a post.....finally!

ok..so finally some pictures. I can not remember when the picture of me in the jeans was taken, but it has been at least a month. 

 This was me today as I was leaving to go to the y. I think it is hard to see much difference because the shirt i have on above is baggy. Oh well. I have still made progress. 

Here are the front shots!

 Here I am today. 

 Since I started this process I am down, 76 pounds. Since i had my surgery I am down 62 pounds. Hopefully that makes sense. Because I did lose some weight before my surgery. 

Hopefully I will continue losing weight. I still have a ways to go to get to where I would like to be. 

mix n match day

The boys went all out for mix n match day at school. 

They were really cute. Kael was upset because we had a disagreement on what shoes he would be wearing. He was actually very excited about going to school dressed all crazy!!

husband.

I have an amazing husband. 

Sometimes I just think that I need to tell people that. And him that as well. 

I really got lucky when I married Garran. 

When some guys are trying to find ways out of the house, my husband is worried about how he is not spending enough time with us because he is so consumed with things at school right now. 

He is a good father and a good husband. 

I guess I should replace those goods with GREAT! 

I love him.

I want everyone to know that. 

LOVE.

I know this picture might now say LOVE, but that is totally what I see when I look at it. This is so funny to me. I think I might frame it!

Saturday Mornings.

I love the cuddles of Saturday Mornings. 

I hope the kids remember them when they get older and all the laughing we do!

my girls.

some days i look at these two and I can't believe how much they are growing. When we moved here, Briea was not even 18 months. Now she is in pre school and Ayla is a girl full of energy and telling it like it is!

treats.

I love trying new recipes. 

I found these tasty little treats and decided to try them. 

Homemade oatmeal cream pies!

I only had a little bite, but everyone else seemed to love them. 

I even had some requests to ship some out to friends. 

Sisters.

I love little moments like this. 

I remember seeing the boys together every once in a while, just sitting together. 

I love it!

Instructions. By Cullan

  

I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but I love Cullan. He cracks me up!

This is so his little personality shining through. 

I am constantly hearing how he is an old soul in a young body. 

He is a special kid. 

I am glad that he is mine!!

Girls Weekend!

This past weekend I went to Minnesota to visit a friend with two other friends of mine. 

We had not all been together for a while and so this was a fun surprise!!

Jillian had no idea we were coming!

Friday night we hung out and just visited. 

Saturday we headed to the Mall of America!

Our first stop was a shoe store.  

Here is Jillian trying on some shoes.

Classy!

 I mean...What can I say?!?!

 Look at those heels!

After the shoe store, we walked around for a while. 

 I took a picture of this because I knew Cullan would love it. 

 So while there we went to lunch. 

I asked for the children's nacho's. 

I would hate to see the adult portion!!

 Becca and Jillian

 While there, we had a discussion about the show where they followed the cops at Mall of America around. So we decided we would try to get some shots with the celebrities. 

 oh here are the shoes I tried on. 

red heels. 

ohh lala!

 Becca tried to get a shot, but the guy was just to fast. 

 the four of us together!

oh the damage that was done. After 6 hours in the mall, it was all done. 

it was a fun weekend. 

Glad to see all the girls together for the weekend. 

Now there is a Sunbeam!!

and her name is Briea!

I can't believe my baby is moving out of nursery and into the Sunbeam class. 

She is growing up and I can't seem to stop her!

My Life

Ah the joys of being a parent!!

Behind...

I know I am behind on my 3 month post. It is coming. We were just super busy with traveling and visiting family! Pictures and updates to come...Check back, Monday...Tuesday at latest!

Christmas with Grandpa Jeff!

While in Des Moines we spent the day with my Dad and had a good time playing at Pump It Up!. It is a whole place of huge inflatable slides and obstacle courses. The kids love it!!

 Grandpa and Ayla going down the slide.

 Here we are at the top of the slide waiting to go down.

 Briea was a brave little thing going down all by herself.

 Kael was fearless as well. He loved it.

 Garran, Kael and Ayla going down the slide.

 This is how they ended up. I had a pretty good laugh.

 Kael having fun.

 Grandpa Jeff stealing a kiss!

Here are a few videos from our day of fun!

and one more

Thanks Dad for the fun day!!

New Years with the Palmers!

This year we were invited to spend New Years Eve with our friends the Palmers. 

When we came into town, we decided to stop by and visit Ollie and leave hime a little christmas gift. 

Stacy did such a nice job of making his grave festive for the Christmas season. 

 After we went by the grave yard, we went to the Palmers. The kids were instantly off playing and having fun. Ayla became the queen of costumes that night. Here she is as the HULK.

 Then trying to be spiderman!

 Here is Garran not trying to be a super hero but being very nice about having to wear this while playing a game. 

 He is such a good sport!

 If only this was a video. Garran had to say a love poem to ed..he got extra points if Ed teared up!!

 Of course I did Stacy's nails while I was there. How cute are these. Jamberry... I am telling you.. It's super cute!!

 Briea passed out before midnight..

so did finn!

Stacy loved the idea of the balloon drop so we re-created it at their house too.

Here are all the kids...minus two who feel asleep waiting for the coundown. I could not believe so many of them made it to midnight! And for the most part everyone got a long so well. There were a few accidents, but they were really accidents and the rest of the time they were happy as little clams to be playing together. 

As it closer to the countdown, Stacy started making this yummy punch with Ginger Ale and orange juice. It was yummy!

Here I am with my honey...Ringing in the New Year!! 

 Here is a shot of the ladies together!!

 Jamie, Eden, Stacy and Meg

 Ed and his Brother Danny

 Ed, Garran, and Danny! They are funny together. 

 Briea did not make it to midnight and Ayla made it to about 12:02. They were so funny passed out on the couch.

The next day we met Ed and Stacy at the theater to see "The Hobbit". 

It was really good. I am excited to see the next one that comes out. After we went to grab some lunch and just visit. Stacy was cracking me up, modeling her nails.  

 They really are cute though. 

Thanks Palmers for such a fun New Years Eve and New Years Day!!

It was great seeing you guys and hanging out!!

I forgot to add this at the top, but here is the Balloon drop at midnight!! 

Happy New Year!!