A Dobbins' Day

Our first winter in Iowa has been quite a change from Las Vegas!  We are learning about layering and getting bundled up.  Most of the time we love the snow, but the cold blowing wind we could definately do without!

I've started a "Biggest Loser" contest with some friends from church.  So far I haven't seen much change, but I do feel a small difference in the way I can move my body.  My goal, besides losing weight is to have a healthier lifestyle.  I'm doing things that work for me and my life at this stage.  I don't enjoy exercising, but I've been doing it.  I've found that I like yoga a little.  I can stretch and move and feel stonger.  I've done some strengthening exercises I found online and I've also done some cardio videos on youtube.  A lady in our group teaches Zumba and I did that, it wasn't completly horrible, so I've done and will do it again.  Mostly I'm just trying things that will get me moving without feeling like I'm dying.  I've also been working on my diet.  Smaller portions, less sweets, more water and fruits and veggies.  I'm going slow because I really want this to by a lifestyle change, and not something that ...

We went to lunch group this week and they went to a cafe in Winterset, IA.  It is in Madison County, which was made famous from the movie The Bridges of Madison County.  The cafe we went to was even in the movie!  I watched the movie in college but wasn't impressed, I don't even think I finished it.  BUT I was very excited to learn the Madison County is the county right next to us and Winterset is only like a half hour away. The town of Winterset was really cute and I want to go back and explore some of the shops and things to do there.  They had a beautiful courthouse that Coral insisted was her castle.  The rest of the day she was a princess and wanted to go to her castle.  She even said there was a froggy in the pond!  When Russell came home she told him that he was the prince and that he should take her to the castle.  Where does she come up with this?  Can't wait to go back! After lunch we stopped at a covered bridge on o...

We went to Monster Jam on Friday night.  It was AWESOME! I've really been wanting to go ever since I took Isaac and Hunter when Audrey was just a baby.  So its been six long years, but it was worth the wait.  This was so fun!  Russ said I might be a little "redneck" but I don't care. Coral is showing her "grumpy" face because the trucks got kinda loud.  I love it when the monster trucks go flying in the air.  Its so cool!  The girls loved the "puppy" truck.  They played "Who Let The Dogs Out" whenever it was racing and the boys sang along. Gravedigger is always a hit! This guy flipped!  He was fine and his truck didn't have any damage.  They had to bring a tractor out to flip it back over.  Coral said "Yeah tractor!" I'm not sure why I can't get this picture to flip, sorry! I had to add it though to show my big smiling face.  I had a blast! And despite the fact we wouldn't buy them anything ex...

Thanks Kristy, Mike & Rowan for letting us stay with you! We had a great time. We can't wait until the next time we can hang out with you!

We took a drive up Provo Canyon on Sunday after church. It was really pretty, even if it was cold for our desert blood!

I was trying to stay cool in the hot Vegas sun with my wide brimmed hat. I'm not loving the view of my double (or triple) chin... but I do like my hat!

My sister's and I traveled back to MN for my Grandpa's memorial. We each took our youngest with us, who all happened to be girls. So the 6 girls took a little time to remember Grandpa Mitton. I'm not sure why I don't have any pictures of Cathy or Abigail. These ones came from my phone, so maybe the other ones were on my camera? Oh well, here's a few of Sara, Sophie, Me and Coral.

In the past I've had some ant problems, but today took it to a new level. A bird invited itself into the house! I was really shocked at how brazen it was. When I went into the kitchen it went back outside, but as soon as I left it came back in! I guess it was really hungry and the tasty morsels the kids dropped off the table were too tempting. So now we either have to fix the screen door, or I need to sweep my floor!

(Isn't that a great Mom face?)

After many years of making pomegranate jelly I really wanted to enter it into the county fair. One year I completely forgot (probably pregnant) another year we were out of town. Then this year I didn't make any because I was pregnant and too huge to tackle such a large task . Well its time for the fair again and I decided that I had to do it. So on Saturday Sara and I made some jelly (we cheated and bought juice) and we also made some ice cream toppings because we saw some in a farmers market in MN. I also threw in some strawberry jam I made a month ago and some other jelly that was a little older (hope its still good...) And today was the day I turned it in. Now we just have to wait for judging at the fair next week. I'm not sure if we'll be able to go, so if anyone heads out that way and sees a nice shiny blue ribbon on my jelly please let me know!

For our visitng teaching this month my partner and I set up a ladies night out. We decided to go to Serendipity to try out their yummy desserts. We had a blast and it was so yummy. Its fun getting to know new people and it is definately a plus to go out without kids. I felt like me and not mom. THANKS Ladies for a fun and yummy adventure.

I really miss my friend Kelli! She moved with her family to NC and I really miss hanging out with her, working on various projects and talking every day. Our infrequent phone calls and emails aren't enough. So I was thrilled when she said that she was coming with her husband to visit. Dave and Russ are really good friends and it was nice to have the four of us together again, if only for a short while. She was dying to meet Coral and I couldn't believe that I had a baby without her around. It was a sweet meeting. Kelli has held and loved all my babies. Until next time sweet friend!