Dylan Barillas Chapter 6- When you need a breather.

Dylan (29), his husband Leo Wilkie (60). Their children: Salma and Harold (7)
Narrated by Dylan.

I love being at home with Leo and the kids. There are times when Leo still worries that everything is still too boring for me. I think he worries that I will get bored and leave him. Lucky for him I am so in love with him and our family. He surprised me by telling me that he wants to take us on vacation to Twikki Island.

Before I knew it Leo had organized everything for the trip. The kids were so excited to get to know the island they had heard so much about.

The kids were off exploring while I and Leo took in some rays.

Salma loved learning the salutations that the Tikki people gave each other.

Leo has asked if I wanted to have another child. For now I am content with both of our kids. I could never have dreamed that I would be this happy.

Harold had dinner with us and Salma was busy having fun with her new friends. We have started to notice that Harold and Salma are starting to separate a little. I think Harold feels lonely but he will get over it once he finds some friends of his own.

The best part of the trip for the kids was the haunted ship. Leo at this point was tired but the kids would not hear of their dad missing such an important tourist site.

I loved taking in the view of the whole port. It makes me almost want to move here.

Leo ended up heading home before the tour was over. The kids were a little upset but soon forgot about it when we started playing.

Leo had to go back to work and his job sent a helicopter to pick us up. I guess surgeons can not get a lot of time off. The kids fell asleep on the way back home. I was happy that we got at least a few days of family time.

Carson Barillas Chapter 6- Four is greater than two.

Carson (29), Vanessa (28)
Their kids: Jewel and Julian (twins age 4)
Narrated by Vanessa.

I am still working throughout my pregnancy. We do not have the luxury of me having time off. Carson is finally done with school but he is waiting for his position to become official. Meanwhile I take advantage and let him baby sit the twins.

I love coming home and Carson has them in bed and I can just go and lie down.

The twins are turning five and we literally have no money to celebrate their birthday like before. Sure we could ask my mother in laws but Carson and I agreed not to. We are trying to do thing on our own and that is how its going to be.

I finally gave birth at home. It was not easy and to everyone's shock I had twins.

Thank god we managed to scrap up some money for additional beds. The twins outgrew their cribs so our new set of twins have them. We decided to name them Giovanni and Lorenzo.

We had a small family dinner for Jewel and Julian's birthday. They took it well. I know we do not want to spoil them but I know times are going to get better for us. For now four kids is definitely harder than two.

Alfredo Barillas Chapter 7- We are party Central.

Alfredo (29), Merill (34)
Narrated by Alfredo.

We have been married for two years and loving every minute of it. We are both settled and are happy to come home and relax.

Just because were married does not mean we have to let ourselves go. I am still struggling with my weight . As soon as I feel the pounds accumulating I get on the treadmill. Merrill has always had the perfect body so he just works out to accompany me.

Family is important to us. It's great knowing that Merrill does not mind our family coming over for dinner. We had my quad brothers/sister: Carson, his wife Vanessa, Dylan and we all gasped when Leo walked through the door. Shaila came over but Weldon had to work so she came alone. Leo hardly comes out anymore so we were all excited to have him over.

Carson is now a general practioner and I could not be happier for my brother. He deserves it after all the schooling he went through. He even joked that I should get my bachelor's degree. For right now I was content with my job as a police officer.

My sister is excited about her upcoming nuptials. Our moms are too busy to help so Shaila asks Merrill to help her. My husband is a professional Party guest so he definitely knows how to entertain. He was a great help to Shaila.

Don't get me wrong. We love having family over but we also love it when we have nights in. We lie in bed and curl up with a good book. Sometimes Merrill says its too much being a party guest and it wears him out. He thinks that he may start looking for another job soon.

Finally I got a chance to talk to my mom Consuelo. Her business is picking up and my little sister Jacquelinbe is giving her problems. I guess my mom did no expect having a granddaughter at home would be so easy. It is amazing to me how Jacqueline still lives at home with her wife and baby girl.

At another family dinner, Weldon finally had a day off of his job to come and hang with us. Having lived with us Weldon felt at home. He was amazed at how we had changed our apartment.

Carson and I have been bonding more lately. We even have a chance to play some rock paper scissors to make a decision. It reminds of us old times.

Sure dinner parties are fun but the worse is cleaning it up. We leave it to he next day even though it annoys our neighbors. I do not know how they claim to know our apartment stinks. I think they are rude by knocking on our door to tell us.

I guess the education bug is hitting my family. Carson has not only been trying to convince me to get a BA but now he managed to convince Merrill. He approached me but I really was not feeling it. He begged me to think about. He says it would be the best thing for our future. He even said we could earn money to buy a house some day or even move from Viramontes. I never thought about buying a house let alone moving!

I just did not feel it. Merrill said that he was going to go for it and he hoped I would support his decision. I know I may regret this chance but I just hate school. This is the reason I did not go to college!

A few weeks later Merrill could not stop talking about his new friends at college. He does everything online but he being the party planner got the students to meet up to study. I am not liking this one bit. He is changing and I do not know where this will take us.

I came home and hugged Merrill so strong. He said, "what this for" and I simply responded, "To let you know I love you and I registered for college today". I know....I said I did not want to go but in the end if it will improve us then why not. I just hope I survive it.

Justin Barillas ch 8- The never ending degree challenge

Justin (33) his wife Lashawn (42)
Their children: twins Candice and Cameron (6)
Narrated by Justin.

We still wake up and marvel at how quiet the house is. The twins are now six and pretty much can get up and play with their toys. Even though we can sleep just a little bit more, we still tend to get out of bed early.

Lashawn and I have been happy these past years that we have been married. The other day Lashawn came up to me and hugged me. It had been a while since we did something as simple as give each other a hug. We have been married 14 years. I still can not believe that we have been married that long.

14 years ago I did not have as much weight as I am carrying now. I try to work out but with the kids and our store it is hard to find time. I do not like working out but I know it has its benefits.

Finally the fishing season has started and the fish are biting like crazy in our lake. Lashawn likes to take a break from studying her finals to hang out with me. She still can not believe that I like fishing as much as I do.

She finds time between her job and getting her masters to play with Candice. Candice is six now. I still can not believe she is actually in school now.

The store is open every day except or Sunday. I still gave my employees job evaluations. we have been doing great these past few years. Sometimes I remember how I wanted to close this store down. I am grateful I did not because we are now finally out of the red.

LaShawn always complains that it is taking her forever to finish her master's. There have been plenty of times where she wants to just plain quit. I tell her to take it easy and before she knows it she will have finished.

I want to make sure my kids know how to fish. Candice is more into it than my son Cameron. When I look at my kids I wonder if we should try to have more. Lashawn says that she is fine with the twins but sometimes I wonder. Don't get me wrong I love having just my pair of perfect little kids.

Now Lashawn is finally doing her papers for her degree. I take the kids out so they wont bother her. We are all on the right track and I am happy for our drama free life so far.

Adam Barillas Ch 8- Family thats what its all about.

Adam (35), Cara (31)
Their Children: twins: Jada and Kameko (6)
Narrated by Adam.

Lately I have had Justin and Lashawn over a lot more than before . I want Jada and Kameko to get along with their cousins. Out of our family we are close since we were the last ones in our parents house.

Justin and I start talking about our old times to the sorrow of Lashawn and Cara.

The kids are getting along and I it reminds me when my life was care free.

I talked with Cara because I have to go and spend some time downtown Viramontes at my restaurant. Cara says that im going to get overworked but I don't think so. I love owning my own business.

I decided to hire Goopy Gilscarbo as manager. I need to focus on my job but I want to make sure the restarunt is taken care of.

Came back home and I loved the fact that my family was ready to eat dinner. These are the moments that I love. I love my family and I think hiring a manager was the best choice.

Marcos Barillas Ch-8 We do things our way

Marcos (37) Renee (28)
Marcos children with ex-Linda : Quads: David, Eugenio, Pearla and Mateo (10)
Narrated by Renee


I truly love my step children. Not many people would say that but I do. Since Marcos and I have decided to go for our masters we put having a baby on the back burner for now. I think it is nice to see all of us studying together. As long as I have known the "quads" , they never seem to get their homework down on time.

Marcos is using a different approach to get his masters. Instead of doing his research first, he decided to do his papers first. I call that brave. I do not know enough of my subject matter to do that . I rather study, complete then course and then do the papers.

It is always sad for me when its the kids turn to go to their mom's house. I was their nanny and now they are growing up so fast. They asked if they could call me mom#2 the other day. It warmed my heart and I told them they can call me whatever they want.

Marcos and Linda seem to be getting along better now than they ever did. I still remember meeting Linda when she was recording albums left and right. Now that she married Payton she has decided just to work part-time as a promoter. I hope it works well for her. I am just happy that for now we are all a big happy family.

Remember how I said that Marcos and I put the baby thing on the back burner? Turns out that I am pregnant. I did not think that after my last miscarriage I would get pregnant but I did. I know the doctors said I would be fine but I was still worried. Marcos was ecstatic for us.

With the quads gone this gave me the leisure to walk around almost free of clothing. I can not believe how hard it is to walk up stairs when you are so pregnant!

The pain was so severe that we had a home birth. To our surprise it was not one but twins.

Here is my son Germelo.

And my beautiful daughter Anai. We are so blessed to have these two bundles of joy and now I cant wait for the quads to meet these two peas in a pod.