Year in Review

As I was putting away my "old" calendar and getting ready for 2009 I was struck by how many things have happend this past year. Each month had something fun that we did. Looking back at the fun, you forget all the mundane. So here's to 2008, it was great!

January: Russell turned 34! I was called as primary president. Hunter was taking an ABC class. I was able to go to the spa for some TLC and we went and saw The Phantom of the Opera at The Venetian.

February: Hunter turned 4! Isaac ran a 5K. Russell went to CA for a board game convention. The entire family went to the Doodlebops concert!

March: Audrey got a new Easter dress. Hunter took swimming lessons. Isaac started baseball practice. Russell went to Seattle to help his brother move.

April: Russell went to MO to the ranch. The family went to the county fair. Grandma Coral and my Mom came. Cannon was born!

May: Russell took the kids on the ward campout. Russell went to Reno for work. My little sister got married in the LV temple.

June: Isaac got out of school for the summer. Russell went to scout camp. I took the kids to the free movies.

July: Isaac turned 12! The family went to MO for our annual 4th of July trip. The family went to MN for a fun trip. I joined the gym. Isaac received the priesthood.

August: Audrey turned 2! I went to the gym. Isaac started 7th grade.

September: I turned 31. Russell and Isaac went to St. George to visit the church history sites and do baptisms.

October: Russell went to Woodbadge and was gone for 2 weekends this month. We went to Disneyland! Halloween: I-Woopie cushion, H-Buzz Lightyear, A-Tikerbell and C-Dinosaur.

November: Russell got his c-pap! We went to the Valley of Fire ward camp out. We had 2 Thanksgiving dinners!

December: We went to Opportunity Village and saw Santa. Hunter had a choir concert. We had a wonderful Christmas at home.


Can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for us! Happy New Year everyone!

Mrs. Claus is Tired

I was reading "I wanna talk about brooke" and realized that this is exactly how I feel right now.

Let it snow!

Ways to use your gym membership

There are many ways to use a gym membership, I'll just let you know how I used mine today.
First: Drop off the kids at the daycare.
Second: Put gym bag into a locker.
Third: Get a delicious fruit smoothie from the juice bar.
Fourth: Find a seat w/ a table and sit down to enjoy smoothie.
Fifth: Address all Christmas card envelopes.
Sixth: Change clothes in locker room.
Seventh: Go sit in the hot tub.
Eighth: Take a long shower.
Ninth: Take as much time as you want getting yourself ready.
Tenth: Pick up kids at the daycare.

While this might not be the best way to get in shape, it did wonders for my state of mind. I was less stressed about getting things done (i.e. Christmas card addresses) and I was more patient with my children. All in all I think this was a great day at the gym. AND when people ask me what I did today I can say, "I went to the gym" and they'll think how dedicated I am. :)

P.S. I meet with my trainer tomorrow, so I'll be hurting tomorrow night!

Biggest Loser & Chocolate Lessons

Last night while watching The Biggest Loser I was amazed at everything that they had accomplished. They lost a TON of weight. They learned how to exercise and how to eat healthier. The finale is next week and they already look amazing. So while I was contemplating how far they've come, I reached for a Dove chocolate. (I know, I know- not really getting the message of the show) THIS is what the Dove Promise said, "If they can do it, you know you can." No joke.

I thought, yeah I guess I could do it. Instead, (you guessed it,) I ate another chocolate. THIS one said, "Make someday today."

I stopped eating the chocolates. Message received! Dang those Dove Promises!

Gettin' Crafty w/ a Friend

This morning I got together with a great friend to make some Christmas cards. I like to scrapbook and she likes to sew and these cards were a little of both, so we were both excited to make them. The best part of the project was that my friend had a magazine that had all the ideas in it, so we didn't have to come up with anything ourselves. I love doing projects, but I have a hard time coming up with my own ideas. I'm a great scraplifter! Our kids played and made a huge mess while we chatted. Then we had a yummy lunch and even better dessert, 4 different kinds of homemade fudge. YUM!!! I didn't take as many pictures as I probably should have, but you'll get an idea of what the kids were up to while we were crafting.

Cute Jenna
Eliza and Cannon cuddling

And of course Audrey. That girl will accessorize anywhere. If one bag will do the job, how about 4 or more? She insisted on being called the Mama while she was pushing the baby around.

Then the BEST part...when I got home each kid took a long nap!!!

Fashionista

This little girl is just too much! She sure likes her accessories doesn't she? She is just so adorable I just have to squeeze her! Love this cutie pie! :)

Confessions of a Chocolateaholic

I love peanut m&m's!

I mean, I REALLY love peanut m&m's. I guess you can say that I'm slightly obsessed with these yummy treats. I get a little scared when my big 45 oz. bag is almost empty, that I will go buy another one before it gets empty because heaven forbid that I go without m&m's for a minute. They must be there, hidden in my drawer (so my kids can't eat them) at all times. It makes me feel better knowing that they are there and that I can have a quick little pick me up at any time. It's not like its bad addiction, right?

When Russell was at scout camp I went through an entire bag in 1 week. Stress really brings out my need for these chocolatey yummies. After that I averaged a bag every two weeks. I thought to myself that this obsession was getting a little out of hand. SO I convinced myself that portion control would be good for me. Then I got the fun size. And it did actually help. I would only eat 1 fun size bag at a time, and would then only eat a couple bags a day. Victory! ...until I started eating 2 bags at a time. Then last night I fell off the wagon. I went to the store and bought the big bag again.

I'm wondering if I should get in an AA type program or maybe I already am (I do go to the gym)! You'd think that the gym would make me feel guilty for eating so many m&m's, but it doesn't. Some days I go to the gym and then come home and before I even get into the shower, I'll pop a few into my mouth. I mean really, why did I just spend all that time working out! Very counter productive I would think, but it doesn't stop me.

Maybe someday I'll go back to the fun size (or even quit altogether, gasp!), but for now its just me and my big bag.

I mean, seriously the small bag just doesn't cut it! I NEED my peanut m&ms!

Do you think I have a problem?