Happy Halloween!

Here are a few of our favorite pumpkin carving pictures. I think we got a little lazy (or we'll say, cost efficient) this year with only two pumpkins! Check out the Pumpkin Party going on over at We are THAT family!

Oh, and here is my one little pumpkin carving tip: Instead of cutting the top off to get inside, we cut a hole in the bottom and then just set the pumpkin right over the top of the candle. That way you don't have to worry about the lid dropping inside!

Hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!

2006


2007

2008

Fit Friday - Week 3, or whatever week it is!

I started out so well this week. I went to 1-hour classes at the gym on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. I feel so good when I get done. (I totally hate it while I'm there!) My plan was to go all 5 days. Yes, that would have been exceeded my goal, and I'm all about that, however I started feeling icky again yesterday. Dizzy, lightheaded and achy. I decided I better not push it. Instead I took a hot bath at 6:00 last night and got right into bed. Still feeling weird today, so I 'm skipping the gym today too. I'm a little bummed, but at least I did still get in my 3 days! That makes me happy.

As far as how I did this week:

• Still no soda, oh believe me, there were several times that I put my hand on the little fridge and then read the note!

• No seconds on meals

• I even left food on my plate a few times - this step is hard for me, since I totally hate to waste food

• I DID eat 2 peanut butter cups this week(not the same day) - Darn Halloween candy! When does the candy witch come???

• I ate healthy snacks (except the pb cups!) Here is one of my new favorites:
  Max calls them "Sunshine seeds!" Isn't that cute! Yes, they are salted, but when you buy them at the store, look at several bags because some bags don't look as salty as others, I did try to get one with less salt. Oh, and they do have just roasted, but I am SO a salt person.

• I drank water, but still need to drink more

• I also bought a battery for my scale, I know I said it wasn't about a number for me, but I got a little curious.

• Oh, and here's the biggy! I did have some "mommy drinks!" And they were soooo good. I will try harder next week to try not to have as many.

• I only ate after 8:00 pm one night. That's pretty good!

So there it is! Week 3 wasn't too bad, but week 4 is going to be great! Hop on over the Missy @ It's Almost Naptime to check in on everyone else!

From Hayley's eyes....

This has been in the works for a while now. I just got the pictures from Brenda! Hayley, thanks for writing this and for being so patient. Great job!



Hello, blog friends. I'm Hayley and Traci has asked me to write the entry for this because I have been nagging at her about it forever. I hope you enjoy it. A few weeks ago my junior high youth group was going to a concert. My friend Cori and I were really excited. We were expecting to see a whole bunch of youth when we got to the church but all we saw was a bunch of little kids and their parents. Now don't get me wrong I love each and everyone of them but I was looking forward to spend a night with my age group. When we found out that some of the kids were going we got kind of disappointed and I started second guessing if I wanted to go because there was more people not in youth than that are in youth. It was really nice of our leaders to ask us if we still wanted to go but we went anyways. So all of us including: Traci, Brenda, Connor, Kate, Mike, Lily, Cori, and I all piled in and headed off. By the way Brenda's husband Chris was meeting us there. Something that was really cool was when we got there we were kind of confused about where to go but we got help from this man who turned out to be from the opening act. They were from a group called Two Cent Offering. They were really good and they seemed super nice. It sounded like it was like a new kind of Christian music even though it wasn't. Plus Traci and I have crushes on them. While we got refreshments they started setting up for the main band called Remedy Drive. When they started playing Kate and Connor got scared because they are much louder than the opening act. They ended up leaving with their dad Chris. Remedy Drive was awesome they are a rock and roll Christian group. Even though I couldn't hear what they were saying and I couldn't even hear myself after they were done it was still an amazing concert. After Remedy Drive was done Cori and I wanted to get pictures and I wanted autographs. We kind of chickened out but then Brenda asked for us so we got pictures with our two favorite guys from Remedy Drive, we weren't able to get the pictures with the guys from Two Cent Offering, and I never got my autographs but oh well. On our way home we stopped at Steak 'n' Shake to get milkshakes. Cori and I ended up having a great time. Everyone in the car could tell because we didn't stop talking or laughing the whole ride home. Plus we made up the best jokes ever. To all the junior high youth that didn't come, YOU MISSED OUT!!!!! Enjoy these pics from our great time.

Cori & Hayley

Cori, Traci & Hayley

Just being goofy!

What's his name again???

The lead singer dude!

WFMW - Candy Witch!

For the past few years now, on Halloween night, after the kiddos are tucked into bed, the Candy Witch comes. She is a kind and "pretty" witch with a great big sweet tooth. The kids get to pick out 10 of their most favorite candies to keep and we put the rest in a bag for the Candy Witch. We place the bag at our front door and go to bed. She is very quite when she comes, in fact, we don't even hear her at all.

She takes all the candy (and drops it off at my hubby's work) and leaves the kids a surprise that they get the next morning. They have gotten play dough, coloring books, flash cards and more. Just a little "something" gets them very excited.

This is a great way to get the candy out of your house and the kids get something that they can actually use.

Head on over to Rocks in my Dryer for more helpful hints!

Maggie can tie!

Check out what my girl learned yesterday! She is so excited!

Per-fect-o!

Great group of kids!

Andy and I, along with another couple from church, are the junior high youth advocates. We get the great privilege of hangin' out and getting to know each of these kids. Andy and I already know a big portion of these kids because we co-teach the 8th grade confirmation class on Sunday mornings.

These kids are awesome! They are so much fun. Last night, we had them over for a "game night!" We did a scavenger hunt outside, but it was really cold and windy, so after a half hour or so we came in to warm up. We ate some hot chili and some other goodies and then just goofed around. We didn't do a lesson, we didn't even pray (oh, but we will), we just hung out.

We really want to build their relationships with each other and with us. We want them feel comfortable with us and to have that bond with us, so that if they ever need help in the "I need an adult that's not my parent" kind of way, that they feel they can come to us. I hope we can accomplish this!

So my third child had a few fun ideas up his sleeve:

First they made a pyramid!

Then they did the "dog pile"

And finally, they did the "steam roller!"

I can't wait to hang out with them again, they are a great group and I feel blessed to be a part of their lives.

Okay junior highers, who's signed up for the Superchick concert???

We're going to have lots of fun, so you better sign up!

Fit Friday - Week 2!

Since we are doing Fit Friday, my "new week" is Friday to Friday. I'm going to try and remember all the goods and bads of the week and honestly post them here. Several others are joining in on this Hot for the Holidays! You can still join, just hop over to Missy @ It's Almost Naptime and sign up!




I'm feelin' like I did pretty well this week!

Last Friday night we went to our favorite Mexican restaurant that is super close to home, super fast, and super yummy! I'm not really a huge fan of Mexican food, but hello! chips and salsa could be like family members to me. I usually eat way more chips and salsa than I did that night. I was so proud. I usually get 2 hard shell beef tacos with all the fixings, but instead I asked for my sour cream on the side rather than having it slathered across the entire top. I also opted out on the very yummy and usually much needed frozen margarita! I drank water!

Saturday was pretty good too. We grilled salmon for dinner (my favorite) but then ventured out to our favorite ice cream shop. This was the last day to go as they were closing for the season. I chose a vanilla kiddie cone instead of my very favorite small Butterfinger blizzard! Yeah me!

Sunday evening was spent at a corn maze and wienie roast with the youth from our church! I had 1 hot dog (I can only eat them when cooked over an open fire) and I passed on the s'mores. It wasn't really that hard to pass up, I hate to get all sticky!

Monday is my normal gym day! I do a 1-hour body step class. It always kicks my butt, but I LOVE it! I've been drinking more water, but I have also been drinking skim milk for lunch!

Tuesday night I made a great 30-minute roasted chicken recipe for dinner. It was yummy, easy and not too bad for us.

Wednesday is my other normal gym day, however I didn't get to attend that class. I was at church, helping to cook dinner for later that night. Got a visit from my "monthly friend" this day too, and we all know how those days can be. I caved just a little and ate a peanut butter cup about 3:00ish. Oh, and I felt so much better after I did!

Thursday night I attend a 1-hour body step class to make up for the one I skipped on Wednesday. I was totally pooped after that.

And finally, I just got back from my Friday morning 1-hour body pump class at the gym. Which mean that I did get my three 1-hour class in at the gym this week! Yippy!

So all in all I think I did pretty well.

• I didn't have any "mommy drinks" all week! Oh and that's a hard one!
• I didn't eat after 8:00 p.m., except for Wednesday night, I shared some popcorn with my hubby!
• No seconds!
  
• I didn't drink any soda! Nope, not a one!
  
• Got to the gym 3 times this week: Monday AM, Thursday PM, and Friday AM
• Did better, but not great with water!

The first week always seems to go pretty well, it's all these future weeks that I have to work on. I think checkin' in with my new fitness friends is really going to help! I hope you all had and good week as well and let's keep up the good work!

Maggie is the winner and now she's buyin' dinner!

Maggie drew a picture a few days ago while she was at her Papa's house. It was a picture of a flower and a house and rain. Of course she always puts her name on her art, as any artist must!

I didn't know anything about the picture until 6:45 this morning when the phone rang!

Papa's friend, Jane, had sent Maggie's picture in to a local TV station (a different TV station than talked about here) to be on their "Kids Count Weather Pictures." Jane was calling to tell us that Maggie's picture was selected today and that she won a prize! WOW! Too cool!

I hurried and got out of bed and got her up. She was able to see her picture and her name on TV. She was really excited!

You can view the masterpiece here!
(Her's is picture 1 of 7, you might have to hit the left arrow!)

Her prize you ask?

$25 gift certificate to KFC!

Her reply...."Oh, mom, I REALLY love their coleslaw and potatoes!"

"Me too babe, me too!"



By the way, Thanks to Jane for sending the picture in. We'll let you know when to come over for dinner!

Wordless Wednesday!

Pottery pickup!

Remember the pottery that Maggie and I did last week on our girl's only day, well I picked it up today! Maggie's is darling and she LOVES it! Her little ice cream cone is so cute and she couldn't wait to put it in her room and put candy in it. I sadly informed her that candy inside the cone, in her room, wasn't going to happen and suggested that she put all of her "small treasures" in it! She liked that idea too!

As for my plate! It's okay....it's not "the red plate"and honestly I don't really know if I will use it. It's supposed to be food safe, but there are a few little places where the "cooker" left a few little uncooked marks! Plus it's WAY big. My kids would feel like they were eating from a giant's plate.

Oh, and let me just make an announcement to all of my 2 readers, I can NOT paint. I am able to paint a solid color on a big item, but adding anything cute isn't my thing....want proof?


Here they are! What do you think????

Her cone says, "I Love Ice Cream" and she wrote it all by herself!

Should I ship it off to Goodwill and order the red one???
I think maybe!

Max's "bizable" friend!

For a while now, Max has had an invisible friend. This "bizable" friend sometimes sounds like he's saying "girlfriend" which wouldn't be so bad. This friend is always around yet never has the same name. In fact, the friends' name changes several times a day depending on who Max has seen recently or who we are planning to see soon. His friend also has a sister!

Last night when Andy was in Max's room saying good night, they were just talking and laughing and all of a sudden Max says, "Oh shoot, I forgot to get the eggs from my bizable friend,..... oh, I guess I can get them tomorrow!"

Where did that come from? What does it mean?

When Andy asked me if I knew what Max was talking about, I had no clue. The only thing I can come up with is that our grocery store was out of eggs for several days last week.

Is the invisible friend making my kid crazy? Maybe I've already done that all on my own? Please tell me that he will grow out of this and that the friend will go away all on his own!

I still don't know what triggered his brain to think about eggs. But when I asked him about it today, he said, "since we don't have any, my bizable friend said he has 1000." I told him that I got some yesterday at the store and he said, "Oh! That's good, now my bizable friend can give the eggs to someone else!"

And that was that!

Oh how I wish I could really know what goes on inside their little heads!

Fit Friday - Week 1!

It's official, I have come the conclusion, that I MUST do something about this weight. It's not going away on it own. For the last several weeks a few of my friends and I have been trying to think of a good way to keep each other motivated. And it is hard. I do so well one week and then the next week I do horrible and make up all kinds of excuses and try to justify my actions with something or another. And it has to stop! Today is the day!

Missy @ It's Almost Naptime has started Fit Fridays and I'm joining in. I need to have some goals and really try to get to them.




Here they are:

Goals:

• More upper body strength....I am so weak, sometimes I don't know how I am able to lift my kids.
• To have my current clothes fit better. My several pairs of jeans are a little tight (but there is no way in H-E- double hockey sticks that I will buy the next size up!) It just not going to happen.
• To work on my baby tummy and arms and really try to get the muffin top under control and some definition in my arms
• I'm not really going to worry about the actual number, I would rather feel the results as to see them (if that makes any sense)

Here what I will do:

• go to the gym at least 3 (1 hour) classes a week
• stop finishing food off of my kids plates (oh how I hate to waste food)
• drink water, water and more water (I'm so bad at this.....not that I drink soda instead, I just don't drink anything)
• portion control !! Yes, this is my big problem. I really don't feel that I eat bad throughout the day, but when dinner comes, I'm hungry, so I eat more than I should.
• We are going to start using the "salad" plates for dinner. Smaller plate, smaller portion and no seconds!!!
• Little healthy snacks throughout the day, that way I won't be as hungry at dinner time. These are my new favorite veggie, String less sugar snap peas! Yummy!
• Saying "NO" to the extras when out to eat.....no mayo, no sour cream, no extra cheese! Goodbye good friends, I will miss you, but I know I don't need you.
• Oh, one little confession from early this week. I had a busy day on Monday and I only had a Kashi bar for breakfast (I know bad me), I had been running around doing all kinds of errands and was headed back to get the kiddos when I stopped at a Jimmy Johns and got a #4 (Turkey Tom and yes, it had mayo) I ate the entire sandwich, it was so good. I won't be giving Tom the complete boot. I can still have the #4, just without the mayo and cheese! It won't be the same, but I don't want to be the same either!
  
  So there it is! It's in writing for all of my two followers! I will be posting how things are going next Friday, so stay tuned.
  

Old Model -T

Our Papa has a 1919 Model-T. Today was the day that Papa was taking it to storage for the winter and the kiddos got to ride along. They loved it! Although, I think Maggie's favorite part was not having to get in a car seat.

Wordless Wednesday!

Maggie & Mommy time!

Maggie was off school again today. The teachers had an in-service day, so we got to sleep in a little this morning and not have to rush rush rush. It was kinda nice.

Max did have school which meant that Maggie and I had the morning to ourselves. This is a very rare event. There aren't too many occasions where Maggie and I get to do something just the two of us. And we needed it.

I was trying to think of something fun we could do with our 2 1/2 hours of "girl time" and finally remembered the local ceramics shop, where you can go in and paint a piece of pottery and then come back a week later to pick up your item. The place is called Amazing Glaze (isn't that a cute name) and we had an awesome time.


We got there when it opened and we were the only ones there. Since it was our first time, I had a ton of questions. The owner was awesome and very helpful and just let us do our thing. Maggie picked out an ice cream cone and she did very well. I thought for sure I would be trying to "fix" it, but she did great. I chose a square plate. I have been wanted to get a "special" plate ever since I read Genny's post. I have been watching these plates on eBay and they are going for anywhere from $25 to $40 plus shipping. Okay, that's not really too bad, but I'm cheap and I want to find one for less than that.


I decided to make the square plate my "special plate!" I painted it a sage green color (the color the new kitchen will be) and then added some scroll designs on the corners and then in my best possible attempt, I tried to write, "You are Special Today" I think I totally messed it up. It didn't look too bad with just the scroll designs, but once I added the wording, I think it is going to be awful. I promise I will post pictures of the finished product when we get it back, but I'm trying to remember that the day wasn't about the plate. It was about spending time with Maggie. Just her and I. I'm trying to realize the the plate will still be special to the kids, that it isn't about what the plate looks like, but what it means. We will use this "special" plate on special occasions, birthdays, or just.because.you.had.a.good.day days. Oh, and there will be food covering up the wording! That just might work!

Maggie and I both agreed that we need to have more times where just her and I get together and do something. We need to make it a priority to hang out, just the girls. I want to start this now so that 10 years from now she will still ask for that time together.

Last night, when I was getting her ready for bed, she said, "Mom, I really loved the painting place today, and I really love you!" My eyes started to swell up. What a sweet girl.

More Maggie & Mommy moments to share coming soon!

Moms who blog...

Here's how it all started.

Last week I got a call from a local TV station. Apparently they are doing a story on "Moms who Blog" in November and my friend Tim gave my name as someone to contact. (Thanks Tim!)

I talked to Sandy (who does it all...from doing the weather and news, and being a mom herself) for about a half hour on Thursday night about why I started a blog, how much time I spend blogging, and about just being a mom. She seemed excited to talk to me and wanted to know when we could meet and have a person to person interview. She wanted to get some video of me just being a "mom", video of me blogging, and then just some interacting with the kiddos. Okay, I thought....this should be easy.

I instantly began to think about what I would wear, how I could lose 20 pounds in 2 days, and about cleaning my entire house from top to bottom.

I also informed her of a couple of friends that I have that also blog. She wanted me to talk to them and see if they would be interested in this adventure as well. So I got my good buddy Nicole at Life in Progress to come over at 8:00 am this morning. Yes folks....at 7:45 this morning I had a TV crew in my house. Yes, there was no school and yes, it was the only day to sleep in and yes, it was the only day to lay around in our jammies and do nothing. What was I thinking....

They interviewed me first....and then Nicole. And then I realized....oh how stupid I sounded! I wanted a do-over. I just don't have a knack for speaking in public. Nicole is just an awesome speaker and her words just flow. I got a little nervous with the extremely bright light shining right in my face. I started to worry about if my face is going to be super shiny (like I rubbed oil all over it) when this airs on TV. And then it happened.... I started to ramble, like I always do. I have no idea how I even answered her questions.

Then they shot a lot of video of the kids playing, getting dressed and brushing teeth. They got some video of the kids playing outside and me making cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Of course, they got some shots of us on the computer too. But I think they just wanted some video of us doing our regular routine stuff. It was fun. Maggie even asked if we were going to be a show on TV all the time, like Jon & Kate plus 8....only "Andy & Traci plus 2, oh and Charlie too!" Cute!

It was a fun but hectic morning. I'm glad we did it and will let you all know when it airs...sometime in early November.

Thanks to Nicole for being there in this adventure with me...and for my friend Tim for giving out my name!

Mostly, thank you to my new friend Sandy! Whenever you're ready to start your own blog...let me know. I would love to help you get it going!

Sneaky Sticker!

Okay girls, this is where we need to really work together. To be there for each other, this is a major situation I have on my hands here.

If you ever see my children and they still have on the I'm-wearing-new-clothes-sticker, please feel free to remove it! You will not hurt my feelings, I promise!

Max went the entire day on Tuesday (to school, to the doctor and to Papa's house) with "The Children's Place size 4T" sticker still on his shirt!

Since I was sick (still not feeling that great) just knowing he was clothed worked for me! But I would have been really embarrassed if daddy wasn't the one to have dressed him!

I will be on the lookout for you too....I think if we work together, we can stop the sneaky sticker situation in its tracks!

Thank you!

So Thankful!

I have been in bed the last two days. Seems I have some sort of virus. Imagine that! I'm starting to feel a little better now, but still really low on energy!

It's amazing how things still function, even when mom is out of commission!

I am so thankful for:

Neighbors who take your kid to school even when it's not their day to drive!

Neighbors who send you emails to check in and make sure you are okay!

Friends who call to see if they can take your kids or if you need anything!

Grandparents who come and get the above said kids, feed them, play with them and then bring them back...just so mom can have some "quite house" time.

Another grandparent who takes a little man, even when you don't ask!

But most of all, I am thankful for a husband who spends the last two days at home doing the following:

• doing the running of the kids to school,
• getting a few loads of laundry done,
• goes to Wal-mart to get celery because a certain 5 year old must have tuna salad for lunch
  
• takes a certain 4 year old to his 4-year check-up at the doctor,
  
• gets mommy some medicine at Wal-mart,
  
• calls the doctor to make mommy an appointment,
  
• then takes mommy to the appointment,
  
• takes all mommy's eBay packages to the post office to be mailed (ebayers don't understand when you're sick)
  
• brings mommy home from the doctor
  
• goes back out to get mommy's prescription

All while trying to get some work done at home!

Thanks hun...I'm sure I'll be back on the job in no time!

Bike Race

I have been meaning to post about this all week and now, when I should be cleaning the house, I'm finally getting to it.

Last Sunday, Andy had another mountain bike race. It was a local race and even the kids could participate in a little kiddie race they were having before the "big" race started. He was excited to get the kids involved and once they got there, they loved it too!





Andy loves mountain biking and he, unlike myself, is in awesome shape. He is not the type of person to workout at a gym. He wants the real thing. To get out in the fresh air, get muddy and have "real" fun...and get the exercise too!

I, on the other hand, am quite different. Something about him jumping over logs, skidding down big rocks and hitting trees doesn't seem like a lot of fun to me. All while on a trail only a little wider than your bike....no thank you! To each his own.

Anyway...back to the race.

The kids and I drove the van, so that we could leave the park once the kiddie race was over. Our plan was to stay long enough to see daddy start his race and then go home. It's kinda boring when you don't actually get to see the race (remember they are in the woods....) but my parents and another couple we know (who came to"watch" their son) were there and so we ended up hangin' out.

Getting ready to start!

And they're off.....

The sport division of the race is two 9-mile laps. This is the division that Andy rides in....about 45-50 minutes after they start....you can hoot and holler as they ride by and then sit and wait for another 45-50 minutes until they start coming in.

There were about five or six expert racers that day....(Expert is where you ride three laps instead of two) and a couple of them started to come in....or start their third lap. I was watching the time and I knew Andy would be coming in in the next 10 minutes or so.

To my surprise...I looked up just a few minutes later to see him coming in....Oh my Gosh..."He's in First Place, I couldn't believe it!

He WON First! Place! in the sport division! I was so proud of him! He beat his normal time by about 6 minutes! How AWESOME!

It was a really fun day and maybe, just maybe, the kids and I had something to do with it. Maybe we are his lucky charms! We might be going to a lot more bike races in the future!

Trip to Tanners!

Andy took today off work, it was a beautiful day and we wanted to do something fun with the kids. So after Maggie got out of school, we took a little road trip to a local apple orchard. It was a perfect day. There wasn't a ton of people there and the kids got to run and play and get out a lot of energy.

Here's a hint to what we are going to be for Halloween!

Nice action shot!

Max & Daddy!

Maggie & Mommy!

Say cheese!

Feel the LOVE!

Birthday Fun Day!

I think Max had a pretty good day today!

He took birthday treats to school today and even little goodie bags to pass out to all of his friends! I'm sure the kids at school had their fill of dairy products for the entire day....Max wanted to take vanilla ice-cream cups (with sprinkles of course) and milk. We had to take his teacher peanut-butter cups too....they are her favorite.

After school we went to lunch at McDonalds and then headed over to the mall. The kids have been bugging me to do Build-A-Bear workshop and so I thought it would be a fun thing to do for Max's birthday. Max made a monkey named George and Maggie made a bunny named Fuzzie!






We got home and played outside for a while until Andy got home and then we headed to our favorite local Mexican restaurant, La Fiesta. They have fast service and excellent margaritas (those are for me of course, Hey... I gave birth on this day, I can celebrate too! When we got home, our favorite little cousins came over to see the birthday boy. It was a good day!

Being goofy with cheese sauce all over his mouth!

We will be having a family party on Sunday to celebrate some more....I'm holding off on the kid parties as long as I can. Stay tuned.....