Pictures!!

I had to post this pictures because I thought it was so cute. We were trying to take a couple family pictures and this is her cropped from one of them. Such a poser!

Grady "helping" at our garage sell we had on Saturday
My handsome boy at our ward Christmas Party.

Ally and some friends singing karaoke at our ward partyMy sweet hubby and me

The family

This was so funny, we were having dinner and we look over at Grady and he had piled peas inside the bed of the toy truck and convertable car. Gotta love little boys

After we got our tree set up I told the kids I wanted a picture of them and the tree. So, they thought it neccessary to lay down below the tree to not block it at all. Goof balls! Oh, and what do you know Ally is posing again!

This was Gradys attempt at helping us with theChristmas Tree

Silly Boy

Christmas Spirit.....

I have REALLY struggled to get into the "Christmas Spirit" this year for reasons unknown. It could be that I am working and have had NO time to do anything Christmas thus far. It could be the lack of money to do anythng Christmas this year. Or it could be that I haven't tried very hard. I decided last night to attempt to try and get myself in the spirit of Christmas. I sat down with the kids last night and read them a story titled "The Giving Chest" it was a good little Christmas story about the gift of giving. It helped a little. The kids enjoyed the book so it was a success. Then today after work I met Travis and good ol Target to do our FIRST Christmas shopping this year. With money so tight, as it is for everyone, we really werent' doing a whole lot and it made it a little more meaningful to make sure the few things they were getting were "good". That also helped a little. I am starting to feel the Christmas Spirit. We have our ward party tonight and I am really hoping this will finish off the job of getting me excited for Christmas. I also hope to take goodies to some friends Monday night with the fam for FHE. What are some things you have done to get you and your family in the Christmas Spirit?

Spelling Bee....

So, my amazing 8 year old little boy made it into the school spelling bee. He won 1st place out of his class and is now headed to the school bee which is going to be between the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. He just brought home THE LIST of words to study. Yikes! There are over 1150 words to study and let me tell you, they are NOT easy. A few examples:

*incriminate

*omnivorous

*bellicose

*obsequious

*ostentatious

*magnanimous

Yeah, he is in 3rd grade! Holy Cow.

We are so proud of him for making it regardless of how well he does in the big one. He is such a smart kid and always tries to do his best in everything he does. I never have problems with him and his homework or anything. He just comes home and gets it done. What a great kid!

Stomache Flu, UGH!!

We got home Sunday night from Az. and all was well, I was feeling good about that I had already done most of my laundry at my moms before we came home, the kids were in bed, I was busy making out my workout plan for the next morning (I was supposed to start teaching my new class MOn. morning). and Trav and I were just talking about "stuff". I went to bed thinking about all of my stuff to do the next day: work, get out christmas stuff for FHE, clean, grocery store, etc etc. Well instead I wake up around ten with a HORRIBLE stomache ache. About 1 am it started, the throw up, I won't go into details but it was not pretty. I spent all night on the family room floor. Needless to say Monday I was EXHAUSTED and still felt horrible. My friend, who watches Grady on Mondays and Wednesdays, came and got him and watched him for me anyways. HUGE!!! I was able to rest all day, which was so good since every time I got up I got sick again. Travis was amazing, cleaned the house, bathed the kids, played games with them, the whole deal. My good friend Rhonda knew that I was sick and was soooo thoughtful and brought dinner for the fam. I love good friends! I am feeling much better today. Now, I am just trying to build up my strength to go back to work tomorrow. I HATE the stomache flu and anytime I get it I remind myself I am so GRATEFUL that I will not be pregnant again, EVER, and that this flu only lasts a few short days and not months. Ha ha! Now lets just hope nobody else gets it.

Thanksgiving!!

We had a wonderful trip to Az for Thanksgiving. Lots of food, family and fun! The kids of course had a lot of fun with all of their cousins who were in town. This year Cayden was especially happy because my cousin JoJo and his family came into town and his cousins Calvin and Noah were there this year too. It was a treat for him since he is usually surrounded by girls, mostly! I always take my camera with me every where we go and then NEVER take it out for pictures. I don't know if I feel stupid busting out the camera while it is just random normal things going on or what my problem is but now I am regretting not taking more pictures. Here are the very few I took when we took the kids rappelling with my family. Well, they were supposed to post under this but they posted above, sorry. We had so much fun rappelling and I am so proud of Cayden and Ally, they both did it. If you have never been it is SO fun but scary to get over the edge and I am so glad they went and liked it so now we can make it a family activity. Emily has some more pics from rappelling so I will get those and upload them too.

Random Pictures!!!

Hooray, Travis found my camera charger. I decided to post some random pictures from the last few weeks. A while ago, before it got cold, we were doing yard work on Saturday and Grady took his diaper off and was having the best time running around in his skins. He got on this bike and I thought for sure he wouldn't like that, but it didn't bother him, I thought it was so cute.

These are one of my FAVORITE things lately. Pumpkin Muffins- I make them with spelt flour and I substitute the oil with applesauce and they are delicious and actually not bad for you.-Minus the ch.chips but I only put 4 in each muffin.

We went to a wedding reception a while back and the bride and groom were having pictures taken here and after they were done Ally wanted to stand in the same spot for a picture. Cute girl!

This was last Sunday after church. Makes me smile.

This is what I find Grady doing alot of lately.

Ally girl being silly in her "gymnastic clothes"

Ally and Gavin taking their $5.00/4 minute pony ride at a farm in Az.I find him in the most random places just drawing away, he cracks me up.

Little Update...

Sorry still no pictures, but I used a disposable for Halloween and will get those done shortly, I promise.
Few new things happening....
I started my new job as a personal trainer and Club Fitness and LOVE it. It is taking some getting used to and I still have a LOT to learn, but I am really enjoying!!!
Halloween was a big success. The ward party, I was kind of in charge of, turned out really good. We had a chili cook off, trunk or treat, and great friends to spend the evening with.
The kids are loving all their things they are involved in. Ally recently started gymnastics and is really enjoying it. Every Sunday night she gets her "gymnastics clothes" laid out ready for Monday. Cayden just finished up a season of basketball and LOVED it. He did really well and learned alot. They are starting tournament soon. Grady is just a fun loving goober. He is sooooo much fun, the kid is constantly making me smile. He has adjusted really well to me working and I am SO grateful for that. I think he really enjoys his time with other people and kids. Travis is keeping busy with work and has started working out at the gym I work at and says his personal trainer (me) is making him sore, ha ha!
My little sis, Em, just found out her hubby will leave November for his 2nd tour in Iraq. Bummer...they are expecting their 1st baby in Feb. and that will be awesome for her to have a little one and part of Jon while he is gone. We love them both so much and appreciate all the sacrifices they have made for our country.
I think that is about all, pictures to come soon, I promise!!!!

HSM 3

So Ally and I went out for a "girls night" on Sat. night to see the new HSM 3 and we had a great time. It was really cute, I told her we were having a girls night but she had no idea what we were doing. She got excited when we pulled up to the movie theater but still didn't know what we were seeing. I asked her if she wanted me to tell her or if she wanted it to be a surprise? She said a surprise. So we are sitting there and when it FINALLY starts she turned to me and it the most excited voice said "HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3?" I said yep! She held her hands to her face in excitement and snuggled right up to me and said "thank you mommy, thank you". It was so sweet! I love my little girl and love having girl time with her, I hope we are always close and can share "girl" moments together.

Bummer...

I can't find my camera charger and my camera is dead. I have a bunch of pictures of the kids when we were in Az. last time at the farm and Peter Piper Pizza and I can't get them on my computer. So I may have to buy another charger somewhere. Meanwhile, a few things we have been up to.
My sister and her family came out last weekend and we had a good time. We took them to White Sands on Friday and the kids all loved it. We watched "The Office" trying to get them hooked, cuz they don't watch it. We went to Cayden's basketball game. That kid can really play. He amazes both Trav and I. Then Sunday they went to Sacrament with us. This was fun because it was our Primary Program and Cayden and Ally were singing a duet together. They were asked to sing "I'm trying to be like Jesus" and they did AWESOME. We had SO many compliments on how well they did. They both got up there and just sang their little hearts out. It was so sweet. Travis and I are so proud of them.
Then so far this week, we had playgroup at Brooke's house. For some reason all the kids had a hard day and were crabby. Well maybe not all the kids, maybe it was just mine, LOL! Tuesday morning I went and met with the manager of "Club Fitness" about a job, so keep your fingers crossed it works out. Not much else happening. Oh except I am finally giving in and going to get all of my "packed" stuff from the storage unit and "un-pack", kind of sad, but I am ok with it. That's about it. Sorry for the lack of pictures again. Once I get a charger, watch out!

Enrichment Gone Wild!!!

So tonight was Enrichment. Travis is out of town for work and I have been dealing with a very crabby sick baby since Thursday of last week and REALLY needed to get out. So I called a babysitter, called up the "girls" and planned for a GNO after Enrichment. We didn't know what we were going to do (since we have so many options in our little town) but we wanted to do something. A few of us sat around enrichment, which was at the R.S president's house around the corner from me, and discussed our options. Now to preface the rest of this, this group of girls are hilarious and likes to have fun and joke around being silly. Ok so, jokingly,
Option A-skinny dipping-water is freezing, not going to happen.
Option B-Toilet papering, hmm possibility.
Option C-do nothing, cuz we are lame, nope I am SET on doing SOMETHING
So after talking and LAUGHING about our options we decide "lets do it, lets go teepeeing. We are stoked, I know you would think we were 12 but what's a tired worn out momma supposed to do? We extend the invitation to all who are there. We only get 7 takers for the outing. Everyone drives their cars to my house and parks them there and we load up in C's van. Now, keep in mind we are all in our 20's and 30's and momma's. We are tightly squished in C's minivan and A had to sit in a car seat while me and R and B are sitting with knees up in the back seat because the seat was pushed up against the middle seat, leaving no leg space. Really quite the site! We head to Wal-Mart to load up on the T.P. On our way we call one girl M, who wasn' t at enrichment to see if she would like to join us. She kind of laughed at the idea and said "no thanks". So off to Walmart we go. Check out with the T.P. Yep all 7 of us buying a 24 pack of T.P together, we aren't looking suspicious or anything. We head to the Koerpers house. Now Karl Koerper is our Bishop and he has a bunch of teenage boys at home and we thought them a good pick because they live out of they way (less chance of being caught) and they have teenage boys to clean up the mess tomorrow. We pull over with lights off in front of the the drive to their house. R gets out to scope out the area, checks the barn for people and states that the coast is clear. So she is walking side by side the van as we are driving up the long drive to their house. Suddenly, from an open field to the right a young boy (Bishop's youngest) jumps up and chucks a water balloon at R. She tries to hurry back into the van and has trouble because it is locked. She makes it back in and we had nowhere to go but forward toward the house in order to turn around to head out. We are turning around at the house while we are being ambushed by what we think are water balloons. We are laughing histerically, like a pack of hyena's, and repeating "some-one ratted us out, they have been waiting for us". We all decide to stop and go to battle with these boys, after all what's a water balloon going to do? We all jump out in unison and start unloading as much toilet paper as possible as quickly as possible. Things (what we think are water balloons) are hitting the ground all around us and we are just laughing histerically. We could see the silhouettes of the boys up towards the house. I run out from behind a tree to retrieve my roll of t.p. and bam I am hit in the side. "Oh ouch, ouch, guys that hurt so bad" I run behind the van for cover and my side is throbbing. I start rallying the troops "guys, lets go, lets go, those aren't water balloons." We jump in the van and take off being hit multiple times. Once we are far enough away C turns on the light in the van and I had been hit in the side with a paint ball. Oh my heck, I had no idea how bad those things stung. We were not that far away from them and boy did it sting. I have a perfect ball shaped welt on my side. We couldn't believe it, who ratted us out? To make a really long story a little shorter we found out our friend M, who we had called to see if she wanted to join us, had an eavesdropping husband who texted the Koerper saying "some people are coming to teepee you, be ready with your paint guns". They were ready. They did not know it was us until it was too late and Sis. Koerper, after realizing what had happend, felt really bad. It was a very funny night. Yes, many of you are probably reading this thinking "how old are you" but it was all in good fun and our ward rocks so we can do stuff like this. Anyways-it's on, war is on, when they least expect it we will have our revenge. Ha ha!

Family Night Fun!!

This last Monday night we had a family night at the park, with some families from our ward, thanks Gray's for putting it together. This kids had a great time. Cayden and Willoughby roasting marshmallows for their smores.

Travis helping Grady go down the slide. Grady is so funny, he is not a daring kid at all!
Grady on another slide, looking a little more enthused.
I didn't get any pictures of Ally at the park, she was off with her friend. I had been wanting to post this one for a while so here it is. This was a few weeks ago, I did her hair like this for church. She loved it! I found the idea off of a cute hair blog, I can't wait for her hair to get longer for other fun stuff, too bad it is so fine-like mine, poor girl.

I'm Home...

Me, Hills, and Afton at the concert.

Sorry, the picture is so bad, but I was there and I needed proof, ha ha
Last week, on Wednesday, I flew to Az with Grady. Long story but I needed to go pick up our car and I wanted to go see Em and Jon before they headed back to Germany. My sweet mom flew me and Grady down. We had a good time. I ate way too much good food (I really love some of the places there, gecko grill, neilsons, bajio, cafe rio, etc.etc.) I got to spend some time with Em and Jon, we played games and I think Jon and Johnny wont play with me anymore cuz I KILLED them, ha ha. Friday night I spent with my two awesome sis-in-laws, good company, not so good movie LOL! Sat. I went to a baby shower for a girl in my old ward and saw alot of old friends. My sweet mom took me shopping to get a few things for the kids ( I don't know what I would do without my parents). Then I went to the General Relief Society broadcast with my mom. After that we headed out to the Mesa Ampitheater to see Brooke White in concert. Thats right folks, I saw Brooke White live. It was fun except for the fact that the guy who opened for her lasted way to long. We listened to him for an HOUR, don't get me wrong he was good and all but I would have been just fine with 3 songs. Next, came Brooke White, she was very personable with us and I love how it is just her doing her thing, no band and no gimmick. She only sang about 4 songs, her voice was giving out on her but it was still fun and I am glad I went. My lame camera wouldn't take good pictures but I got some. I am so mad at myself for not getting any pictures of me and my sis and me and my mom, ugh!

I love my husband...

I just have to tell the world (or the few people who will read my blog) that I am so in Love with my husband. He is amazing. I came home from school last night and he had a hot bubble bath all ready to go for me. On a plate next to the tub was an assortment of chocolates and the sweetest card ever. Thanks Babe, you rock my world! You are what keeps me going and striving every day to be a better person. I love you more than you could ever understand.

What a week.....

And it is only Wednesday. Wow, is all I can say about the craziness of my week. Here is a little background into what makes this crazy. Some of you know I have been in the process of getting my personal trainer certificate. Well I started quite a while back and through all of the stress of the house and other things I lost my fire inside to continue and so there the book sat on my table for weeks on end. I would think about it and say to myself "I should start studying again" but had no motivation inside me to make me do it. Well last week I decided to look online at my course and in big highlighted letters at the bottom of the page it read " This course will expire on Sept. 19th". What???? Have I really had this course that long and now in one week I need to take my test to avoid paying an extension fee? Yikes! Why do I do this to myself? I decided right then and there, I AM going to do this and I CAN do this. I called to schedule my test and I needed to have CPR and AED training before I can take the test. LONG story short I had to get a small extension for the test in order to get the CPR and AED training in first.
So I am officially taking my test on Monday the 22nd, after doing my CPR training ALL day Sat. Wish me luck!!! On top of the countless of hours of studying for this test I have had many other things happening this week. Last night, Tuesday, was my first night of classes at the Community College. I have started a 10 week course of classes there and I go T-W-Th from 6-9pm. Then this Friday we are having a tri-ward craft day. I somehow am in charge of teaching how to make the blocks with the scrapbook paper and letters. We are doing holiday blocks (joy, or boo) and I hadn't planned on being over this but I have learned when asked for ideas don't share unless you want to take over the job! (I am not bitter). So in a nutshell here is the breakdown of my week!
Monday-study, study, and go buy supplies for our craft.
Tuesday-play date (at my house) study, study and go to class from 6-9
Wednesday-study, try to find a dance or gymnastics class for Ally, study, take Cayden to cubscouts, class from 6-9
Thursday-study, cut wood for craft, sand wood, study, go to class 6-9
Friday-study, craft fair from 12-8pm, study
Saturday- CPR 9-5pm
Sunday- day of rest, whew! Get ready for monday.
Monday- 8:30 drop Grady off at a friends, test from 9-11am. I will be so happy when this is done. I kind of feel like my head is overloaded with information.
I didn't even mention "the daily grind" like laundry and meals and helping kids with homework and grocery shopping etc, etc,. Thank heavens I have an amazingly supportive husband to help out with everything, including me study! Love you babe!

"Cruise with me baby"

Warning: A TON of pictures to follow.

These are not in the order that I thought they would, so try to follow along as I take you on our cruise with us. What would any vacation be without Brian and this face? Gotta love it!

Brian and Hills in Cabo San Lucas, they are too cute!
Ok this was too funny, Brian was making "friends" with the locals and "getting in good" in order to be a better tour guide for us while we were cruisin around town on our scooters.
This was our last night at dinner with our "guys". We had the BEST group of waiters ever. We had so much fun with Ihar, Rolyn, and Emoke.
The girls enjoying our last meal prepared, served, and cleaned up for us before we headed back to REAL life. Ahhh it was so wonderful!
HILARIOUS! There was these um.... interesting paintings all throughout the ship and we just had to have the boys pose in front of our favorite one, LOL!
Here we are in front of our room. Cabin number R225. With us is our "stuart" (room steward) who was also really cool. Every night he had a towel folded as a different animal on our nicely made bed. He and one of our waiters were Phillipino which made it really fun for Travis and Brian to be able to speak to them throughout the trip. This was the last night and we had been kind of bored and all of a sudden we got this weird silliness that took over us. Hillary was on the floor laughing soooo hard, good times, good times.
This was actually as we were getting on the ship, day ONE. "It's only just begun"....

While we were in Cabo we rented these fun scooters and cruised around town for a few hours. It was so much fun, but a little scary, driving with the Mexico traffic on busy ONE WAY streets, that we never seemed to know were one way until we were on them headed the WRONG direction. Um, I am pretty sure my husband is incredibly good looking!

Travis, Brian and Hills after our journey through Cabo.
At Billigans for lunch after our hot, sweaty ride. We have helmet hair and sweat marks, aren't we hot?
My spa treatment on the ship. It was really nice. I have never had a facial before and think I found my new favorite, goodbye pedi's hello facials.
These 3 boys were hilarious the whole trip and this picture pretty much sums it up.
Waiting for our scooters that were supposed to be hear any minute. We waited and waited and waited. Finally Trav told the guy they had 3 minutes or we wanted our money back. Then next thing we know he says to follow him. We follow this random guy through some closed shops, around the back way, through the alley and to a street, where a van pulls up and he tells us to "get in". I had thoughts of all these horrible stories of 6 Americans kidnapped in Cabo while on vacation. Well, we got in and he drove us all the way across town, around the bay, to where they had this little hut type thing with the scooters sitting out front. What a completely different experience than if tourist came to the good ol USA! Long story short we got on the scooters and had a great time, once we learned how to ride them.

Seriously I think I may have married the best looking man in the world, love you babe!
Note: don't wear a little sundress on these things.
It was quite a sight to see all 6 of us in a line cruisin around the town. Here is the back of me and Justin and you can see Amy's head.
Tour guide Brian in the front pointing to something or someone. Then Hillary, Amy and Justin in his tourist shirt. Love it.
This was the first day on the boat, it was so BEAUTIFUL!!! (don't you love how I look pregnant in this shirt)

Second day at Sea and thought about catching some rays. It was so cool to look out and see nothing but water.
This was the "Formal" night at dinner. It wasn't really any different than any other night but it was still fun.
Aren't we cute???
Once we arrived in Cabo, the ship stayed out in the ocean and these tender boats came and picked up everyone and took them to the dock. That is our ship from the view of the the tender boat. So incredible how large these things are.
That is all of the pictures. We had such a wonderful time. It was so relaxing and nice to not think about any stress at home or work or anything for 4 days. Thanks to my parents for keeping the kids I didn't have to stress about them either. I highly recommend a cruise for any couple wanting a very chill vacation. We couldn't have asked for better company either. We are so glad we have such awesome family. From playing games and talking in funny accents (tranny) to trying to find Weezy all weekend it was the BEST! Thanks babe and Justin, Amy, Hillary, and Brian for sharing this great trip and making memories with me!