Lots of fun and Big Goals

Yesterday, the kids went for their 2nd day of school. It went just as well as the first. I'm super excited. It makes it so much easier to leave them when you know they are happy and having fun. With that said, I took off to do some returns and shopping. It was SO weird to be all alone shopping. It has been a VERY long time since I shopped ALL alone. I got a ton of stuff done. It was nice! Next I stopped for some lunch with my dad and a friend. It was a pleasant break and a good chance to catch up with my dad. We've not done much lately with everyone's busy schedules. Then it was about time to head back and pick the kids up.

Our afternoon was hectic but fun. The kids played with Kaleb and Katrina and I baked muffins and bread for church. We whipped it out like pros. It was a batter, after batter, after batter. The kitchen was full. It was nice to have some help getting it done much faster. We managed to get a couple of weeks worth made, wrapped up and in the freezer. YEAH!! Thanks Katrina, you were a HUGE help!!! Not to mention, you came up with an excellent time saving idea. LOL

Today, the kids and I got up and took off for a morning stroll. I'm kind of on a mission to loose a certain amount of weight between now and my birthday next month. I can't beleive I'm voicing this on my blog because that means I really have to succeed or EVERYONE will know. LOL. On a more serious note, I typically am not up for much exercise. I can watch what I eat and loose weight IF I stick to it. But this time is a little different. I read something yesterday that really spoke to me. It made me realize that I HAD to do it. There was no excuse and no reason NOT to. Yes, I know that isn't much time for big goals, but I know that with some major work and a lot of prayer, I CAN & WILL do it!! I'll keep ya posted!

1st Day of School

Today, Ashton and Maddie started their first day of preschool. Well, actually this is Ashton's third year, but it was Maddie's first time ever!! I was very nervous about how she would do. It took her about five months of going to the preschool class at church before she stopped crying and stayed the entire time. As you can see, they were both just as ready as can be heading in.

This is the two of them "cheesing" outside the door. They were so excited!!!!! Maddie went right in to her class with no problem. We left her and went to take Ashton (so we could stop back by and check on her). Ashton took all his stuff in his room, put it up in his cubby and went straight to playing with the "boys" like he was a pro. It was cute!

I stopped back by Maddie's room and she was sitting up at the table with a couple of boys playing with some little animals. I was excited. So far, no tears!!! I left and went to do a few things and called to check on her about 10:30-11:00 and they said she was doing great! Yeah!!!

Well, at 2:30 when I went to pick them up. Maddie was resting on her mat; another HUGE shock. She had actually taken a nap!! WOW! She is shocking me left and right. Miss Donneita said that she had done wonderful, not cried a bit, and took a great nap. I'm so excited!!!! Ashton and Maddie both had AWESOME FIRST DAYS at school!!!!!

Another Awesome Sunday

Today was a special day for Alex and I. As most all of you know, we have been attending The Journey church for about six months now and WE LOVE IT!!! To some people this is not a big deal, but to us it is. This morning, we went in front of the church to be acknowledged as new staff. This is basically equivalent to becoming a member at other churches. We are thrilled to be apart of such a great group of people and look forward to all we can do with The Journey.

Today was also the start of a new teaching series called DNA. Every week, our pastor, Erik, does an incredible job of delivering the message. Today was NO different!!! He has a way of grabbing hold and pulling you in each and every week. So much so, you can't wait to go back the next week. It's awesome!!! Great job as usual Erik!!!!

Our Big Swimmers!!!

This morning, we joined my sister, Casey and her family at my dad's house for a morning of swimming. For those of you that don't know, Ashton and Maddie aren't the biggest swimmers and normally it is more work to get them in the water than anything else. However, not today.

Ashton and Maddie BOTH were jumping off the diving board. Some on a float and some of the time in the water. Ashton even started jumping off the board on to the shark float you see in the background. WOW! They were super big today!

These are just a couple of shots of Ashton and Maddie swimming like big kids with their floats on.

And here is Maddie doing what she liked best... sitting on the steps ALL ALONE kicking her feet. AKA... "I spashing Mommy!"

The Romer's for a visit

Friday morning, my sister & her daughter arrived to visit for the weekend. We immediately loaded up and headed for Target. We are two girls that LOVE to shop. LOL. Plus, Casey doesn't have a Target near her house and she needed to go there for a birthday gift. Casey had a doctors' appointment just before lunch time and so the kids and I got to watch Addison. I think Casey was afraid she wouldn't do well, but she did great! We had a lot of fun. Ashton and I tried to teach her how to roll balls back and forth with Ashton and Maddie showed her how to put a passy in a baby doll's mouth. It was fun! I was even able to get Addison down for a nap, which Casey was certain would be impossible. Just call me Super Aunt Sissy!!! LOL

Catching up....

This past weekend was insanely busy and the week has started out pretty hectic!! Alex started a hockey tournament last Friday night and played 3 games over a 36 hour period. WOW! He's never done that before & was absolutely exhausted!! The kids and I couldn't go Friday night, but after some Saturday morning family time, naps and signing practice, we went to the Saturday afternoon game. It was nice to get to watch Alex play. I rarely get to go with the games scheduled so late at night.

Sunday morning started out super early for Alex and I as well. He had to be out of here at 7am in order to make to his 8am hockey game and the kids and I had to be at church at 8am. Needless to say, that Sunday afternoon we ALL took naps.

Here are a couple of pictures from the weekend that I thought I'd share.

Alex was trying to take a sweet picture with the kids and they decided it was "bunny ear" time. Not really sure where they learned to do that!

This is Ashton & Maddie before church on Sunday morning. Maddie looked so adorable in her new dress and "ponies". And Ashton has become a camera hog wanting his picture taken everytime you bring the camera out. LOL

So far this week, we have all had our teeth cleaned. It was Ashton's second time to the dentist, but Maddie's first. She did a great job and they both got rave reviews on their dental hygiene! YEAH Mommy & Daddy! That means we're doing something right!! We also went to preschool and met Ashton and Maddie's new teachers for this year. Ashton is going to have Miss Betty and she seems super sweet. He seemed to be pretty happy with her too. He stayed in her class and played while we went to meet Maddie's teacher, Miss Donita. She was wonderful too. I think this is going to be a great year for them both!!

Fun Girls, Make up & Laughs

Tonight, I had a Mary Kay party at my house. Several girls that I've gotten to know from church along with some old friends came over for the fun. We all put on the headbands and went to work on our faces. WOW were those headbands cute!!! LOL. We laughed a lot and really had a great time. Definitely something we should do more often. Thanks girls for coming and being so much fun!!!!