Happy Birthday Cody!

Happy Birthday to my little borther Cody. He turns 21 today! I love you bro.

Some are silver and the other gold...

I have been thinking lately about friends. What makes a good friend? Why are friends so important? I have some pretty amazing friends in my life. Some old, some new, some younger, some older in age, some mormon, some who aren't, some I dont talk to very often, some I talk to everyday, and the one thing that is the same is that are all different. I admire and love each of them because they are each unique in their own way. I have been truly blessed with wonderful people in my life that have been there for me for tough times and great times. I can count on certain friends to be there when I am having a bad day just to help turn it around or listen...without judgment. Some friends are just good friends because I enjoy their company and like to be in their presence. I know that some people are not made for the whole "I'll be there when you need a shoulder to cry on" days and I really think thats okay. Because I think that we can count on different people for different things. But I love that I have friends who are there for it "all". Some of my dearest friends I have known for years and cant imagine not knowing them, even though phone calls and visits are sparce. I still love them and think of them often. And when I see them, tis like we havnt even missed a beat. I have made new friends that I feel like I have known my whole life and love them dearly already, our kids and husbands mesh and it seems as though we were seriously destined to be friends for some reason. I really love all of you. I am happy to share a part of my life with you. I just really feel grateful for my friends... you have changed my life, each in your own way and in your influence. And I want to Thank you for that. I have a quote on my myspace page tht says "We can't call people without wings Angels, so we call them Friends instead" And so I think that pretty much sums it up!

Family Pictures

Hey everyone we got some family pics done with Rachel Tucker last night and she posted a few of them on her photo blog. Check them out, they are great! I cant wait to see all of them. www.rachelclarephoto.com and then click on enter blog. Love them!

Tagged...(thanks Regina)

Four things I am looking forward to in the coming year
1. My children growing and learning
2. Finishing school
3. My high school reunion
4. Moving into a bigger house

Three joys in my life
1. Caleb
2. Aubrie
3. Brynley

Four movies I could watch more than once or twice
1. Harry Potter- any of them
2. The Italian Job
3. The Breakfast Club
4. Titanic

Three fears
1. Losing a loved one
2. Scary movies
3. Being boring

Four Favorite Foods
1. Ice Cream
2. oatmeal with berries and honey
3. Crab legs
4. any dessert my sister makes

Three goals I have set for myself
1. Keep losing weight and working out
2. Finish school
3. Run 5k marathon

Four TV shows I watch
1. Oprah
2. Grey's Anatomy
3. The Office
4. Anything on TLC

Three current obsessions
1. my husband (he said he should be number one, hee-hee)
2. The Twilight series
3. blueberries

Four places I have visited
1. Hawaii
2. California
3. Mexico
4. Yellowstone

Three places I'd like to visit
1. New York
2. London
3. Italy

Four random facts about me
1. I dislike when people dont return phone calls, soo annoying
2. A true passion of mine is cooking, I will try any new recipe that comes my way
3. I love classic rock, I really should have been a hippie
4. My favorite TV show is Friends

Tag you're it...Lacy, Rachel and Katie

Weekend Getaway

This weekend we took the kids up to Durango for a little overnight getaway. It was so nice up there and we had such a relaxing time. We took the kids up to Durango Mountain where they have an alpine slide, bungee jump thing, a bouncy castle and a rock climb wall. The kids had a blast and the weather and scenery was absolutely great. It wasnt too hot and it smelled so nice. We stopped along the way and bought some honey, checked out the hot springs and then made our way to the hotel where wewent swimming and got in the hot tub. Brynley was loving the water so much she wanted to go "wimming" this morning and was even trying to get her suit on by herself. We walked downtown and got some chocolate as you can see in the picture where Brynley is covered in it! It was such a much needed trip, and its only an hour away! PS- Isnt my husband so handsome! Yum.

My new Addiction...

I finally gave into all my curiousity and I have started to read Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. My stepmom Mary was here last weekend and is obsessed with the books, she even had this long conversation with the Waldenbooks guy about the movie and about the actors that were chosen to be in the movie. Seriously how could a book be this good. I have been in withdraw from Harry being over and havent found a book has exciting and has wonderful. So I have to be honest I was a bit skeptic at first as to why everyone is in love with the series but now after reading the first 7 chapters, I am hooked. I simply cant get enough of Bella and Edward and their love, hate relationship. I am excited to see what happens and will let you all know how I liked the book once I am finished.

Happy Father's Day...

Happy Father's Day to the dad's in my life. My dad, My hubby, my stepdad Phil, My grandpa Darrell and my grandpa Ted and my Father in law Sam. All of you are wonderful and I love you. I hope that my kids get the privilage of enjoying you all and get to have the wonderful memories in their life that you have shared in mine!

Dance Recital

Here are some shots from the kids dance recital. I am a loser mom and I dont have a picture of Caleb the night of his hiphop performance. I am bummed about that. Sorry son. What a great job they both did! Thank you Aunt Becky and Judy for all your hard work on the performances! You both are awesome and a big Thanks for letting the kids go and learn dance and have fun every week. Here is my princess in pics with me, Aunt Becky and her best friend Kyla. Thanks to everyone who came and supported them in their recitals. Espcecially Dad and Mary for traveling to town just for this!

8 yrs ago...

On June 10th 2000, Mitch was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. After taking the lessons for 6 months made the decision to be baptized. At the time I was nervous, I was quite happy living in sin and not having much of a foundation for my life to grow on. But the day he made this decision, I knew I was going to have to change as well and find the testimony that lived buried inside of me for years. It was there, I just had to do my part to make it stronger. Lots of people knew I was mormon but I probably wasnt the best example of one growing up, especially when I was a teenager. But I always knew that I wanted to be apart of this religion and knew it to be true. It was Mitch who changed our lives forever. I leaned on him more than he knows. He was looking to find that "something" and found it in his Savior, Jesus Christ. That "something": proved to be the foundation for us to build our life on--together. It was such a life altering, life changing event that I have to tell him Thank you. Thank you for making our family stronger and eternal. It is the tie that binds us. You are amazing and wonderful in every way. I love you more than you know...
( Old pic but I think it was the first time he went to church)

21 Day Cleanse Challenge

Here is the 21 day challenge that my trainer is encouraging me and others to do. She is even taking it on and she is practically perfect so I guess we all need improvement in our lives. I have to tell you what a wonderful and very humbling experience it has been for me to be able to work with Jackie. She is so knowlegdable and passionate about her work and about being healthy. She doesnt focus on the scale, she asks me how I am feeling or how my clothes are fitting. I have learned so much about nutrition and exersize from her that I have found a passion of my own. I have battled the bulge since I have had Caleb and found that I have a low thyroid. I didnt know how much something so small could affect my weight and the way I felt. But eating healthier and exersizing regularly has greatly improved my health and the way I feel, not just physically but mentally also. So I am hoping that those who read my blog will take on the 21 day challenge. Here it is in her words...
Be conscience of what you put in your body. Be aware of what you are eating.
Avoid or elimiate-
Caffeine
Sugar
Alcohol
Bread
Animal products
White Flour

EAT
Beans
Whole Grains
Vegetables
Fruit
Oatmeal
Nuts
Fish
Veggie Burgers
Healthy fats

Lean in to it. If you have a bad day, start over. If you can only go 3 days, thats okay. Just try again. If you cant eliminate or aviod everything, pick 1 to 3 things to eliminate. Pick a small goal, whether it is a 5 lb goal or just eating healthier. Be sure to drink lots of water at least 96 oz. and walk for 30 min 3-5 days a week.
Jackie already has me on this diet but I can always improve. I have my "bad" days but really it isnt as hard as it seems. But two things that have been hard to give up are my diet coke and sunchips. I simply love my diet coke. I look forward to it and treat my self to one a day. But...it has caffeine and therefore I will give it up for 21 days. Good luck to those who participate. Let me know your progress!

Thank Heaven for Girls...

To add to the post below, I had to post this picture because I just love my girls! I love that I was blessed to have girls. Especially considering the fact that there hasnt been girls on Mitch's side of the family since Aunt Becky! So I was soo happy to be able to have a little girl, let alone 2. I was able to take Aubrie to a mother-daughter Relief Society activity the other night and was really happy to have her there and felt grateful to have daughter's! So here's to my beautiful, brillant, lovely girls!

Another future dancer...

Last night Aubrie and Caleb had their dance pictures at the studio. Aunt's Becky and Judy own Mann Dance and so the kids get to go take dance lessons there. Becky grabbed up Brynley and took her and put her in this little tutu! So cute. We got her picture in it but today she brought me her "Cinderalala" dress and wanted it on. She even let me take her picture in it. I will post some pics of the kids at their recital nxt week.

Big girl...

I have been meaning to post this, Brynley loves her morning cereal and she must have it right after she gets up. But whats so cute is she holds her bowl up to her mouth to drink her leftover milk. What a big girl she is. At 17 months old she just amazes me with what she does!

Lemon Lake

I took the kids up to Lemon lake today for a change of pace. Yes, I ditched church but I have to admit it was well worth it. The weather was beautiful, the scenery was awesome and the kids had a fun time. My grandparents have a place up there, that my great grandparents bought in the 60's. So it has been a place that has been enjoyed for decades in our family. Papa and Gigi had a fun time with the kids! They hung out in the swings and hammocks, took hikes, played baseball and we went down to the lake for them to wade in it. Here are some shots from today. Enjoy!

Lawnmower Boy

Caleb is a stud. He wanted to help out the other night and so I let him try to mow the lawn for the first time. He did such a great job! Thanks Caleb.

Our New Family Picture....

While we were in Hawaii, Dad got an artist to paint an oil painting of us as a keepsake to have. And we got it in this past week. Its so cool. Its of course better in person to see. But here is a pic of it. Thanks Dad and Mary!