Catch up and then run!

So life is pretty busy now...but I am going to take just a few minutes to blog. Considering that we just got home from our well needed Thanksgiving getaway, I thought it only appropriate to start this post off with some "gratitude journaling".

I am constantly reminded of my many blessings, when each day I get to take care of the two most beautiful children in the world. Carl and I were alone for a week before Thanksgiving. The kids spent the week with Gma and Gpa Weeks in Grace so we could get things going at the gym. I was so busy I really didn't think about how much I missed them, until on Sunday when Carl and I had nothing to do but rest...we missed them. Started watching videos and looking at pictures of the kids. That's when it hit us...we are so blessed.

Naturally I would be grateful for two beautiful, healthy and extremely well behaved children...because I truly am grateful. But even beyond that, I am grateful for the family that we have gained from both our children. Carl and I have amazing parents that have been a huge support for us. Helping us move, giving us a temporary home, taking care of the kids during our crazy life changes and praying for us during our times in need and our desires for a family.

In addition to our parents and siblings, we have added five other families to the mix. Five amazing and loving families. Families that loved their little ones and then love us unconditionally with trust. We cherish that everyone loves our children so much that they want to be a part of their lives....that is awesome. We just feel so selfish to have so many families, but we adore the relationships we have developed with everyone.

With much work behind us and tons of work ahead of us...its hard to sit down and really enjoy the little things. This weekend we did just that....sat down and enjoyed our little ones. It was a joy to be with the kids again and to see family. We spent Thanksgiving at Carl's parents (picked up the kids) and then even got to see some more family in Blackfoot. Truly saddened to have missed our Hailey and Denver families, but hope to see you all sometime soon. It has also been a joy and a blessing to be so near to our Twin family.

At one point in our lives (Carl and I); we were blessed to have each other and we never imagined that in a matter of just 3 years, 3 months and 28 days we have managed to go from just the 2 of us and add 2 kids, 14 grandparents, 6 birthparents (including spouses), and way too many to count...siblings, adopted siblings, cousins and adopted cousins, a few more great grandparents and a partridge in a pear tree.

LOVE: ITS WHAT MAKES A FAMILY

Now I gotta run and be busy.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!

I am so excited about this. Carl and I moved here to Twin Falls for a couple reasons. Family was a big draw here, but we also wanted...Ok really its me...I have always wanted to own a fitness center. I have a big passion for fitness, I think it is so important to stay active in your life and so here we are. We are so close to opening our gym, I can taste it.

So BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

MEMBERSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE!

We are starting memberships sales on 16 November 2009 at our great location in Lynwood Shopping Center (right next to Sakura, on Blue Lakes).

Come in and see us...I will be there to greet you and take care of your fitness needs.

Also, in light (I mean dark), of the "New Moon" release...

(Ya baby)

Anytime Fitness is having a Membership Kickoff Event on the 19th of November 2009. The first 10 people to come in and sign up for memberships, are getting tickets to the New Moon release (here in Twin Falls)....wish I could send you to LA.

We will also have a couple drawings for fun prizes including more tickets to New Moon.

Ok, so here's what you do: Come down to the gym (Lynwood on Blue Lakes), at 9:00 am until 10 pm...just in time to get ready for the premiere (with our 24/7 access, we never sleep either) and be one of the first 10 people to get a chance to get those tickets. Come sink your teeth into fitness and sign up for your health....we love good blood.

Ladies and Gents...He's 30

Yesterday was Carl's birthday. That's right, the boy is now a man of 30 years. He's is finally catching up to me...at least until I hit 40 and he's still 38. Punk!

So I started giving him his gifts about a month ago. Since it's the BIG 30...it's supposed to be this big bash party, right? Well...my idea of celebrating the big 30 is HUGE. But, I couldn't do what I really wanted to for him. I wanted to send him on an Alaskan Hunt/Fishing trip. That wasn't going to happen this year, so the next best thing....a fishing trip to Washington. They have good salmon fishing up there, right? His good friend took him for a weekend on a great fishing trip. I benefited because they brought home some good fish. Yum!

But this post isn't about me....Its all about Carl!

Since his birthday was on a Sunday, there wasn't much we could do...he just wanted to relax and spend the day with his family, which we did. Went to church, watched movie, his Cowboys even played (and won) on his birthday. Made him Tacos (one of his favorites) for dinner, and then brownies and ice cream for dessert (which Kya loved making with me, she's quite the little helper). A candle in dessert, a little singing, and we had a great day. Carl was grateful that I didn't throw him a HUGE Bash Party...like I wanted. He said he enjoyed the relaxing day with his family.

So on Saturday, he wanted to go coyote hunting, naturally. Of course this was granted to the hardworking birthday boy. But the catch....he wanted me to go with. Again, wish granted. Can you believe it, I went coyote hunting. This wasn't my first dog hunt, I have been before.....like 4 years ago, but since that was his wish...I endured. It was actually really nice to spend the morning with my hubby (thanks Robin), we enjoyed a sunrise...behind the clouds. Peace and quiet, and even a shooting or two. We didn't have much luck calling any dogs in, because it was a full moon the night before. (I know, I talk like I know what I am talking about...Carl told me that one. The coyotes would have been out all night eating, in the full moon, and didn't need to come out in the morning). But I know Carl loved being out there, and I took advantage with the camera. The desert isn't much of an appealing scenery, but I got a few fun shots (with the camera). I did shoot at a rock, Carl wanted me to practice....did pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Well, Happy Birthday, to the fine lookin' man in my life....sorry Zander, daddy is #1 man, but you following closely behind. Love you Carl, thanks for all that you are for me!

I had to keep the hunt a little girly, with my awesome pink and gray socks.

What a stud!

Saw some bones....sweet!





Can you spot the hunter in this picture? He's good!

Journaling....growing up!

Today was a good day, so I thought I should journal it. First of all, I woke up in a good mood and with time on my hands. That doesn't happen often (having time on my hands, not the good mood part), and I don't know when it will happen again. But I decided to take advantage and make my free time be fun time for my kids.

Kya and I made cookies today for daddy. He loves chocolate chip cookies, and I don't bake them near enough. She loves to help and always be doing something. She is constantly asking me, "What are we going to do now?"

When I answer, its, "Then what?"

S

o I guess I need to have her schedule planned out, and just as busy as mine. Whenever I tell her I need to do some work (usually during Zander's naptime, and since she is not really napping anymore sniff, sniff its her quiet time), she asks,

"What work am I going to do?"

She is growing up so tall, and a lot of her pants are too short on her. So we decided to be creative. I bought a couple bandanas for $1 and added them to the bottom of her pants and made her a matching apron/shirt. I think she looks pretty dang cute, and she can keep wearing these pants for at least through the winter.

Now for Zander. Since my blog is private, I thought it was ok to post this video. He is so active and just really loves to play. I love that. He makes me happy on even my bad days.

We went to the doctor today for Zander's 9 month check up. He is healthy and doing great. He was fighting with the doctor, while being check out....strong little booger. So here are his statistics.

Height: 28 3/4 inches (70%)

Weight: 18 lbs. 13 oz (40%)

Head: 18 in

So, the doctor says he is doing great, following the growth curve and "tall and skinny". That's the same thing we heard about Kya. I was curious about their percentages compairing. I have always thought Zander was a bit on the small side, but he has beat his sister by at least one pound each time. Funny, he's a boy alright! And a stud to boot. I just love him!

I cut Zander's hair today, for the first time. The back was getting to look a bit like a mullet (sp), and it was driving me crazy, so I cleaned it up as best as I could...considering he just wanted to turn around the whole time and look at what I was doing. Silly boy!

His awesome personality is just shining through lately. He is so much fun, and really likes to have fun. I love that. The other day he crawled up to my legs, while I was cooking dinner, tugged on my pants, stood up (holding on of course) and kept hitting my leg saying, "mamamamamama". It was really cute. I just had to pick him up. He loves giving me kisses! Whenever I try to get him to say "ma ma", he just opens his mouth and goes in for a kiss. Maybe that is how he likes to say mom, by kissing me.

Halloween

I was having a hard time getting into the spirit of Halloween this year. It's one of my favorite holidays, 'cause I love to dress up. But life has gotten in the way of everything lately. Busy with the gym and trying to control the demons in my head. Haha

But I finally found my spirit on Halloween day. We started out with Ghost French Toast and Hot Cocoa. Then spent most of the day at the Lynwood Shopping center promoting the gym...which I dressed up as a Pirate...no picture, can you believe it. The kids and daddy trick-r-treated from business to business. They had fun. Kya was really having fun dressing up this year....that's my girl.

The night before we went to our ward Harvest Party, where the kids also got to do some trick-r-treating. I didn't even get to make the costumes this year....no spirit. But my sister did tell me about this website where you could order costumes for pretty cheap. When I saw Zander's costume, I was pretty excited because I had a costume to match.

I was a flapper girl (I should have lived in the Roaring 20's, I love that era), and Zander was in a little Zoot Suit. He is such a stud.

Kya was looking for costumes with me and saw the princess costumes. Naturally that's what she wanted, but they were mostly gone. So we got her a Vampira costume. It took some convincing to get her excited about it, but when I told her that daddy was going to be a Vampire...she really liked that idea.

When I put my costume on, she got a big smile on her face and said, "Mom, you look great", and then she was ready to get on her costume.

I think we all looked a little partied out.

At the Ward Harvest Party

Our little Vampira
Fishing for treats....which Kya has become quite good at....Fishing!

I wanted to put together a fun Halloween dinner, but since Carl doesn't do well with colored food (story behind this) I did normal food with spooky names....which he doesn't do well with either.

Vampire's Blood (tomato soup)

Smokey mummies (little smokey's wrapped in busquits)

Corn Maze (corn bread)

Candy Corn pudding

I had fun, and actually it all tasted really good.

We stayed in for the evening watching Halloween movies, considering we were all Trick-r-Treated out from earlier and the night before.

Just because he is too cute....some more pics!