Christmas Cute

Christmas Eve, when I should have been wrapping,  I decided I just had to take these pictures. I'm so glad I did, I just love them. I know this is one of the last years that all my kiddos will believe in Santa. Pretty magical, but sad too. Such a fun Christmas! I just love this first one, I can tell it's one I will treasure for years to come.

Mom's helper and easiest to photograph. Always helps me get my settings right before I bring everyone out.  And wears lime green socks even when I tell him not to.

 My little men. =)

This one cracks me up! Getting 4 kids to sit still and smile is quite the task. Here's your keepin' it real photo. =)

Always crazy to see how much taller Tinley is than Lauren.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas!

Emily

Every day awesome

This week has been tough. Not like I ran a marathon tough, mentally tough. Bryan went hunting for the first time since the girls were born and I was on my own. Not a big deal to most, but I was really worried about it. It went really well. Not to say that I didn't lose my cool a few times, because I did. But we all survived and we're better for it. My boys were insanely helpful and I couldn't have done it without them. They stepped up and I can start to see the little men they are becoming, makes this mama so proud. I also bribed them and I don't regret that one bit.

School starts next Tuesday and we have to adjust to a new schedule. Frankly, I really like this summer thing and I don't want to. =( I also don't like change AT ALL. 

We have our house listed for sale also... Do you know what that feels like to know that someone could call you in an hour and your house would need to be show ready. Oh my!! I've got two little tornadoes, it's no use cleaning anything up until they're down for a nap. I am reminded of something my dad says a lot: "Don't sweat the small stuff. It's all small stuff." And he's right all the things that are weighing on my heart this week... Small stuff. I am reminded to go back to the core of what is important to me. Things that bring my heart such great happiness. Push the rest of it out the door, we don't have room for it here. I've got room morning walks with all my babies, tea parties and making awesome stuff for my kiddos.

I get so busy adding things to my to do list, I forget what's really important.

 I'm loving this new stage of playing pretend. Pouring tea and pretend eating, so fun! These two are starting to play together and make each other giggle.

 Next week I'm focusing on every day awesome. Enjoy today, tomorrow can wait.

Happy 4th of July!

Some 4th of July fun! For the last few years I've been wanting to take pictures with a flag as my backdrop. I finally got to try it out! My kids weren't feeling a photo shoot, but they turned out pretty good regardless. And I'm tucking that flag away for next year, because we're totally doing it again. Hopefully, I'll have something to bribe them with next year.

 Sometimes getting all my kids to open their eyes and smile is just too much to ask.

 

I found this really cool pin on Pinterest that explained how to take those cool sparkler pictures. I got to try it out, which was super fun. We still have some sparklers left so we are going to try it out again. The A in USA didn't quite work out, so it's just US. haha We also didn't think about smiling for the camera so we look mad, but I promise it was fun. =) In a few of the pictures the boys were moving so fast that they look like ghosts, super creepy.

Soccer

Gavin had his last game of the soccer season today. Talk about starting to put all the pieces together. I caught him drawing plays on his spelling whiteboard before the game. I love this kid, he's got a love of all things sporty. He made a goal this morning too, then looked over at us as if to say "hey guys did you see that!" Oh, we saw it buddy! Keep making us proud not with your goals, but your crazy determination.

He also let me get some practice in this afternoon. He's got that awesome middle child glow don't you think. =)

Week #2 complete!

This is my work from week 2 of my photography class. Starting to shoot in manual. I've still got some work to do, but so excited. Can't wait to see the difference in my images when I get to the end of the 6 week class.  Then the advanced class here I come! I might finish the first 6 week class by the end of the week.

  Minnie was my most cooperative subject of the day.

This is last one is dark, but it was too cute to not share.

Back in the Saddle again!

Back in the saddle again! Bryan and I have been in maintence mode for almost a year now. We've been checking our weight regularly, me every other day because I'm compulsive like that and Bryan once per week. This time it was Bryan's idea to start over, knowing how much it meant to me to have him on board when it was my idea of course I'm on board too. I have found myself 4 pounds heavier than my lowest weight, which doesn't seem like much, but it's 2 pounds over my max weight so back in the saddle again. It's much easier to loose 4 pounds than 10 or 15. Easier to watch it and react quickly. I have enjoyed cheating a bit and not watching everything that goes into my mouth, but it's time to get back in that saddle! I don't see it as failure, I see it as a sign of a successful mentality, that we're able to see when we need to recommit. Everyone slips and if it takes me a few weeks of focus and purpose to get back where I should be, just in time for summer!

Bryan and I have a never ending battle with lunch. I'm happy to eat tuna every day of the week, but Bryan not so much. Plus finding a replacement 4 point lunch isn't easy. During a recent trip to Costco I walked past the canned chicken, next to the tuna. It dawned on me I could make Chicken salad with this canned chicken. I'm sure lots of people do it, but it just dawned on me. Today for lunch Bryan and I had chicken salad. It was so good, I just had to post about it. 

Chicken Salad Ingredients:

Grapes quartered  0 points

Celery Sliced 0 points

Olive Oil Mayo 1 point for 1 TBSP  (this stuff is gold) I did about 3 TBSP for the whole can

Canned chicken (Costco) 1/4-1/3 of the can depending on how many extras you put in 1 point

Sandwich thins (Kroger) 2 points 

1 pecan half finely crumbled/chopped 0 points for one pecan half each sandwich. 

Other possible additions: Onions, lettuce or apples (all 0 points)

I think you can figure out how to mix all those ingredients together. ;)

The grapes were so dark and sweet that I ate a ton for my side instead of chips. This meal reminds me that eating good healthy food can be delicious. Dieting or not this sandwich is awesome!

Yes, we always dine with our finest china at lunch. ;)

The switch

Easy swaps for my friends who don't want to "diet".

Regular mayo 3 points for a tbsp to Best Foods olive oil mayo 1 point for a tbsp. I taste no difference.

Regular bread to sandwich thins.  I don't have a point value for bread in general except I assign a roll to be about 4 points as my basic rule.. sandwich thins (kroger) 2 points!

Coffee Mate Creamer: 1 tbsp = 1 point instead I use fat free 1/2 and 1/2 (3 tbsp and 1 tbsp of coffee mate) lets face it 1/2 and 1/2 tastes gross on it's own.

Dessert: Fiberone brownie is my sweet tooth killer 2 points, but I also love fun sized/miniature candy too (about 1 point). 

Starch: I replaced my potato/rice love with extra veggies.  I roast all my veggies, it's veggie candy really. Olive oil, salt, pepper in the oven for 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes. yum!

Chips: I love either Popchips (10 chips) or Special K chips (14 chips) for 1 point. I have no idea what regular chips are point wise, but I'm pretty sure they're not 1 point.

Short and sweet post. Anything you'd like to swap? Just ask me and I'll see if I have a solution for you.

19 months

The girls are 19 months, 16 months adjusted. Starting to walk, talk and dance. The fun is just beginning. I really love that they start coming into their own personalities. This new stage is one of my very favorites. I'm a month late on taking pictures because the girls got really sick with RSV the week that I was going to take their pictures. (not that anyone wants to hear my excuses)

Always amazes me to see the 100's of ideas on my Pinterest board and then when I got out there.. I just started rolling with the punches, whatever they would allow. To hell with the pinboard, what can I get. I just want one good one! I love how they turned out, so perfectly them.

I had rushed through the editing process because I was so excited, only to notice I had over edited a few of the pictures and missed a few gems. Like this first one. Loved taking these pictures so much. Do what you love and lots of it!

 

 

 Miss Lauren was less than thrilled about taking pictures, but she's so darn cute.

 I love this one, it is so them. Lauren with her little nose scrunched up. They're watching their brothers goofing around. I'm pretty sure the boys got in trouble for making them look the other way.

 My personal favorite!

 

 

 

The end