Family Update

We have been really busy lately and I thought I would give a quick update on each of our family members.

Doug has been busy with Marching Band. His students are working hard practicing, performing in the Fall Fest Parade, playing at all the home football games, and getting ready for competition. We all know that Doug is hardly ever home during Marching Band season. On top of Marching Band, Doug is teaching private music lessons 4 days a week, He's in the Young Mens Presidency at Church, the Scoutmaster, the Stake Music Leader, and is trying to finish up his Masters Degree. If he can make it through this last semester of school he'll graduate in December...WOO HOO. Since he is soooo busy he'll have to pull a few all nighters. I won't hesitate to say that I can't wait to get my husband back.

Jordan has been busy with school, piano and cub scouts. He recently wrote an essay at school about himself...he cracked me up. He said he loves to exercise and that he's "peculiar because of his unknown imagination". Jordan loves Math and he is in an accelerated math class this year.

Kaylee has been losing all of her teeth. She is 7 and I wondered when she was going to start losing those teeth...but once they started falling out, they just kept coming. She is in ballet, girl scouts and piano this year and so far has been loving it.

Lexi has loved going to Kindergarten. She loves her teacher. She has a friend named Alexa that I watch 3 days a week that goes to school with her and it is so fun to listen to them play. It's been really nice to have Alexa here because Lexi gets sooo bored on the 2 days that I don't watch her. Lexi is also taking tap dance and girl scouts this year.

Mason is at such a fun age. He, of course, is still into anything he can get his hands on, but he is so adorable I just have to hug and kiss him all day long. This week Mason decided that he is too big to be in his high chair. He can now climb onto the chair and sit at the table. He insists to eat there. I still try to put him in the High Chair as much as possible due to how messy and destructive he can be with his food.

I'm just busy being a Mom, working here and there with my business, and loving my calling in the Primary Presidency. I'm also trying to focus on losing weight. I've been able to work out 5 times a week for the past couple of weeks. I really enjoy working out. My struggle has always been with food...I love food (especially sweet food). I have been able to successfully switch my family to 100 percent whole wheat bread....hooray! I'm trying to gradually eat healthy and make better decisions for me and my family.

I hope everyone else is enjoying their family as much as I'm enjoying mine!

The Biggest Loser

There are a few shows that I love watching each season. One of them is The Biggest Loser. I love this show for many reasons. This is a reality show that you actually get to see people changing their lives for the better. It's inspiring. I lost 15 pounds last season and couldn't wait for Tuesday nights to see who had to leave. Don't miss the SEASON PREMIERE, tonight, Sept. 16th, 8/7c. on NBC. To kick off the new season I have already started back on my exercise schedule and healthy eating. I'm hoping to lose a lot of weight this season. Wish me luck!

On a side note... yesterday as I was vacuuming, Mason kept getting in my way (which is normal...he loves the vacuum). Lexi really is afraid that I can vacuum people up. So she says:

LEXI: "Mom, don't vacuum Mason up....

MY THOUGHTS: How sweet, she cares so much for her little brother.

LEXI: "....he's holding my teddy bear"

So there you have it....she cares more for her teddy bear than she does for her little brother. Still...I couldn't help laughing.

The Dad Song

Many of you may remember a youtube video that I posted called The Mom Song. My Aunt Jeani pointed out that there is a Dad Song to go along with it. Take a look. Click here to see The Dad Song.

Car Wash

The girls begged me to let them wash the van today. Who am I to deny my children this opportunity?

Now if only the inside of the van was as clean as the outside.

Out with the old, and in with the new.

I don't know about anybody else, but there are times in my life when I just say, "I can't stand it anymore", and I HAVE to do something about it. This happened to me this past weekend. In the spring of 1996 we bought a blue sectional couch. It has gone through 4 moves and 4 children. And after these 12 1/2 years there are stains, legs missing, and part of the cushion sticking out. I chose this last weekend to say...I CANT STAND IT ANYMORE! So, we went out and bought a sofa and a love seat. I love them. We are planning on buying a recliner or two to match, but couldn't find one we liked at the few stores here in town.

These are not real leather, only a leather blend. Hopefully I will be able to maintain them better. I love buying new furniture!

Pictures at the Winery

Tomorrow is Picture Day at the kids' school and I decided that I am not buying them. They are getting way too expensive and the pictures always come out mediocre. So, instead, I took the kids to the Winery and took some pictures of them. Mason was uncooperative to say the least, but I did get a few of him that turned out okay. I would have liked a better one with all 4 kids, but that seemed like an impossible task. Here is a slideshow of the pictures I took. Just a warning...it is kinda long.

Labor Day Fun!

Today we spent a few hours out in the pool. With school and our busy schedules starting up, this may very well be our last swim for the season. Our pool is not heated, so even though it was in the 90's today, the water was only 75 degrees. COLD! COLD! COLD! Truthfully, I only went in about half way. Mason didn't join us because he was snoozing away in a delightful afternoon nap.

Visit with BFF Melanie

Last night we were able to briefly visit with Melanie, my best friend from High School, and her family. She was passing through Las Vegas on her way to Disneyland. We drove in to Las Vegas and spent a few hours on the Las Vegas Strip. Take a look:

Although we talk on the phone a few times a year, we haven't seen each other for 5 years. She has 4 adorable kids. I can't believe how time has flown. I was also able to visit with her sister Becky and her family. I miss them all. I had a great time and wished we could have spent an entire week together. Maybe we'll have to arrange something like that in the future.