Happy Halloweenie......

My least favorite holiday has past!!! I have no will power for all the candy! And being an ex-dental assistant and the thought of all the sugar on the kids teeth...blah!!!! BUT the kids had a great day. Friday was class parties at school and then a family party with all the cousins!! Good food and fun games with family is always a good time. Then Sat. trick ot treating and Taylor had a Halloween party with some of her friends. It is bittersweet to see her growing up...Today we took our family drive into American Fork Canyon and took a drive up to Tibble Creek. I love out Sunday drives and they really are a highlight of my week.
We also had a fun Halloween church party on Wed. Marc and I were called to Activities Commitee and it was really fun for me to be serving food and cleaning up and just getting to know new people in our ward. Marc was able to get about 30 pumpkins for decoration and the girls in the ward (YW) dressed up like zombies and did a really good dance to Thriller. The kids trick or treated to rooms that were decorated and they had a costume contest where Bryce won for funniest costume (he was a "biker dude"). He was SOOOOO excited! He got a ribbon and some yummy Stephens Hot Chocolate. So, really our Halloween celebration started on Wednesday.
Now it is time to get ready for Thanksgiving, my favorite time of the year. I love the time that starts now and goes thru Christmas. It is my favorite time of the year!!
I hope you are all well and will enjoy the holiday's as much as we will!!
Love you all!!

The kids heading off to school

Yup... I LOVE the 80's
Marc makes a disturbing Richard Simmons...
I am thinking of bringing this look back!!!!

Fall, fall... I love fall!

This was taken about 3 weeks ago.
Okay... So I am now in my 8th week with my trainer. Here is pretty much where I am. I have dropped about 4 1/2% body fat. I am currently at 16.1 and I have lost about 6-7 lbs of actual body fat and gained about 3-4 lbs of lean muscle. I have been working really hard and doing cardio daily(and for those who know me know I would rather give birth with NO drugs than do any cardio). The first month was Core and Stability, the second was Strength and Endurance and yesterday I started Hypertrophy (sp) phase. I think this will be my fav phase. I have an AMAZING trainer who really knows his stuff. I never really thought I needed a trainer, but he has taught me soooooo much! And I never thought I would hire a male, but he is so Peter Priesthood and honestly such a NICE guy with the sweetest wife ever! And he is young and has all female clients my age! Lol And we have ALL had amazing results! Eating has been a big part of it also, eating clean foods (but still having treats once in awhile)... but I find myself craving oatmeal and veggies fruits and I could eat chicken every day!!!!
I had a birthday last week (41) and had a super fun day! Marc took the day off work (he does every year) and we went to Good Things Utah and to lunch and we went and took archery lessons. Sounds funny BUT I have ALWAYS wanted to do it and so he scheduled private lessons for us and it was SOOOOOOOOO FUN!!!!! We will for sure go back! And even with the food and treats I stayed in my calorie range so I had no eating remorse! (I really don't have that ever cuz I never really go over or eat horrible) It was such a fun day. Bryce got me a watch that he was soooooo excited to give me, Taylor gave me one of my fav perfumes (Chloe), and I got 2 wooden rocking chairs for our front patio. I also got and adorable Juicy charm bracelet and cupcake charm (thanks mom and dad and n-laws) and a few other things.
Taylor will be starting basketball on a competitive league in SLC on Sat. The coach of the American Fork High School wants a team put together that learns legit plays and rules that will play together over the next few years so when they get to high school they will know each other well. So she got a call asking her to join! She is soooooo excited! I am too. I LOVE going to her games.
Bryce is Bryce. He is a boy that has me wrapped around his little finger. Listening to Journey the other night in the truck he says (after being quiet for half of the song) "Mom, this song makes me want to gaze into your eyes." Really, can he be any more precious? He LOVES school....loves math, and reading. Gets so excited for it all. Loves eating school lunch (last year there was no kitchen so they brought home lunch everyday while construction was going on at the school).
Marc is still busy at work and has a big job in Springville that hopefully will put us thru the winter.... We have been so blessed to have had work this year. Many have not. We have been blessed in many ways. I am married to an amazing man who loves us all so much. I am so blessed to be able to be a stay at home mom and love the time of day when my kids come home from school. They burst thru the door and Bryce ALWAYS runs to hug me and Tay does too, but in her own cool pre-teenage way! Lol She is growing up tooooo fast. Then it is homework and play. Being a mom is such a rewarding honor and I love my little family so much! I am still baby hungry and with a dear friend expecting (shock to her, hahahaha) I am not ruling it completely out. I so love pregnancy and all that goes with it. So I have decided to put my trust in The Lord and see what happens. If it is meant to be it will happen and if not then that's fine too. But Marc is for sure crossing his fingers or a yes!!! LOL
Well that's about it for here... still have pic's to get up. Don't give up on me...they will appear (Kim, I PROMISE) soon... and there will be a lot!
Love you all!!!!

Bryce had to have a tooth pulled...
Mom and Taylor....

Ready for School
They really were excited!

Hangin in Manti
It was soooo hot....

Alive and Kicking!!!

Yes..I am quite possibly the WORST blogger in the history of blogging. I have a TON of pic's to download on here. So right now I will do an update before the pic's that will SHORTLY follow!
School is in session!
Bryce-2nd grade......
Oh the time has flown by. My son (who truely melts may heart daily) is growing all too fast! He is a wiz at math and loves to read before bed. And always wants a turn at reading scriptures. He loves to say All the prayers, has a split personality (Hmmmm can you say bi-polar), loves his mom (calls me his wife), loves sprinkler heads and will tell you all about them and is obsessed with "Dodge Duelie" trucks. He makes me laugh til it hurts and in the very next sec can get vinegar for being naughty!!!! He brings such joy to this family and to EVERYONE he meets. All the teachers and janitor and principal know him (not because he gets in trouble) because he just spreads joy everywhere. We were in Costco and a lady was so happy to see him and he was chatting her up and she told us she was a teacher who was in the classroom next to his class last year. And she said she absolutly loves him! I am doing something right! He loves school and loves his 1st grade teacher from last year (Miss T. he talks about you everyday and how he sees you daily...it really is the high light of his day!) Thank you for making such an impact in his life!!!

Taylor-6th grade.....
My baby! She will soon be 12. She has the same adorable boyfriend from last year although she was sad they are not in the same class this year. However, they dine at lunch and hit the playground after together (really a group of friends)and all hang out on the weekends. She is now to the age where she goes to the movies with friends on the weekends (we have joined the world of dropping off and picking up) and the pool and hanging out. She has a curfew now (gulp) and although it kills me to give her more freedom, it is that time... when we do things on the weekend aometimes she in not with us and it makes my heart ache just a little that she is off doing her own thing. She is a good kid and independant which I am greatful for. But still, she would climb up into my lap and cuddle everyday if she could. She also has begun hair removing from her legs. She wanted to shave til her friend told her how it "hurts so bad when you cut yourself" so Marc went and hit Walgreens for Smooth Away so remove that hair (works really good btw).
Me.....
Well let's see. I will be turning 41 this year and that is so crazy to me! I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this time in my life. I hired a personal trainer (who is AMAZING) to see what my body can do at this age. I will post pic's (maybe) at the end of my 3 months. I would really love to hire a photograper and take real pic's because it will be a real acomplishment for me. Marc says do it...so we shall see! I so enjoy being a mom and the older my kids get (although it makes me sad they are growing) I have more and more fun with them. We still do our Sunday drives every week, and it is something I look forward too!!


I tried wakeboarding (and made it up 1st try, briefly) this summer..big for me because I am terrified of water, I rode a mechanical bull and hung on for a long time (I was surprized and proud of myself)..2 things I have always wanted to try. I guess 40 was the year I grew some balls and pushed fear away. I still have a few more things I want to try..rock climbing may be my next thing, and snowboarding for sure! Most of my life I have been a chicken to try new things because of having to go out of my comfort zone. And caring what other people will think. I think my fav thing of this age is that I NO LONGER care what others think and it is an AMAZING feeling!!!
I was watching Reba on CMT one day and she said something that hit me..."With age comes confidence". The hang-ups and insecurities that I had at 32, even 36 are gone. So as Oprah has talked about I guess I found my "ah-ha" moment. Life is fun and exciting and wonderful! And I truely, truely LOVE mine!!
Marc.....
I have been blessed with the most supportive, kind, loving affectionate husband ever. He is so good to us all and is the best father and husband I could ever dream for. We have been in our home for a year (1 year yesterday) and it has been so fun working together making it our home together. Our kitchen is 80% done (needs backsplash and floor still) and our front yard is almost finished too. Marc's company put a patio and porch on the front of our house and he landscaped the front. New trees and sod are in and plants and mulch soon to finish it up! Marc has done such an amazing job and is really good at what he does. He works so hard for this family and we have also been blessed that thru the bad economy he has had steady work this season. He will be starting a big job soon that should put us thru winter. That is a big relief for us because quite a few companies are going under this year in his line of work. But he is honest, and his word means everything and I am so proud of him and proud to stand beside him as his wife.
Well...I promise pic's to come and there will be many! So be prepared!!!

Our Michigan trip..

We are back from our trip to Michigan. My parents had their 50th wedding anniversary and my mom's 75th birthday so we all flew out to be with them. My brother came in from Chicago with his family, also. It was a super fun trip. While we were there we went to the Detriot Zoo, saw a Detroit Tiger's baseball game and ate all sorts of YUMMY food!!!! It was fun to hang out with my parents every night and have dinner with one of my dearest friend and her family. We were there for 8 days but it flew by. I also visited one of my most favoritest (I know, not a real word) people EVER!!!! My ex-brother in law Thomas Coleman. He is 43 now, and after all these years still calls me his "dister-in-law". Thomas has downs syndrom, you see and 20 years later I still love him with ALL my heart! He has never forgotten me and this time said he will marry me. He also says Taylor will be his daughter....I bet there has not been 1 day that has gone by where I haven't thought of him. Even as I type this I cannot help but to have a big ole grin on my face!!!! We also did a short visit with my biological grandparents. The kids had a blast staying at a hotel the whole time and were VERY spoiled by Grandma and Papa. We all were spoiled by them! I was very sad to leave and come back to Utah. I will post pic's soon of our trip. We are in the middle of re-doing our kitchen right now so in a few days when that settles I will download pic's. And before and after pic's of our kitchen, too!
The kids are out of school for summer (May 29th last day) and Taylor is at Clear Creek camp with her school until Fri. She left on Monday. It is so strange to hae her gone and I really miss her. But I will say that there has not been any fighting between Bryce and her! LOL But Bryce says he misses his sister and can't wait for her to come home!
Marc is still staying busy with work and we are thankful everyday for that! Well I am being called to help get the dishwasher back in so must run for now. Check soon for pic's and I love you ALL!!!!!! Xo xo

And so it begins....

Taylor came home today and told me she has a date tomorrow with Justice at lunch time! Her friends told her to dress cute and put her hair in braids (THIS part is HILARIOUS to me because I am ALWAYS trying to get her to wear her hair in braids and she always says NO!!!!). So I am curious to see what happens on "the date"...LOL And they have held hands at school and he gave her a kiss on the cheek. Now you may wonder if I am freaking out.... (part of me is relieved because my wondering if she was going to "like" girls has been put to rest). I have met his family and he seems to be a good kid...and he is stinkin cute!! And no I am not freaking out. I am so thankful she feels she can come and share this all with me. I remember being in 5th grade and what it is like....except I was the one chasing boys trying to kiss THEM! Ha ha But she is such a good kid and very responsable and has never done anything to loose our trust. So time will tell on where this little relationship goes....I will keep you posted!

Happy Mother's Day...

I absolutly LOVE Mother's Day!! It is my favorite holiday followed by my birthday. This year was filled with many surprizes. Beginning on Thursday with a text message from Marc that read "it's for Mother's Day early". My reply was "Huh?" (I am not very clever at 8 a.m.) and the reply was "you'll see". So I got in the car to take the kids to school and there was a new charger/cord to play my I-Pod in the car (I recently upgraded to the 4th Generation and my old one doesn't charge it). I was SO excited because I would pick my I-Pod as something I would need on a deserted island (sooooo practical, I know). Then on Friday Bryce came home and made me open my present he made in school for me....a bracelet made with beads. He was SO excited to have me open it! And he made me a card with his best hand writting and a huge green heart inside. He told me the heart meant that he and I were in love with each other. Ahhh...I just love that kid!! Then on Sat. I got a bouquet of fruit....the BEST gift for me!!!! It was so delicious and FRESH!!!! A few dark chocolate dipped strawberries and apples and tons of undipped fruit. Then my husband needed to go to Home Depot and wanted me to come with him and when we got there he told me to pick out some patio furniture for my Mother's Day gift! So I tried out many and found the most comfortable set EVER and we brought home a couch, 2 chairs and foot rests and a table. (I took the best nap on it today!!!!!) I was in heaven... Then on Mother's Day Taylor gave me her gift she made...a letter nominating me for mom of the year and an essay of why I deserved it. And an award on paper for me! I so love the gifts my kids have made over the years. They are priceless and mean the world to me! I LOVE that my daughter loves me so much!!!! We had Marc's parents over for a bar-b-q and cake because Mother's Day was also Bryce's 7th birthday! It was such a fun day...ending with our weekly Sunday drive! Bryce got a Slip N Slide and Super Soaker, and new scripture bag with CTR on the front (he looks like a mini missionary with it in his suit) and he FINALLY got Heeley's! Which may be the cause of his first broken bone!! Ha ha He has been bugging for those for like 6 months!!!! I hope all you mothers out there had a wonderful day!!!!

Many, many pictures!!!!

Okay...finally some pictures!!!! They range from Dec. til April...hopefully I will have learned my lesson and stay up on it better!! So there are a few from Christmas and just random things....I am out the door to finally get my roots done but have put pictures off LONG ENOUGH!!!!!! Enjoy!

Kids eating out back
Up at Sundance
Bryce and his best friend Lainy
Sundance
April...REALLY????
New garage door...
Old garage door
Bryce colored this...
Christian the trouble-maker ex boyfriend
New boyfriend Justice looking at the camera..the "tow head"
Taylor makes the shot..and her mama proud!!
Mel...looks just like my daughter
Best friends EVER!!!!
Always laughing....
Robin's baby shower.
Bryce and Roxy
Snow!!!
Our yard.... Bryce in his Christmas program..
So cute!!

Quick re-cap..

Sarah at Abbie's 3rd b-day party..this is her shirt
The Larsen's at Thanksgiving
Final result
One spot really hurt!



Okay..The problem is that I load our computer downstairs with all pic's from our camera. And usually I am on the laptop upstairs...So it really all just comes down to my laziness...and lazy I am!!! So I will put one or 2 on here and get to our camera soon! Maybe that should be our FHE activity??
My kids have about a month left of school! Where has this year gone? Marc has work lined up and is about 6 weeks out, maybe even more...We are waiting for our kitchen cabinets to be finished. He said today by the end of next weekend they should be done. We decided on knotty cherry and granite counter tops. We have an L shape now with a bar but we are planning to tear down part of the wall between kitchen and living room and we will have an island instead and in the island we are putting in a small sink for washing veggies and drinking (reverse osmosis will be in that sink) and we are puttin in a farm sink for the main sink. And I am most excited about having the dishwasher on the LEFT!!!!! Every kitchen I have ever had was for a right handed person and I am a lefty!!! Once the kitchen is in I will cook!!!! That was my promise to my husband. Although my family may not love it at first because it will be alot of "clean" meals!!
Mom and Dad you may not to read this next part, but I got another tattoo...I wanted one to represent my family so I did stars with everyones birth stone colors. I ABSOLUTLY love it!! That is about it for here...I will post pic of the new garage door (as well as a before) and the pic's of our house in the winter....Love to you all!!!

Okay....tomorrow.....pic's!!!!

Okay..so my goal it to get pic's up here tomorrow!!!! We are getting a new garage door so I will have to sit here while it is being installed. I am hoping that is the time I can update!!!! So until tomorrow...then be prepared for pic OVERLOAD!!!!!

Taylor at 2....

My friend had this picture on his computer and sent it to me...This is Taylor at 2. Oh how I miss those days!!!!!! She was so very serious (still is...sort of) and just sooooo sweet! I was a single mom for awhile with her and even though it was a tough time in my life it is also one of the VERY best!!!! I really learned what I was made of...I loved that little girl sooo much (still do soooo freakin much) and she was glued to my side..ha ha and if she had her way she still would be! I remember how I would put her in her bed at night and when I went back up to go to my bed later, there she would be...asleep! This little girl in my big bed tucked herself in and there she would sleep..And what do ya know..she askes me at least 4 times a week when she can sleep with me! I have such wonderful memories of my daughter over the years...end even though she is 11 (and we had maturation day at her school today) in my mind she will always be this small, sweet, innocent 2 year old...I love you soooooo much Tay!!!!!

Taylor and Bryce after school...

M kids made the paper coming home from school...Our cute neighbor came over and brought us the article...My kids were so excited to see themselves in the paper...