Two Week Challenge!

This challenge might not seem like a big deal to some of you and I KNOW some of you could NOT do it; but I have prevailed!

The Challenge: For two weeks, do not buy any groceries (other than milk, eggs and bread). Plan a two week menu with the food that we already had in the freezer, fridge and pantry. We are allowed ONE night out if it involves a coupon at a restaurant.

Sounds easy, right? I admit, some nights it was, but come the 11th day, we were eating some interesting meals. I ran out of chicken (argh) so I was trying to get creative with other meat. Last night I was soooo my Mom. We had Slum Gulley. I kept saying to myself, "I am so Gerda Bishop right now!" But hey, the kids gobbled it up. Actually I find myself saying that a lot when I cook. Especially when I do a cup of fruit on the side (trademark of my mom that I do all the time :o)

All in all, I am glad I did this. I cannot wait to go get more chicken! We definitely saved money and I have become more creative with what I can throw together. I love when the kids ask me, "What is this called?" I have come up with a lot of names lately.

Ok, off to the store...finally!

Evan...Class of 2012!

On June 5, 2008, Evan graduated from middle school. He is now officially a Freshman. After all the names were read, they announced them as, "The class of 2012!" He is such a cutie and we are so proud of him.

This is Evan walking back to his seat after his name was read. I screamed as loud as I could....he said he could hear me so that made me happy.

Like father, like son. Aren't they darling? Evan is so much like Dave; it's funny. Dave's parents, Claudia and Bill came down for his graduation. Spencer and Bridgete came as well, but Jenny and Filippo were in school. Evan with Grandma and Poppy. They just love him! This was supposed to be a picture of just me and Evan, but Poppy wouldn't scoot over, so here are the three of us. Sadly, Evan is now taller than me. Yes, he is 5'10. I put up a good fight, but he finally passed me. How sad. I love this kid. He was six when Dave and I got married, and so it has been such a joy to be a part of his life. Now on to Elk Grove High School!

Filippo the Swimmer

Filippo decided to go out for the Elk Grove Piranhas this year. This is his first year on the swim team and he is doing great! He practices four times a week and every meet he improves his time.

I get choked up watching him (no surprise there!) because I know he is pushing himself to go as fast as he can, and also because I was on a swim team for eight years, so I know exactly how he feels. Go Filippo!Isn't he so cute in his swimsuit? He is already as brown as can be. His stroke of choice is back stroke. He works it! Here he is doing the 100 yard freestyle. This is on his fourth lap. He said his legs felt like jello. He did great.

Do I sound like a proud mom or what? I just feel such happiness when my children take on new challenges and rise to meet them.

Memorial Day weekend

We went up to Dave's folks for the Memorial Day weekend. They live two hours away in the little town, Groveland (on the way to Yosemite). They have a beautiful marina there that the kids love to go to. We thought it would be perfect since the weekend before the weather was so hot! Well, the weather changed just a bit. We were stuck inside all weekend because it was raining and about 60 degrees during the day. I had to run to their little thrift store to but a sweatshirt for Spencer and Jenny. They were having a half off sale, so each sweatshirt was $1.00. I love that! Dave and Evan raided Poppy's closet to find warmer clothing. Dave's sweatshirt said, "#1 Grandpa"....he wore it all weekend long. Lovely.

Enjoying the break in the rain....Bridgete stopped to pose.

Running down Grandma's street. The other dog is Val, Suzanne's dog. Tucker loves her. She puts up with him.

Dave is his Grandpa sweatshirt with Tucker.

Bridgete showing off her lip gloss collection to Auntie Suzie. Diane is in the background. She already has the pleasure of seeing Bridgete's collection:o)

We had a good time and it is always great to be with family!

time to blog

I don't get how everyone keeps their blog so updated. I am very impressed! It is the last thing I think of in the day, and by then I am so darn tired (actually that is when I do laundry...so that has to come first, unfortunately). But alas, I am going to try to do better. Aren't you glad I informed you of this?

You Say it's Your Birthday!

Happy 6th Birthday, Spencer! I cannot believe that you are six years old. You have been the biggest blessing to our family. I can't imaging life without you, my little dreamboat! (Yes, he is a Mama's boy...can you tell?)

Anyway, Spencer is such a great boy. He is the most resourceful boy I know.

Example: He got some new Pokemon this morning. Instead of throwing away the packaging, he cut out all the pictures and then found a clothespin to hook them onto the lamp for a decoration for his party tomorrow. He got a new Pokemon shirt from Grammy and immediately looked at the tag and said, "Mama, I think I can use this to decorate my room...or for a bookmark."

He has the biggest heart.

Example: At least threee times a week, Spencer talks to me about when he's a Dad. And his biggest concern with that is that he won't be here with me. So he tells me (putting on his brave face), "Mama, when I'm a Dad, we will come see you every single holiday and birthday because I will miss seeing you." Now tell me, what kid says that?

He melts my heart. He is such a good boy who has no problem telling the neighbors that we don't swim on Sundays because that is a holy day. He prays every night about being baptized. If I make a dinner that he hates, he will never tell me he doesn't like it. He doesn't like to hurt anyone's feelings.

Spencer I love you. Happy Birthday my little dream boat!

BIGGEST LOSER

I decided to start up my own Biggest Loser competition with some of my friends. We thought it would be fun to put in $20.00 each and whoever wins will get all the money. So, we were figuring about 4-5 of us would do it. Well, word spread like wild fire (you know how mormons can be :o) and we ended up with 19 people! Crazy! So the jack pot is now $380.00. Holy Moly, that is some serious cash.

So, we just had our third weigh in and I am happy to report that I have lost 10 pounds. Wohoo! Our final weigh in is July 4th. Wish me luck and I will keep you posted...all four of you who read my little blog! When the final weigh in comes I will post before and after pictures...I know you cannot wait.

I am feeling better, I must admit. Tomorrow I am running in the 5k Race For The Cure. It should be fun, especially because I know I can run that far and not have a heart attack.