The Westberg Family

Homemade Snow Globes & Yummy Treats

2012-01-09T16:01:00.001-08:00

I love giving and getting homemade gifts!!!

This year for Christmas Kevin, the boys and I made homemade snow globes to give to their teachers and a few of our family and friends!!!

We took the boys out to the store to pick out what little figures they wanted to use!!!

We used glitter and old Jam jars that we had been saving and created some really fun gifts that the boys were so excited to give out!!!

We have a family tradition where each of the boys get to pick one friend they want to add to the list of friends we deliver goodies while looking at Christmas lights! This year we made big batches of white chocolate peppermint covered popcorn it was easy and very YUMMY!!!

A Christmas Carol

2011-12-26T08:29:00.001-08:00

One of my favorite Christmas traditions my family did every was go and see A Christmas Carol at the Hale Center Theater down in Glendale, Ca. Well the family that owns that theater also owns one here in Gilbert Az.

Kevin and I have started the tradition with our kids this year to take them to go see the play every year!

We started off with some YUMMY pizza at Oregano's!!! Which just happens top share a parking lot with the theater!

The boys loved the play which made me so happy since it was one of my favorite traditions!

After wards Scrooge passed out gold coins (AKA Candy) to all the kids as we came out of the play!

The cast members singing Christmas carols as we came outside afterwards!!!

And if you look closely a guy proposing to his girlfriend as she came out!!! CUTE right!!!

Bye the way she said YES!!!

Wanted...

2011-11-28T16:32:00.000-08:00

Okay so while adding a friends blog to my Friends & Family list I some how accidentally deleted my Friends and Family list!!! So now the only blog I have is the one I was adding (aren't you lucky Jen Larsen)

So please leave a comment with your blog address or send me a blog invite (erinwestberg5@yahoo.com) so I can redo my list!!!

Family Bike Ride

2011-11-12T08:11:00.000-08:00

We have been trying to teach Hunter how to ride a bike for a "VERY" long time! The reason being was we couldn't even get him on the bike. He had no interest and no desire to ride. As parents how do you teach a child to ride a bike when it's this painful experience that puts us all in tears!!!

Well I finally found a motivator for Hunter...his best bud Tristan is now riding a bike over to our house and yesterday Hunter asked us to teach him how to ride!!!

So we took him over to an empty parking lot on the ASU campus and no joke he got on...Kevin ran with him for a few seconds and he was off by himself...I barley had time to take pictures!!!

This cute little stinker after two years of trying to get him to ride his bike...learned in like 2 minutes and than we couldn't get him off!!!

We spent the rest of the afternoon riding bikes, exploring and having fun!!!

Parker rode most of the time with me on the hitch hiker we have attached to my bike! It helps teach him how to balance and petal!!!

Than Andrew wanted to get on it but he was a little to big!!!

Of course Kevin has his own bike but he some how always ends up chasing the kids on one of the little bikes!!!

If Andrew was to big for the hitch hiker...Kevin is way to big but it was funny trying to ride together!!!

Now that Hunter knows how to ride there are some great bike trails out here in Az. that we can take the kids for nice long family bike ride!!!

Time Out for Women

2011-11-06T08:03:00.000-08:00

My Mom, sister n law Laura and I attended TOFW again this year and what an incredible experience!

The theme was CHOOSE TO BECOME just a little closer to the woman you were meant to be - through your testimony, through your relationships, and through your personal improvement. It is not easy to raise happy, righteous families and live as women of God in today's times. There are days when your perspective dims a little and you long for someone to remind you who you are and why you’re here. Attending Time Out for Women has been one more encouraging voice in this often challenging world.

We had the opputunity to listen to some great presenters over the 2 days like Brad Wilcox, Laurel Christensen, D. Kelly Ogden (I pick up several of his books that I am so excited to read) Kris Belcher, Matthew Baldwin and many others.

The musical presenter for Saturday was Hilary Weeks...she was awesome! She shared with us this music video (below) that as just released called Beautiful Heartbreak! It's centered around all the different beautiful heartbreaks we experience! It helps us to remebember that its called The Plan of Salvation not The Plan of Gloominess...the Lord wants us to be happy and to find the joy even in our heartbreaks!

Halloween 2011

2011-11-02T13:39:00.001-07:00

We had a very fun filled week of Halloween parties and activities!

We started our week by taking the boys to the pumpkin patch!

Every Halloween we have a family Halloween camp out (in our family room) where we carve pumpkins, make Halloween crafts and watch movies!

This year the boys carved Angry Birds for their pumpkins...we found printable templates online!

We had several fun Halloween parties through out the week...the boys had a big Cub Scout Carnival, the Ward party, trick or treating with my friend Nona's family and of course ASU's big Boo Bash!

With so much candy I asked the boys if they wanted to sell back their candy and they decided to keep a little and sell the rest. So the day after Halloween the boys and I went to Robinson Orthodontics where the host an annual Halloween candy buy back! They buy the candy back from the kids by the pound and than match how much money you get they donate to your school. With all the candy they buy back they than donate to the troops over seas.

It is a total Win Win for everyone...kids end up with a little candy and a lot of cash...their school gets donations and our troops are well thought of!

It was a fun Halloween and now my kids are prepared to spend their $$$$

Family History

2011-10-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

The importance of doing you genealogy before someone else does!!!

Hunters Baptism!!!

2011-09-17T19:07:00.000-07:00

Hunter was baptized today!!! I don't know where the time went but it feels just like yesterday he was born!

It was such a nice baptism he was the only one from our ward so it was able to be a private one! Hunter had been looking forward to this day for a long time...he's been asking when it was his turn ever since Andrew was baptized two years ago! We were so glad to share this day with all our close family and friends! Thanks for making this day such a speacial event for Hunter!!!

Stay tune for the fabulous baptism pictures my sister in law took for his announcements!!!

Sledding in the snow...

2011-01-16T16:08:00.000-08:00

To end our fun filled trip we played in the snow at the local resort in Williams!!!

Snow angels!!!

Hunter's snowman!!!

Andrews Snowman!!!

Parker's snowman!!!

After making snowman and angles we took the boys tubbing!!!
Here's Kevin and Parker heading down the big ramp!!!

Hunter heading down by himself!!!

Parker heading back up the top with his tube!!!

There goes Andrew!!!

My sweetie left me a little love note in the snow...

The Grand Canyon

2011-01-16T15:13:00.000-08:00

The day after we went to the Polar Express we decided that since it was a 45 minutes drive we would take the boys to the Grand Canyon for the first time!!!

We were surprised that since it was Christmas break it was really crowded there!!!

It was so beautiful there!!!

So you can't take a bunch of boy to the Grand Canyon and not have them throw rocks into it!!!

Since it was cold out we took the shuttle bus from each look out spot...it was really nice it would drop you off and come back 15 minutes later to take you to the next spot...best part is it was free!!!

We really enjoyed it and plan on a camping trip with our good friends the Duffin's so we can hike to the bottom!!!

Christmas part 2... The Polar Express!

2011-01-06T16:15:00.000-08:00

The Monday after Christmas we headed up to Williams AZ. so the we could take the boys on the Polar Express!!!

The boys outside the train station as the Polar Expressed arrived!

All aboard and ready to go!!!

We were served yummy hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies made by Mrs. Clause!!!

Chef Caleb's favorite part of the book!!!

Tickets please!!!

After going through the "Time Warp" we made it to the North Pole...they made us turn the flash of our cameras so it's a little blurry!!!

If you can see him there's Santa waving from his sleigh!!!

While we were stopped at the North Pole Santa sneaked on the train and surprised the kids with a bell of their own!!!

The boys had a blast, it was so much fun and I'm so glad Santa invited us!!!

Christmas part 1...

2011-01-03T14:08:00.000-08:00

On the 11th Day of Christmas...

2010-12-12T19:11:00.001-08:00

Yesterday my friends Jen, Adria and I ran the 12k's of Christmas fun run out at Freestone park!
It was a blast seeing all the fun ways other runners dressed up...we opted for matching socks, black bottoms and white tanks!

At every mile they had carolers singing! It was so fun especially since we ran into one of our friends Stephanie who was a caroler with an amazing voice!

Every race I have done I have always been able to beat my time...however this time I was still under an hour and I only did 4 minutes slower than my last race but since I was still recovering from the gallbladder attack the night before I guess that wasn't to bad! Right?

Bye the way...girls don't sweat...they glisten!

After the race we ran into our friend Cassidy who was running the race also!

Last but not least our wonderful husbands who wait support us by waiting for us at the finish line while holding all our stuff!
Love ya Kevin!

On the 10th day of Christmas...

2010-12-11T20:17:00.001-08:00

So no goals were accomplished yesterday because I had a gallbladder attack so I didn't eat much and I didn't workout...I spent most of the day and evening in bed!

The 9th day of Christmas...

2010-12-09T17:55:00.000-08:00

Due to unforeseen things my morning workout did not happen even though I was up at 5:30 and ready to go!
I could of said "Oh well I tried" and given up on a workout today!
But since I am working on keeping the Holiday weight off I knew skipping a workout was not an option!
I didn't have a lot of time so I opted for lifting weights!
Here are a few of the benefits of lifting weights:

1. Weight training tones your muscles and raises your metabolism...which causes you to burn more calories 24 hours a day. You even burn calories while sleeping!

2. Weight training energizes you.

3. Weight training can reverse the natural decline in your metabolism which begins around age 30.

4. Weight training has a positive effect on almost all of your muscles.

5. Weight training strengthens your bones reducing your risk of developing osteoporosis.

On the 8th day of Christmas...

2010-12-08T15:33:00.000-08:00

Working at a school during the Holidays is defiantly a challenge!
They love to fill the teachers lounge with TONS of Yummy goodies!

So today when I got to work I discovered the teachers lounge full of cookies, brownies and cakes!
You name it they had it!
This was no good!
Yesterday I resolved myself to do better have some self control!
So what did I do...

Luckily I only had to go through there on my way in and out!
But both times I passed through I had to say to my self "Erin you didn't get up at 5:30 am to run in the cold only to blow it on cookies"

Yes that's right I talk to myself!
So in the end I passed on the cookies and the best part is I really don't feel like I missed out at all!

The 7th Day of Christmas...

2010-12-07T14:42:00.000-08:00

Today I registered with 2 other friends for a fun Holiday race called the 12k's of Christmas!
If any of you live in the Gilbert area and want to do it with us check out the link here:

http://www.12krun.com/index.php
It's this Saturday and it's going to be so much fun!
They are suppose to have Carolers at every mile mark and everyone dresses up in fun Christmas gear!
I love doing races and this one is just a fun way to stay fit and motivated for the Holidays!

The 6th day of Christmas...

2010-12-07T14:24:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was a normal, average day for me!
I got up and worked out at 5:30, got the boys off to school, then it was time for me to go to work!
When I go to work I always try to carry a healthy snack in my purse because by time I get home I'm starving and ready to eat anything (bad choices are made on an empty stomach).
Well yesterday after work I was going strait over to a friends house to help her hem some pants and forgot to bring something with me to eat.
Since I work at a school I decided I would grab something from the cafeteria and it was pizza day so I said to my self "just get a salad" did I do that once I walked in and smelled the YUMMY pizza...No I did not I grab the pizza.
This is why I need to have these silly little goals because yes I do not always make the wisest choices which can lead to a snowball effect of bad choices!
But it was only one day so tomorrows post will be much better RIGHT???

On the 5th day of Christmas...

2010-12-06T19:04:00.000-08:00

Sunday!
How I love Sunday's!
We get to sleep in a little go to church and come home and spend the day as a family!
But if I'm not careful Sunday could turn into Lazy eating Day!
Sunday is the only day of the week that I'm not physically active and could end up snacking all day!
Yesterday being fast Sunday I found that I really needed to be prepared!
So I made sure that I knew exactly what I was going to eat after I broke my fast and had as much of it prepared ahead of time so I didn't find my self eating everything else in my path!
It really does help to have a plan because when I get really hungry that's when poor choices are made!

On the 4th day of Christmas...

2010-12-05T07:37:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was NOT a perfect day for trying to lose weight I had more set backs than I would of liked but hey that's the long road we travel right? We have our good days and bad!

I had planned on going for a long run in the morning but Kevin and I ended u sleeping in! So when we woke up we had to run several errands like Grocery and Christmas shopping, so I said well I will go running when we are done with our errands! Well when we finished Kevin and the boys wanted to go to lunch at McDonald's and I was talked into trying a McRib! I don't think a McRib is all that great and probably had 500+ calories in it! By time we got home I was to full to want to run and I had BIG plans to go out with the gal pals!

Nona, Janette and I went out to celebrate mines and Nona's 30th birthday's! We went to dinner at Johnny Rockets and each had a yummy chocolate shake plus chili cheese fries!
YUMMY!!!

After dinner we went and saw the new Harry Potter movie which was so good!

So after all the bad eating I did today the one good thing I did do was not get popcorn at the movies so that's my silver lining to my bad eating yet good day!

The 3rd Day of Christmas...

2010-12-03T19:20:00.000-08:00

So this morning my friend Jen and I decided for today's work out we were going to do sprinting exercises on the treadmill!

Obviously in order to challenge myself and stick with my goal I upped my speed 3 times!

Doing sprints makes you work your fast twitch muscles that you normally don't use, it is a great way to lengthen your stride, increase your pace and knock minutes off your time!

I love doing these and ever since I started sprinting exercises I have knocked 3 minutes off my mile!

On the 2nd Day of Christmas...

2010-12-02T14:55:00.000-08:00

I love hot chocolate this time of year when the weather is cold and I just want to snuggle in a nice warm bed with my sweetie!
But the calorie count on the average cup of hot chocolate is about 300 calories and there aren't really any nutritional value in it!

Kind of a waste of calories!
My solution to this was Swiss Miss fat free packets!
Not only are they only 25 calories they also have 1 full serving of your daily calcium!
I decide to get the most out of it was to add a scoop of my Dotfit chocolate protein powder!
So here's the list of all the healthy benefits in this yummy, chocolaty goodness:

1 serving of calcium
20 grams of protien
8 grams of fiber
2 grams of fat
215 calories!

24 Days of Christmas...

2010-12-01T13:09:00.000-08:00

The 1st Day of Christmas...

The holidays aren't a good time for weight loss. In fact, most people gain 5+ pounds during the period between Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.

Now, needless to say, such a weight gain in such a short time is very unhealthy and can also be very hard to later burn off.

Although 5 pounds doesn't seem to be all that much, it's these small increases that tend to accumulate into something we later can't burn off.

Last year I was determined not to gain any weight during the Holidays and I was successful and lost weight but at the same time it was difficult too!

This year after Thanksgiving I actually lost weight which completely surprised me!

So my question is how can we avoid gain fat during the holidays?

The answer is simple - act sensibly.
We can all enjoy the holiday feasts without going overboard. Let's be honest, overeating is hard on the stomach and isn't even that much fun, especially when you feel bloated and tired afterwards. So I thought about starting a new holiday tradition; a sort of pre - new year's resolution that this year I will try to squeeze in a little more exercise during the holiday, keep myself active, and avoid overeating, so that no matter what I weigh now I will be well below it.

My first step I decided I would blog the 24 Days of Christmas by make sure everyday I do at least one thing extra to help keep the holiday pounds off and lose weight! I will blog my everyday successes and failures!

I thought that if I put it out there everyday it will help keep me motivated, rally support and maybe help motivate others as well!

Gilbert Temple Groundbreaking!

2010-11-15T15:17:00.000-08:00

On Saturday Kevin and I took the boys to the Gilbert AZ. Temple Groundbreaking ceremony!
It is so awesome to have a temple being built 5 miles from our house and right here in our Stake.
I truly feel blessed to have been able to take my kids to participate in such a special event that doesn't happen every day!

They had provided seating for 5,000 people and there was any where from 8-10,000 members there!

Presiding:
Elder Claudio R. M. Costa
Presidency of the Seventy

Conducting:
Elder William R. Walker
Executive Director of the Temple Department

This temple could every well be the temple my boys go through before they leave on their missions and it very well could be the temple they are sealed in! And while they are young and might not fully recognize what a great experience this was now I hope when they are older they will look back and appreciate it!

The spirit was so strong as Elder Costa performed the Dedicatory prayer and the place in which we stood became Holy ground!

My friend Joy and her boys were with us during the dedication and after wards we met up with her husband (who had to work) and all went out to lunch together!

After wards we had the opportunity to participate in the ground breaking! We were able to take our kids up and take turns breaking ground!

This was an experience I will never forget and will be able to later help my kids as they get older truly understand the significance of this event so they too can truly appreciate it!

At the front where the podium was they had on display the painting of what the temple will look like when it is completed in about 2 years!

I have such a strong testimony of temple work and I'm truly am grateful my family can be sealed not only in this life but in the next as well!

Families can be Together Forever!

Can anyone say...Chocolate!!!

2010-11-12T17:34:00.000-08:00

Kevin and I went to a couples Chocolate tasting party out in Scottsdale with 4 other couples on Wednesday night!

We met with the culinary artist and confectioner Julia Baker!

Julia exclusively on luxury chocolates and custom cakes!

Here are a few of her amazing cake on display at her bakery!

The tasting started out at the Julia Baker Confections chocolate factory in Scottsdale, Arizona which party includes hors d’oeuvres, and chocolate tasting with the chocolate education of a lifetime, followed by desserts.

Check out this cute but OH so delicious chocolates!

This is a replica of a wedding cake she made for a PGA Pro Golfer which ended up being the most expensive wedding cake sold in the US which sold for $50,000!

More cakes!

Kevin and I tasting roasted coco beans...yeah I don't recommend it!

Her sweet creations have given her notoriety as the "Chocolatier to the Stars" among the many celebrities she has made chocolates and cakes for Bono & U2, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Aniston and Brittney Spears! Just to name a few!

These were the most amazing chocolate mousse I have ever had!

This was a passion fruit cake to die for!

My all time favorite desert chocolate lava cake with ice cream!

Again all this chocolate she imports from Europe and makes herself...it doesn't get any better than this!

Here are one of the many little goodie boxes we got to take home!

Group shot!
Not only did we have great chocolate we got to share it with great friends too!

Check out these amazing cup cakes! No sprinkles here!

Edible flowers!

Don't forget the edible shoes!

The process of chocolates!

The most sensible shoe ever! The kind you can eat!!!

The great Udall's who made this possible by winning this Chocolate tasting at a Charity Auction for children!

My birthday cake!
Not really cause it over $100's!

Veterans Day!

2010-11-11T13:29:00.001-08:00

Today we had a Cub Scout Veterans day breakfast!
Every year our Pack holds a breakfast and flag ceremony! This allows the boys from every den to pass off all their Flag ceremony requirements as well as learn about our Country's Veterans!

I just have to say I love being in cub Scouts it's one of my favorite callings and love that right now I get to serve side by side with my Hubby!
He as the Cub Master and me as the Cub Committee Chair man!
The best part is that we get to do it while Andrew is a Scout!

Here are all the boys preparing for the Flag Ceremony!

We had a special guest come and talk to the boys!
This was Sergent was related to one of our Den leaders and it was really neat for the boys to be able to ask him questions about serving in the military!

Here are my boys listening so intently on what the Sergent had to say!
On the way home Hunter announced that he wants to be an "Army guy" when he grows up!

I just have to say that this is the cutest 2 year old ever!
Since I had my camera out Mia jumped up in my arms and want to take a picture!

Here is the Sergent handing out Army footballs, note books, pencils and glow sticks to all the boys...which they all loved!

Drab to Fab...Project #5

2010-11-07T15:00:00.000-08:00

I know it's been a while since my last project but hey I was working hard on Halloween costumes all last month so here is my latest Drab to Fab project! I know it's not clothing this time but I have been SO tired of my couch pillows and I have been wanting to redo them every since we bought our couch's but never could find what I was looking for!

But then my friend Jen and I were shopping to decorate her house and came across this perfect, yummy fabric which was on 30% off and I had a store coupon!

Can we call it fate?
Because I think this fabric and I were made for each other!

What I did was made pillow shames to cover the already existing pillows! Which is makes so I can take them off and wash them if needed and I can make new pillows if I get tired of these ones bu I think I'll be in love with them for a while they fit in nicely with the rest of my house!

Halloween fun!

2010-10-31T15:54:00.000-07:00

We had tons of fun over this past week with Halloween parties, carnivals and Trick or Treating!
This year I decided to make my kids costumes for the first time and I love the way they turned out!

Andrew as Harry Potter!

Hunter as a Knight!

Parker as a Dog!
This is the only costume I didn't make, Parker saw this at the Thrift store and begged to have it!

On October 29th 1999 Kevin asked me to marry him!
And guess what I said YES!!!

We started our Halloween festivities with the BOO BASH!

The boys playing pin the nose on the pumpkin!

The boys with our good friends the Duffins kids!

Us with our good friends the Duffins! We met them in our first ward when we first moved to Az.
We have have been good friends ever since! It's so nice to have boys the same age and to have them as our new neighbors! YEAH!!!

I think there is nothing sadder than a house wife who dies before she even got of her robe and curlers!

Bounce house after Bounce house...the boys had a blast!

The ASU football toss...Andrew loved this one and he has a good arm!

Andrew went up the rock wall and repealed down twice before most of the other kids even were half way up their first time!

Hunter made it only half way up but he did a great job trying!

Parker on the other hand only made it this far!

Now Daddy is going to show them how it's done!
I would of done the rock wall unfortunately my shoe choice for the evening (wedges) don't mix well with rock climbing!

Now you can't have Halloween with out carving Pumpkins!
The boys spent days drawing different pictures trying to pick the right one for their pumpkin!

After the pictures were pick Daddy helped carve them out!

The finished pumpkins!

We had a fun Halloween with the parties and Trick or Treating and spending time with friends and as a family!

My Triathlon

2010-10-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend my friend Jen and I participated in a sprint triathlon which was put on by the Kimball East Stake out here in Az.
So we had to get up pretty early to loaded up as you can tell in the picture above the sun wasn't quite up yet!

The 1st leg of the triathlon was a 400 meter swim which is 16 laps! Now I love to swim and have done a ton of surfing growing up but I have never swam competitively! Advanced swimmers can swim the 400 meters in 6-10 minutes so I was completely surprised and very happy when I finished the 400 meter swim in under 9 minutes!
Advanced swimmer? Why yes I am:)

As soon as we were done with our swim we had to rush over to where our bikes and gear was to get ready for our 8 mile bike ride!

I would just like to give a shout out to my wonderful husband who 100% supports me in all my crazy endeavors! He was there with the boys cheering me on at each one of the events I have done in the past year and helps keep me motivated for the events I'm still preparing for!

I love you Kevin with all my Heart!

Okay check out this picture of all the bikes!

The last leg of the race was a 2 mile run which we both beat our time we were aiming for which was to complete the triathlon in under an hour!

I had a blast doing this and can't wait for my next to events which are coming soon!
I will be doing a 1/2 marathon in January and Ragnar with a bunch of friends which is a 200 mile relay in February!

P.S. for Ragnar we still need 3 team mates if your interested!!!

Time Out for Women day 2

2010-10-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

Day 2 started out with breakfast at our hotel which was packed with all the other women how stayed there as well!
Funny thing:
With the hotel being full at breakfast the staff kept coming to refill the coffee machines but never found them empty!
Hum I wonder why?

My Mom and her Gal pals!

With 2,600 women + only 2 lines for lunch = us heading across the street to the Hard Rock Cafe!

Check out the awesome ceiling!

I guess it's the California Surfer in me that had to take a picture with the Beach Boys album!

Here are just a few of the Guest speakers and performers for Saturday!

Brad Wilcox

Mariama Kallon
Let me just tell you a little bit about her amazing conversion story:
She was raised in war-torn Sierra Leone, and saw many things as a young girl. She witnessed the violent murders of parents and siblings and spent her youth fleeing from rebels, she was introduced to the gospel and at one point was given a humanitarian kit by the Church, which became a treasured symbol of hope that she used to bless the lives of many as they again fled for their lives.
I highly recommend you learn more about her story as she is and amazing women who over came so much!

Mercy River was the performers for Saturday!
I had never heard them before but found them to be really and fun to listen to!

I'm grateful I had the opportunity to go and recommend that you look to see if you have a Time Out for Women in your area and really try to go you won't be disappointed!

Time Out for Women day 1

2010-10-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

So this weekend my Mom, sister n law and myself went to Time Out for Women in Phoenix!
We had a great time full of great speakers and performers!
And best of all great company!

Loading up and ready to go... but first one pit stop!

Waiting for our smoothies!

Yummy in their Tummies!

Our Hotel the Marriott!

Our Room!

Yummy Dinner!

So after dinner my mom thought that maybe I should hitch a ride with a biker to Time Out!

Phoenix Convention Center
Here are a few of the Speakers and performer we heard from on Friday night!

Virgina H. Pearce
(Gordon B. Hinckleys daughter)

Sheri Dew

Dallyn Vail Bayles was the amazing performer for Friday night!
He looked a little different the last time I saw him perform... in fact a lot different!

He performed as the Phantom in the the Broadway production Kevin and I went to at the Gammage last year and was so amazing!

Nothing better than replacing the kids in your bed for 15 comfy pillows!

Good Night!
and
Stay tune for day 2 of Time Out for Women!

Ward Campout!

2010-09-26T14:49:00.000-07:00

This past weekend we went up to Payson for our Ward camp out!
The place was beautiful and the weather was perfect!

Family shot!

Within minutes after arriving the boys are already exploring!

This also happened to be Hunter's 7th Birthday!

Happy Birthday Hunter!

Hunter had to bring his new knight armor he got for his b-day!
CJ who is standing right behind him wanted to play with it every chance he got! So CJ's mom asked Hunter if she could pay him a $1 to let CJ play with it...Hunter's answer: SWEET I just rented my toys!!!

The boys found Willy Wonka's chocolate river! However nobody was willing to take a sip!

My friend Liz and I!

Me and my cutie!

Bed time!!!

Everyone at the camp fire getting ready for breakfast!

What happens at the Ward camp out stays on the Ward camp out!!!
(Inside joke...she's drinking cream soda)

Eating breakfast with great friends in the great outdoors!

Sitting by the fire drinking hot chocolate...Yum!

The cooks!

My love and I

Everyone heading on a short hike to the creek!

Once at the creek we watched as the Dad's and kids threw big stones in the water!

Andrew my little Cub Scout had a great time playing with friends and passing stuff off in his Bear book!

Hunter and Parker trying to crack open rocks to find crystals???

Andrew and Ben the only 2 Cub Scouts!

Group shot!

It's time to go home and we have CJ our stow a way!

Hunter's Star Wars Party!

2010-09-19T18:53:00.001-07:00

All the Jedi Knights with their dollar store light sabers...getting ready for Hunter's 7th Star Wars birthday party to begin!
Most of the light sabers were broken by the end of the party...but they sure had fun breaking them!

Clone Trooper Hunter with his buddy Obi Wan Kayden!

The kids trying to make a mad dash out the "closed door" to start their scavenger hunt to find the missing Pinata!

Now you can't have a Star Wars party without the Darth Vader pinata!

Go get him Hunter!!!

Candy! Candy! Candy!
I had premade goodie bags already in the pinata, because my big pet peeve is when some kids take more while others get less this way everyone can equally enjoy the pinata!

Hunter got a lot of presents so I decide to only post a few of my favorite pictures of him opening them!
If you look closely you can see that the black tissue paper is actually got captured being thrown over his head in his excitement to open his presents!

I really like his cute grin on this picture!

His birthday isn't till the 24th but we let him open 1 present from us early which was his Commander Fox Star Wars costume... if you couldn't already tell Hunter likes to dress up!

Look at this Clone Trooper cake Kevin did...Now I know what you all are thinking...we really should be on the Ultimate Cake off...right??? Maybe not! but for a bunch of 7 year olds this cake was all they needed!

Make a wish!

This picture was taken about the last half hour of Hunters party...where I found him sleeping on his bed while 15 kids where running loudly through the house! Poor kid ended up with a fever and spent the rest of the night sleeping:(

Happy Birthday my sweet 7 year old Clone Trooper!!!

Drab to Fab...Project #3 & #4

2010-09-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

I really loved the print of this dress but what started out as a dress...

Easily turned into a shirt...with a little snip and a little hemming this dress is now paired with jeans and a great belt!

Now I have had this dress for a long time and was waiting to lose enough weight to fit into it...but when I finally got into it...I hated it! So again what started as a dress...

Is now a shirt...which I now love!!! And again it was so easy...I just cut the top and hemmed it and I think it turned out perfect!

The Big Bang!!!

2010-09-13T16:39:00.000-07:00

We recently had an experience where one of our kids was in a home of a friends where there was a gun left out that we didn't even know was in the home! Now nothing happened, Kevin and I have in the pass talked about gun safety with the boys...But after this had happened Kevin and his buddy Jason took the boys hiking and shooting!

With all the accidents happening with children and guns being carelessly left out and our own experience we had Jason do a big gun safety lesson with the boys!

So not only did they learn gun safety they were also able to see what really happens when a gun is fired. This is great if they are ever in a home again where a gun is found, it helps to take the curiosity out of it for children and replace it with the knowledge that is is a dangerous thing and not a toy! So many accidents happen with guns and kids because #1 the parents are careless and #2 kids are curious.

Besides all of that the boys and Kevin had a great time shooting and hiking!

On their outing Andrew was even able to earn his Cub Scout hiking belt loop and pass of some requirements in his Bear book!

Now that is one sexy guy!!!

Now don't get me wrong, I'm am all about our Constitutional rights to Bear Arms...but I believe that if you do then be responsible with your gun! And parents you don't have to take your kids shooting to teach them gun safety...but make sure you are talking with your kids on what happens if they are ever in home where there is a gun it is so important!

"Everybody was Kung Fu fighting..."

2010-09-07T20:36:00.000-07:00

It's official I now have 2 little Bruce Lee's in training!!!

So tonight my younger two boys went to their first Martial Arts class!

Now all they want to do is practice punching and kicking and really loud yells!!!

I told the boys that while they do Karate and practice they cannot practice on each other...So wish me luck as we embark on this newest adventure!

Drab to Fad #2

2010-09-03T17:41:00.001-07:00

I found this great little dress on the clearance rack at Ross and immediately fell in love with it! But it was way too big on top and I really liked the idea of making it into a skirt!

So the first thing I did was cute the top off!

I really liked the yellow bottom with the contrasting pock a dots! So I left enough of the top fabric to make my waist band!

After I finished the waist band and took it I a bit I went to work on replacing the zipper!

Here is the finished skirt which can be worn with more options...white shirt, black shirt, waist band or belt (pictured below)

Family Visit!!!

2010-08-29T18:38:00.000-07:00

We had a great visit with Kevin's parents, sister and 5 cousins this weekend!!!

The Twins
Andrew and his cousin Anthony were born 5 days apart...Andrew on the 5th and Anthony the 12th...thus came the nickname the Twins!

The Cap Crusaders
My boys like to take these blankets I made them and try them into caps...So when Keith and Dillon saw Parker with his on they had to have their blankets made into caps too!!!

It was so much fun watching them run around the house with their caps on!!!

7 kids camping out in one room...need I say more!!!

Baby Jasmine...isn't she a sweetheart!

My boys could not get enough of Jasmine!!!

Andrew especially...he just want to hold, feed her and play with her all the time!

The Wii...

Some sort of Dancing Game that was so fun to watch all the kids do!!!

Of course the older boys who were to Cool for dancing took their turn playing some battler games!!!

Dog pile!!!

These two had a blast together and it is so nice how close they are...that after 2 yrs apart it's like they hadn't even missed a beat!!!

So sad to go...
Andrew asked if he could see Anthony a lot when we go back to Cali. for Christmas...I think since both our parents live in Lancaster that Andrew could spend the nigh a few nights with his best bud!

Stow aways!!!

We all look forward to the next visit with the Westbergs at Christmas!
We really were sad to see them leave I'm so happy they could come and it was great watching all of the kids get together and play well with one another! And my poor niece even let me do her hair which I loved (seeing as I only have boys)!

More adventures await till next time...

Drab to Fab...Project #1

2010-08-20T18:53:00.000-07:00

I love taking something old and making it into something new! Usually I do it with unique pieces of furniture I have found at a thrift store or a yard sale! I also love clothes and fashion! So I decided to combined the two with a new project I call "From Drab to Fab"!
So my first project was this not so little night gown I found at the Good Will.

When I saw this I fee l in love with the top half...so I decided to cutoff the bottom and make it into a sweet little lacy baby doll top. It was really easy fix all I did was take the lace from the bottom I cut off and sew it to the new shortened bottom! I also had to take it in a little as it was a little on the large side!

So here it is paired with a cardigan and belt (I love belts they are great waist definers)

Please leave feed back, tips and stay tune for more Drab to Fab projects!

Party Time!!!

2010-08-16T15:06:00.000-07:00

Happy 9th Birthday Andrew!!!

We had 9 crazy fun boys over for a pizza party sleep-over!

The best thing about boys we didn't have to plan games...all they wanted to do was play outside...and they made sure every gun, sword and light saber we owned was out there with them for one awesome battle!

Don't forget the Spongebob pinata!

Present time!!!

This Nerf gun here shoots like 30 darts and 2 missiles...I bet the boys wished this gun was at the park earlier for their battle!

Money Money Money!!!

Don't get the cheese touch!

Make a wish!

After cake we had a big game of hide n seek in the dark...but the person who was it wore night vision goggles...the boys loved it!

So after almost putting the kids in to a sugar coma with the pizza, soda, cake, candy, and games we settled down to watch Andrew's new movie "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid"...most of the boys had seen it already so it was funny listening to them talk about each part coming up and how funny they thought it was!

So after all that they went to bed late and woke up early so Andrew I hope you know how much we love you and I hope you had an awesome birthday!

The first day of School...

2010-08-09T18:41:00.000-07:00

And so it begins...

Andrew is now in the 3rd grade and super
excited about it!

Hunter started the 1st grade and even though he doesn't look happy he was really excited to go back to school!

Oh how I miss them when they are gone...

...but the fun stories they share when they return!

Preschool!!!

2010-08-05T12:18:00.001-07:00

This week my baby Parker started preschool!

Parker was really excited to go to school like his brothers!

Parker and my niece McKayla!

Parker's best bud Connor!

Girls Night

2010-06-27T12:02:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Stephanie we had an awesome girls night Thursday night!
First went for some Yummy sushi at Kona Grill followed by playing at Charming Charlies, a great HUGE toy store for women filled with jewelery separated by colors, purses, hats, belts, shoes and lots more...

After Charming Charlies we went out to Swirl it for some very Yummy frozen yogurt!
Really it doesn't get any better than playing in an jewelry shop and eating low fat yogurt with a group of awesome women who really know how to have fun!

I love sushi but never have tried raw sushi before and Kevin is always trying to get me to taste it. So here's a picture of the raw sushi I ate so Kevin would know I tried it and you know what was so good!

Freezer Jam

2010-06-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I got all Betty Crocker and made freezer jam from really great recipe I got from a friend of mine. It was super easy and so good!
Check it out:

Ingredients

4cups crushed fresh strawberries
4 cups sugar
2(1.75 ounce) package dry pectin
2T Lemon Juice

Directions

Mix crushed strawberries with 1/2 the sugar, and let stand for 10 minutes while stirring regularly. Meanwhile, stir the pectin and lemon juice in a small bowl then add to your berry/sugar mix. Add remaining sugar and stir for 5 minutes.
Place tops on the containers, and leave for 24 hours. Place into freezer, and store frozen until ready to use.
I used glass canning jars but you can use plastic Tupperware too!

Pat's Run!!!

2010-04-18T14:07:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I participated in the 6th annual Pat Tillman foundation 4.2 mile run at the ASU Sun Devils Stadium!

The Pat Tillman Foundation provides resources and educational support to veterans, active service members and their dependants.
The Tillman Military Scholars program aids all veterans and specifically the ever-growing population of veterans and dependents of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts.

Here's a little more history about Pat Tillman:

The day after the attacks of September 11, 2001, Pat told a reporter in an interview, “At times like this you stop and think about just how good we have it, what kind of system we live in, and the freedoms we are allowed. A lot of my family has gone and fought in wars and I really haven’t done a damn thing.”

In 2002 he told the AZ Cardinals that he had decided to place his NFL career on hold to become a U.S. Army Ranger with his brother, Kevin giving up a 3.6 million dollar contract.

Pat and Kevin joined the U.S. Army in July of 2002, committing to a three-year term.

On the evening of April 22, 2004, Pat’s unit was ambushed as it traveled through the rugged, canyon terrain of eastern Afghanistan.

His heroic efforts to provide cover for fellow soldiers as they escaped from the canyon led to his tragic death via fratricide.

Here me and the boys are before the run! I ran the 4.2 mile run while the boys did the 0.42 kids run!

While his AZ Cardinals jersey number is 20, when he played for the ASU sun Devils his number was 42. This is why the run was 4.2 and the kid run was 0.42 both ending on the 42 yard line in the ASU stadium in his honor.

The had a record breaking 28,000 runners come and run yesterday! It was so much fun as we ran in down town Tempe!

Both mascot's from the Sun Devils and the Cardinals lead the race!

While seeing 28,000 people come and honor Pat Tillman what was really special was seeing the military men come and honor him!

Here is a picture of some soldiers getting ready to run wearing full gear including their packs. At one point I ended up passing them during the run and as I did I could hear and see people all around patting them on the back or saying thank you for serving our country.

The back side of our racing shirts!

Me and Adria! This was her first run and she did awesome! She now wants to run the half marathon with me in January! Our friend Kristi was there too, but because of the number of people I didn't see her until after the race! Oh well some many people and so much fun I even improved my running time!!!

When Andrew found out I was doing another race he asked if he could run too, so I signed him up for the Kids run and than of course Hunter and Parker both wanted to run as well. I am so proud of my boys for wanting to get out there and run it was a great experience for them!

They said that there were 3,000 kids signed up for the kids run which started them at the starting line like I did and took them to the same finish line in the stadium.

It was a great day, lots of fun and such a great way to honor a fallen hero.

Jambo-Rama!!!

2010-04-10T20:45:00.000-07:00

CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF SCOUTING. What better way to celebrate than with a party...a Scouting party that is. Today we went to Jamb-O-Rama which had Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers who came from all over the State of Arizona to celebrate Scouting’s Traditions, Legacy, and Future at the 2010 Grand Canyon Council Jamb-O-Rama held at Tumbleweed Park!

So almost every Troop had set up different booths where the boys got to go and try, make and do new things, like shooting cork guns, making sword and walking sticks for hiking. There was on booth where they were even making slim.
Kevin and I both were recently called to Cub Scouts, Kevin as the Cub Master and I was called as the Cub Committee Chairman. Going to these different booths gave us some really great ides for future Pack meetings!

Here Andrew and Hunter were racing boats in rain gutters, it was such a cute idea the boys had to use straws to blow their boats to the finish line!

No surprise Parker didn't want to do anything but you can see him helping Hunter blow his boat!

Andrew and Hunter walking a crossed a rope bridge made out of logs and rope!

So the Chandler Fire Dept. was there and were letting the kids climb inside the fire truck!
To bad Parker wouldn't go inside!

I'm glad we got to go and participate in the 100 year Celebration of Scouting!

Scouting was incorporated to provide a program to help build effective character, citizenship, self-reliance, courage, and resourcefulness. I love that they encourage personal values based on religious concepts helping the scouts have the desire and skills to help others. And of course they help kids understand the principles of the American social, economic, and governmental systems and become knowledgeable about and take pride in their American heritage and further more understand our nation`s role in the world and giving them the great respect for the basic rights of all people and help prepare them to participate in and give leadership to American society.

As a mother of 3 boys and a Scout leader I look forward to helping my children as well as those children I work with achieve and gain the most they possibly can from the scouting program!

Family Dinner Questions

2010-04-05T14:51:00.000-07:00

I got this idea off this website called How She Does... these are questions that encourage your family to talk! They always say that dinner time sitting around the table and talking is one of the best things families can do to connect with each other. So this website created 30 questions that you put in a jar it doesn’t need to be a fancy jar {see above} and each night at dinner time you can take turns pulling out questions and reading it to the family. Some are silly and some are serious. The point is to get to know each other better and smile as you create memories with your children!

Click here for Family Dinner Questions #1 and #2

Click here for Family Dinner Questions #3

Mini Goal Week 5&6!

2010-04-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

Okay so I didn't do a mini goal last week, but hey it was a crazy week for us and I haven't been eating all that well so I'm going to make I'm week 5 while I do week 6!

Week 5 is back to the basics with Weight Watchers. That means sticking to my points and not eating activity points (cause I've already eaten my flex).

Week 6, I'm doing another run on April 17th and I have been going to the gym 5 days a week and running 2-3 days a week, but this week to help prepare for my run I'm going to step it up and add run 4 days and I just got a Camelbak so that will hep with the heat!
With that much exercise make week 5 hard cause I get hungry. But I know I can do it, I just have to plan my meals better and in advance.

So wish me luck and I'll let you know how it turns out!

Random Happenings!

2010-03-23T19:19:00.000-07:00

He really wants glasses like his brother so he wear those 3D plastic ones you get at the movies!

My good friend Janette had a pirate party for her son and these are me little mateys!

What age should you start taking your kids to the Dentist?

Hunter dressed up as a Clone Trooper with his Clone bear from the Build a Bear Workshop!

Andrew dressed up as Darth Vader with his Vader bear from the Build a Bear Workshop!

Okay had to mention this again Andrew loves talking how he met David Henri who plays
Justin Russo on Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place.

This past week during spring break Andrew got to have his first sleepover! His friend Levi spent everyday at our house and spent the night twice. Thee first time they slept in the playroom and played video games all night, then later that week when he slept over again they slept in the family room and watched Star Wars. Levi has only one sister so his mom said he loves it at our house with all these boys, and we love having him he is such a sweet kid!

Before Hunter went on spring break his kindergarten class had a project where they made Leprechaun traps! When he got back to school today they had caught a Kid leprechaun but the Daddy leprechaun had come and helped him escape. But they did leave chocolate gold candy!

Hunter and the Worlds LARGEST Strawberry!
And oh how that boy loves strawberries!

Mini Goal Week 4!

2010-03-22T20:30:00.000-07:00

Okay to sum up my week 3 mini goal in one word CRAPPY!
Yes I was sick and on Spring break bu that's no excuse for eating badly.

So for this weeks mini goal I plan on combining both weeks 1 and 2 of my mini goals!
Which basically means that in week 1 I made sure to get 5 servings of fruits and veggies everyday and week 2 I stuck to my points without going over into flex or activity points!
So wish me luck as I try to get back on track!

If you give a Mom a Toilet Wand...

2010-03-21T19:37:00.000-07:00

The Mom's Version of "If you give a Mouse a Cookie"

If you give a Mom toilet wand, she's going to want to clean the toilet. As she's cleaning the toilet she will find her children's dirty underwear secretly hidden in back. (Like I would never find it WAY back there!) The dirty underwear will remind her that she needs to switch the laundry from the washer to the dryer.

As she goes to throw away the lint from the dryer, she will notice that the garbage is full. She will want to take it out. As she's taking the garbage out, the phone will ring. She will answer it and find it to be a $##% Tele-marketer. Hearing the annoying recording will prompt her to Google the "Do Not Call List" on her computer.

Sitting in front of her computer will make her want to check her email. She might get carried away and also check on her friends' blogs...and their friends' blogs...and their friends' blogs.....

Time going by will make the sleeping baby upstairs wake up and want to be fed. Hearing the baby cry will shock Mom back into reality and make her realize she has been on the computer too long.

She will pick up the sweet baby and feed him. Feeding the baby will remind Mom that she is VERY thirsty, so she will probably ask for a big glass of water.....and chances are, if she drinks all that water....she is going to have to go to the bathroom!!....(didn't I start cleaning that darn toilet this morning!?)

Mini Goal Week 3!

2010-03-16T16:19:00.000-07:00

Okay so last week my mini goal was to stay on the Weight Watchers diet to the letter and I did. It was easier than I thought it would be. My biggest challenge was Saturday, so what I did was pack snacks in my purse so I would have something to eat while I was out instead of grabbing something unhealthy like fast food. So at my weigh in I lost 1.2 pounds which for me is really good considering it was that time of the month and I was bloated and I'm getting closer to my goal weight my instructor said it would get harder to drop the bigger numbers. Over all I am pleased for sticking to my goal and still losing weight!!!

Now for this week I woke up sick on Sunday and whenever I am sick I make terrible food choices. So can you guess what this weeks mini goal is!

My goal this week is to make good food choices even though I don't feel well. So I went to the store yesterday morning and bought myself some Weight Watcher ice cream and Smart Ones. This way I can have healthy yummy ice cream for my throat and a verity of food choices so I'm not tempted to make poor choices.
So wish me luck and pray I feel better soon!

The Ostrich Festival

2010-03-14T12:12:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we took the boys to the Ostrich Festival that Chandler puts on every year. They have a big carnival with rides, shows and live Ostrich races! It was pretty funny to watch the Ostrich races and the boys wanted to ride them but we had to tell them that it's only for trained professionals! We had a great long day but loaded with fun!!!

This is the first ride the kids did, we were there so long and did so many things plus it was so crowded it was hard to get pictures so I am only posting some of the pictures I took. Andrew and Hunter are the two cute kids in the yellow!

My sweetie watching the boys fly by!

If you can see him there's Parker next to the little girl!

Have I told you how much I love carousels!!!

Everything has it's opposites right? Well...
I HATE Ferris wheels!

I am terrified of heights and the last time I rode a Ferris Wheel I was a freshman in high school. I rode with my Dad and was scared the entire time. So yesterday the 3rd ride we went on scared Parker and he refused to go on anymore. Well later that night he asked to go on the Ferris Wheel which meant that I would have to go because the rules were that parents had to ride with their children. So Kevin rode with Parker and i rode with Andrew and Hunter. Let's just say we didn't make it far before I completely panicked and asked to get off. But my sweet boys understood and it was a good thing cause Parker panicked and they got off right behind us!

Below the boys are on another ride and Andrew is helping Parker across because the poor kid is so scared! I wonder where he gets his fear of heights from!

So we took the boys on this fun tug boat and of course Parker cried the whole time!

Hunter could not get enough of this ride! It was a maze with slides and stuff in it! He kept going through over and over again! We did get Parker to try this one but he went in and came right back out! Silly boy!

So now is what you have all been waiting for the STAR Andrew met from his favorite TV show is...

David Henri who plays Justin Russo on Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place! Andrew was so excited and we waited in line for 2 hours yesterday just so Andrew could meet him. The things we do for our children right!!!

The Pinewood Derby!

2010-03-12T16:36:00.000-08:00

Andrew had his first Pinewood Derby a few Saturdays ago! He and Kevin were so excited to work on his derby car. Andrew painted it red and then we took him to the Lego store so he could build his own driver for the car!

Here are all the cars from our troop! I think all the boys did such a good job working on their cars they are so creative!

These kids are so great and half of them boys are in my primary class!

The Wolf den getting ready to race!

Andrew did really well with the races! He won some and lost some but no matter what he had a great attitude and I'm so proud of him!

Field Trip!

2010-03-09T14:05:00.000-08:00

So today was Hunter's very 1st field trip and I was so excited to be able to go along with his class. We went to the Arizona Museum for Youth! There were 4 parents who went and we each were given a group of kids to watch. I had 4 boys in my group and they decided our group name would be the Star Wars group!

They look like Jedi Knights in training right?

At the museum they had several hands on projects for the kids to do. This one here was making a point of interest with a map of the world. Our group decided on Australia as the point of interest! By the way Hunter said Jedi's don't smile, I guess the other members of my group didn't get the memo!

So for this project they made paper patterns!

Here is the Star Wars group's finished patterns!
And Hunter's smiling!

Here they learned more about patterns and got to play with kaleidoscopes!
just so you know the little boy next to Hunter is his friend Samuel and now I know why Hunter wants me to comb his hair into a mo-hawk everyday!
Sorry Hunter you are not getting a real one!

Crazy eyes!

Here is our picnic lunch at Freestone park!

Here we are finishing our lunch by the bathrooms after it started raining!

And here we are running to the buses as a huge storm hit and we have to finish our lunch back at the school!
Good thing I wore my boots and skinny jeans today, I hate it when the bottom of my pants get wet!

Despite the rain it was a fun trip and I'm so glad I was able to go with Hunter and have so much fun!

Mini Goal Week 2!

2010-03-08T13:11:00.000-08:00

Okay so just to update you last weeks mini goal to eat my 5 serving of fruits and veggies went really well. I was able to get all five servings in everyday. I am not naturally a fruit and veggie eater so I have to get creative, some of the things I do is have all my produce washed, cut and bagged into serving sizes and left on the top shelf of the fridge. I do this so all I have to do is reach in and grab a bag if there are not ready for me I won't eat them so this helped.
Yesterday I took a banana (which if you don't know one large banana is 2 servings worth) my Weight Watchers chocolate ice cream and made a Banana split now it was a triple hitter because I was able to get in my fruit, healthy ice cream, and chocolate. It's little tricks like this that help me stay with it and even thought this week is over I still want to continue getting my 5 servings in everyday.

So this weeks mini goal is to stay within my Weight Watchers points. If your not familiar with how WW works every food item has a point value and based on your weight and activity level you have a certain amount of points your allowed to eat in a day. Now they give you 35 flex points which you can use thorough out the week or for a special occasion. You also get activity points based on how much you exercise so you can swap activity points for food and there activity points go up to 28 points in a week.
For me a food lover this has been hard because I will use all my 35 flex points on Saturday which I have deemed my cheat day. Also I when it comes to working out I love it and I always burn between 500-700 calories in an hour so I always ended up having 30-40 activity points in a week and I'll eat them, now remember you can eat 28 activity points.
To sum it up I'm eating all my daily food points, my 35 flex points and my 28+ activity points. Now I'm still losing weight but and am down almost 25 pounds and am only 8 pounds from my WW lifetime goal. I have to step it up, so that is why my mini goal this week is to eat only my daily points NO flex and NO activity. I will say I did make it through the weekend which is the hardest part for me. And as a result of this mini goal I will let you know how I do at my Saturday morning weigh in. So wish me luck on the scale!

Mini Goals!

2010-03-01T14:35:00.000-08:00

So my friend who is also my group fitness instructor and in my ward told me that she, her sisters and mom make mini goals each week and tell each other what they are so that way they become more accountable for their own actions. She told me about this when I was training for a run we did together in January. I thought it was a great idea and would really help me in other areas I wanted to improve on, but since I was already working on weekly training goals for my run I thought I would start after the race and next thing you know it's March. So here I am every Monday I will post on my blog a mini goal I want to accomplish or work on for the week. Mostly my mini goals will be centered around helping me achieve my weight loss goals. When you see me ask me how I'm doing. I want people to know so it'll make me work on it and be better at the goals I'm setting for myself.

Some of the ideas my friend told me were:

Don't eat after 7pm
Reading scriptures/Ensign 30 minutes a day
Exercise 6 days that week
To blog everyday
Do something extra nice for my sweetheart
Not to drink soda for the week

You get the idea. If you want to do it too, that would be great! Just think of little mini goals YOU want to work on!
GOOD LUCK!!

So here is my first mini goal of the week that

I am going to work on:

To Eat 5 Servings of Fruit & Veggies Everyday!

Freestone Park!

2010-02-20T18:17:00.000-08:00

A few Saturday's ago we took the kids to Freestone Park which is this beautiful park in Gilbert. There is tons of stuff to do and it is an amazing place to take pictures. The kids loved it and had so much fun!!!
This is us taking a train ride around the park!

Here's one of the many views at the park! Bye the way I don't know who that kid is!

The boys had a blast on the miniature wave runners!

The boys first Ferris Wheel ride! It was so adorable. They were all giggling and waving every time they would come down and rise back up!

My pictures of the boys on the carousel didn't really turn out but...

I love, love, love Carousels. I think they are gorgeous and so romantic. I really love King Authors Carousel at Disneyland. Fun fact did you know that motifs from Sleeping Beauty (my favorite Disney movie) were used in 1955 to replace elements of the carousel and that the Princess and Jester head motifs have been redone in 18k gold leaf!

In all it was a great day at the park and I look forward to returning and spending more time as a family there having fun and making memories!

Valentines Day!

2010-02-14T11:39:00.000-08:00

Growing up my Dad on Valentine's day would always buy my Mom a big bouquet of flowers than he would always buy my sister and I a rose. I loved getting a spacial Valentine from my Dad. Even though I don't have girls I have still wanted to carry on that tradition so we get our boys a little something special.

Since we have 8:00 church we decided not to make the kids wait and opened our presents to each other before we left. One of the things we did for the boys was in their little gift bag we put popcorn cups with their favorite movie candy. When they pulled the cups out we told them that we were taking them to the movies tomorrow (since there's no work or school)

If you couldn't guess the movie we are taking them to is Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

So Kevin being a big Lego fan obviously got more Legos from me which he loved!

Kevin asked me what I wanted and I told him that I really wanted a new book to read. He tought I was crazy for just wanting a book so he also got me a pedicure. Love him! He did take the boys out to buy me flowers while I was getting my pedi and the boys picked out the little devil bear pictured above. I thought I was really cute and sweet of them. They asked me if I was going to sleep with it at night!

We started our Valenitnes day yesterday by going to dinner and then to the Temple. I love my husband and boys so much and if there is one thing I want to teach my kids and to learn from all of the flowers and gifts is to be like their Daddy who is thought full and sweet and surprises me year round, not just on Valentines day! I want my boys when they are older to treat their wives the way that my Dad treated my Mom and the way that Kevin treats me!
I love you Kevin, Happy Valentines day!

London's Run!

2010-01-31T12:59:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I ran my first 10K along with my friends Kristi and Melissa! The run we did is called the London's Run which is an annual event that benefits Queen Creek families dealing with cancer. The first run was held for London Solomon, a little girl who was diagnosed with leukemia shortly after her seventh birthday. She passed away before the first run, which is now held in her memory.

The two Queen Creek students Natalie 15 and Dustin 10 have been through a year of cancer treatments and are the two featured cancer patients who will benefit from this year's London's Run. Both of them were at yesterdays event and there were over 1100 runners! It was so awesome to see so many people come and support these children

Here's Kevin's shot of me getting ready to cross the finish line. My goal for this event was to run the whole 6.2 miles without stopping and I'm happy to say after 10 weeks of training 6 days a week I was able to run the whole time! I really enjoyed training for this run it was hard work but totally gratifying not only did I accomplish my goal my legs have never looked better and I lost 2 pant sizes in the process so it was totally worth it!

Now that this run is over I will be running another 10K in 2 weeks for a family in our last stake who have conjoined twins. I decided that I want to run a few more smaller runs this year so that way I can tackle the 1/2 marathon at next years London's run!

There is no way I could have done this without Kevin! I want to thank my wonderful supportive husband who got the kids ready for school every morning so I could go out and do my training, he new how much I wanted to do this and I love him for everything he has done to help me achieve this goal! I love you Kevin with all my heart!

10 Years and Counting!

2010-01-14T18:58:00.000-08:00

When years are passing by like days,
and in my hand your hand is placed,
a knowing smile crosses your face,
a simple touch can still make my heart race.

When I can see my soul in your eyes,
and you see your soul in mine we realize,
that a love so deep can harbor no lies,
where our only tears shed were happy tears we've cried.

I love you as much now as I ever did before,
if possible, I may even love you more,
all starting from a feeling we did not ignore,
a feeling of connection we chose to explore.

I don't know what it is that you saw in me,
what I saw in you was the utmost happiness
that can ever be,
even more so on the day when you and I
became "We",
I can still smile and say with love and
truth Honey, I love you...Happy Anniversary.

Baby of Mine!

2009-12-16T18:19:00.000-08:00

I know it's late I have been so crazy busy I just wanted to get this posted before Christmas.
My baby Parker turned four on November 28th, I can't believe how time has flown by and how big he has gotten. He is the cutest most ornery little boy and he knows it. He makes us laugh and smile with the things he says. We love him and feel so blessed to have him here with us.

I promise more to come later with pictures...

The Phantom!

2009-11-23T14:29:00.000-08:00

I have always loved plays and musicals so as an early birthday present my parent bought Kevin and I Broadway tickets to see The Phantom of the Opera on Saturday which is celebrating its' 20th year anniversary!
The Phantom is Broadway's "Most Haunted Love Story" that you ever have the chance to go, you should not miss it! We had a great time and there is nothing like watching a real Broadway play and of course the music is just so awesome especially with the live orchestra.

Le Fantôme de l'Opéra was actually a book published in 1911 by Gaston Leroux. He wrote the book explaining how he carried out his own enquiries into the strange events that had occurred in the famous Opera House in the 1880s. He tells of how he visited the huge underground lake where the Phantom hid and even stumbled upon the skeletons of "some poor wretches who had been massacred under the Commune in the cellars of the Opera." (info. gathered from http://www.thephantomoftheopera.com/the_show/)

Thanks Mom & Dad we love you!

We have a new Baby...

2009-11-09T17:51:00.000-08:00

Kevin and I decided that after we had Parker that we were done having babies, and then something happened that I swore would never happen...

Scroll down to find out more!

....We got a puppy! That's right shame on all of you who thought I was pregnant it's a puppy! I always said that I didn't want any pets but we went to the pumpkin patch a few weeks ago and they were giving away these cute little German Shepherd - Chow puppies and I got out numbered 4 to 1.

Hunter picked out his name which is Jazz after a Transformer named Jazz.

All Parker and Hunter want to do is play with Jazz. If I would of know how clean my house would be with a dog, because my kids are afraid the dog will eat their toys if they leave them out, I would of gotten a dog a long time ago.

So while Hunter picked out the name Andrew picked out the puppy, and of course it's a boy which means I'm now out numbered 5 to 1. Despite my protest to having a dog it's not about me and makes me very happy to see my kids so happy with the puppy and that's who it is really about.

Halloween!

2009-11-02T14:16:00.001-08:00

ASU puts on what the call a BOO Bash which is a trunk or treat and carnival for all the families living on campus and since our entire ward boundaries is the campus they just combined our ward trunk or treat with the Boo Bash. Now besides the trunk or treat they had local retailers like Target, Burger King and Chick fil A sponsor the Boo bash so all the candy was free, they had many carnival booths, cotton candy, popcorn, rock climbing walls and tons of bounce houses and again it was all free. We invited several of our friends and had a blast.

The Pirate and his Wench!

Parker as Robin!

Andrew as Snake Eyes from GI Joe!

And Hunter as none other than Darth Vader!

Happy Birthday Hunter!

2009-09-27T13:48:00.001-07:00

6 years ago on September 24th our Hunter was born. For those of you who don't know about our little Hunter he was born with breathing problems and almost didn't make right after delivery. For the first year of his life he had several touch and go moments where we thought he might not live. He did an out patient care with is Dr. everyday for the first 6 months and than from there every week until he turned 12 months old. He was on 5 medications and had to sleep in a bouncy seat in order to keep his lungs more elevated so he could breath better. He has had surgery's and seen several different specialist (and still does) but despite all of that and more he has always been a fighter and has such a strong personality and you would never know that he has had so many health problems, he has never let any of it hold him back.

And now with most of his health problems behind us (I hope) we are so happy and feel so grateful to celebrate his 6th birthday. This little boy has brought us so much joy and adds so much personality to our family and with that said I wish my Hunter a very Happy Birthday!

Hunter has been counting down his Birthday since August. He asked me to make him a paper chain link count down till his birthday. Every morning he would count how many were left and than announce it to everyone he saw on how many days left!

I grew up in family where we would wrap birthday and Christmas presents with the idea of tricking each other so we couldn't guess what was in it. My little brother one Christmas wrapped my mom's present strapped to his boot. That was the best one yet in our family. I used some shoe boxes to wrap Hunter's presents in so we could try and trick him.

Hunter and his daddy putting together his Bionicles, which are the alien type legos you build. He said that was all he wanted was Bionicles. In fact he made a birthday wish list and than asked me if he could pray to Heavenly Father to get every thing on his list. We had to tell him that prayer doesn't work that way, but at least he has the faith that his prayers would be answered.

Hunter wanted doughnuts for breakfast, and since Kevin has to work nights and would miss the Birthday cake we put the candles in the doughnuts and sang happy birthday to him at breakfast!

I got to go take cupcakes to his class on Thursday. He is just like his Daddy who doesn't like being sung too. Hunter covered his ears while his class sang happy birthday to him!

Hunter and his Spider-man cupcakes!

Yesterday we had a birthday party for him and our friends let us borrow their big water slide for the party. The kids had a blast on it.

This is Hunter and my niece Ginger, she was born 6 weeks after him and people always asked if they were twins because they have always looked like they could be brother and sister and only being 6 weeks apart they look like twins.

Here's Hunter opening his presents, I tried to get better pictures but I got mauled by all the kids surrounding him. He had a fun birthday weekend and I'm so grateful for all the family and friends that where able to share it with him. I'm so grateful to the Lord that we have had 6 happy years with him an many more to come! We love you Hunter!

Because I beileve in the Freedom of Speech!

2009-09-14T14:38:00.000-07:00

This blog is about me.

my opinions.

my beliefs.

my convictions.

my family.

my favorites.

my bad times.

my celebrations.

my feelings.

my worries.

my joys.

I am so grateful to live in a country where i can blog

about my little life.

I am so grateful to live in a country

where i can express myself.

I am so grateful to live in a country

where i have a voice.

God bless America.

***

There is a great amount of apathy in this country and I have some concerns & feelings about our current America.

I am a lover, and a little bit of a fighter.

Right now, I feel it necessary & appropriate to stand up for what I believe in.

I want there to be no question to my children, family and friends about the principles and values I stand for.

I have friends, family, and acquaintances that disagree with me on political issues and that’s okay. Everyone is entitled to their own beliefs! We can still love & appreciate one another.

I think it’s essential to remember that just because someone has a different opinion & concerns, doesn’t automatically make them intolerant, small-minded, a hater, a racist, uneducated, or unkind.

***

In November people were feeling hopeful. I was cautiously optimistic when a man, who seemed to have {very} different ideas than me, was voted into office. In November there was cause for people to celebrate with America as wonderful history was made & change was promised.

And now, in September, I am not still feeling hopeful. I have real concerns about the “change” that is coming to pass.

While it's important to respect President Obama for the office in which he holds & child of God that he is. I think he is a very articulate, smart, capable person. I just have a hard time trusting him & his administration based on the decisions that have been made, the company that they keep, and the issues that are currently on the table.

I believe that the problems we are facing with this administration have been a long time coming with passed administrations [including Bush] have made mistakes too.

But I also [know] that there is a better way to fix what is broken than to,

[quoting Obama] “fundamentally {transform} the united states of America."

So: because the federal government used to work for me [and you!], I have decided to stand up for the things in which I believe in.

So on Saturday Kevin & I again attended & enjoyed a very organized, peaceful, inspiring tea party at the state capitol,

along with many other concerned Arizonans.

I took a stand against the health care bill in it’s current form.

I took a stand against the excessive spending in Washington.

I took a stand against cap and trade.

I took a stand against tax increases in a struggling economy.

I took a stand against the shady czars working with the president.

I took a stand against big government.

I took a stand for the principles & value s that I hold dear.

I took a stand in defending the constitution.

I took a stand for the freedom many died to give us!

***

I cling to my belief that this country is unstoppable & that we ALL have a voice!

I am not some "right-wing-nut-job."

I am just a mom who wants her children to enjoy freedom.

I am grateful to a God in heaven who blessed me to live in such an awesome country.

I believe he also blessed each of us with a heart to discern and a voice to be heard.

***

So, to my government, with my voice,

i boldly declare:

Don’t tread on me.

Never Forget!

2009-09-11T16:48:00.000-07:00