DECEMBER

Ok so I am SOOOOO bad at blogging these days.. I thought I would try to do a catch up . . .

A Few weekend's ago my Aunt Sherri came into town with her kids We had such a fun time hanging out with them. Ashlyn and Sabrina were so dang cute together being little DIVA's together. and the boys; Lochlin Braeden and Spencer . . . What STUDS!! It was so great to see them and we are totally loking forward to spending time with the PLUMMER's Again Soon.

One NIGHT we went out with a FUN GROUP to RIGATONY's and then to F1 Racing.... IT WAS a BLAST to Goof off, be loud and obnoxious and have a SUPER FUN TIME with AMAZINGLY FUN people. . . Sherri, Shauna, Troy, Cliff, Lindsay, Dennis, Kinley, and Chad and I.

We Had so much fun racing eachother around the track and US girls had a BLAST playing dress up's with the JUMPSUITS.

Ashlyn had her MUSIC Performance with Miss JENNY Prince's THAT's ENTERTAINMENT group. I LOVE seeing Ashlyn on the stage... OK SO I AM PARTIAL but SHE IS SO GOOD. and I JUST LOVE hearing her sing. HERE is a video you can see for YOURSELF what a little cutie she is. Singing Sugar Pie Honey Bunch!!! Lochlin kept making her laugh but I LOVE watching her.

So we decided last minute that we would drive to TX to spend Christmas with my Family Emily and Joe, Stephanie and Dave, and Cherry and Scott. . . We have been having so much fun. BAKING, CLEANING, Decorating cookies, Going to the gym, Christmas Parties, Getting together with old FRIENDS Koya and Heather, Meeting up with Benny and Rhonda at their restraunt Poppy's (which was SO FABULOUS) It has been a BLAST here. I LOVE TEXAS. . . I don't know IF we will EVER come back to AZ....

The kids had a GREAT Christmas, The boys got Guitar Hero and Ashlyn was so excited to get the Hair Straightener that puts colors in your hair. My little GLAM girl.

Here are a FEW of the Photos' Hope ALL is going well with EVERYONE ELSE and HOPE everyone had a MERRY CHRISTMAS and has a safe and FUN New Years.

This One is FOR YOU!!!

SO...

YES I am down 40 LBS..

Even though it is

TOTALLY

EMBARRASSING

to admit that number... I have been working my butt off at the gym...but really, the rest has been fairly easy.

Sara you asked what i am eating/doing other than the crazy gym schedule . . . Well Here You go... I hope this helps anyone else who has found themselves in the same rut as me.

So I had a hard time even finding a picture with my giggly belly in it. If for some reason I did find myself in front of the camera, I always tried to grab a PROP to hide my waist, boobs and butt... Anything worked from kids on laps, to hiding in the back row of group shots. But I found this picture from back in JULY 2007 while I was spending my summer in Hawaii visiting my parents. This is my LARGEST i have ever been. . . I thought I was healthy. I mean I was eating healthy, I went to the gym, I was really stong and I could run a few miles on the treadmill, But LOOK at me. I want cringe that THIS is what I looked like 4 months ago. I guess while you are big, it is easy to overlook how you actually LOOK.

Well when I got back from Hawaii at the end of JULY the FIRST thing I did to change my life was this TV DIET. . . While in Hawaii.... we had NO NEED to watch TV, our family would go to the beach, go on walks around Laie, etc. . . so when we got home. I wasn't even interested in watching the shows I had previously been into. . . and I was into a TON of shows . . . Kind of the joke.. you named a show and I watched it. from Extra, Inside Edition, Oprah, Dr. Phil, all CSI's, Law and Order's, Gray's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Survivor, the list goes ON and ON.. . I now watch NO TV. I don't even turn on the NEWS in the morning. YES... the TV does go on in our house. I turn on Baby Einstein for Irelyn, and Chad watches the Sun's Games, and the kids watch a little Disney and Cartoon Network . . . BUT you will NEVER find me sitting on the couch watching a show. EVER.... and although I did suffer a little from TV withdrawal's while people are talking about the latest thing happening on Gray's or Desperate. . . I have found that I am completely FINE to NOT KNOW, I no longer even CARE what is happening in the TV world. . . It was crazy to find out that a few weeks ago there was a writer's strike. . . I didn't even KNOW!

On to the next thing that changed my life. . . I would say it is Moderation . . . I PROMISE I am NOT on a crazy diet. I eat what I want. . . and don't deprive myself of anything that I WANT. . . But. . . The IMPORTANT thing is WHAT I WANT. . . I have always eaten pretty healthy, We DON'T do Fast food (except on the long car drives and RANDOM occasions throughout the year) Salad's have always been one of my favorite foods, I love veggies, and chicken and salmon etc. . . So what is it I am doing???? Well, I eat several times throughout the day (sometimes not as frequently as I should), I watch my portions, AND I am more aware of the food that enters my mouth. I have learned that ONE bite of a cookie is better for me than 4 cookies dipped in milk... After all . . . I just wanted to KNOW what the cookie tastes like, and It isn't going to taste different if I keep eating more and more of them. If I am hungry I should grab something with Protein in it BEFORE I start shoving my mouth full of cookies to try to fill myself up. I thought I would share some of my favorite foods and a few recipes for things I am eating.

1. Fiber One Bars and South Beach Diet Bars - I use these for a quick snack or breakfast meal or just a time when I am scrounging looking for something sweet and satisfying. They are SO GOOD, and I think EVERYONE should have these as a staple in their pantry.

2. Pro Lean Mass - Chocolate Mouse Protein Powder - YUMMMM that is what I will start with. This stuff seriously tastes like the Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink. I usually do one scoop of this with 4 oz of water. for a delicious 119 calorie meal. I get it at House of Fitness on Southern and I think Country Club and it is $35 but it lasts a while.

3. Diet Pepsi - Ok. . . I have not always been a big POP fan. but this stuff is good for a quick energy boost and I actually like the taste. There are NO calories, and I will usually have 1-2 of these a day. Along with a TON of water. I have found that drinking water from bottles is the easiest most convenient way to drink enough. I can grab a bottle and bring it with me, throw it in my purse, etc.

4. Sugar Free Jello and Sugar Free Cool Whip - The most delicious low cal snack out there. I will usually treat myself to this snack a few times a week. 20-30 calories that's all... Not bad for a dessert.

5. Whole Grains - So ever since I have been married I have NEVER bought white bread, yes the occasional loaf of fresh hot french bread from the store, a few times some white rolls and some Hawaiian sweet rolls but all sandwiches have ALWAYS been made on 100% Whole Wheat Bread.. . I dont know what my kids would do if they saw white bread for their PB&J. I also buy the Whole Grain Rice (these 90 second 2 serving one's from Uncle Ben's are GREAT) They are perfect to any meal... although I usually will only use them for a LUNCH, Carbs like this are not eaten at night usually in our house. If you want a little sweet touch to the rice throw in a TBSP of coconut or Spice it up with a little lemon juice and cilantro. For anyone who has been living on WHITE rice it will taste weird for a while... but you get used to it and it can be a YUMMY addition to any meal.

6. 100 Calorie Popcorn - Ok so I really don't use this as a snack to frequently but sometimes when I crave a bit more substance than a little Jello this popcorn can satisfy me. It takes a lot longer to eat it has a salty yummy taste and it is portioned for you. PLUS if you share it with kids or a hungry hubby . . . you are getting even fewer calories.

7. Lean Cuisine - So There are times when I am struggling with WHAT TO EAT for a meal. If I dont want to cook something, or I dont have leftovers What do I eat? Well... Lean Cuisine's are great for those occasion's I just pull one out of the freezer and There is a Lunch. PLUS I usually share it with Ashlyn so I am eating something pretty good and sharing it so I get fewer calories. Watch out for the Breaded and Fried things and the White Starches. I usually try to avoid them. There are quite a few with veggies and a meat.

8. Egg White Oatmeal Pancakes - SO gross sounding but so good. . . You mix in a blender 3 egg whites, 1/2 cup raw oatmeal 2 Tbsp splenda and 1/2 tsp cinnamon then pour in a pan to make about 3 pancakes. I will top them with a little dab of Sugar Free Jelly and a little Sugar Free Cool Whip. YUMMM... These are a good treat when I have a little more time to make something for breakfast.

9. Dinner's - My dinners usually consist of a Meat and a Veggie. We pretty much ALWAYS have a salad, but some of my other favorite veggies are sauteed zucchini (I spray a pan with a little I can't believe it's not butter spray and throw the sliced zucchini on with a sprinkle of garlic salt and dab of Parmesan cheese. . . YUM) I also LOVE Broccoli usually with a little lemon juice or garlic and parm cheese. . . As for the Meat's we usually have Chicken or Fish, I Try to avoid highly sugary marinades and stick to spices and grilling but My favorite Chicken dish is what we call Salsa Chicken which is just salsa, taco seasoning and water dumped on some chicken in the crock pot, then shredded and put on top of salad. We also use the Mango Ginger Habanero Marinade (from Costco) on top of some Salmon then baked. Ok and last thing about Dinner's . . . Cook them at home. . . You are able to control the amt of fat's that you use and consume and you can spend the time while cooking to help your kids understand the importance of eating healthy. . . It is so cute because my kids talk about eating their Protein's I LOVE that they know about being healthy.

10. Sugar Free GUM - I LOVE gum. I love the Orbit Sweet Mint Gum and usually will have 3-4 pieces a day. It helps get your mind off eating because you are chewing something.

LASTLY . . . EXERCISE!!! Park further away, walk to pick up the kids at school or to get the mail, take the stairs instead of the elevator, I have been wearing a Body Bugg for a few weeks now and it is so interesting to see the number of steps I take each hour, I walk about 840 steps while getting my kids ready in the morning, just the basic things you can see how it adds up.

If anyone wants to start doing any classes with me at Fitness Works. . . I am a Class JUNKIE.

I do RPM (bike), Pump (weights), Step, Attack, Combat, and Flow (yoga) throughout the week.

on average I burn about 3200 Calories a day I am eating about 1500 Calories and that deficit has helped me loose about 2 1/2 lbs a week. It is coming off slow, but I know I will be able to keep it off.

I know this was the LONGEST post EVER!!! I hope This answers any questions Sara that you had about what I am doing. If you can think of anything else let me know I will try to answer as best as I can.

Have You STOPPED Checking??

I know I have been REALLY, REALLY bad at updating my blog lately... There is NO EXCUSE... Sorry Bloggers... I just haven't sat down at the computer. Chad is working from HOME... Which I LOVE... BUT.. he is at the desk all day.. I could take my laptop out of the room and use it somewhere else BUT.. It is just easier to NOT get on the computer at all... Our Family has been on a TV diet since we have gotten home from Hawaii this summer so I am not even wasting time watching Oprah, Desperate Housewives, or Gray's Anatomy. . . I honestly have just been busy getting end of the year stuff together for Primary, and Scouts, Tring to get up the Christmas Decorations, Helping in the Kids Classrooms, Trying to keep up on cleaning my house, organizing closets, cleaning out the garage, you know all that fun stuff... PLUS i am still going to the GYM usually two times a day 5:15 AM and 4:20 PM.. (ok I am down 40 lbs from the Hawaii pictures I have posted on this blog from July... Whoo Hoo... I just wish I felt comfortable getting pictures taken... NOT YET... a little bit more to go.. THEN I may do a BIG REVEAL Picture)

So This past weekend My Little Sister Steph Came into town to go with Chad and I to see DANE COOK... OK it was crude.. but SO DANG FUNNY. We had a blast. We had a GREAT weekend spending time with Steph and we were sad to see her go Sunday Afternoon. But... She will be back soon to help Mom and Dad MOVE to TEXAS after Christmas. YEAH for getting them back on the MAINLAND.

Well.. We just saw SANTA last night at the ANNUAL Howey Christmas Dinner. It is So nice to have Santa Stop by to see us so we dont have to fight the mall crowds, etc...

NOVEMBER UPDATE

I KNOW... I haven't blogged in a REAL LONG TIME... so I will try to catch up... So you dont get to see halloween pictures . . . I dont know where i put them on my computer and YES i am TO LAZY to go looking for them now.. PLUS that was like a month ago. The kids all got a ton of candy and I was so grateful for Phanelb teaching me about the GREAT PUMPKIN.. cause we let the kids pig out for a whole day on their candy then we left it on the table the night after Halloween for the Great Pumpkin to trade for a little prize. PHEW. . . it was such a relief to get the temptation of Candy OUT of the house. I guess chad and BINGED on all the Kit Kats after the kids went to bed Halloween night anyways.. . and we didn't get to many sweedish fish so nothing to make me dig through the buckets for. Well.... Now that it NOVember is almost over We have a lot to catch up on. So One of the pictures is the HUGE gash Loch got on his eye after a fight with Brae. Kind of funny... I just had to document some of the blood they draw on eachother. I HOPE sometime this stuff will end but Chad tells me IT WONT... THEY ARE BOYS!! Oh then I have this picture of Irelyn FLEXING... Dont know who remembers... but LOCH did the exact same thing and they look so much alike doing it.
This past week Steph and Dave came into town. We have had so much fun trying to spend any minute we can with them. We had a fun dinner on Monday night with a SUPER fun group of friends. Then we went to the park and let the kids feed the DUCKS . . . It was so cute to see Irelyn so excited to touch them. . . Thanksgiving was fun we started our day out with the Turkey Trot Chad ran the 1 mile with Loch and Brae. and they made pretty good time. Then I ran the 10 K. . . Let me just say... JET FUEL (the energy pill) is NOT a GOOD THING to take before a long run. I got so sick I puked seriously like 10 times throughout the 6.2 miles and ended up walking for quite a bit of the race. It took me like 1 hour and 17 minutes to finish and I WAS SO dissapointed because I KNEW I could have done better if I weren't gaging the whole time. But I fininshed. We then had dinner over at Chad's Aunts house. Ashlyn wanted to wear her INDIAN outfit from Preschool. She was so dang cute!! Afterwards we stopped by to see Bob and Sue and Rob Gilligan. The kids had so much fun playing with their birds and being spoiled by them. Then we ended our night by stopping by grandma stephenson's to see Steph and Dave and family, Greg and Stacy and family and Sid and Gma. Then on Friday we went over again to Gma's house for her B-day and to make gingerbread houses. . . the KIDS LOVED all the candy and even though Ashlyn's didnt even make it from the front door to the car and Lochlin's house crashed before we made it home. . . I think they had a blast and LOVED the memories of doing that with their cousins. Well I will try to update before another month goes by. Take care and Hope all the fellow bloggers had a WONDERFUL TURKEY DAY!!

What is THIS?

I hate sick kids. "I" ( this is Irelyn's nickname from Ashlyn) woke up sick. I dont think this is PINK EYE.. cause her eye balls are clear... but there is all this green yucky junk coming out.. ICKY ICKY... anyone KNOW what this is?

OK I know this is gross... but hey.. it isnt a picture of POOP like I have previously posted.

The Goal

Lose 2 Pounds this coming week!!!!

OK so this morning at the gym Tiffany Watkins and I decided to set a VERY reasonable goal of dropping 2 pounds this week... To reward ourselves... We are going to get manicures and pedicures Saturday afternoon. SOOO... to anyone else who wants to join us in this goal.. Commit HERE... We can push eachother through...

OH... If anyone wants to JOIN Tiff and I for any classes at Fitness Works this week
Here is the schedule we basically stick to. . .
Monday - 4:20 Step at Recker and Brown
7:30 Combat at Higley and Baseline
Tuesday - 5:15 AM - Pump at Higley
4:20 Step at Higley
Wednesday - OFF
Thursday - 5:15 AM - Pump at Higley
4:20 - Body Flow at Higley
Friday - 8:30AM - Step at Higley
Saturday - 8:30AM - Attack at Higley
9:30 - Pump at Higley (If we cant make the 7:20AM Pump before Attack)

SO Weigh yourself TODAY and Join us This weekend for a little Pampering

SuperHero

Ok so the cutest thing EVER!!! I am cleaning out Braeden's folder after school and I come across a paper where he had to draw a Superhero Trading Card. . . I got kind of teary eye'd when I saw what Brae did..

What My Mom does BEST: She Feeds Me

More About My Mom: She Says Good Night To Me. She is Always Nice.

I Just LOVE it when my kids do something SWEET like this... TOTALLY made my day!!

The Party's .....

Lochlin's 9th Birthday Party

Lochlin didn't get a HUGE party like we normally do because HE kept getting in trouble... so Friday night we invited a 4 friends over for a MINI Tony Hawk Party.. They Skateboarded, colored Skate Shirts and watched the movie Transformers. It was so EASY... ESP compared to what I usually do.. Hopefully he had fun with a Small Party. . . and he learned his lesson NOT to get into trouble.

Ashlyn's 5th Birthday Party

Ashlyn's Party was so much fun... The front room was all covered in toole and lights.. and Pink stuff. We did Make Up, Hair, Pin the shoe on Cinderella, Made Princess foam sticker pictures and took pictures with Belle.. I am so glad to have a daughter to get to do these fun things FOR and WITH...

Crazy October!!

October is ALMOST over.... Not that I don't like October... It is just a super crazy month!! Mom came into town from Hawaii to watch the kids while we spent the weekend in VEGAS... (thanks mom')... I had Lochlin's Bday on the 17th, Chad's Bday on the 18th, we celebrated Loch's Bday last friday ( I have pictures and WILL post tomorrow) Then I havae Sharing Time this month... and we have the Primary Program on the 28th... Well Ashlyn's Bday was on Sunday and then Today we just had her little Princess Party... Which was SO MUCH FUN!! I am so happy I have a little girl that I can get all PINKED out for... (I WILL post the pictures from this tomorrow too) BUT after the party, dinner, clean up, I had to give my girls a bath to wash off all the glitter and makeup... Well... Irelyn was cracking up at a "tooting" noise so I HAD to grab the camera.. YES it was around the corner... I RAN and was only out of her sight for a few seconds.. WELL upon my return I capture her CUTE laugh at the noise... OH... and of course MUCH MUCH more.. Watch... You'll see!!! Chad was like... YOU HAVE to post that TONIGHT!!! so even though I am SOOOO tired... and am getting up WAY to early in the morning for the gym... Here it is...

I am tryin to Catch Up!!

Ok so since I have come home from Hawaii.. I really have struggled to get back into LIFE here... I havent beeen able to get on top of my cleaning (the routine is helping a TON) but still!!! I have slacked in doing my Laundry, my paperwork, my house seriously feels like it is falling apart. My garage is full of a ton of S#@! and I so badly need to dust and clean baseboards etc... but seriously...
I JUST WANT TO KEEP GOING ON VACATION!!!
We just got home from Vegas this weekend. We had a FREAKING BLAST!!!
I was so lucky to have my mom come out from Hawaii to watch my kids while we went.... She is the BEST EVER!!! She was so worried that I would care that she didnt get a HUGE PROJECT done (usually we repaint, have a garage sale, DEEP clean a few rooms, etc) but she did MUCH MUCH more than a project like that.... she was the BEST grandma EVER to my kids. She totally Helped Ashlyn with her READING, she took the kids to Bass Pro Shop, Amazing Jakes, got them all ready and to church at 8:30 in the morning, got them all off to school did all the laundry, changed MANY poopie diapers and LOVED my kids to death the whole time she was out here... I think MY MOM is the best ever!!! I WISH I could spend more time with her... I am really looking forward to her moving back to "the mainland" in January!!! Texas ISN'T that far away.
I am kind of scatter brained right now..It IS late... but I just had to post so people know I AM ALIVE!!!

Chocolate Rain

OK I HAD to post this... Over the summer... It was late one night... Phanelb, Phanie, Chad and I were all up watching Jimmy Kimmel and this guy starts singing "Chocolate Rain" all four of us were in shock... What the heck.. Do we feel bad for him??? does he KNOW he is being made fun of??? We were all cracking up to the point of TEARS at this song... the people in the audience reaction's say it all. . .OH.. PLEASE notice the wonderful transitions that ABC uses during the song... We espically LOVE the STAR!!! BTW... you can download the MP3 of this song FREE (can you believe it, ha ha) from YOU TUBE!! Don't worry I already have it in my itunes play list.

I Love how Jimmy makes fun of him and calls him Darth Vader!!

SO I dedicate this POST to Steph, Steph and Chad... I LOVE YOU ALL!!!

The Routine

OK so Thank you Susan for the suggestion of checking out FLYLADY.com I searched her website and I came up with a daily routine that I am going to try for a few weeks. I thought I would share it will all my fellow blog readers... so you can copy/paste and create your own.
I am pretty good at doing most of the stuff but I am totally LIST OBSESSED!!! so this is now printed off and on my FRIDGE.... YES ONE MORE PIECE OF CLUTTER for that DARN FRIDGE!!!

MORNING Routine
Hit the GYM - Pump or Cardio for at least 1 hour (Mon - Fri)
Make the bed (right away before doing ANYTHING ELSE)
Shower, Clean up and GET READY down to the shoes
Wipe down and Clean Master Bathroom before leaving the room
Take dirty clothes to the laundry and begin a load
Unload dishwasher (one of the children’s chores)
Feed the Family and of course don’t forget to eat yourself
Load dishes right away into the empty dishwasher
Don’t Forget Family Prayer & Goal Setting
(Mon – Fri) Send the kids out the door with a hug and kiss
What’s for Dinner??? Think about it NOW
Straighten up any messes left behind
Forward the Laundry
Sit down and relax for 30 minutes (check email & blog)
HOUR OF POWER
Monday – Vacuum, Dust, Sweep, Mop, Bathrooms
Tuesday – Vacuum, Sweep, GO TO LUNCH
Wednesday – Vacuum, Sweep, Clean Out Fridge, Plan Menu, Clean Desk
Thursday – Errands, Cleaners, Grocery Store, Gas Car,
Friday – Vacuum, Sweep, Write any Notes, Thank You’s, DATE NIGHT
Saturday – House Top to Bottom with Kids Help, FAMILY DAY
Sunday – Church, Relax
Relax till kids get home from school
Homework
Kids Chores
Scouts, Music, Dance, Sports, Etc…
Feed the Family Dinner – Sit together around the table
Did we accomplish the goals we set?
Best and Worst part of Day
Discuss upcoming weekly activities
Make sure kids have the “Tickets” they earned for the day.
Family Prayer & Read Scriptures
Put kids in bed with a hug and a kiss


BEFORE Bed
Straighten House
Clean misc. toys, clothes, Start Dishwasher.
So you can start a new day with a CLEAN house.
Check the Calendar (just to see what is on the LIST for tomorrow)
Get Ready for BED (not that you have to go to bed yet) but now it is time to RELAX, watch TV, write in journal, read a book, snuggle

A Mom's Work...

Absolutly the BEST video on YouTube!!! I was dying of laughter... I haven't had to use all the sayings yet... but I definatly remember hearing them from my mom I know the time is coming... I hope EVERYONE who is a MOM and visits this BLOG... will WATCH THIS...

Love ya EMO for sharing this...

Katchup

I feel like I havent BLOGGED in the longest time. . . I dont know where I have been or what I have been doing that has stopped me from posting... NOT that I have anything NEW and EXCITING to talk about.. Life is going along just like usual... This week was early release for Ashlyn (Parent-Teacher Conferences) Ashlyn is doing GREAT at Franklin South. She was already good with recognizing and knowing how to write all her Letters... HOLY COW though.. Franklin teaches such great handwritting skills... I AM LOVING IT... she as a Kindergardner has better handwritting than my boys... ok so she is a girl and that has something to do with it.. but. She is such a cutie. I am loving the time we share every afternoon doing homework and hanging out going to lunch or wathcing movies.
Braeden.... What a cutie... I SERIOUSLY LOVE the DIMPLES... and his BIG EYES.. He is such a good helper with Irelyn. He is always RIGHT THERE to play with her, help feed her, get her out of bed, etc... OK so yes sometimes... it gets a little annoying to have him so helpful... but I am so glad I can see so much of Chad in him.. and I KNOW he will be a great dad. Brae is doing so well in school. He reads and is so good at math, and such a good student. We just have to work on his handwritting a little bit... OK one more time.. . those DIMPLES are KILLER...
Lochlin... Such a STUD... He is doing really well in school... He loves Cub Scouts (thanks to the FABULOUS leaders) and he is quite the social bug... I love that he is so FRIENDLY to people. He is so sweet and innocent still... I dont know how much longer I will hear from my boys about Kids at school sticking up their middle finger, or using 'cus words... I laugh sometimes because I think about my boys growing up and telling me these things when they are 16... I just hope they aren't EVER the ones doing these naughty things.. and I HOPE that isnt just wishfull thinking.
Loch is a good big brother too.. He likes to help with Irelyn. Actually Most fights between Loch and Brae are over who gets to hold or help Irelyn with things. Loch is so cute because he likes to take his homework and go sit in a corner in his bedroom at the foot of his bed to do it. He likes to be alone and likes to be in QUIET places.
Irelyn... Walking everywhere... getting into EVERYTHING... and starting to have such the PERSONALITY... Her smile and Laugh are contagious. I love to watch her DANCE to music or TV shows. I love to see her interact with her brothers and sister. She loves to carry around all the remotes and phones and LOVES to look at herself in the mirror (the little vanity mirror of Ashlyn's is the perfect height for her) She is becoming such a GIRLY Girl... I can't believe how fast she is growing up. It makes me sad to think that OUR FAMILY wont be having anymore BABIES... Yes.. we are DONE... but I am so glad I can enjoy the 4 beautiful, sweet children I have.
I LOVE my HOT, SWEET, SEXY, Hubby.. Seriously... He is looking even better as the years go on.. Oh, how I love him and all he does for me and OUR family... He is so amazing. I LOVE that he puts the kids to bed every night with a "Scary Story" I love that he helps me with things around the house... I LOVE that he has been able to work from home more often so I can see him every once in a while during the day. I seriously LUCKED out snagging such an AWESOME guy!!!

OK as for me and my ISSUES... I have This COUNTER in my kitchen.. NO MATTER WHAT... I cant keep in clean... I will buy anything or do whatever I need to... I NEED SUGGESTIONS.. on how to maintain the chaos of papers, pens, keys, receipts, etc... This is actually on a good day... I HATE this counter IT COLLECTS EVERYTHING... oh.. that and the DARN FRIDGE... How do others display artwork, party invites, school notices, calendars, and chore charts. again.. HELP if you have any suggestions... I have dreams of a clean fridge with NOTHING on it and a counter that is clutter free... I am not talking just moving the clutter to another counter... I NEED ways to ELEMINATE IT from collecting...

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

International Talk Like a Pirate Day (ITLAPD) is a Parodic holiday invented in 1995 by John Baur ("Ol' Chumbucket") and Mark Summers ("Cap'n Slappy"), of the United States, who proclaimed September 19th each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a Pirate. For example, an observer of this holiday would greet friends not with "Hello," but with "Ahoy, me hearty!" The date was selected because it was the birthday of Summers' ex-wife and consequently would be easy for him to remember

You can learn to Talk Like a Pirate from this website.

Enjoy Yer Day, Arrrr!!!

eyes lips face

Ok so I got a phone call from Phanelb a few minutes ago...

YOU MUST at least Check out this site...
Pretty much EVERYTHING IS $1.00
Brushes, Polish, Lipsticks, Eye shadows, etc....
eyeslipsface.com
There is a coupon code: CAROLINA
this takes $10 off your total of $20 or more and makes your shipping only $5
I loaded up my cart with 20 $1.00 items... went to check out.. my total with the coupon code including shipping was onl y $15.00

Hope this is fun for many many other girls out there.

Pay It Forward!!!

It's the PAY IT FORWARD Gift Exchange! (PIF) Here's how it works... I will send a handmade gift to the first three (3) people who leave a comment on my blog requesting to join this PIF exchange. The only thing you have to do in return is pay it forward by making the same promise on your bolg. (so you must be a blogger to participate). I was QUICK to comment on EMILY's BLOG, so now I am paying it forward!

Who doesnt like Gifts JUST BECAUSE!!! Not quite sure what I will be making.
I will be thinking about it while I wait for the first 3 comments.
I don't care if you are blog surfing either.
It is always fun to see what people are looking at my little ONLINE journal.

So... Just make sure that I get your email address in your comment so I can get your address.

HAVE FUN!!!

The Howey Dance

So I have never released footage of the dancing Chad and I do at night... but... I decided it was about time... Usually after we get the kids in bed we like to get some exercise the ol' fashion way. DANCING!!!! Chad has great moves doesnt he!! Plus... I'll have to admit he knows how to WORK the camera!

This was FUN!!!

Got this from Emily's blog:

My roommate and I once: played dressups in silky pj's and took pictures.. We were trying to capture what it looked like when we were sleeping.. Turns out we just look like fools... Dont worry the pictures will NEVER surface!!

Never in my life have I: been happy with my weight

High School was : luckily a long time ago and has lots of good memories.

When I am nervous: shake my legs or pick at my arms

My Hair: Long, thick & curly (unless i take the time to streighten it) oh and I have random kinki crazy hairs that I pick out and ok I will admit I have a few gray hairs (but Chad always seems to find those and yank them out)

When I was 5 : I was in trouble because Cherry wrote my name in crayon on the floor under the kitchen table and my mom thought it was me so I got spanked and finally my parents realized I couldnt write that neatly and I HOPE felt really bad

When I turn my head left : I see a picture of Chad and I from our wedding day... yes it is one that gives me goose bumps when I look at it. I LOVE MY HUBBY!!

I should be : Nicer, More Patient, Thinner, Happier, More Organized, Ummm... can I stop now I am getting depressed!!

By this time next year : I hope to be in a different house. We are totally outgrowing this one. But I hope my life is just as good. I really am happy!!!

My favorite Aunt is : I agree with Emo.. Is that even allowed in writing... I love ALL my Aunts.. I definatly am closer to some more than others... but I HAVE an AWESOME EXTENDED FAMILY

I have a hard time understanding : lots of things... I am afraid to admit all of them for fear EVERYONE will think I am totally DUMB!!!

My ideal breakfast is : served to me, and I can eat SEATED instead of standing up. I would have my husband on one side of me and be able to look at our 4 beautiful children all eating happily and not making a mess, then the dishes would clear themselves and load themselves into the dishwasher and someone elses hand would wipe up the table and put everything back in order. Oh... I could care less what it is... I am not a big breakfast eater. Maybe a protein shake or some grapefruit and granola.

If you visit my home town : You'd probably be sweating like crazy so I'd hope you'd stop by and say hi and visit for a while in my nice Air Conditioned house!!! I could make you some cookies or bananna bread if you want!!

If you spend the night at my house : You would stay up really late with Chad and I and laugh till your sides hurt. We'd all probabally fall asleep on the couch (which is totally the most comfortable couch EVER) and then you'd be woken up at 7 AM to my children helping themselves to cereal and waffles.... and probably fighting over who gets to help Irelyn.

I shouldn't have been : so grumpy today. I was up late last night and woke up early this morning for church, then had Primary meetings all afternoon and when I got home I was kinda grumpy to Chad. I know he was watching the kids and I snapped at him that there were dishes on the counters and a few toys on the floor.. I mean.. Who cares.. He watched the kids for 4 hours... they were all happy and having fun. and I was a total jerk.. I am grateful for my hubby and all he does for our family (he sent me back to the room to read NEW MOON and take a nap) but I got online and blog surfed instead...

Last night I: made the most delicious salad; I put chicken breasts in the crock pot with 1 cup salsa, 1 cup water and a pkt of taco seasoning... then shreaded it and put it on a salad with grilled corn, black beans, tomatoes, onions, cheese, guacamole, salsa and a homemade cilantro ranch dressing... YUMMMMMYYY!!! it was seriously so delicious... Thanks Marci McLain for the Chicken Recipie and Phanelb for the Ranch Recipie. Oh Chad had some people over to watch the UFC fight on SPIKE I worked on the computer doing some primary stuff and ended up being up WAY WAY to late... That is why I was kinda a grump today!!

A better name for me would be : MOM, Shmoopy, Dirty Dawn???

I've been told I look: Exotic and like I have bedroom eyes

Nails Nails Nails

So I decide to use a gift certificate To Sunshine Nails & Spa I got for my 30th Bday (thanks Tiffany, Selia and Katie) and get a Manicure and Pedicure today... Well we have all done it.. We go to these little Vietnameese run places and I am sure EVERYONE has experianced Something similar...
I walk in.. one of the ladies who is currently in the process of doing another customer's nails looks up. "what we do for you?" Ummm.. Can I have 2 taco's No lettuce and a diet coke? DUH...(ok i dont say that) I want a manicure/pedicure "Pick a color" how you say FRENCH manicure in YOUR LANGUAGE....
She walks over and turns on the water for the Pedicure footbath. OF course it has to be on BOILING.. I guess they dont know what WARM is. So I sit down and begin to dip my feet into the bubbling water. "oooouuucccchh" I'd say it but who in there other than the few other customers would understand. So as my feet are turning bright red and getting used to the "warmth" of the footbath as she taps ever so lightly on my left foot. No words necessary. I know what to do. I have already mentally prepared for this moment all day. The kids are at home. I can just sit and relax and enjoy someone else rubbing my troubles away. As I find the remote to the massage chair and push ON... She begins removing the old polish, burrr... that is a little cold.... But I allow my mind to go back to the warmth my right foot is feeling in the water. I move my foot around in the jet stream coming out from the back of the chair. . . It feels good to kind of itch my foot with that strong force from the water. Then... another tap this time on my right foot... without looking I place my left foot in the water and bring my right foot out. as the cool polish remover covers my toe nails. Whoo... another tap on my left foot.. This is going fast. as she begins clipping the cuticle off (dang... there is a ton of that crap.. how does it get so bad!!) And another tap.. more cuticle clippings. Ahhh... the callus remover... Ummm, heck yeah I need that.. I have been slacking on moisturizing my heels this summer and they sure can use a good scrubbing. I hear a faint noise and open my eyes to see My Lady, Nhu Mai Tai, begins talking to the salon guy and another salon woman. What are they saying??? Trying to be silly I say jokingly "are you making fun of my gross heels?" The guy quickly looks at me and says they are talking about how they are going to Vietnam... SURE YOU WERE.. then why were you laughing... (at this point I am feeling like Elaine in the Nail Salon from Seinfield... If only I had a translator... I would have known)
The pedicure begins to take a turn for the worse here... Usually when someone works on my heel callus's there is a little pressure behind the scrub... This lady did the motion but there was nothing to it... Was she just trying to tickle me? I felt like saying DIG IN and SCRUB GIRL!!! Then I thought maybe my feet aren't as bad as I thought, but they were... a quick dip of each foot and she is draining the footbath. That seemed kind of fast .. I am getting ready for the best part though... THE MASSAGE!!! I feel the cold loation being squirted on each shin. . . Nhu begins the rub, her hands bairly touch my legs and there is absolutly no pressure behind it either ...and it doesnt feel as good with plastic gloves on anyways.. but whatever.. She slides her hands up to my knees and a quick wiggle behind my calf and back down to my ankles, heels and toes.
She jumps up.. and I look down. I still have streaks of loation all over my lower legs and feet. Nhu comes back with hot towels.. In my head I am screaming WAIT, that cant be it... she rubs off remainder of the loation. I look at my friend Heidi next to me confused. Was that it??? Heidi says loud enough for Nhu and her pedicureist to hear. "The tip is all in the massage!" I couldnt agree more... Nhu is NOT getting a tip from me.... as I pout a little Nhu begins to paint the white on the tip of my toe nail. It's over ... I look over at Heidi who is enjoying a nice long leg massage and is even offered the Sea Salt.. I totally would have dont that... I would have done anything to get Nhu to rub my legs a little longer and harder... I feel so depressed but Nhu doesnt seem to mind she goes right on with the rest of the Pedicure. It was over... My legs still craving a little rub and Nhu walks away leaving me in the Chair. . .
She did hear me say I want a Mani/Pedi right?? after a few minutes I lean over to Heidi's Lady, who is still deep in the massage on Heidi's legs, and say. . "Am I going to be able to get a Manicure?" Crap... she calls for Nhu to set it up... AAAHHHH..... I go over to Nhu's station. She gets a cold mini bowl of water. again. NO WORDS... at least not to me.. It is like listening to a Vietnameese Talk Radio Show on the Lowest volume possible but it is right in front of you... How do they hear what eachother is saying across the salon? I can bairly hear and she is 1 foot away from my face. The Manicure was just as cold and fast as the Pedicure. It was over.. I didnt get a good hand massage either. I go to pay. I AM NOT TIPPING AT ALL!!! I hand over my gift certificate and look at what it was for. $35.00 at least that covers it and I dont have to pay anything.
But Nhu looks at me confused because she doesnt know English AT ALL... ends up calling another worker over to let me know that I OWE MORE than the $35.00 on my Gift Card. I have to pay $45.00... I see Nhu pocket the extra $10 as I walk out SO FUMMING MAD and set NEVER TO GO TO THIS PLACE AGAIN... Well... at least NEVER USE NHU MAI TAI there.

Here is what my Certificate should have covered this is from their flyer..Sea Salt Pedicure: $25.00 & Manicure: $10.00; Soak your feet in a warm footbath and relax, this is everything you need to rejuvenate tired feet. With Sea Salt Exfoliation Followed by Steamed Towels and a Foot Massage with Stress Relief Oil and A Full Manicure Including a Long Hand Massage and Polish.

I guess they dont follow through with what they are writing in their flyers... I am so mad... I have thought about going back in and complaining...

I found this clip on You tube... I got a little laugh... Hope you like it too..

What do you do in your Free time??

what do i do when i am not blogging....

Of course i am still on the computer but I am oovoo'ing with Phanelb and Emo...

Yes we are dorks... here are a few pics of our night together...

Go to www.oovoo.com and sign up and give me your screen name.. you can join our silly chats...

On a Lighter Note....

I got a new phone... the Nokia 5330.. It is really cute and It has been fun to play around with it... It has an MP3 Player and Ashlyn and Braeden already know how to use it... I swear they carry it around with them everywhere so they can rock out to Gwen, Nelly, Akon and Justin Timberlake..... "Wind It Up"

And... I must just go on for a minute about my WONDERFUL Husband.....

Ok some husbands let their wife do all the household stuff and kid stuff... NOT MINE... I seriously think I TOTALLY LUCKED OUT!!! Not only does Chad Help me with all that stuff... .but he actually LIKES to do it... Maybe part of it is like most women... I do concider it foreplay (sorry mom for typing that... but it is true) It was so nice yesterday not only did he help me with the poo poo incedent... but he did the dishes (this happens so frequently at my house I just had to take a second to let him know i really appreciate it) BTW... he was totally rocking out to my new phone while doing the dishes too.... He is so cute...

Cleaning my house is not fun for anyone is it??? the worst part for me is the counters in the kitchen and the hall... I can keep up on the dishes and wiping down the food... but Somehow... They make papers and garbage and junk totally multiply.... with me tossing the mail up there... the kids putting all their school stuff there, chad empties his arms there... I just dont know how to keep up on it.. so this is a dirty secret of mine... I grab all the papers from all the counters.. and bring them back to my room... Generally they end up on the desk for me to eventually sort out... but sometimes... when the piles are so large... They end up on the floor.. This is a project I have to dig into...

What a wonderful World

Anyone up for learning a new talent? this guy is AMAZING!!!

YucKKK AGAIN!!!

OK so I have been told that I post some GROSS pictures.. But what can I do... THIS is my life and isnt that what blogging is about.. SO Irelyn is sick STILL!!!! I am going NUTS.. She is on antibiotics now... The dr. last week didnt think she needed them but I BEGGED for him to give her something because she isn't feeling ANY BETTER.... I am so sick of being puked on... I am sick of washing her crib sheets 2 or 3 times a day... I am sick of giving her medicine (Musinex, Motrin and Breathing Treatments) I AM SICK OF HER BEING SICK....
I will be looking into an alergist because someone suggested she may be alergic to things and that is why she is always sick...
I DONT DO SICK... I am an ALLEN... Just ask Chad... I suck at being a parent, or wife, of someone sick.... I grew up NEVER being sick... You can cry when there is blood (but there better be a lot of it) and seriously ..... My family NEVER got sick growing up... I dont know how to give sympathy or how to handle it...
SO GET BETTER IRELYN....

AAAhhhh.... I love motherhood....

OK so my kids seem to be sick A LOT!!! Esp Irelyn I don't even know how many ear infections and days of diareah we have had since she was born... but this morning / afternoon i realized how being a mom means you have got to get over all those things that gross you out... So Irelyn sick like usual... begins puking on me this morning.. oh it was just the slimy kind from having a really runny nose.. so it was clear, thick and yes gross.. but it is over my shoulder... some running down the front of me and most of it running down the back of me and hitting thank goodness the kitchen floor... So i proceed to the bathroom to go clean up.. well.. she starts puking more.. i am able to hold her more over my shoulder so it hits mostly the bathroom floor and my shoulder still... So i am standing there... humm... how exactly do you take off your shirt without spreading the nasty puke all over my face and hair... yet still try to comfort my baby who obviously isn't feeling good. well... i eventually get her bathed and cleaned up and go put her in her bed for a nap.. and ahhhh.... i hear her screaming.. and this is what i find in her bed... now i know i am not the only one who has had to clean up puke after puke and diareah after diareah... it is just what comes when you are a mom.... but i hope my kids know how much i love them

It's Been a While!!!!

Ok so life has begun to calm down from our BUSY summer..... Our family has had such a fun time going from Hawaii, to AZ and to Utah..... but I have had many complaints (mainly from my sisters) that I need to get back into blogging... Ok I am sitting down and doing it... So we went up to Utah the last week of July for a ALLEN FAMILY REUNION.... It was so much fun to reconnect with all the extended memebers of the crazy Allen Fam... and It was SO MUCH fun to all be able to stay at Sherri and Spencer's home... THANKS a MILLION!!! We did so many fun things from going to the Lagoon, Horse back riding, and singing around the piano (thanks Derek for being our pianist), the girls (ok we are moms not girls anymore) but we would stay up late playing silly cup games around the island in the kitchen and the boys (dads) would play late night basketball... The Kids all had a blast going into the secret rooms and riding the elevator between the floors of the house. Little Spencer and My boys were always together and Ashlyn and Sabrina... WERE INSEPERABLE!!! This reunion was FABULOUS!!! Cant wait for the next one!!! Well we headed back to AZ to meet up with Little Steph and her friend Jeff visiting from California... It was fun to hang out with them.. then Steph and Dave were able to hang out with us while they were in town for Dave's brothers wedding. . . So that has been the past two weeks...

Saturday was Irelyn's 1st Bday . . . i cant believe how fast this past year has gone by... My baby is 1!!! We had a mini party last night for her...

and TODAY... was the 1st day of school for my kids... Loch started 3rd Grade, Brae started 2nd grade and Ashlyn started Kindergarten... Ok so i thought I would be able to hold myself together but a few tears escaped as i looked at my kids are realized how fast time goes... They are growing up so fast...

I so love my family... My kids are my world... I love seeing them smile and hearing them laugh with eachother... It is fun to see them so excited to start this new year, anxious for all the new things to learn and the new adventures... I truely feel so blessed to be a mom...

Blog Surfing Anonymous (BSA)

Hi, My Name is Dawn (Hi Dawn) and I am a BLOG SURFER…

I thought it must be about time for me to admit to one of my weaknesses I have developed on the internet. I have fallen in love with blogging, and well along with that comes my addiction to blog surfing/stalking sometimes.

I find myself laughing or crying at complete strangers comments, pictures, and LOVE to poke around from friend to friend on each site. I always think “Humm… I wonder if THEY know someone I Know???” and well… sometimes they do… I have come across people I knew from YEARS and YEARS ago, or random people from High School I never thought I would see again. And to think… I can “Secretly” look in on anyone’s life, see their children, etc… then I think to myself “Do I comment?” “do I need to explain how I came across their blogspot site?” “will they think I am crazy for clicking randomly till I found them???” Still… I do it… sometimes I comment…. Sometimes I don’t…

If you are a blog surfer/stalker I hope you will comment and let the WORLD know…

Some other addictions some people may have….

EGO-SURFING: When you frequently check your name and reputation on the Internet.

BLOG STREAKING: “Revealing secrets or personal information online which for everybody’s sake would be best kept private.”

CRACKBERRY: “The curse of the modern executive: not being able to stop checking your BlackBerry, even at your grandmother’s funeral.”

BLOG-STALKING: Defined as “snooping online on old friends, colleagues or first dates.”

CYBERCHONDRIA: “A headache and a particular rash at the same time? Extensive online research tells you it must be cancer.”

PHOTOLURKING: Flicking through a photo album of someone you’ve never met.

MYSPACE IMPERSONATION: Many of us pretend to be someone we’re not when we are online, but some will pretend to be a well-known figure

WIKIPEDIHOLISM: Excess devotion to contributing to the online collaborative encyclopedia, Wikipedia. (Wikipedia even has a page where you can test whether you’re an addict

Braeden's Fear Factor Party

I know it has been a while since i have posted.. It is hard to get back into real life after being in Hawaii for so long... Here is what I have been working on all week... Brae's Party.. Phew... it was fun... and NOW it is OVER!!! Time to plan for October's bday's Loch, Ash and Chad

This party was a LOT of FUN!!! We started out with Eating the BRAINS... Kids got so grossed out but it was just spagetti and jello in a mold.. Kinda funny... we got some moms to even join in on that. then we did the Cow's Blood... again... kids were grossed out.... but it was just koolaid and blended up fruit cocktail. then we did the dice game.. everything was labeled and kids ate what they rolled... there was this one little boy (Colton Koontz) who ate pigs feet, anchovies, kipper snacks but couldn't stomach the black licorice. LOCH even ate some of the pigs feet and anchovies... Then we had the SLIDE... i put snakes at the bottom but the kids just picked them up and played with them ....as for the CAKE... I am pretty anal about the cakes but this one the kids helped me with ... they helped me top the cup cakes with worms, eyeballs, and bugs... I think it turned out pretty cute...