Family from Malta Visits Iowa!

A couple of weeks ago we had the privilege of seeing my family from Malta Italy. My real Grad Dad (My Mom's Father) his wife Rose, my Auntie Evelyn who is my Grand Dad sister, Uncle Robert and his son Dorian drove up from FL where they were staying to see us. When people from Europe go on vacation, let just say they go on vacation! A holiday is what they call it. This was their second time in the USA and they stayed for over a month. It was fun to have them here and for them to have finally met our children. Christian had to work some of the time they were here but he still got to visit with them. This was his fist time ever meeting them too. They LOVE America! They think  everything is just great over here. They love the food and say we have "so much of it"...go figure.  They love all the shopping and say how everything is so cheap over here. While they were here they wanted to go shopping and eat out as much as possible....so that is exactly what we did. We at out for EVERY meal, yes I know but they just love all the restaurants since they don't have much in Malta. Most of our days were spent doing these things and also playing, chatting, and just enjoying each other company. It was also nice to see my cousin Dorian since I had not seen him since he was a little baby. He was actually not feeling good for most of his visit and just slept most of the time. Of course I doctored him up with some natural remedies which seemed to help but I think all the traveling and eating our was just getting to him.  The place they loved the most was the Iowa Machine Shed which is an awesome restaurant if you want them to have a somewhat "Iowa" experience. The waiters serve you in overalls and plaid shirts. Its a very cute place and they loved it. They do not have corn in Malta so they ordered lots of it. We also could not let them leave with out trying Whitey's Ice Cream...the best ice cream in the Quad Cities. My Grand Dad spoiled everyone and even though it was not really the norm of what we do on a day to day basis we still made the most of it and it was just fun to have them here.  

The language barrier was difficult at times. You have to speak slow and draw out your words. They also say Americans speak to fast. We had great discussion about politics. They are a socialistic country in Malta so they are conditioned to it and do not know anything different. They think its crazy how we do not get FREE everything over here. We did a lot of explaining our Constitution and what it stands for. We also gave our opinions of our current President..LOL! You all know how we feel about him. We also had some great Gospel discussions. They are very stanch Catholic so of course many questions came up when we took them to our Church. Come to find out we have a sister that served her mission in Malta but she was sick that Sunday they were there. We also have an older couple that is from Malta in our ward. Small world. I actually found out that their is a branch in Malta and missionaries there. They said they really enjoyed our Church but they could not understand much of what was being said. I am glad we took them.  They won't be surprised if the missionaries come knocking at their door! 

Here is some Maltese for you. It is not like Italian at all. It's has an Arabic dialect. Click here for more phases. It is a a beautiful language.  

Hello= Hawn x'ghandnda

Thank you=Grazzi

I love you= Inhobbok

Good Morning=Bongu

Good Night= Bonswa

Maltese people are very passionate affectionate people. Don't be surprised if you get a kiss right smack on the lips and lots of them..LOL! They say God Bless you all the time too. They also call pacifiers "dummies" so you can imagine how funny it sounds to us..LOL! They also don't take showers only baths or not even that. They call it a "wash" and usually just fill a sink and wash down. Water, gas, and everything is just so expensive over there. Malta is a beautiful Island and I can't wait to visit there one day. Hopefully sooner then later. 

Caw (good bye) for now:) 

Our Water Babies!

Our boys have turned into a bunch of Water Babies. They love to play in water. Splash Splash Splash!

They just built a new water splash park that is actually quite close to our house, and the boys love it. 

We also like it and its so much fun to play with them. The water is nice and warm not freezing cold. Porter will say, "It's raining!" Treyson says, "no silly its a big shower!" They both fight who gets to be on Daddy's shoulders next too.  LOL. This is the kids new favorite place for sure. 

We brought Jax with us since dogs were allowed. He such a good Dog. It was so HOT though for him so he ended up laying underneath the water too. Next time he will be staying home. Sorry Jax. 

Our back yard has turned into a Pool Craze. We have been filling it up everyday and spending mostly all day outside. The boys get up, eat, and then their swim diapers go on and out they go. Treyson loves to fill up the pool. Its his job and he will let you know when there is just enough water in it..LOL! 

 He loves to dunk just his hair in the water. When he does he will say, "Mommy look at me!" 

 Porter is my swimmer and loves to kick those little legs of his. He spends most of his time on his belly while in the pool. 

They have so much fun playing together and it fun to watch them interact with each other. Sometimes there is little fights but most of the time lots of giggles and squeals. 

 Action Shot! 

 My sweet little Porty. Gee whiz I love this little monster! He is my little Blondie now:)  

 Treyson my little dare devil! This is just after he poured water all over himself...haha! He likes to do that a lot or even sneak up behind you and pour it on you..LOL! Love this kid of mine, he is at such a fun age. 

 Instead of water breaks even though they drink a lot we have smoothie breaks. The boys just love them and they are great when its so hot outside. I also freeze them into Popsicles for them as well. 

 Since we have been swimming in the pool everyday we ran out of swim diapers fast. We only have one car so of course I could not go get more. I did not want to not let them swim so we tried regular diapers and lets just say it did not work out so well. Talk about one loaded, swollen, hanging low diaper..LOL! 

 I finally decided they could just go naked in the pool. Never hurt anyone right? Luckily we never had any accidents though I am sure they peed in the pool a lot...haha! One day Trey told me he was going to put his swim diaper on all by himself  and well...not sure he got it quite right..LOL! Good new is I got some more swim diapers so no more skinny dipping for these two fellas. 

Oh  and if you forget to empty the pool and turn your back for a second then sure enough they will be in there playing fully clothed in all. Whoever said a evening pajama swim was not fun...LOL!  

I am loving this weather and just being outside. I am soaking up some vitamin D and some sun while my boys have a blast. What gets any better? We are sad Daddy has to miss all the fun during the day though.  YAY for Summer and bring on the that HEAT! 

Some Break Highlights

We just got done with our 3 1/2 week break from Palmer. School started this past week so now we are back to grind and reality. Here are some of the highlights of our break...

Yard work, lots of it. Mowing, weeding, you name it were were doing it. Our plans to gut the basement got shoved down the road a little bit because we just wanted to be outside. The weather was HOT, just the way we like it for our summer break! 

GYM of course. We sometimes did 2 a days. Once in the morning (weights) and once at night (cardio) to take the kids swimming when the pool opened. Plus I am trying to take as many Zumba classes as possible since one of the instructors asked me to become one. Yes I was shocked because I never considered myself that good but she said I was and I really like it so I am going to give it a whorl. My heart still lies with Turbo but they don't have that out here and Zumba is just a fun dancing party!! YAY for the GYM, our best bud!

 Independence Day!!!! 

We went out to Bettendoff to the street market. There we met Elmo and cookie monster. Porter was not sure about them and neither was Trey because he is not really into watching them. It made for a cool pic though:) 

They had so much for kids to do so we road the train and bounced in the in big blow up toys they had. 

They had this one bounce house that the boys had a blast in. It had a slide and a little obstacle course. The boys were sweaty messes when they got done in there. Oh yes and did I mention it was HOT, not just HOT, HOT HOT! 

We ate some fried food, Yes even we cheat sometimes too:) We actually were lucky if we even got any since the boys hoofed it all down..LOL! 

They had a country band going so Chris and I shook it on the dance floor. If you did not know we are swell country swing dancers! 

Our little Firecracker Family

The boys played until it got dark. Trey made some new friends and was showing them how to catch bugs...LOL! They both enjoyed their popcorn and glow sticks. 

Trey made a new friend named Bennet. Both is his parents go to Palmer too. They were a fun family and they actually new some of our friends from Church since some of them do NUCCA as well which is a certain type of adjustment you specialize in. It was fun to get to know them better and Treyson and Bennet sure had so much fun all night long!   

Time for the Fireworks! 

Trey loved them but Porter kept saying, "scaweee (scary)" every time they would go off. We just cheered when they went off and by the end of the night he liked them. Did I mention Chris's favorite holiday is the 4th. We have not been able to enjoy the 4th with all the summer sales in the past so it was nice just for our little family to be enjoying it by ourselves. 

They put on a pretty good firework show for us! 

I did not take this picture but my "awesome with a camera SIL" did. I thought it was a keeper so I hope she does not mind that I stole it...Pretty cool huh? 

After it was over we stayed around for a little since we new it would be a mad house to get out. Porter was cranky but Trey just was still fascinated with his glow stick..LOL! We waited about 45 min in the car until we even moved. Thank goodness for our Portable DVD player that's all I have to say..LOL! The boys crashed on the way home. 

Symphony's Baptism

One of the non member YW that has been coming chose to be baptized. She is 13. Her brother was also baptized. Her mom has been a long time member and just barley started to be active in the Church. I have grown really close with Symphony and I just love her. From the first time I met her I just knew there was something about her. Her family comes from small means and let just say their are other issues that I wont get into but yet she turned her heart to the Lord and therefore received a testimony. You could just tell how excited she was to finally be baptized. She asked me to speak at the baptism and I spoke on the Holy Ghost which is the 3rd member of the God Head. Chris ended up having to work so I had both kids with me yet I still felt the spirit very strong. It brought back such rich memories of my own baptism. I advised her to always remember how she feel this day. The first day of the rest of her life. I often reflect back on my feeling when I got baptized and it always leaves my heart feeling whole, warm, and good...knowing that I made the right decision... the decision that changed my life for better. FOREVER! I am so blessed to know Symphony and honored that I got to speak in behalf of one of Heavenly Fathers children. What an awesome day! 

Well that all folks some of the break highlights. 

Hope all of you are having a great SUMMER!