Disneyland and other happenings...

We had an amazing trip! We had so much fun seeing friends, family and going to Disneyland. We traveled to Anaheim on Wednesday night. We went to Disneyland on Thursday from 10am-3:30pm. We went out to dinner with my Aunt and cousin, and ate WAY TOO MUCH! I'll see tomorrow at the gym how much damage was done when I do my week 2 weigh in!!! We went to Disneyland California adventure on Friday morning at 8:30am for an hour or so, then it was back to Disneyland until 3:30pm again. Then we drove up to Pismo Beach and stayed with Tall Boy's cousin and their brand new baby! We went to a wedding celebration on Saturday from 10:30am until 4pm. Then we went back to the house and relaxed for the rest of the night. Then we went to church sunday morning at 9am for the baby's blessing. After the blessing, we took pictures outside. Then it was back to the open road. We started heading home at about 11am. Along the way we missed our turn off and didn't realize it until about an hour later! So we stopped at a hotel and stayed the night half way home. Then we finished our trip and got home Monday. Here is a slide show of our fun!

Along the way I read 4 books by Shannon Guymon..."A trusting Heart", "Justifiable means", "Forever friends", and "Soul searching". They were all really good and I recommend them all!

Then Superboy came home from school today with his 1st grade picture! Too handsome! Some wierd reflection happened when I scanned it, but it's still adorable!
Anyway, that's all for now, gotta go catch up on house work!

My weekly weigh in...

Ok, this post is not for the faint of heart. I am spilling the beans...I will reveal to the whole internet world my weight and my weight loss!

As many of you know I started the BodyBugg program a week ago. At my consultation with my personal trainer last wednesday, I weighed 221.5 lbs. I weighed my shoes today that I wore last week, and they were 1.5 lbs. So my starting weight was 220 lbs. today I weighed in (without shoes) at 216.5!!! 3.5 lbs in 1 week! My goal was only 1 lb per week! So I am extremely excited about my progress, and motivation. And to be completely honest, it wasn't hard at all! The worst is fighting the cravings for junk food (especially candy bars) but I can have one every now and then when I've worked out enough! It is so cool to see how many calories I'm burning while I do normal everyday tasks (especially blogging!!!) I think this program just might be the tool I needed to understand my body's needs and functions.

However, today, to my horror, I got an email showing me how to properly weigh...
I have been doing it wrong! So who knows how much I really weigh!?! Here's the email I received...

The Proper Way To Weigh Yourself...

Sorry if you thought I was serious back there. My mother in law sent this to me and it seemed perfect for this post! Hope you got a good laugh in, I know I did!

FYI...I just burned 35 calories writing this blog! Have a fabulous day and weekend, I'll be back monday or tuesday! Thanks for tuning in!

What's up...

I know...total slacker...almost a whole week between posts. It seems like everyone is taking a recess from blogging for one reason or another. I have been focusing on my BodyBugg program and working out. Anyway, I just wanted to let you all know that something fun is on the horizon! We are going out of town this weekend and going to DISNEYLAND!!! Wooohooo! Family Vacation! Anyway, we won't be back until sunday night, so i probably won't blog again until monday or tues (gasp...I know!) But hang in there! I will be back and with LOTS of PICTURES!!! Anyway...have a great weekend, I plan to!

I needed a new look...

So you may have noticed, I changed my blog background today! I love it, but let me know what you like or don't like about it! Thanks to my friend, A NEW BLOGGER, for having such a cute background that I had to get one!

My Latest Craze...

Ok, so for all of you who have seen me in person, you know I'm not a super model. I have been working out at my gym for 5 months now, and I haven't lost any weight. So I had a meeting with a personal trainer to try and see what the problem was. We decided that I should try the Bodybugg to see how many calories I'm actually burning throughout the day. Today is day 2 of wearing the armband, and I hope this will be the answer to my weight loss problems. My goal is to lose 1 lb per week over the next 12 weeks. I'll check in every week and let you know how I'm doing. I'll also let you know how I feel about this armband and how it's affecting my progress. I hope this blog inspires others to do the same. Get up, Get healthy! Wish me luck...I think I just might need it! :)

For more information about the BodyBugg, go here...

http://www.bodybugg.com/

Now get up out of the computer chair and get moving!

Just a funny moment...

Yesterday Super Girl had a speech evaluation and I am pleased to report that in the 5 months since her 1st evaluation, her speech has improved from the 14th percentile to the 95th percentile in expressive language! We saw the most drastic improvement in June after Super Girl got tubes put in her ears. Now we can't get her to STOP talking!

Anyway, while the Speech Therapist was at our home, Super Girl kept talking about her toe "my owie", her cat "meowy" and food "my yummy". Just before the therapist left, she said very seriously, "Was Super Girl born in Florida?" I replied, "No, why?" And the therapist said , "Because she sure does talk about Miami ALOT!" She was just kidding, but it was just hilarious to me! I had a good laugh about that all day whenever Super Girl would say any of those things.

Just thought I'd share a chuckle with ya!

yet another giveaway...

Most of the giveaways I see are cute little hair do-dads, but this one is for a cricut machine! So follow the link (click on the picture below) in this blog or on my side bar and read the rules...good luck to us all! This thing is expensive!

Super Girl's 1st visit to the Zoo and our trip...

Thanks Hot Mama for the referral to the Elephant Song...it's perfect!
Here's a slide show of our adventures at the zoo...

We had a lot of fun in Cali. We drove out on Friday. That pretty much killed Friday.

Saturday we were going to watch our nephews play soccer, but our car had other ideas. We had to replace our battery. Then we went back to the house we were staying at and cooled off in the pool until we had to get ready for the wedding. We went to Tall Boy's cousin's wedding (one that we thought would never get married). It was beautiful, fun and tasty! They had a candy table and little candy bags that said "who knew life could be so sweet". They also had a really cute cake, it was just a small cake on top for them to cut, then they had tiers of cupcakes below that! The food was pretty good, we liked the chicken and fruit salad. We got to see almost all of Tall Boy's family, and met the newest member, our 2 1/2 week old niece! During the reception I accidentally locked our keys in the trunk. Luckily the car was open and Super Boy just had to climb through the back seat to unlock the trunk from the inside. Anyway, that was Saturday.

Sunday we tried to go to our old church, but they were having a special meeting at another building. So we dropped by our friend's house, and they fed us lunch. Then we went to a birthday party at my sister's house. We got to see almost all of my family and meet my 6 month old niece! What a cutie pie! We swam and ate dinner. We had cupcakes and Super Girl opened presents from Gma and Gpa. We said our goodbyes and went back to the house we were staying at. i got to catch up with one of my best friends (and sister-in-law) We stayed up way too late (1:30am) talking about life and dreams and goals. It was so great to reconnect! I miss her already.

Then Monday morning we packed it all up and came home! It was so hot while we were there, I guess we are fully acclimated to the weather here! It was nice to be home again, but I'm having trouble getting back into my routine. I'm so tired! I guess too many nights of little sleep while we were gone (and since we've been back). Anyway, here's another slide show, this one of our trip...enjoy!

Yet Another Give away!

Wow...it must be give away frenzy month out there...I have seen so many!!! here's another with 3 sets of really cute ribbon hair clips to choose from...

http://christinecreated.blogspot.com/2008/09/great-giveaway.html

If you tell them you found the give away on my blog, then I'm entered to win a separate prize! How much do you love me???

Another Give Away...

Follow this link (click on the picture) to a cool give away. 6 winners will be chosen on Sept 16th. There are some very nice prizes to choose from!

You know you're getting old when...

Ok, so we went to California, (I'll tell all about that later after I download all my photos) and on the way home we were trying to keep the kids happy and playing games. Super Boy wanted to play a game show kind of game with questions we made up. So one of the bonus points questions I came up with was "how old am I" and Super Boy answered 29,I said wrong, but then gma answered 28 and I said wrong, I'm 27. Then about 1 minute later, my darling hubby gently pointed out that I am in fact 28!!! Even after the beautiful countdown I places on this glorious blog, I still couldn't remember how old I am! That's how you know you're getting old...too many birthdays to keep track of! Hope you enjoyed my tale of woe...until my pictures are downloaded and I have 30 minutes to myself to blog again...see ya!!!

Happy Birthday Super Monkey...I mean Super Girl!

Super Girl is in love with monkeys, dogs, elephants and cats...but I think her favorite is Curious George. So we did a monkey party on Monday for my little 2 year old girl! (I need to figure out what I can count down to next! My blog seems so empty without that countdown going!)

So for Super Girl's party, I did a monkey cake, we had jungle animal plates and napkins, white cups with various animal stickers on them, pizza and ice cream. The cake was adorable, and so was Super Girl when she saw it! She squealed with delight and couldn't stop yelling "ooo ooo...ooo ooo!!!"

We had family and close friends that we call family over for the party...8 kids, 8 adults! It was a lot of fun. We started out by eating pizza, crazy bread and Italian cheese bread from good ol' Little Caesar's. Then we moved on to the only game I did, a bean bag toss. I made 2 bean bags from some monkey flannel and made a cardboard cut out of a monkey. The kids got suckers for making it in the holes. I passed out the goody bags and monkey hats. Then the presents were opened. Super Girls cousins, the fab 5, each gave Super Girl a present that they picked out and wrapped! It was so cute! She got hand made jewelry, crayons, red flower fuzzy purse, and a monkey coloring book from her favorite cousin Super G, some froggy bath toys and a monkey purse from Super J, and an elephant toy, blue fuzzy hat, and a Super Sleuths book from Super L (sorry if I missed anything...I'm going from memory here). The parents of the fab 5 gave her this amazing doll that cries, coos, laughs and claps. Super Girl was ready to call it quits on the other presents...she just wanted that baby! So we forced her to continue opening presents while the baby was rescued from it's jail box. Gma and Gpa gave her some money toward a savings account (something we have severely neglected in this family) and a princess style dress up crown, necklace, earrings and ring. Our super close friends, hot mama and family, gave her a My Little Pony and a puppy in a purse. We gave Super Girl a flannel blanket, pillow, night gown, hair ties and even a blanket and skirt for a little stuffed monkey all out of the monkey flannel (I had way too much fun doing those, I used every inch of that cute flannel...all 8 yards!!! ). Then there was the throw blanket with a stuffed monkey sewed on it, some necklaces and bracelets I made, some jungle animal puzzles,and a monkey board book. Spoiled rotten, I know...but I just couldn't help myself! So then Super Girl got her wish, and the baby was freed. She spent awhile playing with it, then all the kids went outside for a bit.

After awhile, we called everyone back in and did cake and ice cream. I got the idea for the cake from www.pbskids.org under the Curious George Birthday Party Ideas. I made it with the traditional 2 round cakes instead of in the bowl like they suggested, and I think it was adorable...and VERY YUMMY!!! After that we all just hung out and chatted while the kids played. It was a great day! We kept our baby alive for 2 whole years!!! That surely is cause for celebration! The fun part is that we get to party again this weekend. We're taking a trip to Cali to see Gma and Gpa K and a few new additions to our extended family (a wedding and a couple of babies!) We are only going for the weekend, but a short trip is better than no trip. We'll be celebrating Super girl's birthday again with my family there. FUN FUN FUN! I can't wait! Maybe that'll be my next countdown!

Take care for now, and enjoy the slide show!

PS...I have another give away to tell you about! Go to http://girlydos.blogspot.com/
and leave a comment telling them you found the link on my blog. 3 different prizes, all fun hair stuff! Good luck!

Super Girl is spoiled...Super Boy too...

During the 1st day of school fiasco, I let Super Girl wear a Tigger and Pooh backpack. Then I had some errands to run, and I ended up at a bazillion stores. Among the lucky winners were Office Max, Sally's Beauty supply, and Michael's. At Office Max I found this really cute backpack with a monkey and other animals on it.

The whole collection was 50% off. So I bought the backpack ($5) 2 magnets ($1) and a key chain ($0.50) in the monkey, and of course I couldn't leave out Super Boy, so I got him the 2 magnets and a key chain in the elephant!

I picked up some donuts while I was out and made it the perfect amount of fun things for his 1st day of school celebration! While I was at Michael's, I found spools of ribbon for $0.50, so I bought the rainbow. I also found some cute white flowers ($1) and bought them too.

Then I went over to Sally Beauty Supply and got bobby pins and hair clips.

Then I worked my magic, and this is what came out!

I can't wait to do more of the hair clips! So of course I had to do Super Girl's hair and pick a blue outfit so she could model my creations!!!

First day of School!!!

Ok, so the school countdown is gone...and so is my son!!! Yippee!!! He had his 1st day yesterday, but it was just an hour to meet his teacher, get a tour, and have a reading assessment done. But today is his 1st full day!!! He has a couple of friends from preschool and kindergarten, and he is SO EXCITED!!! The only one not excited is Super Girl. She cried yesterday because she wanted her own backpack, and cried today when brother disappeared into the building and we didn't follow! She was calling his name the whole way home...it was so sad! Anyway, here are some pictures from yesterday and today!

Super Girl with brother's backpack...

Super Boy almost ready to meet teacher...

Super Boy on his way to the 1st real day...not at all excited...In front of his school...

Dum da duh dum! SOD!!!!

Hip Hip Hooray!!! The sod is in!!! Here are some pics!

Tall Boy pulling the kids on a ladder that did a great job leveling the ground for us...

The first 2 rows of sod...

Almost done

Putting on the last touches...Super girl, don't do it...daddy will be mad!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh..........what a beautiful sight!!! On to the next project!!!

Gratitude...

Today my heart is so full!!! I was working in the yard and I suddenly was so full of love and adoration for my beautiful family.

Super Boy's spirit is so pure, he has no malice toward anyone. He is one of the most tender boys I know and so super smart and inquisitive! He loves games and computers, technology of any kind. He also loves church and is a joy to have in my family.
Super Girl is a huge bundle of curiosity and energy. She needs to explore everything and figure stuff out for herself. Her spirit is so independent and vivid...you just can't ignore her unique personality. She loves animals and her brother. She wants to grow up so fast and do everything she sees us doing. She loves nature and exploration. She will be my challenge (to keep her out of major trouble) but also one of my greatest joys.
Then there is my husband. I adore him for making these beautiful souls with me. I love him more and more everyday for his role in our lives. He is a wonderful provider and fun father. I cherish the moments when we get to be "boyfriend and girlfriend" again...those are the best moments...free of life's pressures and responsibilities. Sometimes it's just a glimpse once a week, and others it is hours of precious fun!

Anyway, I'd better get back to work outside...what are you grateful for today???

Practicing my "skills"...

My friend ZB has a photography blog and I am always inspired by her amazing photos! Last week Tall Boy and I went to a comedian's show, and I brought my camera. There were so many amazing flowers and waterfalls, I decided to practice my "skills" with the camera. Here are some of my pictures...enjoy!!!

Don't think I'm super talented, I erased about 100-200 pictures because they were too blurry or just not right...Practice makes Progress...right!!!??? Hopefully someday I'll stop with the still life and be able to photograph people well!!! Here's hoping!

Also, I found this give away from ZB's blog too!!! This lady is super talented!!! The link to her give away...

http://bizzybeecreationscrafts.blogspot.com/2008/08/my-first-giveaway.html

The link to her super cool website store...

http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5637889

Anyway, hope you enjoy!!!

Our Fun Sprinkler!!!

We had a carnival type activity at our church. The kids got to play on a rock climbing wall, a big bouncy slide, they had face painting, sack races, 3 legged races, wheel barrow races and of course fishing. There was a clown that made balloon animals and a magician that performed a magic show. There was good food and lots of fun. Right at the end, there was a loud thunderclap followed by an immediate downpour that lasted 20 minutes!!! I got a couple of pictures, but this was the best one...

My New Do!!!

Just had to get rid of major hair!!! I got a new cut and some highlights too! The hair dresser took off more hair than I have left!!! But it feels and looks great!!! Enjoy!!!

Sorry the pictures aren't the greatest, but this is the best I could do by myself with no makeup on!!!

Fun Stuff...

We have been busy lately, atleast it's just been having fun! No work on the yard (maybe today) just good times!!!

Super Girl has been loving the wild outdoors and has the dirt face to prove it!

Then we had our annual Hot Air Balloon Festival yesterday and today. We went yesterday with the cousins, The Fabulous 5, but we didn't get to see the balloons take off...too much wind and we were later than we wanted to be, right as they decided to take them all down. Super Girl loved playing with her favorite cousin, Super G...they are so cute together!!! The kids had a blast playing at the playground, so it wasn't a complete waste of a good morning!!! Super Boy decided his favorite exercise was running up and down a very steep hill...Super L tagged along on 1 long run. Super Boy also posed by a very cool fire truck!

Then we got up super early this morning and went to the festival again. there were 10 balloons and ALL of them got up in the air!!! We left the festival to go to breakfast, and we saw a balloon land in our church's parking lot! the owner/pilot was so nice, he invited us over and let anyone who wanted to get in the basket and take pictures! Super Boy was in heaven!!! It was all very cool!

So that's our fun...hope you are having great fun too!!!