Briam's Family Blog

Tonight's story is a story as old as time... About a hero,... a beauty in distress, and the never ending quest for sleep!!

To reach the sleeping beauty we must first cross the perilous land of dinosaurs.  Not just one or two.... but all of them I think!  They roam the land like uncontrollable beast of destruction.  Thankfully they all lined up for the group photo.

 Also in the picture is Matthew "Dino Trainer" Fachisthers.  He makes it look so easy.  Unfortunately after the photo the dinosaurs were spooked and he was trampled.  He should recover in a few weeks.  But his sacrifice was not in vain.  He was able to buy you enough time to reach the land of Sleeping Beauty.

And here we are.  Beauty and the Sleeping...... I play the role of sleeping... or at least trying.  And Beauty is played by Sophia.  Her job is to not let me rest and to try to wake me up if I try to sleep.  Don't let that cute innocent little face fool you.  She is good at her job, and very few of my days are filled with the recommended allowance of sleep.

Unfortunately that is where this story ends.  And it does not end happily.  Well at least not until Sleeping gets some rest when the kids go off to college...

So its official.  Sophia no longer fits in the breadbox.  She is getting so big.  She used to be tiny (about the size of the breadbox that she is leaning on)

Now Sophia is saying more words than ever... she pushes the chairs to the counter and climbs up to get whatever she wants.  Maybe if we ask her to stop growing so fast she will slow it down for us. 

A few days ago we had a little birthday party for Me and My mom.  It was a little get together and some good old fashion BBQ.

Click on this picture to check out some more pictures or go to the Gallery (Right Side Menu).  If you look closely at the pictures.... you will see some pictures of my nephews and nieces who really hate having their pictures taken.... that makes them even more special...

Last week we got a chance to visit some family in Florida.  Alejandro and Soraya just had their baby boy Gabriel and we wanted to go visit.... well I guess we were not the only ones.... Click on this picture to see the gallery.

Our kids got a chance to meet and play with a bunch of their cousins.  We also got a chance to hit the beach.... ah sun.... sand.... surf.... sunburn.... peeling...  good stuff.  If you stayed still too long you would most likely get ambushed... or fall into a sand trap...

In the end we all made it back alive.  Don't forget to click on the pictures or HERE for more pics from Florida!

"Dear Santa, I know I am a bit early, but I wanted to send you this email to beat the rush.  I know that you get busy so I wanted to send you my Christmas request early..."

"...I want to ask for a few things for myself, but also a few things for my brother and sister..."

"Look Megan!  I told you if we stopped beating her up it would pay off!"

So I was playing around with a new free little tool from Microsoft called:  Photo Story 3  It was a pretty easy even for someone like me with very limited artistic ability...

So click on the little windows Media Player button..... I am sure that with this level of skill and sheer genious I will win an oscar or emmy.. or something....

....so school is back in session!  And what a relief.  Well at least it does give my wife a little break in the day so she can recover from their craziness.  We all react different to things that excite us. 

Matthew celebrates with some jumping around and screaming for joy....

Megan wants to get all prettied up for the occasion...

Sophia is just in shock over everyone making a big deal...

I just hope that they behave themselves and don't hit on any kids.  They do play a bit rough at times and some kids are not used to that....

New backpacks for the older two... and also lunch boxes.  Sophia has to suffer with the lady bug that Megan used last year.  A new year... some new friends... some new learning.  (...and some rest for the mom)

There are lots of races.  All the time.  Some are for fame.  Some are for money.  But few hold the honor and prestige of The Ultimate Race.  Years and years of tradition to even qualify for this race.... well ok.... all you have to do is show up.... and this was the first time.  But I am getting ahead of myself.  First there is the excruciating training and preparation.  Part of this preparation, of course, is a healthy nutritious POWER SHAKE!!

 Ah THE POWER SHAKE.  Only a super secrete blend of things and stuff that Paola has to hand select.... and mix... but it may just be what these kids need to win an edge over each other.  Because soon it is race time!

There is no wimpy starting line.... or checkered flag.  (because we don't have one).... there is only grit and determination in this race.  Its every kid for themselves...  But in the end, there can only be one victor... or is everyone a victor?

Here is our latest contestant.  She was only able to come in third... but she seems happy enough just being allowed to race with the others.

And after the dust settles.... its time to wind down with a celebration ice cream!  It just so happened that the ice cream truck came by.  If you look closely, you can see the imitation sponge bob ice creams.  I always asked myself if they like him so much, why do they want to bite his head off? 

....who knows what will happen at the next annual Ultimate Race... only time will tell.

 So this past Sunday the kids finally had their day on stage.  They have been practicing for weeks some of their cute dance songs for the church.  We were very proud of them.

Megan was a little shy at first, but soon she was dancing and jumping as if she had ants in her pants.  Matthew was a little more serious about the whole thing, but he put on quite a show.

The pictures are a little blurry.... (I was not the one taking the pictures) and I have to assume it was for one of the following reasons:

1. The kids were moving
2. The camera person was moving
3. The camera person was nervous from being so close to the Rock Stars!!!!

... But these kids did love their fans.  They all receive a giant applause from everyone.  And you could see the huge smiles on their faces.... its good to be loved by your audience!

A couple of days ago, Alejandro and Soraya's baby was born.  Gabriel is his name.  And he is a bit early, but doctors say he is doing great.  Just a few more days to fatten him up a bit.

We will get a chance to see him this weekend... and I am sure after he has a few Ecuadorian meals he will be feeling a lot better.

As for the kids... they are doing fine.  Sophia keeps wanting to join Matthew and Megan in swim class.... but swim class is almost over.  Just one day left... but if it keeps raining, that may not happen.

Megan is getting bolder... but will need more practice before she swims without her noodle.  Matthew is doing great.... and learning different swimming styles.  He has already swam the length of the pool several times and the instructor has said he can join the kids swim team next year.

As for Paola and me.... we are being attacked by a mountain of cloths since we are cleaning up our closet....   ... keep us in your prayers!