreciate his expression.

lizard

2009-10-28T14:34:00.001-07:00

Cash has a new best friend. Maybe we shouldn't call it a best friend...I don't walk around with my best friends dangling out of my mouth all day... but he sure does love this little guy. He feeds him- as in everytime cash wants something to eat i have to make a plate for the lizard, he talks to him- 'reads' to him; the only thing he loves more is his lightning mcqueen- and I am pretty sure that will never be topped.

and on to the picture of Lex- do you think he could fit his whole fist in his mouth?

New York with my sistahs

2009-10-22T13:34:00.000-07:00

Wow what a weekend away will do! I love everyone! I love my sweet children!- I love my amazing husband!- and I'd like to thank the academy...I feel so rejuvinated! My sisters, my mom and I went to NY for the weekend just for kicks and giggles...one of my favorite weekends ever. We never get to just hang out with no kiddos. We went out to eat for every meal and sometimes more- and didn't care when we had to wait for two hours for our food; we went shopping like crazy- slept in...well, kind of..(thanks mom and megan)..just had a little escape- and some great laughs. Too bad i don't have the "worlds ugliest face" competition photos- We only used my camera for a day and a half.. hence the same outfit in every pic.- that and it was like 20 degrees everyday- which was a nice little surprise:) I love my family. Can't wait for next time!

I cannot post this without thanking my wonderful sweet husband- who watched all three babies all weekend. I must say that I thought he couldn't do it. I was just waiting for an emergency 'I'm not cut out for this' phone call, and it never came. Not only that- they didn't even want to talk to me when I called- and they were so happy in the background...they aren't even like that with me! It made my trip so much more enjoyable knowing everyone was happy back home:) I guess you really are as amazing as you think you are....kidding!

They looooove the baby...

2009-10-01T12:48:00.000-07:00

My my my, do they love their little brother! Cash always wants to 'hold it'- and Pierce says 'i need to hold him' at least three times a day. I love it. But as soon as one of them is holding him the other one needs a turn, until they are then fighting over who gets to hold him and for how long. Poor Lex is like a little rag doll- you can see in the picture with Pierce that he is wanting me to save him...don't worry, Lex, you will probably beat them both up when you are all older. This baby's size is no joke. Pierce came to me the other day while Lex was laying on the ground and asked in the most angelic voice, "mom, can I squash him?" - probably not, sweetie. and thank you for asking...

September...I'm 30.

2009-09-12T11:41:00.000-07:00

I just wanted to put it out there. But lets not focus on that... look at the boys! Youth..so fleeting. This first one is of Cash yelling in Pierce's face when he fell asleep on the couch:) such a nice way to wake up. The last one is of Pierce- asleep again (but NOOO, he's not tired at naptime!)- this time it was very quiet for awhile, usually trouble, so I went to see what was going on and i couldn't find him. I looked everywhere- (bed unmade and rumpled is the norm) and finally I looked underneath the mounds of covers...so cozy.

The three musketeers...

2009-08-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

We haven't been up to much the last few weeks- I have just been trying to keep my boys alive. I have to admit it is almost comical to watch them now. We were outside the other day and Cash wanted something that Pierce had so he screamed in his face- so then Pierce filled up a cup of water from their little water table they were standing by and threw it in Cash's face- then Cash (screaming) picked up the plastic golf club that was within reach and hit Pierce with it...etc.. you get the picture. some of you are probably wondering why I just watched this exchange- I was laughing, thats why. They do things like this and then they start laughing. they are nuts.

There is also a picture of the third stooge- he is growing so fast! He is already laughing at his brothers- and he gets a huge thrill out of attention he gets from girls- me (especially) or anyone else; he's a smart one!

Happy Birthday Cash!

2009-07-25T12:02:00.000-07:00

thank you, abby, for this....

thank you, family. I asked for a 'crazy' shot- this is all you could muster up? please note my husband, and aunt V- why are you trying to kiss me?

I wanted a pic of my dad and his twin- so mauri played dead...

To my family: I love you- and you are all losers:) I was looking through all of these pictures from Cash 's party and i cannot stop laughing. wow. To our friends: do we really have any? based on party attendance I say no. kidding- and I love you, too. Anyway- Cash's party was fun fun fun in the sun again- I hope he always loves the pool parties he will be thrown. He was much happier this year- if you remember our rendition of happy birthday brought him to tears last year...

and what a year it has been! To my little Cash: I love you more than words can say. You are my little angel (sometimes demon) and you make me laugh every day. I think you know that you have me, your papa and nana, and definitely your dad wrapped around your little finger. I love to hear the new words you say every day with your little whistly 's'. I love that you don't want us to see you being sweet so you only do sweet things when we turn around. I love that you have learned to defend yourself against your brother (very well, I might add) and when the tables turn and he starts to cry you go and pat him and say 'it's ok, brother'... I love your 'BIG bites'. I love your screams at the top of your lungs...not really, but one day I will look back on this post and miss them, I'm sure. To my husband and three boys: I am the luckiest girl in the world.

First trip to the Beach!

2009-07-16T13:17:00.000-07:00

My Dad and Pierce

Maurice being a starfish

My Darling Lex

The Fame minus the wee one

nana and papa- livin' it up like young folk...

Maurice in the 'rainforest'- being the mule like a champ

Me in the shark cage- don't worry guys, it wasn't really in the ocean.

fish.

My wonderful husband took a little time off work (finally!) to dedicate to the new fam- so we decided to take the boys to the beach last week. We knew they would love it- just not how much! They could have stayed on that sand all day! it truly was the perfect vacay for our little family. I felt really old packing up a cooler and taking a roadtrip with just us...maybe thats because we really are old. Anywho- we spent four days down there- we went to moody gardens and it was fun but hot; and then pretty much just alternated from the pool to the beach and back again. My kind of vacation. The 'rents came down for a day and stayed with us, too, which was such a treat. Who knew the elderly could be such party animals?! I was so glad they decided to come-Not only do the boys LOVE them, but it allowed us to play a little more- and it gave me some company while I nursed at the beach (which is not exactly the most ideal place to nurse, believe it or not). I would say all in all it was a great success and we definitely have ourselves some good memories. Like the speeding ticket I got at 1:45 am :) I love female cops...

Nos haces falta, Aba!

2009-07-05T08:39:00.000-07:00

My how the time flies! We had Mi suegra in this last week and man did the boys love her:) Pierce managed to convince her to do puzzles with him every time I looked up-no joke- probably 10 times a day I would hear "aba, can you play puzzles for me?". I felt sorry for her- but he was so happy!! We had YUMMY food every night- (lo siento, aba - she probably has carpel tunnel syndrome from all of the chirmole(sp?) I made her chop)...and we even weathered an emergency together! Pierce's gymnastics called and said he broke his wrist- so we carted the clan to pick him up and take him to the doctor. not only did his hand not even look bruised... but from the moment we got him he was back to his old tricks and hitting his brother with his "broken" hand. I have to say the absolute highlight of the visit was your art, aba. For your enjoyment, I have documented her artistic genius with a photograph (a picture is worth a thousand words). Pierce asked her to draw a car for him- so sweet- and she got to work... I came over and found the so-called "car" and had to get my camera. Who knew we had such talent running through our blood? You decide for yourself what we should call it- a car? a house? a tractor house car? but wait...how does the tiny driver man drive like that with his whole body floating in the window? LOVE YOU!!! Oh- and there's a good one of Mauri's hair

summertime at the Dardano's

2009-06-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

Just thought I would share a few more family pics from the past week down here in D-town. We haven't been up to much except for swimming, boating, and wrestling (the boys- not me). Little Lex is such a sweetie and the boys can't keep stop kissing him. They always want to hold him and 'feed' him -not breastfeed-but with their plastic food- or with real food now that I think about it.. Cash has grown up so much in the past few weeks I can't believe it. He is talking so much now- it almost makes me a little bit sad. He isn't my baby anymore:( He sure is funny, though. In this first shot you see him naked on our back porch (not a change from the norm- my boys live in diapers/underwear/or completely naked, as I'm sure if you have eyes you have noticed) but what you don't see is what happened in the few minutes after the photo. He took a little poo on the ground without mauri or myself noticing (not white trash at all)- and we only realized it when he picked up one of the tiny turds and handed it to Mauricio. Mauri, not realizing what it was and assuming that cash was trying to hand him fake food or something- took it from him with such enthusiasm and then put it up to his nose...I am laughing out loud right now...if you could have seen his face!!!

The New Fam!

2009-05-27T11:48:00.000-07:00

It has been a busy busy busy few weeks here at the casa:) I think I am going to make it through the next couple of years...I'm not certain- but hopeful. My four boys are definitely going to make it interesting! Pierce and Cash are crazy. they are starting to play together more and more- (probably because they realize that they are eachothers' best bet for a good time- I'm no longer fun and interesting I guess) and they are loud and rough and everything else you would expect two boys to be. I used to freak out when they would start to wrestle or when one of them would get a little bit rough- but now that I have to let things run their course a little bit i am surprised to see that they actually really enjoy themselves when they are in danger of getting hurt. I don't understand boys- probably why I got stuck with them...

We are starting to get out a little bit more- and its a good thing because I think they were starting to get a little bit stir crazy...see below:

I looked out the front window yesterday and saw this...

Pierce loving on Lex- he started to cry in my arms the other day and Pierce said "here, let me hold him.." love it..

I tried to do a little work out video at home- then the boys confiscated my weights and took over my spot...

My three little boys..

This is my favorite. Cash has a little bit of a shoe fetish- he always wants to wear shoes- mine, Pierce's, dad's, Lex's- whoever- but his absolute favorites are these snow boots- fur lined snow boots that we try to keep hidden. We hide them because he will NOT take them off for any reason but he will cry and cry when he gets super hot and sweaty. obviously he found them this day and right in time to go to the pool!

This is Pierce break dancing in the bathtub. and yes, that is a bobby pin in his hair. Mauri was giving the boys a bath and when I walked in he (Mauricio) had pinned his hair back with my bobby pins and then decided that the boys needed it, too. I wish I had gotten a pic of mauri...
I guess this is what happens when a new baby comes home from the hospital with a pacifier. Neither of them EVER took a pacifier when they were babies- but now they 'need' one.

You can't tell here, but they are pushing eachother around in a carseat I just brought in- at full speed...

Here they locked me out of the study- so they could scream at the top of their lungs without getting in trouble-

And here they are saying "Thank you, Aba for our shirts! We love you:) Come see us!!!!!!Here's cash with the shoe thing again... hands and feet:)

Happy Birthday Little Lex!!!!!

2009-05-17T08:55:00.000-07:00

He's here! It took me too long to post...but Baby Lex made his debut May 7, 2009 at 5:53 PM after a painless labor thanks to that heavenly epidural:) He is so sweet!! I don't even want to say anything and jinx it- but the past five nights he has slept for a good seven hours straight- and then I feed him and he's out for another four...he is truly an angel. Pierce and Cash are doing so great with him, too. I could not have imagined that they would be so sweet to their baby brother. They like to take turns kissing him and patting his head... and 'helping' to change his tiny diaper. The only problem I am currently having is being a little bit out of commission while I nurse him. I swear my boys get a gleam in their eye when i sit down to feed him and in no time they are jumping off the ottoman on to the couch and onto each other- which is fine for a while- and they laugh hysterically when they fall or when they get a good body slam occasionally- but inevitably one of them ends up in tears (usually poor Cash) and then I feel like octomom as I try to comfort one while nursing the other.

I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband, too. He has been so great with me and the boys. Every day when he comes home he takes the two older ones out and has really let me have time to just heal and spend time with the wee one. I don't know what has gotten into him- but I am LOVING him this past week:) Thank you, my angel. They sure do have his number, though.. He took them out the other day and came back with like five huge bags from toys r us- he can never say anything to me again about my super target habit.

I truly love all my boys. I could also never have imagined that I would love THREE boys so much. Lex was definitely part of our family before, and I am so glad he is finally here!

Easter!

2009-04-18T13:25:00.001-07:00

I really need a new camera. I did not get any really cute pictures of this easter- and, of course, none with the whole family :( The boys were cute, though! It was raining pretty bad all morning so we just hid eggs around the house- then we made some delicious blueberry pancakes and got ready for church. You will see here that before church we were happy and loving (usually the case) - and after...due to the fact that we don't get to have a nap on sunday- well- see for yourself. At least when the picture was taken Pierce was not sitting on Cash's head or anything.

Pierce is potty trained!!

2009-04-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

I know this is probably not as exciting for most of you as it is for me- and yes, he is three years old- but I have been dreading the PT for months, putting it off in fear of failure:) I must say that it was not THAT bad! He really only took about three days and since that time he has not had one accident. and pipe down friends that were at the park with me the other day...he told me and I just couldn't get there fast enough! Oh and I guess one other time, too- but lets not split hairs.... He got lots and lots of toys- and his brother did not like to be cooped up with us all week in the house (i don't like not leaving the house either, though) but looking back on it I think it was a good time:) Other than that we have been back to our old routine. When its warm outside I open the back door and turn the hose on and easily buy myself an hour of silence. I am really looking forward to the summer when they can play all day in the pool and splash park...

Their new favorite game is "crawl up on the arm of the sofa and fall down and try and hit eachother". probably not the safest activity, but it sure does keep them occupied!Mauricio loves it when I put headbands on the boys. Do you think we should try for the girl?

Cash likes to watch his nightly movie snuggled up like this. its one of the only times of the day that he is cuddly

One of Pierce's first potty toys! I think this one might have done the trick- and now I want to break it:)

Do you think this water is clean? I checked for bugs and mold and found nothing- but Mauri said this is why Cash sometimes gets diarrhea....

SNOW!!!!!

2009-03-17T13:50:00.000-07:00

Well, our wee tot got to see snow (real utah snow- on the actual mountains) for the first time last week! We are so lucky to have such fun friends and family around:) We took Pierce to our good friend's the Crofts' cabin in sundance while my wonderful sister-in-law Vanessa and my wonderful mom and dad watched Cash for the weekend. It was so nice- and so easy with just one monster! The whole trip was a dream- Pierce played so well with Kate and Taylor (thank you Kate and Taylor:) they were so nice- and they had so much fun sledding, building snowmen, tubing, playing in the cabin, etc. I think he's going to be a cougar like his mommy! (BYU cougar, that is) Mauri went snowboarding and just can't get enough of it- and while the highlight of my trip was definitely relaxing in a beautiful place with beautiful scenery, no- i did not think skiing would be good for the baby... I must say the pinnacle was the trip to- you know what I am going to say- that magical restaurant they call cafe rio. I have to thank Brian and Rachel for the many good laughs we had, too- they always provide....

Happy Valentines, Happy Anniversary, my Love!

2009-02-17T13:08:00.000-08:00

Valentines day is quite a special day around the Dardano household:) Fifteen years ago the Clark High School Valentines dance was our very first date, Nine years later Valentines day we were married, and now six years later we are celebrating our 6th wedding anniversary! In honor of this day I would like to dedicate this post to my wonderful husband who, after all these years keeps making me more in love with him than ever! So here- in true blogger fashion- to toast to another fifteen years of wedded bliss I have fifteen reasons why I am the luckiest girl in the world to be married to Mauricio Ernesto Dardano...

1. He is hot. I think it was the eyes that first got to me in ninth grade- and every other girl that wanted to date the cute el salvadorian.
2. He is the funniest guy I have ever met/ dated. Mauri makes me laugh all the time- and sometimes for no reason at all- I am laughing right now just thinking about it.
3. He is smart. He must have taken a test every day in dental school and never missed a beat. This trait also plays into his funniness. he is very witty..
4. He is playful. Mauricio is like a big kid- it keeps things interesting.
5. He is athletic. I don't think he has ever played organized soccer and he can beat me pretty easily. same with every other sport.
6. He can cook. enough said.
7. He's a good dancer.
8. He has amazing oral hygiene-actually all of his personal hygiene is pretty good.
9. He thinks of the best dates and presents.
10. He loves his boys. part of this is him being a big kid- but he loves to play and wrestle with them and to say that they LOVE this is the understatement of the century.
11. He is a good person. People like him because he is honest and kind. He genuinely loves people and would gladly make himself look stupid if it helped someone else.
12. He makes me a better person. He wont listen to me if I start to get vicious about someone.
13. He loves his family.
14. He gave me my 2 (almost 3) boys. I think he is the best father to them that I could ask for. If they get his ambition, his heart, and his looks I would be the happiest mother alive.
15. He is, has been for 15 years, and will be until I am old and gray- my best friend in the whole world.

I love you, my angel:)

and for your enjoyment I have included some pictures of us taken through the years...

Football banquet '97 Prom '98

Mount timp '99

Pierce is three!!!

2009-02-04T17:42:00.000-08:00

I cannot believe my little guy is three years old! He is getting bigger and smarter every day and I am starting to see what people are talking about- it really does go by fast. We celebrated at this bounce house place which was so far away it might has well have been in Oklahoma- but he had a blast so it was worth it:) I think the kids had fun- and I know the adults did...at least my crazy family. We were having obstacle course races (yes, we had to move the children, but who was this party for anyway?) with each other- Abby and Ben were dripping with sweat- then I (quite pregnant I might add) had to show Megan who was boss- then my mom and dad went head to head- and for one last race before the pizza, abby and dad had a go which almost had me wetting my pants. They were pulling each other down and laughing so hard I thought they would never finish. After the bouncing we had pizza and cake and Pierce sang happy birthday to himself with the rest of the kids..it was a fun night. It got late so we brought the presents home and he still hasn't opened them :) oops. thats our activity for tonight- it's like a weeklong celebration!! and once again these are from my terrible camera which I did not have during the candle blowing and obstacle course festivities. i will post the best ones as soon as I get my sister's pics- and boy do I have some amazing video- if I can just learn how to post it.....and don't worry, Aba- I will take more pictures of the present opening and send them asap!
Dad and Dirk...the life of the party for sure...

Happiness

2009-02-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

For my boys, happiness is definitely having a huge bouncy ball thrown up the stairs so that it can come back down and bonk one of them on the head. It is a new game that my husband started and it could keep them occupied for hours- and yes, it looks like they are once again in pajamas/just a diaper.

We had a fun ice day last week when Mauri couldn't go to work in the morning. We got them suited up and we slipped around outside for a little while. Cash really seemed to enjoy his mittens and his hat. After we came in it took us 30 minutes to get his hat off...no such luck with the mittens. Those had to stay on for the remainder of the day- which was a joyful thing for me because he could not play with his toys or pick up his cup- but would not stand for the removal of his mittens. Happy day.

Sweet Monsters

2009-01-21T13:20:00.000-08:00

Just when I think I am about to cage these guys up they decide to do something that wipes out all of their evil doings for the day. A typical day for me involves getting things done in the two minute increments that fall between one scuffle and the next. I have learned to embrace this because it really gives me an excuse to stay in my pajamas all day long and to not dry my hair if I don't feel like it. (and no, friends- I have not TOTALLY let myself go...I pick up the hairdryer on the occasional saturday:) But lets not dwell on how trashy I have become- this story is about my angels. I think they know when I am starting to feel like a failure as a mother because the other day just before a tear leaked out of my non-mascara wearing eye, I came over and saw these two playing in the mirror. They were laughing and whispering and laughing some more and as I sat there I heard Pierce saying 'I love you 'lil cash' and 'here you go, Cash' and

'watch me' as he proceeded to put things on his head and make them fall off purely for Cash's enjoyment. I know it was only a few minutes- but nothing makes me happier than to see my boys loving each other. I live for moments like this when I can see them as the best friends they are going to be... I love my boys. This is just one of the many pictures I have taken of Cash with his twin- my dad. Everyone thinks they look exactly alike- and I somewhat agree- but the really wierd thing is how much Cash loves him. He NEVER cuddles like this with anyone- but if my dad is anywhere to be found Cash seeks him out- walking over to him with his arms up saying 'papa' until my dad picks him up and thats not all- as soon as he picks him up Cash LAYS his HEAD on papa's shoulder and smiles...this is not a joke. he doesn't even do this with me when he is tired. If I say 'do you want to go see papa?' he starts doing a little tap dance and saying his name. If we are with the fam and he gets upset about something its papa he wants to be comforted by, not me. And one last thing- the other night my dad came by after he went to the gym just to say goodnight to the boys and Cash (they were watching bee movie) flung himself over to papa- and while still watching the show grabbed the collar of his tee shirt with one hand and sat playing with his (own) bellybutton with the other. it's a little disturbing... but it's so cute!

More Christmas

2009-01-05T13:17:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve is always our big day when we stay here. Nana makes a delicious dinner and all of the grandkids play together all day. We do a little nativity with the grandkids and sing christmas songs...It is pretty crazy over there until Santa and Mrs. Claus show up- and that is when the real fun begins. Santa gives each of the kids a present and stays for pictures- the kids are so cute with him. I love Christmas:)

Cash was a little bit afraid of Santa. He was pretty big...

Pierce with a little Christmas dinner- that he did not even touch. Those are ritz bitz you see in his mouth.

Nana with her favorite grandchildren...

Me, Dad and my sister..

Pierce and me singing- OK just me.

A little bit of Christmas

2009-01-05T12:43:00.000-08:00

We had a really nice Christmas this year- we stayed here and celebrated the usual way with the festivities at my mom's house Christmas eve and then our house on Christmas day. On Christmas morning Nana and papa come around like a second santa and bring more gifts and we stay in our pajamas all day and have good food:) Here are just a few pictures from that morning.. this one has nothing to do with christmas morning I just thought it was cute.

Pierce giving nana a kiss for one of his presents-

looks like Cash was excited about this tube of bugs!

and Pierce with his amazing airplanes and motorcycle..

This was their combined present- a big remote control car- which Pierce thought was his only and therefore would not move from the front of it.

I love these guys- and I cannot wait until next year! I have already decided what to get them and I know it just gets better and better as they get older!

Its a....

2008-12-27T13:54:00.000-08:00

Boy! Can you believe it? I wouldn't either if I hadn't seen the package myself before she even announced it. Three boys... who would have thought:) I have been spending the last little while thinking of all of the top ten wonderful things about having three little monsters:

wait...I'm still thinking....
kidding!

1. Sports. Need I say more? they can all practice with eachother on a regular basis- and if they are truly our children we do not have to worry about their abilities- MVP's for certain...(We'll love them if they are into dance, too, of course)

2. Toys. No need to buy any of that cheesy dress up fluff and dolls and babies- actually no need to buy anything at all! I think we've pretty much got it all covered. If I get one more toy car for these rascals I wont have a place to sleep!

3. Matching clothes. Anyone who knows my boys knows I have a thing for them dressing alike- now I can just buy THREE of whatever I find! How easy is that?

4. Post-baby workouts. Done. I already break a sweat keeping these two monsters safe, close, and out of danger- not to mention keeping them off my back- literally. If I ever decide to sit on the floor for something it better take one second or I have both boys launching themselves off the furniture and on to me until I surrender and play dead (but that doesn't really work either, does it)

5. Movies. they always get to watch one movie after dinner and baths at night- and my boys will always love the same shows. Who wants to watch these pansy barbie princess flicks anyway?

6. Fast-forward a few years... weekends. Won't it be nice when all the dirty boys in my family decide to go camping or fishing...I think I am really loving this three boy thing already!

7. Drama. I don't even need to say it. Those of you with girls probably already know what you're in for- and apart from maybe having to break girls hearts now and then:) I am hoping for a pretty drama free adolesence.

8. Mommy worship. Boys love their moms, what can I say?

9. Imagining them as perfect husbands one day. Hopefully we can raise them to be dream men for all the lovely ladies out there- I got lucky..but we all know there is a shortage. (and since all of my friends are having girls- maybe we can work out some betrothals, etc.)

and the number one reason having three boys is better than ANYTHING else....

10. Maurice said that he always hoped that I would be the only girl he had to spoil for the rest of his life:)

more from last week

2008-12-06T13:52:00.000-08:00

Pierce trying to climb over the couch and dive off...this one is my mom squishing them- I have never seen them laugh so hard...

This is Pierce riding jakes bike- his first time ever!! (ok maybe he was just sitting on it)

Aba and Papu got Pierce and Cash these little cars for Christmas since we are not going down there this year- Pierce was jumping up and down until they got it out of the box- and then he didn't get off of it for 2 days. Cash loves his but fears for his life any time he sits on it because Pierce likes to play bumper cars with him- even when he is crying and screaming for his life...

here they are- pre crash testing...

thank you aba and papu- you have no idea how much they love these things!!!

thanksgiving (from my camera which I didn't actually have on thanksgiving)

2008-12-05T13:39:00.000-08:00

This was my first year to actually host a thanksgiving dinner at my house- and I must say, it was wonderful. That might be because I was only actually in charge of a few pies and some rolls- but I was a hostess just the same, right? We had Mauricio's family in from El Sal and Colorado- with cousins Jake and Logan (which was really fun for Pierce- except for when he had to share the little batman car that he had never touched before last week) and my brother in-laws mom and sister and his sister's 2 kiddos. It was definitely a full house- but what else is thanksgiving for? My mother and father in law stayed with us for almost two weeks and Pierce was LOVING it. He would walk in the door yelling for them- and sometimes I would be in the bathroom and he would ask 'where's aba? where's papu?' it was really cute- and after they left he asked for them all day...sad. Cash was playing hard to get all week except for a few choice moments at the dinner table when he decided to give out kisses- which everyone took advantage of (and we captured it on camera, just not mine- and as soon as Karla (hint hint) and mi suegra email them to me I can post them). I had a ton of fun- and a lot of food-and that was my goal from the beginning:) So- this picture is Karla, mauri's sister, and my sweet cash...

This is how we found pierce at about 6:30 one night after everyone had gone- he had fallen asleep on the couch which has never happened befor in his life! I think maybe the cousins wore him out?

This is Aba and Cash- te amo aba!!!! we miss you already!

This is Pierce squashed up in a ball...

and this is Pierce and Cash in lightning mcqueen. Pierce thought cash was out of line for getting in and trying to take his turn. Do I win mother of the year award for taking a picture before stopping the abuse?

and I put a pink background on this blog for the next week and a half - we find out what we are having on the seventeenth of december...

How about a third?

2008-11-07T18:22:00.000-08:00

OK! If you haven't guessed or if I haven't told you yet- we are pregnant with number three!! I am sooo excited and just getting over the worst of the morning (24 hour) sickness:) We are beyond thrilled and I am dying to find out what it is!!! I went last week to my 12 week screen and they can usually give you a pretty good guess at that one- and just my luck- it looks like a girl from the back and a boy from the side...thanks- so 4 more weeks to predict I guess! We'll keep you updated!!!!

my precious draculas

2008-11-02T10:07:00.000-08:00

halloween was so much fun this year. Pierce was loving the free candy and I'm pretty sure he liked people telling him how cute he was:) We went trick or treating with our cousins and our friends the Crofts and even though we only lasted about two blocks we got some pretty good candy. Mauri dressed up (as you can see in the blurry picture- thank you, camera) as a big Dracula and Pierce would not talk to him when he had his teeth in. Mauricio got a big kick out of it- he would come toward him saying 'I'm gonna get you' and 'I'm a monster'- he was so amused that his son was truly frightened. I felt like I had three children... pierce and cash in the lifesaving wagon

my three children..

Pierce and his cousin ashley

its almost halloween!

2008-10-26T19:14:00.000-07:00

ok- I am so excited to put the boys in their little dracula costumes. My first opportunity isn't until tuesday though! so.. cute pictures to come- and in the meantime for your reading pleasure I thought I would tell you the latest funny things to come out of my son's mouth.

I was trying to get him to calm down tonight so I curled up in a tight ball on the couch (this way he couldn't run and jump on me from the ottoman) and started to sing rock a bye baby- and held my arms out to signal him to come cuddle (sometimes it works..)- he started to jump over to me and just before I grabbed him he put his face down to my face and yelled "SHUT!!" at the top of his lungs. I have no idea where he got this- and I am assuming he meant shut up or shut my mouth...either way I got the hint.

My loving husband has decided that it is funny to teach him things to say... the latest was(and the first time he said it I asked him to repeat it because I was in disbelief) "mommy chubby"... nice honey.

He likes to run around the house wielding some type of bat or sword yelling "where's Cookie?!" (our dog). And since I am such a loving pet owner I always do a brief look and point him in the right direction...poor cookie- but he never actually catches her and it keeps him occupied for at least twenty minutes. I love having a dog.

and his favorite phrase is "No, Cash!" It's cute when cash is about to walk into the street or play with the dog food...but if cash doesn't respond then it is usually accompanied by a push in the forehead.

Now, Pierce is a pretty rough kid- so Cash is no sissy, but since Pierce is a bit bigger and stronger he can really do some damage when he runs full speed at his unsuspecting brother with a little tikes shopping cart. It is at these times when (hopefully I catch him) before I can put him in time out he points at ME and says "Time Out!" I need to get it on video because he is so authoritative that sometimes I catch myself looking for the nearest corner.

...if you look closely you can see two giant baskets of laundry. Cash NEVER does his chores.

more pics

2008-10-09T13:16:00.001-07:00

here are some more of the same...I love these guys.

Pierce is talking so much now. I find myself laughing all of the time at the things he says. His favorite thing lately is asking me where everyone is "where's daddy?" "where's cash?" "where's nana?", "where's cookie?" (cookie is our dog so this is my favorite because she is usually standing right next to us all of the time). I can't get annoyed because he genuinely wants to know and he is just so cute...

cash has started to dance. Yes- I guess it runs in the family:) whenever music comes on you should see these two. I have to figure out how to post video because it is quite a treat. We are having fun everyday here (usually) and everyday it is something new. I love my two angels!

just a few pics

2008-10-09T13:10:00.000-07:00

my sister took some pictures of the boys the other day- the cutest ones I am saving for my wall...here are some of the others.

the zoo! again

2008-09-20T11:51:00.001-07:00

Monday morning Pierce woke up saying 'go see monkeys at the zoo?' (which actually happens at least two or three times a week) and it was so beautiful here I just couldn't resist. The boys love it there- they have this nice childrens area where you can pet some animals and feed the birds. If it were up to me I would just go straight to the kids place and spend the whole time there- but Pierce really loves those monkeys! he could sit there forever and watch them. Cash, on the other hand, would probably like to spend all of his time walking/trying to run down all the walkways...

Pierce looking at something amazing
My boys on a huge turtle
My sister holding the coolest bird ever!
...cash feeding the bird. He would not let anyone else have that seed stick. He wanted that bird as close as possible at all times. He kept trying to grab it- he probably would've eaten it if he could!

I can't help it

2008-09-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

I'm sorry. I know everyone is thinking stop taking pictures of this little mean face- but here it is again purely for my enjoyment. its a little bit scary (but cute):)

First (and last) day of school...

2008-09-09T12:12:00.001-07:00

Let me explain. I enrolled Pierce in the spanish schoolhouse here- a great spanish immersion preschool. I was a little bit hesitant because he is only 2 1/2 but I really want him to be exposed to more spanish than he gets at home (dad). We were soooo excited to go this morning- we got in our little uniform, took some pictures and we were off! he ran right in and started playing immediately:) I was relieved and happy that he was happy- and since I am a freak show I stayed at the school for another 25 minutes just to make SURE he was happy. He seemed fine- so I left. and cried. and as I walked around super target (the motherland) with only one baby I got a little bit sad. I missed him! So....I went right back to the school to pick him up:) He can go to preschool when he is three.

my little ham

2008-09-09T11:57:00.000-07:00

so i took out the camera to take pictures of Pierce's first day at school- and what do you know, Cash is right in front of me everywhere I turn! I know it is probably not good for his modeling career for me to post pics of him like this but I can't help it! he cracks me up.

Cheese!

2008-08-22T13:15:00.000-07:00

Every time I see Pierce in a picture I think he looks so old!
and THIS is the reason for the post. Every time I get out the camera and say "cheese" this is the face I get! And this is actually one of the more attractive ones! I need to go get pictures taken of the boys- looks like I will have to wait until this phase is over:)
My little angels are so funny lately. Pierce is talking quite a bit now and it is so much fun. He will hit Cash in the face and after he starts to cry Pierce will look at me and go and pat him and say "he cry, he sad"- and if we're lucky he'll sometimes follow up a beating with "It's OK Cash, it's OK". I know they are going to be the best of friends...one day.

Reunion in CO

2008-07-31T19:53:00.000-07:00

rubber duck races....
Cash is almost walking...

2008-07-31T19:49:00.000-07:00

Quenzer Fam Reunion

2008-07-31T19:33:00.000-07:00

some might say- why a family reunion when you all live 3 minutes away from eachother?...interesting point. because we like to party everywhere. We also got to see mauricio's sister and their boys- who are very sweet. We had a good time... and then vowed to never travel with a 2 year old and a one year old ever again. kidding- but the flight back was pretty rough. Pierce had a blast with all of his cousins. He is in heaven when he is around them- I love it. We did a little mountain biking, go carting, hiking, rock throwing, playing in the rivers, and my personal favorite- white water rafting. This one was the best one we have done by far. There were seven consecutive class 4 rapids with class three water in between. Unfortunately- no one fell out, but it was a good time regardless.

Cash's Bash

2008-07-15T12:44:00.000-07:00

Dad and Cash

2008-07-15T12:40:00.000-07:00

2008-07-15T12:34:00.000-07:00

2008-07-15T12:29:00.000-07:00

not so much.

Cash Turns One!

2008-07-15T12:07:00.000-07:00

My how the time flies... my littlest angel is 1! We had a pool party for him yesterday and it was so fun. For those of you that were there- it meant so much to him:) It started off great- everyone was swimming and having fun. Then we had a mix up with the pizza and everyone got mad...then we sang happy birthday to Cash- who enjoyed it to begin with, but after noticing some people were off key..lets just say he was less than pleased.

All in all it was a good time:)

more of the same

2008-07-10T13:07:00.000-07:00

so, here are my boys..again. just can't get enough of them!

little update

2008-07-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

Here are my boys. Surprise!...Now, we do sometimes do exciting things- but it just so happens I end up taking pictures of my angels at home. when we're doing nothing. this little blow up pool was one of the best purchases of the summer. We alternate going to our pool in the backyard then to our neighborhood pool- then back to our yard...then sometimes we go a little crazy and maybe go to our friend's pool, and yes, all in one day. It is so hot here.

2008-06-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

Little Cash is such an angel. It is always so easy to make him laugh- but maybe that's just because I am really funny.

mini mauri

2008-06-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

I believe in this shot he's hiding something from me...maybe his little horns?....
could this child look any more like my husband? flared nostrils and all. This is Pierce "swimming" in one of our storage bins. Sad- but I did finally get him a real baby pool. You can't tell- but he LOVES the water.

memorial day

2008-05-27T11:32:00.000-07:00

We spent memorial day out at my sisters house- a little swimming, a little bbq, etc. Cash and Pierce love the water- since it has been hot we have gone to one pool or another at least once a day. This bottom picture is my brother helping my niece, Sophie into the pool.

My sweets

2008-05-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

My sweet boys. I could just eat them! Sometimes you just can't squish them hard enough...

Brotherly Love

2008-05-15T12:50:00.000-07:00

The look on Cash's face says it all. Pierce now likes to break dance- but only if his brother is within a one foot radius of his limbs.

my discipline is working!

2008-04-23T13:57:00.000-07:00

my boys

2008-04-23T13:14:00.000-07:00

I hate it when people never update their blogs..

that being said, I still do not feel I have anything terribly exciting to post- so I'll just put up some pictures of my angels. To say that I take alot of pictures of them is an understatement. I am a fourth child and therefore have no pictures of my childhood (unless I am sitting in the background of one that was taken of the older, more exciting siblings). This will not happen with my children. I hope.

Cash is just getting old enough to start to interact with Pierce- and boy is that dangerous. Pierce cannot leave him alone! It seems like every time I hear Cash crying I walk over and see him flat on his back and Pierce standing nearby trying not to look guilty. Oh- and they are learning to share! Every time Cash picks something up, Pierce stops everything he is doing to walk over, immediately grab it out of his hand while he says "shaaaare".

Happy Birthday, Aba!

2008-03-16T06:10:00.000-07:00

Feliz Cumpleanos, Abuelita! Los ninos le querian desear un feliz cumpleanos:) Le mandan un gran abrazo y beso- y nosotros tambien! I am sending you the rest of the photo shoot via kodak- you'll love it! te amamos muchisimo- We miss you and can't wait for you to come visit...

Just for Fun

2008-03-10T19:01:00.000-07:00

Enjoy.

2008-03-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

2008-03-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

A trip to the zoo...

2008-03-10T14:21:00.000-07:00

Who would have thought we could get so much satisfaction out of a simple trip to the zoo!! Having kids is the BEST. I have never enjoyed the zoo so much- Pierce was imitating all of the animals; jumping with the kangaroos, roaring with the lions, etc. And yes, we were the cheeseball parents making all of the sounds so we could watch him do it and take pictures:) Cash really enjoyed it, too, even though he couldn't vocalize it I could totally tell....

yes, snow!

2008-03-06T13:48:00.000-08:00

Little P had his maiden voyage into the snow yesterday! We woke up to a mini winter wonderland outside- and I couldn't get his coat and shoes on fast enough. He was out there loving it - until he realized that his poor little hands were freezing. Mother of the Year award goes to......ME!