365+1 Week 9

I was running around like a crazy woman again this last weekend. I will never understand how so many things can all fall in the same 3 days. Most of them good and wonderful things, some kind of sad and melancholy- but press through we all did and we have many more memories because of it! After non stop activities and two late nights in a row, I am tired- I am just getting to old for this kind of thing I have decided!!

I also thought I would post up my weight loss log for the month of February- at my weigh in I was down 3 more pounds putting my grand total at 8lbs. since January 1st. I am very pleased about this because it rounds out to my 2lbs. a week goal- so yea for the no sugar diet right!!! Also now that two months are in the past and I am starting into month #3 I have decided that this is really a lifestyle that I can adopt- this is a do-able way of living for me and I feel really good about it. That doesn't mean that after I hit my goal weight I might think differently, but for now it is good and I will keep going!!

Photo's #57-63:

"Nighttime" I was hoping to get an awesome photo of the moon, but the sky's were just too cloudy. That said, I had to settle for a snap of Liv all snuggle up in bed ready for a kiss and hug to send her off to sleep. Not the best photo (please ignore the sock hanging out of her open drawers), but a real life moment.

This morning Abby was presented with the "Heroes" award during the school assembly. Her teacher had picked her out of the class as the person that the kids looked up to for leadership and example of how they should be at school. She was THRILLED, and we were the smiling, beaming, parents of pride in the audience!!

While at the mall all afternoon, trying to find a specific item (to no avail mind you), I HAD to stop and let Eva climb on the dinosaur bones in the play court. She thinks they are real, the genuine article, and just about the greatest thing EVER!

Leap Day! See you again in 4 years!!
I think I just might make her do this again next time around and see if her leaping skills have become even more magnificent!!

"Bedside" If you were to lay on your back in Olivia's bed and look to the right, you would be face to face with this fantastic sticker collection. I have no idea when it started, I only know that I noticed it after it was about a quarter of the way down. I love how neat and orderly it is, with row after row of her favorites collected and treasured over the years.

It snowed last night! It was only the second time of any significance- totally bizarre. The girls stood at the window, all ready for school watching their Dad as he shoveled it out of the drive and off the sidewalks so we could venture out on the icy roads and make our way to the various schools that each girl attends. Yes, they were delighted to wear their snow gear and play on the playground with all of their friends!

Happy Birthday Paul!!!
36 never looked so good!!!
It was a full day with lots of family and friend events, but we closed it out with a dinner out just the two of us. Then came home for a "Snickers" cake from Cold Stone Creamery picked out just for him by the girls. Divine!!! May all your wishes come true!!

365+1 Week 8

Here we go, another week has flown by, and this is the proof of the fun we were having!! Month two of the project is almost over. I can hardly come to terms with it, I mean really, where does the time go?

Photo's #50-56:

These are my new stockings: I am in LOVE with these! Aren't they f-a-b-u-l-o-u-s!! Especially paired with my Vera Wang Nude pumps, which I adore as well!!

Presidents Day. The flags were lining the streets again and each of the girls were out of school. While I enjoy the flags, I barely made it through the day without pulling all my hair out!!!

Abby woke up in the night with the stomach flu- it continued throughout the day. All she did was sleep and puke. Poor thing, it has been awhile since she felt THIS crappy. Lucky for the both of us that it was a 24 hour bug and she was back on her feet the next day.

"Handwriting" was my prompt. This is Abby displaying her new skills in the cursive arena. She made this for Liv at school, we all think she is a pretty nice sister to have around!!

Today we celebrated Olivia! She invited several children from school and a couple from her church class and we all met up at Kangaroo Zoo to jump and slide and giggle and have a great time together. She received all the things her heart desired and then she made a wish and blew out her Seven candles!!

All three girls couldn't stand to wait another day- even though I told them we needed more wind- they HAD to fly the kite Liv had received for her birthday. Once in the air they each had to run their little legs as fast as they would go to keep it up there, they were having a blast!!

"One among many" was my prompt. The collection of WebKinz is growing. Truthfully, I don't know how they keep them all alive online. They each have names, rooms, clothes and favorite foods. They are loved to say the least.

In Seven Heaven...

Happy Birthday Olivia!

She is now a big 7 year old girl.

She had a party, she acted silly, she had a wonderful time.
I was planning to conduct an interview with her, but I ran out of time. Maybe I will get to that tomorrow and insert it then, we will see!!!

We love this middle child of ours- she is smart, witty, emotional, creative, friendly, kind and beautiful!

Happy Birthday!!!

(and to my little sister Hill-on-the-Hill tomorrow!)

365+1 Week 7

Holiday's and Parties and Birthdays oh my!!! As you will find in the following pictures, Valentine's Day pretty much consumed our week, but that is ok, it is a lovely holiday in my opinion!!

Photo's #43-49:

Sunday we set about with the addressing, signing and stuffing the envelopes for all our school friends. Abby was efficient as always, Eva loved being able to sign her name all by herself, and Olivia took ample time picking out just the right hearts with the perfect messages on them (no "I love you" to the boys, ewwww!!!)

Eva had her Valentine's party on Monday (no school on Tues.) and she made this darling box- she was SOOO proud to have written her full name all by herself!! That's a lot of letters for a little girl!!

I hope you all had a day full of love with your sweethearts!!

"12 in a row" These have been calling my name all day- it is decided that they MUST GO out of my house!! Holidays are difficult for the sugar deprived :)

Home work, everyday after school. It is NEVER a smiling affair at our house!! But endure they must before they get to play.

We drove to the snowing skies of Idaho this afternoon. A weekend get away at a hotel with a pool and seeing the falls by the temple. We had a great time together.

We were in Idaho to celebrate my Grandfather's 90th birthday!!! He is one of my most favorite people, so many stories to be told and so much love for his family. It was a surprise party pulled off to perfection and it was delightful and heartwarming to see the joy in his eyes when he discovered that so many had taken the time to celebrate this monumental Birthday with him. We love you Grandpa!!

365+1 Week 6

What a great week we had around here- lots of fun goings on at this house. I told you all that I would keep you posted about how my sugar and fast food free diet was going. Well, after one month I weighed in and to my complete delight discovered that I had lost 5 pounds!! Truthfully I was hoping for at least 1 or 2 so this was a happy development and pushed me to keep going with it. I do realize that it was just "I have been eating like crap" weight, so I hope by the end of this month my progress will have continued and not come to a halt, we will see!

Days 36-42:

Superbowl Sunday! This is a calendar holiday in our house, as with several of our friends. We love to get together no matter who is playing and have good food and good conversation with lots of inappropriate talk and laughs!!

Eva already getting into the "Bal-um-times" spirit!!

"Button" How many do you press each day- this is just a sampling starting out with my snooze each morning. These are items that I use on a daily basis and would be lost without.

Preschool is learning about LOVE this week in prepartation for the Class Party next week. Eva came home today with this darling piece after reading one of my all time favorites "Guess how much I love you" by Sam McBratney. I purchased our copy when I was still pregnant with Abby and all three girls still love to have it read to them at bed time.

Abby has been saving her money for several months now. What was she saving for you ask? Well, she wanted an electric motor scooter. They are a bit pricy, so I told her if she could earn and save $100 dollars I would kick in the rest and she could have this most prized possession. She cleaned, took out the trash, and babysat like a dream, reaching her goal MUCH sooner than I ever expected. Today we took the cash to the bank and then went to purchase that fun scooter and a new helmet to keep her safe on the road!!

Grandparents Day at Olivia's school. She couldn't even sleep the night before with all the anticipation for this event. Grandma Davis came down and Grandma Griffiths was even able to stop in and join the fun during the day. Such a lucky girl to have both Grandmother's close by to shower her with love and affection!!

My niece Tia (who happens to be a Senior and turning 18 this spring, I am getting SOOO old) asked me to do her hair and take the group and couples pictures for the Sweetheart Dance this Saturday. My amazing photographer friend lent me her back drop frame and props- thanks again Tina!! Abby let me test shoot the lighting on her as we waited for the date's to arrive. It was fun, but a little bit stressful!!

365+1 Week 5

Days 29-35:

Today's prompt was "self portrait/reflection". This is me on a lazy Sunday afternoon, post nap-time! Please don't judge!!! :)

Eva received her Kindergarten immunizations. Seriously, this kid is so tough, even enduring FOUR shots she didn't even squint or shed a tear!! And she LOVED those colorful band-aids, she wanted to keep and treasure them forever, I had to persuade her otherwise.

Library day. It is an outing for just Eva and I these days while the other two are in school. They sing, dance, read stories, do some magic (today Eva was chosen to go up and wave the magic wand to make the cookies appear in the bowl) and then we pick out MANY books to take home and read together.

Abby is Eva's second mother, they LOVE each other so very much. Abby lovingly takes care of her and Eva makes Abby feel important and special. This afternoon I found them playing quietly together and couldn't resist this photo.

I took the girls for a much needed trim. They were all eager to jump up in those chairs to reinvent their locks into something beautiful. Olivia has always enjoyed getting her hair done, being the one that loves to look perfectly matched and fashionable at ALL times. Today, she just wanted a trim, much pleased with the length she has obtained over the last little while!

We officially made it, Eleven years together- some days it feels like an eternity has passed and others it feels like it has been mere moments. This was given to us by one of Paul's Aunts, forgive me if I can't remember just who, but I still love it and it's display in our home reminds me of our commitment to each other daily.

Today we celebrated our Anniversary. We dropped the girls off with the Davis' and hit the city with plans to play! This is our view from our suite down town overlooking the Gallivan Center and Ice Rink as the setting sun began to paint the sky.
We dined in our favorite spot down town, Settebello. They have THE BEST authentic, all imported ingredients, Italian Fire Oven baked, Margarita Pizza on the planet. The ambiance is quaint and intimate and we just LOVE it!Naturally, as our evening came to a close, we strolled the streetlamp lighted pavement, hand in hand, and made our way to the Gelato Parlor for a sweet treat to cap off the night. In case you are wondering, a combination scoop of Pistachio and Coconut is absolutely DIVINE, and I highly recommend it!!

Eleven...

All of these lines across my face
Tell you the story of who I am
So many stories of where I've been
And how I got to where I am
But these stories don't mean anything
When you've got no one to tell them to
It's true...I was made for you
I climbed across the mountain tops
Swam all across the ocean blue
I crossed all the lines and I broke all the rules
But baby I broke them all for you
Because even when I was flat broke
You made me feel like a million bucks
You do
I was made for you
-Brandi Carlile


Happy Anniversary Paul!!!
After eleven years, I'm still looking forward to a lifetime more of years and memories to share together!

I Love you P-Nut!!