Living Planet Aquarium

On Monday we got to go to the Living Planet Aquarium!! Along with the rest of the State of Utah! It was their "un-advertised" free day. But man, it was soooo crowded. But it was also very, very fun! And of all the days to forget my camera! I forgot it on this day! But lucky for me, my awesome and talented friend Yadira was there with her super cool camera! So she let me steal a bunch! Several of us mom's from the pre-school were there, but it was so crowded that we all got separated and we didn't get pics with the other mom's and kids. But Yadira and I stuck together, I think it was our kids who made sure we stayed together. :) Anyway, it was a breath taking experience! I (and my kids) loved the Aquarium!

The company was good!

Very good!

Canoeing down the Amazon

Finding Nemo!

This was Abby's favorite tank! She loves Nemo! And whenever I couldn't find her she was right back here! And she cried when I forced her to move on.

I don't know what these were called, but they looked like mini crocodile's

These are Piranha's, they glow! Literally!

The Penguin's were soooo active! They made the one's at the Zoo look like statues!

This was the section about the Utah Marine life!

Behind my oh so adorable kids, there is more Utah Marine life

Waiting in line to see the Jelly fish, even while waiting in line, there was something to see!

Touching the Sting Rays! This was so fun! It was close to their feeding time so they kept jumping up right by us, so the kids even got to touch them, and they did!

Abby going back for more, even though they had blocked it off for feeding. (Get back here Abby!)

The Shark tank was also amazing! And huge!

It was a long day, but we had a blast!

A Fancy Nancy Christmas

Last Wed. we went to the Library with some friends for a "Fancy Nancy" Christmas Party. If you know Fancy Nancy you know that it is more geared toward girls, but brothers wanted to go too, so since the spirit of Fancy Nancy is dress up, the boys dressed up too. Benjamin went as a train engineer and his buddy Dillon was spider man! Abby wore her Princess Tiana dress and Amanda looked EXACTLY like Fancy Nancy herself! It was fun!

Story Time

Making "Fancy" Snowflakes
They also played a game but I forgot to take Pics

Here they are all dressed up

I had to get this shot of Amanda, she looked great! I especially love the feather in her hair!

Indian Summer

I love Indian Summer Days! And usually the latest you get one is mid November. But today we had one! I thought for sure they were over especially since the last 3 weeks we have had a blanket of snow and below freezing weather! I was 100% sure we were in full blown winter weather. But the last couple of days it started to warm up and the snow melted and today it was warm and sunny! My house was completely trashed, I had dishes up to the ceiling and was behind on everything, but I had to let it all be because today I was taking my babies to the Park! They were thrilled! They got to wear sweaters and ride their bikes and play and it was hard to believe that it was December! It was a good day... my dishes can wait.

My attempt at being artistic with my photography

I did get one good "fall" picture!

I'm Thankful for Family

We had a super fun Thanksgiving at my Mom's this year. Above is a great picture we took of the first 4 Ambrose cousins! My two, Allan's little girl, and Peter's baby boy! Aren't they soo cute!

We were up late Wed. night prepping and spent all Thursday morning cooking. We had a wonderful feast! But I forgot to take a picture of it!!! But below is a picture of Abby after she ate dessert. It was so fun for all four of us kids and our growing families to be there. And after dinner we stayed up late playing games. The thing I love most about getting together with my family is how close in age we all are so when we all hang out we have a lot to talk about and really have a good time.

After dinner with took this picture of my Mom, with her four grand kids! She can hardly believe that she has four already!

Later that evening my Step-brother Ellis and his wife Mary Ellen came by with their two kids and we had 6 little ones running around! It was crazy! We love it when they come because their little boy Johnny and Benjamin are only 1 year apart and they really have fun together. Her are Grandma and Grandpa with 6 of their combined grandchildren. They have 10 all together with 1 more on the way (My step-sister is pregnant with her 5th). I can't wait until we can get everyone together for a picture! We are hoping to do it in the Spring. It will be a blast to have all those kids running around!

And here we all are! Mom and Gary took the pictures. I really am thankful for my family! Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Birthday Isaac!

Isaac is officially in his 30's!!! And I get to rub it in for 4 months!!! Then I will be there too! Yikes! Anyway, Isaac turned 30 on Nov.2nd but we celebrated just this last Saturday. I threw him a Surprise Party!! Unfortunately, some of his friends were not able to make it, but his two closest friends were there and family was there and it was really fun! And he was actually genuinely surprised. Here he is moments after walking in the door. As you can see, he is pleasantly surprised.
The house was decorated and we all had fun surprising him, especially the kids! We had Carne Asada! A favorite of ours and of course cake and ice-cream! I made his favorite, Cherry cake with Cherry frosting (which happens to be Pink!). And the best part is that I put 30 candles on his cake!! Normally I buy the number candles, but I thought it would be fun to make him feel old by putting 30 candles on. I know, I'm mean! It was all in good fun. He took it with dignity.

Here are all those Candles!

We turned the lights out to sing, and it really lit up the room!

It was a fun day, but I do want to say happy Birthday to my Wonderful husband, I probably don't tell you enough, but you truly are my night in shining armor! You are... there for me when I need you, supportive in all I do, helpful when I've had a long day, funny when I need a laugh, a shoulder when I need to cry, a friend when I need to vent, a lover, a companion, my best friend. I LOVE YOU. Happy birthday mi viejo! Just Kidding! You are still that sexy 24 year old I married! I love you!

My Abuelita

Today is Isaac's Birthday. But I am not going to talk about Isaac today. Today is also Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead, Mexican "holiday"), which is kind of Ironic because today my Abuelita (Grandma) passed away. Or better yet, I should say that her spirit has passed through the veil and she has been re-united with her brothers, sisters, and parents who have all gone before her. So today I would like to talk about my Abuelita. Above is a black and white picture of her when she was young. And next to it, a painting that was done of that picture. Wasn't she beautiful!

She was born in 1909. She was number 14 of 15 children, born in Tierra Blanca, Mexico. Her Father was from France and her mother was of Spaniard descent but from Mexico City. She had blond hair and blue eyes. Which back in the early 1900's was very rare in Mexico. She had 7 other sisters all of which were very fair and had blond hair, red hair, brown hair, blue eyes, green, eyes and brown eyes. They were known as the most beautiful girls in town. One of my favorite stories that my Abuelita told me was of when she was young, how the young men from the city would come and serenade in front of her home almost every night, because of the beautiful daughters that lived there. It was very romantic. She told me many stories of her youth when I was a little girl. She didn't marry until her early 30's so she had many adventures in her young single life. She was smart and educated. She was the head nurse at a hospital for most of her Adult single life. I loved all of her stories, even though I don't remember very many. Her and I had a very special connection. I was the only grand-daughter that spoke/understood Spanish and I looked the most like her. I like to think that I was her favorite. But I think every grandchild thinks they are their grandmother's favorite. Because my mom was her youngest child and My brothers and I were some of her youngest grandchildren, she was not a young grandma and couldn't really "play" with us, but I still have many many wonderful memories of her and she was the best grandma a little girl could have because she was so full of LOVE. This is how I remember my Grandparents best.I remember when she would come to stay with us, she would scratch my back (and tell me stories) every night until I fell asleep. I remember waking up in the morning and thinking, "wow! I don't even remember her leaving my room last night!" I also remember she made the BEST Mexican food ever! She could really cook! And when she stayed at our house we were always well fed. I also remember her slipping me $20 bills, often, and then telling me not to tell my Abuelo (Grandpa). I also remember her telling a lot of jokes. And then she would laugh so hard at her own joke that would start crying. And you may not know this but she was 11 years older than my Grandpa. And she would ALWAYS lie about her age. It wasn't until my last visit to Mexico that I found out what year she was born. My Abuelo would even lie for her! He would often tell us that they were the same age and then state his age, after which my Abulita would say in a very offended voice, "I am not that old!" It was so funny! I also remember that even though she couldn't "play" with us she would often play Chinese checkers with us. It was her FAVORITE game and she hated losing. So yes, she would cheat, and she was very sneaky about it. But mostly I remember how loving she was, and how she served everyone around her and she always gave whatever she could, she was one of the most Christ-like people I've ever known. I guess that is why it was so easy for her to accept the Gospel all those years ago when no one had even heard of the Church in southern Mexico. She and her Sister Sara were among the first members of the church in Southern Mexico. She truly is a Pioneer.

An example of the Christ-like person she was is a story that my mother shared with me a while ago. My Abuelita wasn't just a head nurse at the hospital, she was also a Nurse Midwife. And she continued to deliver babies even when she was a young mother herself. She would go deliver babies whenever she was asked. Even if the people could not pay her. And when my mother was young her and her siblings asked her why she delivered babies for people that she knew could not pay her? And she simply replied, "If I don't do it, who will?" That was the kind of women she was. And there is no doubt in my mind that when she greets the Savior on the other side of the veil he will thank her for her service to her fellow man. And "When you are in the service of others, you are in the service of God." I love her so much. She will be so missed, but I will see her again someday, that I am sure of.
This is a picture that was taken the last time I saw my Abulita. It was 6 years ago, right after I returned home from my mission. My only regret is that I was not able to see her again before she passed. I wanted so badly for her to meet my sweet husband and my two beautiful children. A year and a half ago, we had bought plane tickets and planned on going down to see them. But then the swine flu broke out and we decided we did not want to take our small children down (Ben, 2 and Abby 3 months) and put them at risk, so we got a refund and were never able to make it down. It makes me sad that now she is gone and I didn't get to see her one last time. But I know she was in pain and longed to see her sisters and parents. So I know she is happy and I am happy for her. I love you Abuelita, thank you for your example, and your love. Te Amo! Till we meet again!

The Windows of Heaven

I feel it fitting, this first day of November to talk about my Blessings and how grateful I feel to be so blessed! Last month, Isaac convinced me that we needed to increase our Fast offerings. This was really hard for me because I felt like we were already very generous in our Fast offerings. But I told my husband, back when we were first married, that when it came to spiritual things I would always support him. (I think maybe I jinks myself and that is why is in the Bishopric ;), no.. but really we are happy to serve). Anyway, so we decided to increase it significantly. We almost doubled it! It was really intense for me. I thought, how are we going to do this? But I took a leap of Faith and followed my husband. And I am soooo grateful to be married to someone who is so spiritually minded.

There is a scripture that says, "Bring ye all the tithes [and offerings] into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you our a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Malachi 3:10. I can testify to you all that this scripture has never been more true in my life than it is right now! About a week ago, I started counting my blessings and I was overwhelmed with how many we have. Especially, in this case, financially. Sure, we are far from where we want to be. But for now, we are great! Shortly after we doubled our fast offering, the Lord truly opened the windows of heaven and I feel like we are being drowned in blessings! It's wonderful. Just to give a few examples, we were recently given an opportunity to re-finance our home. It is going to free up quite a chunk of $$ each month. Then Isaac was told that he must work 10 hours of overtime each week until the end of the year. Sure it will be hard on him, but it really is a blessing. And then my couponing has really taken off! I am building my food storage and saving money like I never dreamed possible. Just look at what I got last week! I bought $25 dollars worth of Halloween Candy for $3 and spent $5 on 4 packs of diapers! Amazing right?!

There are many more blessings but after realizing this, it literally brought me to tears and I called Isaac at work and thanked him for making me trust him on increasing our Fast offering so that the Lord could "open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings on us!" And the greatest blessing of all is that this experience has strengthened my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want you all to know, that I KNOW that this is Christ's church on the earth today and it is guided by a living Prophet and if we are obedient to his commandments he will bless us! He wants to bless us! But we must do our part or he cannot bless us, because he is a just God. And I am so grateful for so many of these small experiences throughout my life that has built my testimony and I can say that I KNOW.

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was super fun this year! For one thing, it was Abby's first Halloween trick-or-treating! She loved it! Halloween for us started on Wednesday, with Halloween story time at the Library. It ended on Saturday with Trick-or-treating. Because Halloween was on Sunday this year everyone here in Utah trick-or-treated on Saturday. I am so grateful to live in a place were the majority of the citizens observe the Sabbath day as a day of worship. Anyway, on Thursday we had a Halloween party at our Pre-school. Here are some of the kids in there costumes. We couldn't get all of the kids together in one picture and Abby refused to get close to the Ninga Turtle for the picture. She was terrified of anything in a mask, including team mascots (I'll explain below). But it was a lot of fun!

Here is my awesome Pumpkin Cake I made for the Party!

Then on Friday night we went to the Halloween Extravaganza at the Rec. Center! It was fun. Here we are trick-or-treating at the booths around the upstairs track! Everyone got a kick out of Benjamin's home-made Thomas the Tank Engine costume!

In one of the gyms they had all kinds of games and prizes to win like this one shooting hoops! Benjamin nailed it! Even with his big bulky box he was wearing! That's our boy!

In another gym they had balloon animals, face painting and all the mascots from around the state! Cosmo (BYU Mascot) even dressed up as Robin!

Here's Benjamin with the Orem Owlz Mascot. As you can see I stayed away with Abby. If we even got close she would start crying hysterically! It was actually kind of funny.

Saturday Morning we carved Pumpkins! This was a first for our kids, but they didn't like all the mushy stuff inside so Mom and Dad ended up doing most of the carving.

Later that evening we braved the rainy weather and headed to my brother-in-laws trunk-or-treat at their ward.

Someone there was dressed as Elmo and the kids got a huge kick out of it. Remember, how I told you Abby is terrified of Mascots? She wasn't of this one! She kept following him around! Anyway, see the big rain cloud behind us?, about two minutes after this picture we got pounded by a huge hail/rain storm!

So we packed up and headed to Isaac's parents house, to visit with grandparents and see if the storm cleared up anytime soon. We got some cute pictures of the kids while were were there. Aren't Benjamin's striped overalls the cutest?! My mom found them at Smithfield Implement! Thanks Mom! They were perfect. I can't even tell you how many compliments we got on his costume!

Here is the back of Abby's costume! She was such a cute little Butterfly! I especially love how you can barely see her little face poking out!

Well around 7 pm the rain stopped and we hit the streets! It was a blast! The kids especially like trick-or-treating with their cousins!

Here's Aaron and Benji knocking on a door. What a fun night!

When we got home Abby didn't even want to eat her candy she just wanted to dump it all out and then put it back in her basket over and over.

And here is Benji with his stash! Except he only gets to keep what is in that zip lock bag.

Happy Halloween!