After Diego's awesome soccer game today, we headed straight to the state fair. The weather was spectacular and we had four hours of fabulous fun. We rode the sky ride twice, the kids ride countless rides and we enjoyed cotton candy as a treat. It was so much fun that Marco could join the kids on the rides. Such a blessed time!!

Flashback: our trip to the fair 2 years ago

Glorious day for soccer!!

Marco's first face-making project!

I just got out of the shower and peeked out the bathroom door to find this:

She ate more baguette and butter than anything else.
She was a flurry of joy when they got home.
They had a wonderful waitress who took them on a tour of the kitchen and took them inside the cold room where they treat the meats.  Ricardo said Alexia was the only child in the restaurant so they received lots of smiles and hellos.  He said they did not stop talking for a second and he truly delighted in his time with her.  He asked her, "what do you like about this restaurant?". And her response was, "that you're here.". Precious!

We are trying to be intentional with individual time with the kids, especially for Ricardo.  He asked for an evening this week to take his girl out and she was ecstatic!  Her dinner of choice was steak...of course!  
He just sent me this pic of them and said they're having a really fun time.  I'm so happy for them!

We are trying to be intentional with individual time with the kids, especially for Ricardo.  He asked for an evening this week to take his girl out and she was ecstatic!  Her dinner of choice was steak...of course!  
He just sent me this pic of them and said they're having a really fun time.  I'm so happy for them!

Alexis was happy to see Gwen!

Last night we had a fun girls night out to celebrate Gwen's belated birthday while she was in town for the week

Hannah and Benjamin came over today for a Shaklee event I hosted for Gwen.  Alexia has been dying to see Benjamin since the last time he was here.  How sweet is this cuddle?!

The boys set up a workshop and spent most of the day outside.  Praise the Lord for fall!!!!

Doctor's orders were 20 minute steam bath and then 5 minute freezer dip.  Can you tell he wasn't thrilled?!

Not sure if I posted this, but Alexia and I had a lovely picnic on Thursday while Ricardo took the boys to the doctor.

Here's the view of the other side of our room.

Ricardo took them out to a special lunch at a wonderful Persian restaurant that we love.

Meanwhile, Ricardo and the kids were getting soaked but having a blast at the ceremony!

Yesterday was a very special groundbreaking ceremony for our new church building so Ricardo took Alexia and Marco and I stayed home with Diego since he still had fever.
It rained most of the day and it was so very cozy!  Here we are playing rummy cube, listening to Gypsy Kings, drinking hot cocoa and we had the window open to enjoy the glorious sound of the rain. Such a special time with my boy!

Update:
Turns out Diego has pneumonia and Marco has beginning signs of it. They are both on antibiotics. Diego has missed the whole week of school bc of the persistent fever so we are very grateful for a diagnosis and treatment.

Sneak peek at our bedroom makeover!  Freshly painted walls, curtains, new furniture...we're almost there!  We're just waiting on bedside tables and then it'll be complete.  I love it!!

Sick boys need ice cream!

Beautiful morning for an outside snack for the two sickies

That was supposed to say sickies!

At the doctor

Busy painter this morning

It's a GIRL!!!

20 weeks!

What's your guess?!

Boy or girl?!?!?!?
We had our ultrasound today and we're going to do a "cake reveal" tonight.  I made a cake yesterday and if it's a girl I'll fill it with strawberries and if it's a boy I'll do blueberries.
I'm the only one who knows the secret!!!!  Ricardo, Diego and Marco were at the ultrasound, but turned their heads when the baby's privates were exposed.  Ricardo wanted to be surprised tonight with the kids!
Can't wait!  I'm off to finish the cake...

This is Alexia's drawing of mommy :)

Well, the bug has now hit Diego. After church today he crawled into bed and had a 101.5 temp.  Praying for a quick recovery!

Diego with baby Zoe.  He sure loves babies!!!

Four happy kids at lunch!

After a fun morning of play, my boy is zonked out.  He brought his pillow and water bottle along and settled into my bed for a nap

Oh!  I found the one picture we took at Laura's.  The two cuties: Thomas and Marco.  These two have never had a playdate by themselves (sans older siblings) and boy, did they soak it up.  They played together for almost 4 hours nonstop, no squabbles, no problems, just two happy boys!