Hard Work

Okay so I don't mean for this to come across as bragging so I'm sorry if it does. I feel so silly putting this on here and really debated if I should. From a journal standpoint, this is good motivation for the future right? Anyway, it was a long time in the works and took a lot of effort but I'm proud of what I did even though it was hard and sucked a lot at times! Back in the fall Doug's work started doing a Biggest Loser competition through Total Health and Fitness. I was about 6 weeks post partum at the time and figured it would be good motivation. The top male and female got a 3 day trip and the top 10 got half of their money back. Not too bad. So we signed up and gave it a go. I still can't believe I looked like this. Seriously? I'm pretty sure they alter the pictures to make you look worse. I was also questioning if I was indeed still pregnant at this point. At the end of the competition Doug ended up losing twice as much as me but I was okay with it. I felt pretty good about how I did. We both ended up being in the top 10 so no trip, but some $ back was okay.I decided to be crazy and sign up for another session. My last weigh in was today (finally!) and so here's my beautiful after shot. Don't mind the sweet post work out look. I was so gross but didn't have time to shower this morning. Also, I don't think I'm really that small. I just realized they took the picture from a lot farther back than the other two.Anyway, overall I'm glad I did the program. It really was hard and took a lot of will power. (And let's be honest, lots of chocolate chips too!). I did well some weeks and not so great other weeks. The bad weeks were motivation to work harder though. I wish I could say I had some amazing plans like all the people who get kicked off the Biggest Loser do (running a marathon, triathalon, etc) but I hopw I can just maintain it. I just want to be healthy and stay at a weight that's healthy for me. I don't want to be a super skinny model (nor do I think I'll ever be) but I just want to be a healthy mom. Overall, it's been about 7 months in the process and I really didn't lose as much as I could have if I had been 100% dilligent. We all need a little chocolate now and then right? So there you have it. I'm sorry if this is annoying and again, I'm not trying to be all braggy!

Mabel's Funny Face

Oh this Mabel has been cracking us up lately. Here she is after her first oreo. Don't worry. It was a mini one. Lately she's been making this face that cracks us up everytime. I can't tell if she's in pain or just really really happy.

Either way it makes us smile.

Here's a video of her making the face too. Oh how we love our Mabes!

Another Fun Wales Weekend

We had another great conference weekend in Wales! We were so luck to have so much family there with us! The kids had a fun time on a gator ride until they ran out of gas in the canyon. I don't know if you can tell but there are 11 kids on that thing. Yikes! Good thing uncle JD is a safe driver.

After the gator ride they all came back for an Easter egg hunt. They had so much fun and got some good loot!

This sweet little Carson loves Mabel so much. He wants to hold her constantly and is always bringing her things. I think the feeling is mutual.

This little cutie was so stylin in her pink glasses. We had so much fun playing outside in the warm weather!

Unfortunately that warm weather was only temporary and the next day we had to play with coats on! The best thing about this picture (aside from the look on Sophia's face) is that Lilly's coat is on upside down. You can see the hood by her bottom. She's hilarious.

While all the men were at the priesthood session we decided to be crazy and color eggs. I can't say I can recommend doing this with 12 children. It was fun but I think it's safe to say this is something we won't attempt again! Despite the look on her face Lilly really did have a fun time.

Before we left we printed off a bunch of stuff for the girls to color during the sessions. One of them was this cute chain that had the 1st Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve. Sophia did a good job with it and I thought it turned out pretty cute.This little sweetie had so much fun and did great the whole weekend. You can't see it very well but Lilly took a tumble while we were there and landed on the corner of the fireplace. She immediately got this huge goose egg on her head. It's started to come down but it looked so bad! Poor girl.

Fun Creations

We've been having some fun in the kitchen lately! A little too much fun unfortunately. I really just need to stop eating it all. Anyway, we made these for Doug's work today. I got the idea from here. They had such cute ideas! He played a joke on his work today. He put a sign in the break room that said "April Fools" and then had one of the secretaries send an e-mail that said there was food in the break room. He said it was hilarious to see the people pouring in. That was before I brought the cupcakes unfortunately. Those accountants definitely need a break! Tomorrow we're heading out for a conference weekend with Doug's family. We made some of these to take along. The idea came from the Family Fun magazine this month.

Aren't they so cute? This was definitely a huge pain to make but they turned out okay so I guess it was worth it.

We also made some of these too. The cupcakes also have coconut baked into them. So yum!

Obviously we have been really bored this week without our daddy. We also made homemade graham crackers. My kids loved them. You can get the recipe here.

Finally, I also cut my hair this week! I was in desperate need of a cut and I really like how it turned out. Sophia took the wonderful picture so sorry it's so great. I'm loving the short hair again!