HaPpY 4Th Of JuLy

Why do the summer days go by so fast? That is a question my kids ask almost daily..the answer is real simple... because time travels when your having fun and stands still when your being educated. The great thing about this holiday is that it is so fun and I can educate my children all at the same time. The Declaration of Independence is more than just a piece of paper. It is a symbol of our country's independence and commitment to certain ideas. A symbol is something that stands for something else. How do you celebrate such a symbol?

Well if you ask Rodd he would say..."With a shrimp boil?" So when half of America was grilling hamburgers and hotdogs the de Guzman Clan brings the south to the west coast. 

It took a lot of sous chefs to bring this fabulous feast to the table.

It was our families first try and it was a huge hit. There are talks about making this an annual thing. No one was more excited then Rodd. He researched, studied, shopped and was overall very motivated to try something new.

Elly is the only one other than Rodd who just can't get enough Shrimp. The rest of us are just happy for yummy sides. Elder Blair was a little turned off by the eyeballs and whiskers on the shrimp but he eventually gave in and started to peel away at one, with a little help from our Filipino native missionary companion. 

The rest of the evening was spent hanging out with family and enjoying various games, swimming and movies as we waited for firework time. My favorite game is Mexican Train..it can get a little competitive though.

The kids enjoyed their pool time.

We only had a few tears and only one needed a hug after an apology :0) naughty Gabe!

 What is a family gathering without a little photo time. We didn't want Javo to feel left out so he joined us at all our festivities. If you haven't figured out that photos are what this family does what have you been reading! Kenai made a large statement on how he feels about taking all these photos..talk to the butt!

Only this time Rodd, Dante and Gabe put a little fun into the photo op. They took advantage of someone's bad idea (mine sigh!) to pose in front of the jacuzzi....oh the suspense...what did they plan you say?.....
Well immediately following these pics he took off his shirt and did a cannon ball into the water. If you look closely not to many had an opportunity to run so he soaked everyone including me as I stood next to him with my shorts hiked up so carefully so I wouldn't get them wet. ugh! Thanks Rodd and Dante did I mention that paybacks can be brutal :0)

 Then it was off to watch the fireworks. You forget how much fun it is to have family around in these moments. As we waited we joked, laughed and made some fun memories.

My favorite part was while we were waiting for the fireworks to start we fired up our own fireworks. We got a lot of attention from other kids but it was so fun. We brought about 25 and my kids got quite a few. 

 All though I was punished for my illegal actions…I burned my hand and suffered all night rotating between essential oils and lidocaine gel. It was no fun. In fact as I write this the very next day I am still in pain.It hurts but not enough to keep me from doing it all over again next year muhahahaha!!!

 HaPpY 4tH Of JuLy everyone! Hope your day was one to remember....

Father's Day

Well Rodd was out on a high adventure trip the whole week before father's day. So the girls, Gabe and I had lots of time to find our creative side. It does help that Pinterest is in existence. :0) I really wanted to do something to show Rodd how much his efforts are appreciated in our family. He works hard to provide for our family and with his hard work we have the choice to raise our kids in a different format. We are so aware of the blessings we have had in life and always try to show gratitude for them. Sometimes I think Rodd doesn't get enough gratitude so Father's day is a great time of the year to show him his worth to this family and how great life is with him. With that said how do you put all that love into an action?

Hmmm..in a tie banner of course how else?

Maybe a flower arrangement?

or a beautiful subway art for our holiday photo frame?

oh come on nothing screams love like a candy gram! which says: "To our Sugar daddy, now look we were going to give you 100 grand for fathers day but the money slipped through our butterfingerS. We didn't have an extra Whatchamacallit to see and it wasn't payday. We didn't think a pet kit kat, a trip to the Andes or an orbit around the skittles rainbow would be appropriate. We do want to wish our Big Hunk lots of toblerone fun as you eat this card. We hope it doesn't make you a cry baby or make you rolo ver and get sick. If it does we promise not to snicker when you get chunky.. Love your favorite Airheads." (all candy used is underlined)

The right way to his heart is through good food. Had to try a Man VS food acclaimed restaurant. Mexican food is hard though cause we are so picky...he really liked it enough to want to go back..and wait another 45 mins to eat. :0)

We also got my Dad a root beer case and decorated it all for fathers day! Thank you Nani! It looks awesome. He got a Feliz Dia Del Los Padres balloon and some flowers.

Flowers? too girly might have to cut that out of next years plans...I am already excited for next year. The creative juices are flowing.

So Happy Father's Day to all our loved fathers, padres, soon to be's and those who are father's at heart. Since I am writing this remember this old saying, " The Greatest thing a Father can do to his children, is to love their mother."

HAPPY FATHER's DAY!