SnOw DaY

Since the boys didn't have school we decided to go sledding! We had a blast ridding down the hills. Of course the climb back up wore you out, but the thrill of going back down again made it all worth it.

Above are Teague (Brek's friends), Sylvia, G, and Brek. Korbin didn't feel very good that day and just wanted to stay with Nanna. He helped her make chicken noodle soup (or so he tells it)for us to enjoy when we got done sledding. I say that was very thoughtful of them and very YUMMY!!

Brek and Sylvia. She is my in-laws exchange student from China. She had never been sledding before. It is so fun seeing her try new things. She is like a kid on Christmas morning; hardly able to contain her excitement. I love it!

Check out that smile. Does someone love sledding or what?? I got this as he was heading down the hill. He was so cute dragging his sled up after going down. I was just cracking up at him. Every time it was his turn on the sled he would say, "Pus hard! Go Fast!" There were these kids next to us that had round sleds. They are the best because you can spin on them. Anyway, all the boys rode it and I would spin them down the hill. G would yell, "Me go! Me go!". Finally it was his turn and because he is so light he just spun FAST all the way down. When he was done he kept falling over because he was so dizzy. Once he could stand he looked up at me and yelled, "AGIAN!"

Oh The Weather Outside is Frightful...

Yes that is snow and yes it is still falling, falling, falling. It started about 4:00 pm today and has been snowing all day (it is now midnight). School is cancelled for tomorrow so the boys will be excited to hear that. I know they are going to beg to play in it. Honestly though you should see the flakes coming down, they are HUGE.

On the way to guitar lessons Brek noticed that it was starting snow.
Brek: Mom is it snowing again for the 3rd time this year.
Me: Yup it looks that way (no form of excitement in my voice).
Brek: OH BOY! It's a Christmas miracle!

So the plan for tomorrow is to bundle up my all to excited boys and let them play to their hearts content.

Just for fun:
I looked up our extended weather report

Thursday: Snow during the morning will diminish to a few snow showers during the afternoon
Friday: Partly cloudy skies in the morning will give way to cloudy skies during the afternoon. (huh??, so what they are saying is that it will be cloudy)
Saturday: Considerable cloudiness. (hee hee this one is my favorite. I think I like the word "cloudiness")
Sunday: Times of sun and clouds. (hmmm....)

You know I think I could forcast the weather.

Dickens Festival

Yes this is where I have been. We had our booth again this year: popcorn and cotton candy; we also added to the menu hamburger's and breakfast burritos. Set up started Monday and didn't end till late Tuesday night. Then the festival from Wednesday - Saturday. It was so much fun and, although sales were down all around for everyone, we were still able to make enough to pay for Christmas. The above picture was taken from the Dickens website. Check it out if you want to see more.

Well this year, besides having a booth, we also were asked by Blake's aunt (who puts on the festival) to be part of the Fezziwig Dancers. It was a new thing that she wanted to add to the festival and she wanted us to be in charge. So we went about gathering 2 more suckers, uh I mean couples, to perform with us. It was interesting juggling booth and dancing but we did it and I think overall it turned out great.

Blake and I just before we dance
Chelsi and Trevor - friends we suckered into this

There was another couple and we did get pictures together I just need to get it from Chelsi. We also video taped us dancing and I'll post that once we get it uploaded. Anyway, our job was pretty much to walk around the festival smiling and greeting everyone. Then we performed our two dances in a main area but we also did them through out the festival. We had the best time performing and getting to know Trevor and Chelsi better.

Blake's cousin, Matt, put on Scrooge and Oliver again this year. Let me tell you he is amazing. The productions were wonderful and all the cast did amazing jobs.

And of course you can't go to the Dickens Festival without visiting Father Christmas. Now I need to tell you that this IS the REAL Santa. Blake's cousins have pictures that they took back when they were 2 and 3 and he hasn't changed! NO JOKE! And, truth be told, I still believe in Santa. There it's out.

The boys with Father Christmas
Brekkon telling Santa what he wants
Korbin telling Santa what he wants. I just have to say that I LOVE Santa's face in this picture.

Our little G with Santa. At first we thought he was going to cry, but once he saw his brothers with smiles on their faces he must have figured that this guy was pretty cool.
And finally getting the coveted candy cane.

A-E-I-O-me

Korbin was teaching Garrik the vowels: A,E,I,O,U.

Korbin: Okay say what I say.
G: k
Korbin: A-E-I-O-U
G: A-E-I-O Me
Korbin: No it's A-E-I-O-U!
G: A-E-I-O me
Korbin: No U!
G: me! (pointing to himself)
Korbin: No U! Not me
G: me!
Korbin: Never mind. Mom G wont say U.

It really was the funniest thing.

Book fair, Soccer Party and The Wicked Bug

This last week has been crazy and busy. I am over the book fair at my boys school and it has been VERY busy two week before with all the prep and set up. Then the week of the fair everything was going great. The classrooms made their wish lists, the teachers did theirs and one little man decided to get sick. Yup on Wed. morning G got the stomach bug. I had to scramble for someone to help while I figured out what to do with G. Lucky for me it was a pretty slow day at Blakes office so he was able to come home and help.

This year the book fair was bigger than normal since we changed it location. You really did have to have at least two people if not three working it. But we sold a lot and earned lots of free books! Believe me, our library can use them. My kids were great on Fri. when they had to stay with me till 5:30. My hubby was great stepping in and helping where he could and my friends were great coming in last minute to help. One event down and one more to go.

We had our soccer end of season party at a yummy pizza place. All the kids got their trophies and Blake said some great things about each of the boys. We had all you can eat pizza, bread sticks and drinks. (Side note: I did not have my camera with me. I had it ready to go and left it. My blogging skills were really lax this week.) Now I can say that soccer is officially over!

Too bad the stomach flu wasn't officially over. Apparently that wicked little bug wasn't going to be happy until EVERYONE had it. Sunday morning I woke up with Korbin standing my by bed staring at me. He told me his stomach was hurting. I immediately got him a bucket and good thing too. Not 10 min. later Brek came in telling me Korbin had thrown up.

I think Sunday was the bugs highlight because not only did he get Korbin but he got me too. Later on that day our neighbor, not knowing we were sick, brought over some fried chicken for our family. Trust me we LOVE fried chicken but on this day one smell of that sent me running to the bathroom. By around 8:00 that night the worst was over and Korbin and I were on the mend. He even went to school this morning but our little bug friend attacked Brek next. So now I'm home with him and the only consolation I can offer is to tell him that by tonight he will be feeling better.

All Good Things Must Come to an End

While it was fun I'm happy that soccer season has finally ended. Blake had a great time coaching, Korbin loved playing and the rest of us had a blast watching. It was fun to see Korbin improve in his technique. This season was one exciting time for Korbin. He scored his first soccer goal two weeks ago earning him lunch at McDs and $5 from Nanna. Then a week ago he had had a taste of the glory and wasn't going to pass up more. He ended up scoring 3 goals and to top it all off my parents were able to come down and watch that game. We really are so very proud of him!

Some kids this age may not know what position in soccer they like best, but not Korbin. He knows exactly what he likes and where to be. He is already talking about trying out for club soccer. Lucky for me you have to be 8. I'm just not ready for that type of commitment yet. So one sport down and now time to find out about Baseball. Oh yeah!!

FriDaY FuNNy

My SIL took this while in China. Ha!! If things don't turn around in the economy at least here is an idea for getting around.

Day of Mourning

The election results didn't turn out the way I had hoped, not that it was a big surprise. It is a sad day in our household but don't worry, I'll get over it in a day or two.

On a side note it was fun watching history in the making. Either way it went history was going to be made: 1st woman VP or 1st black Pres. You know, no matter the outcome, it is great belonging to a country where you can be whatever you want no matter what.

Now I must drown my sorrows in Dr. Pepper.

Potty Training

First of all I'm not one to get bent out of shape on the whole potty training thing. I don't even think about it till my kids turn 3. Then I have always been able to find the motivation to get my kid potty trained. It has been different for each.

Brekkon didn't want to be a baby anymore. Easy. Once he realized that baby brother wore diapers that pretty much did it for him. Korbin on the other hand just wanted the choice each day. If he chose unders then we had a great day with no accidents. Simple. Neither of them were motivated by candy or the whole pee on the cheerio idea. They just looked at me like I was an idiot. So, as you can see I have potty trained two boys thus far without incident. So what is the problem? Boy #3.

The baby thing doesn't work with him. NOPE! He wants to be the baby and is pretty darn good at playing that role. Give him a choice? Sure. But he will choose the diaper. Why? Because he is the baby...duh! Offer candy. No go. Let him shoot at cheerios or fishies. HA! That was a joke and VERY messy. He really didn't control it very well and I just don't want to clean my toilet each time after he goes. Yes, I've bought his favorite unders: Spiderman, Batman, Hulk and Diego. We have even put them on following very serious talks about how important it is to not pee on said supper hero. No go.

Mom: "Oh G! Why did you pee on Diego?"
G: "Want to. He like get wet!" (Said with huge smile on his face)

Truth be told, I wouldn't normally be so into wanting to potty train but seeing as how this is our LAST child I can see the end of diapers over that horizon and I'm hungry for it. Do you realize that in our 12 years of marriage we have been buying diapers for 9 of those years!?!

Yes, I am looking to that horizon. If only I get a little cooperation from my little G-man.

Happy Birthday G and Other Fun Happenings

We celebrated our little man's 3rd birthday this weekend with Grandma, Grandpa, Linny and Sylvia (my in-laws exchange student from China). My MIL made Garriks favorite meal: Taco's and corn on the cob. Yes he is a simple boy and yes he can totally down some corn on the cob.

My older boys put there money together and got G a toy guitar. After about an hour of hearing Garrik play it I'm starting to regret that toy choice. He got some badly needed cloths and pj's. He had such a fun time and a huge smile on his face the whole time. I think his favorite was when everyone called him to sing happy birthday. He would just smile and point to himself and say, "Me!" One thing is for sure, we have enjoyed having this little guy in our family! I can't imagine life without our G-man. Thanks for being such a wonderful son and little brother!!

In Other News

On Saturday our Korbin scored his first soccer goal of the season. He was so excited! All season he had been working so hard for a goal and it has finally paid off. After he scored the goal he ran passed me saying, "I want my McDonald's!" So for dinner we all went to McD's to celebrate our Korbin's big goal!

Also this last Saturday was the Fall Carnival at the boys school. It was a big hit. We had so many people show up, even people who didn't even have kids in our school. My boys had a fun time going from booth to booth. At one point, Brekkon got into the dunking booth. Trust me, I didn't know he was going to do that or I would have stopped him. He didn't last long, only about 10 min. The water was cold, the outside temp was 70 and the booth was in the shade. To top it all off he didn't have a change of cloths. I found out about it from one of his friends who had a blast dunking him. I wish I had seen him sitting there, I would have paid to get a shot off. Anyway, he didn't complain about being cold. After about 30 min. of him shaking I took him to the van and had him change into Korbin's soccer uniform (good thing we had it in the car).

All in all it was a fun weekend!

Safe and Sound

Yesterday we had the worst scare of our lives. We couldn't find Garrik for a little over 30 min. He and Korbin were outside playing. I remember bringing them in, but what I didn't see was Garrik sneaking back outside with Korbin's back pack. I don't know how much time went when I suddenly looked up and called out "Garrik!" I saw Korbin standing in the open doorway and asked him to get inside and bring in Garrik. He then said that G wasn't outside and proceeded to shut the door. I looked all in the house, walked outside and looked in his usually play places. No G. I went back in and told the boys that I couldn't find G and for them to help me look. Brekkon looked again inside the house, back yard and garage. No baby...anywhere. As I was heading out the second time Blake was pulling up. I tell him that we can't find Garrik. He then drives around our neighborhood and the neighborhood across the street from us. Nothing. At this point I'm starting to get really scared. We call his parents to come help us look, some neighbors are looking with us and we call the police. I made Blake do that call. I just couldn't.

As I was heading back out to look for G in the BLM my mom calls. I tell her Garrik is missing and then I lose it. Saying it out loud was like being hit with reality. A reality I was trying to stay away from. I guess I just kept expecting to see him run around a corner. I just remember telling my mom that I didn't know what to do. We hung up and I just kept walking along the BLM hoping to spot him. Then I see Blake trying to get my attention but I'm too far away to hear him. He calls my cell phone and tells me that the cops found him and he his heading to go pick him up. Instant relief!

I then get Brekkon's attention, he was hiking out in the BLM looking for his brother, and motion for him to come to me. Once he is close enough to hear me I tell him that we found G. I start to head back for the house but decide to stop and turn around. I then see Brek standing there in prayer. Then he walks over to me and straight into my arms and just cries. He said that he prayed that Heavenly Father would help us find Garrik. I just stood there holding him. I know he was so scared and brave.

When we were all standing around talking everyone was saying that they were so happy he wasn't kidnapped. I then realized that that thought hadn't even crossed my mind. I honestly feel it was a defense mechanism. There was no way I could allow myself to go there or even think about how long he had been missing. I knew I would lose it if I did.

I'm sure you're all wondering what happened and how was he found. Here it is: I was right in thinking to search the BLM. That is exactly where he was headed when a guy saw him crossing the road. He then picked him up and took him up the street to his town home and proceeded to call the police. They made the connection and we got our little man back safe and sound.

I know things could have turned out a lot different. I'm just thankful for honest people and for our Father in Heaven. I know he was watching it for our little guy yesterday. Last night after he went to bed I just sat by his crib watching him sleep. Such a beautiful sight.

This morning during breakfast he kept saying, "They take me. The people take me."

Lake Powell Video

Here is the video I promised of my boys at Lake Powell. The first part is of Dustin, Britney's husband attempting a jump on the Sky Chair. He hits wrong and just crashes. Then its Korbin on the knee board. Then Brek on the wake board and knee board.

And A Gasp Was Heard In The Blogging World

Okay okay settle down! Yes I'm updating and boy do I have a lot to add. I got so behind over the summer and it has been hard getting back into the routine of blogging. I think once I update I wont feel like there is this huge weight on my shoulders anymore. I'm going to start with the most recent and work my way back. Please bear with me, this will be a long post but well worth it.

PUMPKIN PATCH

The boys were out of school Thursday and Friday for UEA so we have just been having fun. The Mom's Group that I joined here all got together and went to the pumpkin patch on Friday. They did a fun tour for us. My boys had a good time but they weren't very cooperative for pictures. Korbin kept ditching out every time I tried to take one of him. It really was very frustrating.

I took four pictures of the three together and these were the best two. Our little G wasn't into it and refused to look up at me. In the other two pictures he just turned his back to me. Honestly!!

I have to say the Brekkon's look in this picture just cracked me up. It's like he is saying, "Enough already!".

I managed to get Korbin by himself. You can't really tell in these pictures but his hair is curly. Who knew?!?! I love it, he hates it. I'm winning so far.

Garrik had a ball petting all the animals. He kept saying bye bye to the animals as he went from pen to pen.
Brekkon was acting like he was just too old for this but check out this picture I got of him. Yeah buddy, I'm onto you.

Pinewood Derby

Another year another derby. This year I was adamant that Brekkon work on his own car. Dad could help but I wanted Brekkon to do the majority of the work this year, unlike last year where dad did EVERYTHING. So Brekkon designed his car, cut it out (with grandpa and dad's help) and painted his car. His wasn't the flashiest car but he was very proud of it and kept telling everyone that he did it all. It was great to see that sense of pride in him.

Brekkon with his car. It is cut in the shape for an X. The name of his car was Racer X.

Here is everyone sitting and waiting for the racing to start.

He won the prize for most shocking car.

Family Vaycay

This year for a family vaycay we went to Arizona, in Aug. I wouldn't recommend that. Anyway we wanted to use our time share and we didn't want to fly anywhere this year. Everything in Cali. was booked up and this was the only place that had vacancies so we took it. It actually was very fun. Not as relaxing as laying by the beach, but we still had a blast. And I loved being in a big city again!! Malls, restaurant's, malls!! I was starting to forget what a mall really looked like.

We went to this really fun Children's museum and the kids just loved it. They had a machine that simulated all the major natural disasters that happen around the world. But this river had there attention the longest. You were supposed to move the dirt around and watch the different ways the water flows. Well, just add water and dirt and you have a boys dream come true.

I don't remember what Korbin was doing but here is the picture anyway.

Lake Powell

Another summer and another trip to Lake Powell. Have I ever mentioned how much I love Lake Powell?? Well I do!! Our family has such a blast camping and boating day after day. This year we went with Blake's cousin Britney and her family and his parents and Aunt and Uncle.

Here is Blake skiing. He looks good doesn't he??
Here I am wake boarding. I just love Lake Powell and the cliffs that are all around you as you ski or board. It really is breath taking. Sometimes I have to remind myself to pay attention to my boarding and not at the scenery.

Brekkon, Korbin and cousin Cordon tubing. We ended up putting the rope on the ski tower. Once we did that it didn't take much to throw them out of the tub. They just kept climbing in and asking for more. G went out on the tube with the Grandma's. They wouldn't go without insurance. So they dragged Garrik on with them know we wouldn't throw them off so long as they had him. I would say that was a smart move although I'm sure Garrik would have loved being thrown off. All I know is that that little trick wont work for them next year! This year Brekkon learned to Wake Board (following in his mom's footsteps). And both Brekkon and Korbin knee boarded. We have that on video and I promise I'll post that once I get Blake to show me how.

Here are just some pictures of life at Lake Powell.

My Girls

My good friend Megan flew out to SLC and I drove up to spend some time with her. We met our other friend Laura and spent the day together. We shopped, got our nails done and ate at our fav. restaurant The Cheese Cake Factory. Oh and we also went to a movie. It was such a fun time but very short. I was only able to spend a day and a half with them because I had to get home so that we could load up and head off to Lake Powell. Yes that I how my summer was. Leave, come home, repack and leave again. I was excited for school to start and for us to just be home!

Here I am with my two BFF's Laura and Megan!

Girls Camp

As most of you know I was the Ward Camp Director. Here are a few pictures of our life at camp.

Here is our home away from home. We were at a different camp ground this year. Less trees but flat and a lot nicer. I am hoping we will be there again next year. You can't see the Leaders tent but it is there.

In case your wondering, here is what the leaders do while the youth are away. GAMES!! And yes we are just a little competitive.

Yes there are more pictures, but my camera battery died and I haven't gotten the other pictures from our YW leader. I know, I'm a slacker.

So there you have it, our summer in a nut shell. We did do two more camping trips as a family but sadly no pictures of those.

Halloween is gonna suck this year

September 11, 2001 by: Brekkon Boulter

Brekkon came home with a poem that he wrote and his homework is to have a parent edit it. So I read this poem and I'm thinking, crap what is going on in my kids head that he is writing about bombs and death. So I ask him about it. He starts telling me that it's about Sept. 11 and the plane is the bomb. I then pointed out that it wasn't raining that day. He said that the rain is the stuff falling in the air. He then goes on to explain the rest of the poem to me.

Just a little FYI: In school on Sept. 11th the teachers told the older grades about that day. Brek came home wanting to know more so I found some footage to show him. We talked about it for a while. I guess it must have left an impression on him. Below is the poem with explanations:

September 11, 2001
Raining everywhere (The stuff that fell from the buildings)
A bomb that blew my hair (The planes that hit the buildings)
In the dark (When the buildings fell the smoke made it all dark)
Near to die (Death is close)
In my ear (He can hear death)
Nothing fears (Not afraid to die)

By: Brekkon Boulter

And We're Off

Well, we are all loaded up and ready to head off to girls camp bright and early tomorrow morning. I've been camp director before but never on this level. It is much harder when you have to plan tents and food for ALL your girls plus leaders. WOW!! I sure did have it easy back in Texas! Cabins, food cooked for you, a swimming pool; ahhh those were the good ole days. Anyway, I'll be back with lots to tell and lots of pictures. Till then!

To My Wonderful Husband

Happy Father's Day hunny!! We sure do love and appreciate all the things you do for us. You are just a wonderful man and I'm a VERY lucky woman (believe me I know that)! I have to brag about some of the great things this wonderful man does:

1. During school he gets the boys up and ready and even fixes their lunches! He does this so that I can sleep in.
2. Every night after dinner he does the dishes without me even asking him.
3. Whenever he comes home he says how great the house looks, even when you can tell I haven't done a thing that day.
4. He is always telling me I'm beautiful.
5. He works hard so that we can have this wonderful life.
6. He loves his boys and me more than his life.
7. He gets the boys ready for church so that I can get ready and not have to worry about them.
8. Whenever I don't feel like cooking he is right there making something YUMMIE!!
9. If there are dishes in the sink in the morning he does them so that I can wake up to a clean kitchen.
10. He cleans the house too. Vacuums, dust, mop, sweep, the works because he wants his boys to see that it is a shared responsibility.

Now for a little bragging about my man:
Yesterday he did his very first Triathlon and finished overall 103 out of 336! We were so very proud of him. Out of his class he was the 3rd one out of the water. I was very impressed. I knew he could swim, I just didn't realize how GOOD he could swim. Then he went to the bike and finally the run. The kids and I had a blast cheering him on and watching him finish. I don't want to steel his thunder so I'll let him tell you all about it on his blog. But I did want to say how very proud we are of him for setting this goal and accomplishing it!

Happy Father's Day to a very wonderful man, my Blake!!

This morning Brek woke up with chickenpox. He has had the vaxine so hopefully it wont be a bad case like Garriks. He is itching pretty bad but it is still just the red spots, they haven't turned into blisters. According to the Dr. since he has had the vaxine they should just stay as red spots and be gone in a day or two. We will see....

My camp assistants FIL had a stroke on Sunday. She informed me yesterday that she may not beable to go to camp. Seeing as how camp is in 2 weeks that isn't exactly the kind of thing I want to hear. I'm getting a back up leader just in case. We also no longer have a trailor because we were using her in-laws trailor and he was going to drive it up for us. Unfortunatly the family doesn't feel comfortable letting someone drive it. So we are in search of a trailor. The Bishop has been wonderful and is taking charge of that issue, thank goodness. We finally got all our Priesthood leaders worked out. We need two each day at camp. It is like pulling teeth in this ward to get people to commit to anything.

This morning when I checked my email I had one from the past camp director saying that she and her past assistant were going to come up to camp and do all our cooking. She had a menu and everything that I needed to go buy. I had to call her and tell her that although I appreciate their willingness to help we have all of that covered. The old camp director went on to tell me that this has been tradition that when a new one is called the old one comes up and does the cooking. I told her again thanks for the offer but we had it covered. Anyway, is it just me or do you get bugged when people do things like that. I just found it rude for them to assume that they could just email me a menu with a grocery list and say their coming up to cook. Not asking but telling me and on the basis that this has been tradition.

On top of that they also emailed me a list of parents that want to come up during camp and hang out with their daughters. As I'm reading these emails I'm just shaking my head. Oh, camp has been so lax in the past years with the stake. They did nothing and the wards had like 5 hours each day to fill. No rotations or stake certification. This year they are doing things different (the right way, the way camp is meant to run). I explained this to last years director to help her understand that perhaps in the past we have needed moms to come up and fill in time but this year there is no time. What little ward time we do have we are using and have plans for. What I really wanted to say was: "Lady you have been released time to let go. Camp isn't for parents to come up and hang with their daughters. It is a time for the YW to get closer to the Lord and enjoy each others company." That is what I really wanted to say.

Due to what is happening in my camp assistants life, I'm having to pick up the slack. The YW Pres. has been wonderful and is helping out ALOT, but I don't want to lean on her to much because I know she has a full plate as well. Right now my Usborne business is put on the back burner. I just couldn't do it all and pay attention to my family. I've also been going up to the school these past two weeks to get things organized for the library. There is so much work and I'm beginning to wonder what in the world I got myself into.

Hostile Update 411

To all you bloggers in the blogging world here I am again to fill you in on the wonderful world of Michelle. Yes, this is her dh (look I know a blogging phrase) taking over her blog to let you in on some things Michelle has been up to. Actually, I am hoping this will spawn her to blog more and keep her blogging public happy.

The first thing I should inform all of you is that Michelle yesterday just cut and colored her hair and it looks fabulous. Now I know I am going to completely butcher the description but I will try to describe it. Instead of being all dark brown, down to your shoulders. She now has blond and golden highlights weaved and stripped throughout her feather cut hair that lays half way between her neck. She is so hot. She will definitely get hit on when she goes to the gym and store. :)

Michelle is also has many of you know selling Usborne books. She is having a great time presenting at parties and just talking about the books. In fact, I am really impressed how organized and successful she has done so far. If you want to check out her website it is www.buybooksathome.com.

One last thing before she finds out I am on her blog and kicks me out, is that she has been planning for girls camp. I honestly think she thinks she is one of the girls herself. The camp is in two or three weeks and Michelle has everything planned out for every day. Instead of camping in cabins they all stay in tents and be one with nature. Wow! Twenty or so woman in the mountains without showers or make-up. What will the world come too? However, Michelle was able to get a lot of stuff donated, such as, wood, steak, ice, more food, T-shirts for the girls, and I am sure other things. You will all have to bug her to post her experiences when she gets back.

I should also mention that Michelle recently bought a new carbon framed road bike. It is a GIANT model and she has enjoyed our 30+ mile bike rides even more with me and my dad. I will have her post pictures of all the new stuff.

Well, so much for the take over and I hope you liked this little 411 about Michelle. I'm Out.

My Hubby is not so CHUBBY

It's been a long 21 weeks but I am so proud of my hubby that I had to post his amazing results. We all say we are going to do something January 1st that will change our lives, and by the 2nd week of January when the hustle and bustle of life continues our so called "New Year Resolutions" are tucked away nicely on the back burner or in the circular file never to be seen from again.

However, this year my dh, Blake, was determined to lose weight as he has promised to lose for many years. I'm not sure what prompted his determination, perhaps his health scare or the Dr. telling him to lose weight, but whatever it was it worked. I knew he would need motivation so I told him to join the Biggest Loser contest at the boys school. I went a few days later and registered both him and my FIL. It was a 20 week contest, the cost was $100 to start but each week they would have a biggest loser who would earn back $20. Blake was able to win 3 of the 20 weeks. And then at the end of the 20 weeks they gave out the big money. Now he did not win the big money but since he was 1 of 2 people that met his goal for the 20 weeks he won $200. Yea shopping for me! :) Anyway, I am so proud of him I thought I would post his before and after pictures.

What a difference a little exercise and eating right does for you! He is even signed up to do his very first triathlon on June 14th. It is 750 meter swim, 14 mile bike ride and 3.1 mile run. He is becoming one lean mean machine. GO HUBBY!!

Gymalicious

After my siesta or rather hibernation from working out I'm back! I went today for the first time since Thanksgiving. It felt so good to work out again, although I don't think my body will be saying that much longer. It already hurts my bum to sit on the toilet, not to mention the pain in my legs on the way down then back up again.

I decided to start off my morning with a Chisel class from 8:40-9:10. I don't know what the hell I was thinking doing a class like that my first day back. Sure it was 30 min. long, but don't let that fool you. We ran, did lunges, lifted weights, sit ups, stairs, ran some more, stairs again, more running and lots more weights. And as if that wasn't enough I headed off to my spin class @9:15 (hence the sore bum). I haven't been on a bike since the winter (I just don't do cold very well). Now I'm regretting my long break. It feels like I'm starting all over again. Hopefully I can get
back to where I was and fast. I'm dieing to get back on my road bike again but first I have to build up my endurance. Wish me luck!

ROUGH TOUGH CRAZY

The men of Deadliest Catch return this Tuesday, April 15! I don't know what it is that's so captivating about this show but once you start watching you can't stop. I've been watching since April 3 the recaps from the last 3 seasons and am just so excited for this season to start. What is it that draws me to this show? Maybe it's the fact that they live on the edge doing crazy things such as this


Or facing waves like this


They work through in the worst conditions and sometimes in pain from an injury like this


There are sad moments like when a crab boat from last season sunk and 3 of the 4 men were killed. And then there are wonderful moments like when Captain John Hillstrand and his crew pulled a man out of the water after watching him fall. It was a scarry moment for the crew and a sense of redemption for Captain John Hillstrand because 10 years ago he was faced with the same situation and by the time they got to the man and pulled him out he was dead.

Well whatever the reason is for my fascination with this show one thing is certain I owe these man a huge thank you for risking their life so that I can enjoy this!