Dear Toothfairy (again)

Dear Toothfairy:

Tonight as I was brushing my teeth my mom decided to look inside my mouth and look at my gap where my tooth used to be. She told me my gap is bigger, I lost another tooth, but this time I have no idea where it went, hopefully I didn't swallow it when I was sleeping one night. I'm sorry I don't have it to give you but I did loose the tooth. Please bring me money, hopefully next time I'll have a tooth for you.

Thanx
Jace

Goal #1----Check

I get to check off My weightloss goal #1--loose 15 pounds (it happened awhile ago), and my reward was to get a manicure and pedicure. Thanx to Jennifer and Shannon to join me. Can't wait to complete goal #2.

Dear Toothfairy

Dear Toothfairy

I lost my FIRST tooth today. Problem is I was playing at school, it fell out when I got hit with a ball (in my face) on the playground at Virgin Valley Elementary School. My firends and I tried to look for it but couldn't find it. Please bring me money even though my tooth isn't under my pillow.

Thanx
Jace

Texas or Bust

A few weeks ago Dusty and I got to see where Lance lives and what he's working on. He is working in a place called Lajitas, it is 4 hours away from Midland, that's the closest airport (imagine driving to Salt Lake everytime to fly home), it is 2 hours away from Alpine,it's a Bigger City Like Mesquite, it does have a college there. From there they go south towards the Mexican border. Going towards Lajitas your not stopped by border patrol but leaving and going towards Midland you are stopped, and the must hate their job because they are not polite.
We finally make it to his house the first 2 days I did absolutly nothing! It was wonderful, um let me think when the last time was the I got to sit around, read a book, or watch tv for hours on end, oh yea, 6 years ago before Cassidy was born. Taking care of dusty was a breeze he was only one child not four. Finally by the 3rd day I got out and walked the town. Lance took me all over gift shops, Restaurants, cookout spots on the side of the road, and Big Bend National Forest.

Behind Lance is the Rio Grande, and on the other side of the river is Mexico. There are many border patrol in Lajitas because it takes the Mexicans 5 mintues to illegally cross the river to get into the states or 1 1/2 hours to go to the main entrance to legally get in.

Dusty and I, in the background is an ocotillo (a plant) they are EVERYWHERE!

Dusty and I behind a GIANT Teepe, this is located on the side of the highway. There is a picnic table under it and a bbq grill to the side, on this little strip there are 4 giant teepes, Amazing

Lance, Payton, Luke Showing off their cooking abilities (they were cooking hotdogs).

Lance and I looking down into the forrest after photo time,

The sign
I'm so glad I went it was really hard leaving my kids, but to tell you the truth I should do it more often, Alexis got potty trained and I hate to say this part Cassidy learned to tie her shoes. Thanks for all my family who helped me out with my kids so I could have a nice and needed break.

Our imagination gets the best of us this holiday season

This halloween I couldn't get my kids to work together so each of us was something different.
Cassidy was.................

Orphan ANNIE!!! I looked and looked for a costume and found nothing. A big thankyou goes out to Alyson who made the dress, good old ebay came through with the wig, hey you can't be annie without the hair.

Jace was................

A NINJA!!! He had to be somebody who fights, why do boys think that way?

Alexis was.............

A HORSE!!!!! I still have control over her, she didn't care what she wore, but I think she made an adorable horse.

and last but not least Dusty was.............

A COW!!! Hand me downs are great, he wore this costume for maybe 3 hours but for 2 1/2 hours he was in his stroller bundled up.


You might notice two extra characters in this picture, they are my nephews. Halloween day the kids and I drove up to Provo to do some trick or treating. Remember I don't like to stay home. So we went to visit my sisters family. What a wonderful weekend. Thanx Leona for letting us play!

Can't forget about me. I for once dressed up this year, and what was my costume?.....


I was a polygamist, (not my prettiest) here is the story behind it all. Got invited to a halloween party (thanx Tammy), wasn't going to go because Lance wasn't around. Shannon (my sis-in-law) asked if Jennifer (other sis-in-law) ((her hubby is gone also)) and I if we would dress up as polygamists, her and her husband would dress up too. I thought that would be awesome. Shane coming into the party with 3 wives. Well, our costume was a hit.

VV Elementary Pumpkin Run

Every year our elementary school does a pumpkin run, each grade, boys and girls (seperated) run as fast as they can to win a pumpkin. The first 20-25 runners to the finish line wins a pumpkin. This is Cassidy's second time and Jace's first time. This year watching them run was freezing, the temperature dropped the day before and that morning it was a little breezy, hey we do anything to show our children we love and support them.


I am very proud of my kids, they ran hard!

Which way do we go?

I don't like doing things alone, I can do it but if I can get someone else to come I try and hey life is better with a crowd. So when the kids and I decided to go to the corn maze in St. George we recuited my grandma Wells. She happen to be watching two of my cousins which are my kids age so Cassidy and Jace had a blast running through the maze, and swinging on the swings and looking at the animals, they were everywhere!

Had to pose with the witch the two extra boys are my cousins TJ and Logan, you like how I cut Dusty's face out of the picture, poor kid.

I don't remember seeing the rope swing there last year, Jace and Cassidy was on it constantly

Cassidy posing like she always does, she loves the camera.

Alexis is keeping an eye out for intruders, I couldn't get her down, I think she loved to be able to see everything.

Swinging around, you like what logan was trying to do everytime Cassidy or Jace came around?

Finally we got to the maze....and we're off!!!

Pumpkin Carving Time

To be alone or to be with family is the question I've asked myself everyday. When I decided it was pumpkin carving time my kids and I chose family, we headed up to Kelby and Alyson's home and had a wonderful evening.

Cassidy and Jace designed and cut out their pumpkins, Alexis had help from Grandma Alyson.

Mom and grandma helping with the insides, they weren't quite strong enough to get it all cleaned.

New moon Trailer (I like this one)

K girls we need a girls night out in 2 weeks!!!!!!

Anybody want to join me?

November 21st there is a marathon in Mesquite, want to join me? J/K I'm so not ready for that BUT there is a 5k run. I really want to do it and just throwing it out to all of you to see if anyone wants to join me. It's in a month you can be ready by then. Got to mammothmarathns.org or click Here Click on Mesquite Marathon and find the registration form. It would be fun let me know if you interested.

I'm on the Losing End!

Weighed in today and I've lost 3 more pounds and dropped a pant size! The newest thing I've been doing is I've started walking my kids to school everday. I push a double stoller (works my upper body BIG TIME) and I power walk or run (depending on how fast my kids ride their bikes). I do this 4 times a day, What a work out and I love it, it gets me outside being in fresh air and not on my nasty treadmill, I can't stand the thing but it has been good to me since Lance has been absent and I'm stuck at home. This week though I haven't been able to walk to school, my 3 older children got the flu bug and we've been confined to the house. Oh I feel cabin fever coming.

Wonderful Weekend

This past weekend my family went to Pine Valley to visit grandpa and grandma Wells. It was conference weekend, and Cassidy and Jace did not have school on Monday and with Lance being gone I didn't want to stay home. So I packed us up and headed for cooler weather.

My grandparents and my kids, what a wonderful weekend


Love this sign, enough said.

It was 50 degrees outside and very windy, what do my kids want to do, play in the hot tub. I'm glad I was the one taking the pictures. I don't mind getting in but getting out is really hard for me, it's too cold.



Can't have a fire without roasting marshmellows, this time we used oreo cookies and put the marshmellow in the middle, I didn't try it but my kids had no problem eating them.



Monday morning we woke up to all these deer in the backayard, my kids were excited to watch. I can't believe I was able to keep them in the house as long as I did, they knew that as soon as they went outside the deer would run away but they still wanted to try to get close.


Look, I saw 2 bucks in the backyard. Now that was a miracle, this was the first and probably the last.

I got to sit back and enjoy conference, what wonderful words were said and whatever I missed, ( I did miss a few, hey I'e got kids) I recorded at home, so throughout this week I get to watch again. I got to relax and have the help from my grandparents it was wonderful.

The Moment of Truth

Yesterday was weigh day and I was scared. My previous weigh in was not a good one and I didn't want to dissapoint myself, but I got on that scale anyway, I was curious if all the running and exercise videos were working. I'm happy to to say I lost 3 pounds!! I'm back on track. What a relief, so what did I do to celebrate...I ran on my treadmill 2 miles instead of 1, then I did an exercise video. Normally I would celebrate by eating something, thankfully I have changed. Way to go me!!!!

50 MoRe DaYs!!!!!!

Ladies we are getting closer until New Moon!!! I can't wait. Yea!

Labor Day Weekend

My family, along with the Kelby Hughes family celebrated Labor Day in Parowan Utah. The fair is on that weekend so a lot is going on in that small town. Monday morning we got up and headed to the church for a pancake breakfast, then in front of the church the parade goes by, that's what the kids really wanted.

Take the bad and turn it around into something good

Well, I weighed myself and gained 2 pounds in 2 weeks. It was totally my fault. Two weekends ago I went to Parowan and let myself eat whatever and whenever, not very smart. Then Last week Lance left for Texas for three weeks and I was unconciously depressed about it, because when I look back I ate, and ate. Sunday I snapped out of it and started running in the evening after I put my kids to bed, then I wake up before they get up and do an exercise video. I would like to look a little different when Lance gets home.
On another note I'm still making hot breakfasts for my kids, Jace isn't too excited, no matter what I make he doesn't like it. He would rather have toaster strudel every morning, I'm determined to hear mommy this looks good from him.

For all you chocolate addicts

Here is a recipe for you I made it last week and was asked to put the recipe on my blog. This is for you Mindy!!

Oreo Triple Layer Chocolate Pie

32 oreo cookies
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 cups cold milk
2 pkgs (4oz) Jello chocolate instant pudding
1 tub (8oz) Cool whip, thawed ((I use real whipping cream)

Finely crush 24 of the cookies, mix with butter. Press firmly onto bottom and up the side of a 9" pie plate. Pour milk into large bowl, add pudding mixes, beat with whisk until blended. Spoon 1-1/2 cups of pudding into crust. Gently stir 1/2 of the whipped topping into remaining pudding; spread over pudding layer in crust. Chop remaining 8 cookies, stir into remaining whipped topping. Spread over pie. Refrigerate 4 hours or until set.

6 Weeks Weigh in / More goals

In two weeks I've lost 3 pounds!!!! I have continued to eat what I want but in smaller portions and less junk food. When school started I set a goal for myself to wake up before my kids do and exercise, be showered, dressed. I have done great! Monday I slept in and it was a big mess trying to get myself and my kids ready before school, I will not do that again. Another goal I set was to make a good breakfast every other day. I've been pretty good with that also. I made crepes this morning(never made them in my life), and I love this recipe, I'm going to give it to you it was so easy.

Basic Crepes
Serves 6

1-1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 eggs
3/4 cups Milk
3/4 cups Water
1/4 tsp salt
3 TBSP Butter, melted

In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth.
Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle or pan, using approx. 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly. Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen woth spatula, turn and cok the other side. Serve hot.

*I added granulated sugar in the batter to make it a little sweet.

Any of you have some good ideas for breakfast give me a shout!

4 Weeks

It has been a month, these last 2 weeks, I haven't lost any pounds, I'm thinking on the bright side, hey I didn't gain any either! I have been able to get into some of my jeans that I wasn't able to a month ago, so I'm losing inches. I was so good writing a food jounral the first week but the second I slacked and that's probably why I didn't loose. I did notice that I still ate what I wanted and wrote it down without any remorse, the next two weeks I'm going to ask myself if I'm hungry, do I really need the put that in my mouth, and if I do can I eat something healthier.
I have worked out a few time, I wasn't consistent. I went bike riding with my kids today, I'm going to ride bikes with my kids to school a couple times a week, I'm excited for that, I just hope Dusty will cooperate, he did pretty good then we stopped and played at a park and he woke up and on the way back didn't really enjoy the ride. See you in two weeks!

Wonderful Daughter

Cassidy did something wonderful for me today after church. I was getting lunch ready, when it was time for my kids to come eat she made me go to my room first, she cleaned up my room, my closet,and bathroom (which REALLY needed it). She got a great big hug and many kisses from me.

Cassidy Before & After

She is ready for school!

2 Weeks In

Today makes it 2 weeks since I annouced my slow and hopefully succesful weightloss goal. I'm happy to say I've lost 2 pounds. Some of the things I've been doing good, I'm eating healthier ( I still eat the occasional brownie, etc. but I don't eat it everyday and I don't have a big piece).
Sometimes I'm eating smaller portions.
I started a food journal (the first week I didn't and I could tell I wasn't eating right and eating too much, the second week I started the journal, and it has helped).

Somethings I need to work on, I haven't started working out, Lance has been gone so my evenings are shot, I could do it in the morning but I can't get myself to set an alarm yet.
A couple of days I've eatin past 7pm, I feel I can do it because those days I stay up until midnight, so I should have burned some of those calories, but I know I should never eat beyond 7pm.
My biggest downfall is knowing I'm not hungry, and my brain is telling me not to eat it while I'm putting it in my mouth. How can I gain some self control, it is very difficult, I'm just too stubborn even to myself.
If any of you have any ideas please let me know I will take any advice!
Thanx for reading and keeping me in check, I love it!

I'm single again except with kids

Lance took off again this time to Lajitas, Texas leaving me alone with our wonderful but make me tired very quickly children. He is working and playing with Payton on another golf course. In a year from now any of you girls want to leave your husbands and go on a trip with me?

My Goal

This past week I left my doctor with a clean bill of health, which means it is now time to start loosing weight. I'm done having children and I don't want to be overweight anymore. I'm going to periodically post on my blog so I can be held accountable. I have my long term goal which is to loose 45 pounds within the year. My short term goals are loose 15 pds and get rewarded after each 15. Another short term goal is to run a 5k, the last time I ran a 5k Alexis turned 1 and my reward to run I ate way too much food, this time I'm not doing that. So here's to me, I'm going to try real hard to keep this goal. I know I have to start slow and for the time being can't over do it because I am nursing and haven't worked out in a very long time.

So, short term goal #1 I would like to loose 15 pounds and when I do I will go get myself a pedicure and manicure.
Some things to work at
eating healthier
eating smaller portions
do an aerobic activity atleast twice a week

Here's to the beginning of a new me!

Last Months Happenings

Last month has been crazy Lance got home from Wyoming in time for the birth, he got to stay for about a week until he had to be back up in wyoming, thankfully my mom showed up when he left and stayed for 1 1/2 weeks. (loved it!!!) Problem is with all this help I could never find the time to update my blog or I was way too tired and chose to sleep instead, (I think that was a better choice). Then my mom left and I was left alone with 4 children and no husband (still in Wyoming for 2 more weeks). Lance came home for good yesterday (yea the job is done) and I have a little brief time on my hands, so here goes, this is what has been going on in my crazy but wonderful life.

First bath, Dusty really didn't like his first bath at home but he sure liked being wrapped up.


Here is dusty on June 29th he has filled out a little bit. My kids got back about a week after he was born and they were great with dusty, they held him as much as they could, they always wanted to be by him.


July 4th weekend Lance couldn't come home, he asked if I would come up and spend the weekend with him, So I packed 5 bags, and drove many hours (the trip should have taken 8 hours, it took me way longer to get there)to get to Afton Wyoming the home of Rulon Gardner. Here we are in Jackson Hole everybody has a thing for antlers.


July 4th we spent the morning fishing, Clint, a good friend of Lance's said he always caught fish in this spot, the kids would defenatly get one, guess what not one bite...Lance claims it's because of him, everytime he goes fishing (which isn't often) nothing happens, thankfully the kids didn't mind. Cassidy enjoyed holding the can of worms and Jace and Alexis liked throwing rocks in the water.



We then watched a parade


We went to a rodeo in the evening, Cassidy and Jace participated in catching the rope on the calfs tail to get money, there were 3 calfs and roughly 30 kids and Cassidy got the rope off the tail, she was so proud of herself, this is a picture after she got cleaned up. It was very muddy and as she was running she lost her shoe and was running in the mud with just her socks on, she didn't care she was proud of herself for being 1 of the 3. We watched the fireworks at the rodeo areana after the rodeo.


We made a trip to Yellowstone National Park and got to see old faithfull blow.






Every summer the city puts on a childrens play and you guessed it they did Jungle book and Cassidy tried out and made it. She was a bee, She did a lot of singing and a lot of actions when she sang, I'm so proud of her, she has a hard time participating in the primary program at church and I was really worried about the play, and towards the end she just about didn't get to participate because she wouldn't continue to practice, it was because of her fear of a BIG audience, I encouraged her every chance I got and she got over her fear and performed and did an awesome job!

Big kudos to Oakley my niece she did a great job being an elephant she was fun to watch!

July 9th Dusty and I were up late so I grabbed the camera and took some pictures, here are a few I liked.



Just last weekend Lance came home for 2 days to bless baby Dusty, I planned it on the 12th so my family could watch Cassidy in the play, it was really hard for Lance to leave cause they were at an important part in their job, but I was very greatful he found a way to be home even if it was for a brief time.

Here's Dusty looking good and knowing he looks good (he posed himslef that way)

My wonderful children


It is July 17th and Lance came yesterday for good, his job is done and I'm greatful not to be a single mom with 4 children, it has been hard and trying but I perservered and as I look back I loved every minute of it, the bad and the good!