P90X3 Week 1

So Brian and I had a great first week. The workout program is well rounded and loved that it was only 30 minutes. There was yoga, agility, cardio and strength all in one. Found some really great recipes and I substituted lunch with the Vegan Chocolate Shakeology. Here is one my favorites, Peppermint Brownies 1 package fudge brownie mix 4 Tbsp. instant dry, powdered skim milk 1-1/2 cups of skim milk 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce 2 egg whites 1 tsp. peppermint extract Small bowl combine skim milk powder with skim milk and stir until dissolved. In large bowl combine the brownie mix, applesauce, egg whites, peppermint extract, and skim milk. Spread evenly in 13X9 pan bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes. Can top with low-fat vanilla ice cream and fa-free chocolate sauce.

The New Year

This year Brian and I have set some serious health and fitness goals. We both like to run at least one 5K, lose at least 20 pounds each and just live a healthier life. We have started P90X3 this week and Clean Eating habits. Along with the workout were drinking Beach Body Shakeology and part of a fitness challenge group run by my sister. She's great at motivating and as been a trainer for several years. So if your looking for some new habits plus some motivation I highly suggest a challenge group and any of the Beach Body workouts. Love T25 and P90X3 because there only 30 minutes a day,

Quickly Catching Up

I promise I will be better in 2014, but here are a few moments I missed.... Grace and Josh Halloween Christmas at Disneyland Riding the Carousel in Fantasyland

Just Not Enough Time

I really hoped I would be better at this blogging thing but there just doesn't seem to be enough hours in the day. The summer is over in the sense that school has started. The summer heat still has a few more months here in Arizona. Christopher is in the 11th grade and Grace started her second year of Preschool. They both seem to be getting back into the swing of things. Christopher is a typical teenager doesn't say much. Grace is really liking school and is finally getting on the potty training bandwagon. Thought about starting to train Josh but I think one child at a time is all I can muster right now. Though I'm hoping he'll be a little less stressful than Grace. We can only hope right. Labor Day is around the corner and looking forward to going to California and escaping the heat. I am in much need of some beach therapy. Hopefully will get to see Ebmeyer's and Barrow's. The kids are going stir crazy and feel so bad for them they just don't understand the heat and why they can't go outside. Looking forward to the ocean and late night walks along the beach. Brian is finishing up another season of hockey and has decided to take the winter season off and play some soccer. Looking forward to the cooler weather and getting outside. I need to be better about taking the kids to the park and getting them outside even when it's cold outside. Believe it or not it does get cold here. Brian is also starting his last 8 classes with NAU online. Better late than never. I know he's looking forward to finally being done with school. I'm hoping going forward I can be better at telling our family story.

Excited and Not So Excited for Summer

Summer has arrived! Christopher finished his 10 grade year and headed off to Colorado for the summer. It's the first time he's spent more than a week so were hoping he has a great time seeing his family and enjoying those great Colorado summer's. The kid's and I are headed to California this week. First stop is Grandma and Papa's for some fun at the beach. Plus Zalit's are here from SLC so will get some great cousin time especially with three new babies. Then were spending a week up North with Grammie and Papa enjoying those cool summer nights. Love that they can play outside in the evening and that is actually cools down. After a week will meet up with Brian and head back down to his parents for more fun at the beach. Can you tell I'm craving the beach. So VERY excited!!

My new adventure

I started selling Origami Owl Jewelry in February. It's been a crazy and exciting time. Trying to get a new business going is a lot of work and taking longer than I hoped but in time I hope it pays off for our family and my sanity. It's nice to get out of the house and be with other adults. And of course it's nice to play dress up.

Grace's 4th Birthday

Grace was very excited for her birthday this year and wanted everyone to be there. She still got shy when we started to sign to her it was really cute. We had tacos and cupcakes, because they go well together. Kimball's, Greer's and Miles were able to join us at the Carpenter's, it was a lot of fun, She has gotten so big with going to preschool she's like a little person. She loves her brother and playing with just about anything, loves to sign and put on shows.

Josh's 2nd Birthday

For Josh's birthday it was low key this year dinner and treats. Lucky he's still young and doesn't expect much. He did enjoy his Mr. Potato Head's and Grace had fun blowing out his candles. I can't believe he's two already he's gotten so big. He loves his sister especially wrestling with her, loves hugs and to cuddle. That I'm going to enjoy because I know someday he will not want to cuddle with his mom.

Josh and I take a trip

January Josh and I flew out to California to visit my parents and sisters. We had fun and it was a nice break. Josh and Lizzie played in the fire trucks. Josh and Kennedy played and had fun together. The weather was cool and it was nice to visit with old friends. Can't wait to go back this summer.

This Year's Goal's

So it's that time of year again to set goals. I don't think I did very well last year. I know I never ran that 5K, which to be honest I'm just not a good runner. Not sure if I should move on. I do want to learn a new talent something I can teach Grace, so I decided I want to learn to crochet. Will see how that goes. As always fitness is always a goal. The last couple months have been hard to get motivated. I can't wait for Spring when the sun is out earlier. To do better at teaching Josh and Grace the gospel principles they need to be to be successful. Grace is a Sunbeam this year and she has loved preschool. Grace is still not potty trained and until that happens I'm not even going to attempt with Josh. There are probably a hundred things to work on, to actually do, to attempt. Hopefully this is a great year!

Christmas 2012

For Christmas this year we traveled to California to Brian's parents. It's actually the first Christmas we have ever traveled. We had a great Christmas until the kids and Brian got the flu. We tried to make the best of it, I did get to visit with the Barrow's for a few hours but wasn't able to see the Ebmeyer's. Grace had a great time picking flowers everyday with Grandma and taking walks. Poor Josh was the most under the weather so he snuggled in bed with Daddy. Can't wait till Spring Break, praying everyone is healthy and we get to spend sometime at the beach. Brian and I did make it to Laguna one evening and walked around. It was nice to get out and feel the cool ocean air. I could listen to ocean waves all day.

Holiday Time

I didn't realize it's been a whole month. October was busy and now getting ready for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

The kids had fun this Halloween, we had a Ward party and went trick or treating around the neighborhood with several other families. It was beautiful weather and Grace was very into it. Josh not so much poor guy has had several ear infections and just hasn't been feeling well. Hopefully next year he and Grace can dress up together.

Overwhelmed and Underwhelmed

As you can see by the date it's been awhile since I've been able to sit down and write. Life has been crazy since school started. Grace goes to Preschool Tuesday and Thursday. Plus we go to Music Makers on Monday morning. It's taken some time to get use to our new schedule. I get up every morning (most mornings) at 6 and workout before the kids get up and try to get ready for the day. Since Grace started school for some reason they have been sleeping later too. I'm not complaining it's just funny. There getting so big and growing so fast. Grace is doing well in school learning poems and her letters. Josh still hasn't said much but he sure does understand what your saying to him. It's interesting because Grace at 18 months had a bigger vocabulary but she most times didn't seem to get it, if that makes sense but Josh on the other hand you can have a conversation and he doesn't respond but with his own language he knows what you are asking him. Boys and girls really are different. Chris is hanging in there, poor guy school is just so hard for him. But he's at a good charter school and there really trying to help him. Getting ready for October with birthdays, fall break, halloween and new babies (not ours the Carpenter's). Headed out to Southern California to visit family while Chris heads to Colorado to visit his. Excited to go to the beach and visit with my sisters. The weather is finally starting to change so it should be really nice, hopefully. Looking forward to the upcoming holiday's Grace is understanding now and loves Christmas and anything Christmas. She found the tree's at Walmart the other day I thought I never get her out of the Garden Center, but it does make me excited for this year. She's so animated it's so much fun, the best part of being a parent is watching the reactions of your children. Hopefully is a successful holiday season:)

Summer of Swim

Grace had her first summer of swim lessons. She did really well, the first few classes were a little rough but soon she got the hang of it and by the end was doing really well. I'm glad she's not afraid, I do not like the water and it's always been something I have truly regretted. So I am so glad Grace likes the water and is not afraid. Josh even loves the water and thinks he can swim. It's actually exhausting taking them to the pool because he just wants to jump in and obviously he can't. Maybe lessons for him next summer:)

Preschool

Grace started Preschool last week. So far she really likes it. Heidi is a Sister in our ward and super nice. We probably don't have the extra money but I felt strongly that Grace needed the extra and specific help in learning color,numbers and letters. Plus don't kids just do better with other people:) Hopefully she continues to grow and learn. Looking forward to this school year.

Think She's Getting the Hang of It

We started potty training Grace again a couple weeks ago and she seem's to be getting it this time. Other than going number 2 still in her pants, ugh! She's been going on her own and sleeping thru the night. She has a occasional accident but nothing to serious. We have adventured out to the store and errands and no accidents. Tomorrow will be our second Sunday hopefully she feels more comfortable letting someone know she needs to go. Still praying this all comes together before she starts preschool next month.

3rd Time a Charm?

Trying again at potty training with Grace this week. I still don't get why this is such a difficult thing to accomplish. Doesn't she realize how carefree and less messy her life will be. It's so frustrating, I told Cori the other night I rather be up every two hours with a newborn than deal with potty training. I can only hope with more patience and a lot more treats this week will be the week, I'll even take sometime this month. I love you Grace but seriously!

A Day At the Beach

A couple of weeks ago we spent a few days at the beach with Brian's family. Brian's brother Brent was out from Colorado with his three kids. It was fun to see them unfortuantely we don't get to see them very often. The kids all had a great time and loved playing with one another, the boys were really good with Josh and Grace invading there sandcastle. We spent one day at the Baby Beach in Dana Point, the beach sits off the harbor so there aren't any ocean waves which was kind of nice for safety reasons. Plus they have picnic tables and a grassey area. The next day we needs some waves so we hit Aliso Creek Beach just south of Laguna. It was a great park too, play area, snack bar and bathrooms. The waves were really high so we weren't able to spend anytime in the water but just watching and listening to the waves is good for me. Plus all Josh wanted to do was eat the sand.

Summer Vacation

Last week we headed to Northern California to visit my family. It's the first time Josh had made the trip and the last time Grace was there she was six weeks old. We drove to Ebmeyer's and stayed the night then drove up the next morning. Stayed at my grandma's which gave us lot's of room being that she's up in Nevada City taking care of her brother. We had bbq at Kerrie's and Uncle Marty came it was great getting to see him. Monday it rained and we visited the fire house with dad. The kid's loved playing in the fire trucks and pushing the horns. Tuesday Grandma came down and we had lunch at Casa Carlos, Carlyn, Rex and Kerrie & Jared came along too. Wednesday we took the kids to the train museum in Old Sacramento, my mom came along as well. The museum was great even Brian had a great time. Spent some time at Celeste's house in the afternoon, she's out in the middle of a orchard so Grace and Josh loved running around. Thursday we headed up to Grass Valley to visit with grandma and enjoy some pasties. Friday was the parade in Colusa and the county fair. Christopher got to ride in parade with my dad a great Fisher family rite of passage. Grace, Josh and Lizzie ran wild at the fair (omg they were so dirty) Lizzie and Grace had a small melt down on one of the rides thankfully they were not scared for life. We also got to visit with Uncle Brian and Aunt Linda it was great seeing them and yet another wonderful backyard for the kids to play in. Can't wait for next summer!

Vacation Time

So this week were busy getting ready to drive to Northern California. We are doing it over two days I admit I'm not looking forward to it but hopefully it will pay off with getting to see family and enjoying some cooler weather. Wish us luck:)