Kelly's Photo Shoot

The weather here has been beautiful!  Unfortunately I've had a really hard time getting our kids to get outside.  I don't get it.  Anyway, Kelly asked if she could take some pictures and it worked like magic! Everyone was happy to be outside and had a good time taking and posing for pictures.  Here is the best of Kelly's pictures, (with a little creative editing on my part).

Below are some of my favorites.

All in all I think she did a great job and I love how they turned out. Plus, I loved that they finally went outside! :)

This week's Top 5

1). Kate lost her first tooth!  She has been on cloud nine ever since.  It was very wiggly and while she was at school she just grabbed it with a tissue and pulled it out herself! Pretty awesome stuff.

2). Kevin called to tell me that he was performing with the 5th graders in an assembly. Of course I enjoyed watching them and listening to his part as a narrator, but the best for me was that he thought to call me and let me know so that I could be there.

3). Here's a glimpse of one of the "popcorn" trees. They are blooming everywhere and are just beautiful!  I love it when Kenzie points them out as we drive around.

4). Most of you have probably already seen this; but I had to post it here as well. I am totally loving being a Texas Fit Chicks trainer. It is so much fun! This video came out this week and has been a highlight for me.

5). And last but not least, we've enjoyed having Justin's sister, Emily, stay with us while she attended a class to become a Certified Lactation Consultant. She was so patient with all of the kids and we enjoyed getting to spend some time with her.

That's our week. How was yours?

Quick Update

I can't believe it's been almost 10 days since my last post.  I've been sitting here racking my brain trying to remember what's been "happening." Well here's the best that I've got:

Kenzie:  Loves laughing! Her laugh is contagious and makes me focus on what's most important in this life, family, love, strengthening relationships.  It's turning warmer and all of the trees are beginning to bloom.  Kenzie loves to point out all the "popcorn trees," while we drive around running errands.  She talks about how she wishes she could "eat that popcorn off the trees."

Kate: My girlie-girl has decided that she doesn't like anything pink. She shares her older sisters affinity for skinny jeans and converse all stars--gray with purple laces thank you very much. She likes to read, but isn't motivated to do it which is tricky for me.  I still can't take her shopping with me because I will always end up spending more money than I need to.

Kevin: Just completed his science fair project--totally easy. He tested different paper airplanes made with different weights of paper to see which combination would fly the best.  Thankfully we have a key to the church building because we just went over on a Saturday morning to use the gym--that way no wind.  He recorded his results and Justin helped him put it into a spreadsheet--done!  I hope that it will satisfy the requirements. His teacher was out on maternity leave when they were chosen so her sub okay'd it. He recently earned his Webelos badge and is getting ready to earn his Arrow of Light and pass over into Boy Scouts. For some reason I can't help but feel a little giddy at the thought of leaving Cub Scouts behind.

Kelly:  Is finally taller than me, the reality of which makes her very happy. She takes every opportunity to stand up next to me and "measure" with her hand while she smiles and giggles and tells everyone how happy she is that she is taller than me.  It's funny because it doesn't upset me in the least, so I'm not sure why she behaves this way.  She is getting ready for an upcoming One Act Drama competition, and an additional one act performance that she is in charge of all the sound.  She's kind of gotten over the fact that her drama teacher keeps type-casting her because she is taller than everyone else and her hair is shorter than everyone else's--(but I'm not.  I can't wait for this year to be over and for her to have other opportunities with other teachers). She's getting ready for an upcoming Pioneer trek this spring break.  Despite all the walking she will do I think she is looking forward to it.

Justin: Is busy with work. He is traveling quite a bit. He says he doesn't like being away from family, but he loves being productive and making things happen on-sight.  That's about all I can comment on that. Since my schedule has changed it has gotten much easier when he is gone, but it's still not my favorite.  He gets a lot of use out of his new workout tower that he built when he is home.  I have to say that I love our little workout gym in the garage.  Call me crazy but I love having all of that stuff and using it when I can.

Me: I'm thoroughly loving being a personal trainer with Texas Fit Chicks.  We will be releasing a new website soon I hope with updated pictures and little video clips of our workouts, so be on the lookout.  Even though I get up pretty early to do it, I have such a great time and get to work with a fantastic group of women.  I feel very grateful to be able to do what I do and then stay home with Kenzie during the day.  Like everyone else, I still need to find balance and make sure that I'm spending time with her and not just staying on the computer or sewing--but all in all, I feel very blessed.  Yes I have been sewing more lately.  I'm sad that I don't have any pictures.  Mostly I've been making reversible headbands for me and my girls; adorable corduroy caps for friends having babies; I've made one baby blanket and decided that I will never make them again.  I'd much rather stick to clothes. I'm making skirts for Kelly to wear on her upcoming pioneer trek and have stacks of material for cute reversible wrap dresses for my girls and a few other projects.  Sometimes I dream about going away for a weekend just so I can sew!  Yes, I am totally crazy, I know.

O.k. so this wasn't as quick as I thought it would be. Sorry. I hope you enjoyed it anyway!

Grateful for Walls & Favorite Famous Person Day

"Mom! Look what I can do!"

"I love this wall sooo much!  I'm so grateful for this wall!  If we didn't have this wall I would have anything in the whole house to hand upside down on !"

Sorry this picture is a little blurry--I was giggling.  Good thing we had this wall just so Kate could have something in our house to hang upside down on! 

Once a month the kids have had a different dress-up day.  When I got the paper about it at the beginning of the year I thought I would be organized and write them all down on the calendar.  So this month was 'Favorite Famous Person Day.'

Can you tell who they are?

Taylor Swift and James Bond

I didn't bother telling Kevin that James Bond was a fictional character and not a real person.  It just wasn't worth the argument.

I thought they looked great and was impressed that we came up with it the night before.  They love participating in these dress up days and were excited to go to school.

Sadly, this dress-up day had been cancelled and no one told us!!

Kevin was really mad that he spent the whole day at school in a suit.

Oh well.  If anything he learned that if something like that happens again he has the freedom to call me and I'd bring him something else to wear.

Good Times!

Workout Anyone?

Check out what Justin built!

He broke his other exercise set so instead of buying a new one he researched online, found these plans and built it on a Saturday--start to finish.  It has a pull-up bar and pegs for his Olympic Free Bar (Not Pictured).  The punching bag can be removed so you can do squats or bench press.  It's pretty awesome!  Great Job Justin!