Our January

We are almost to the end of this month and I am ready for spring. I know we have a good couple months left of winter but I'm ready to get out of my house and for the weather to be nicer.

This post is just odds and ends of what we've been up to.

As you know, I am a baker. I love to bake goodies and even though I'm still not eating sweets I love to make cookies with my girls. I let them eat chocolate chips while we make them. Addie was new to this experience and she obviously loved it. Her hand kept going in and out of the jar of chocolate chips.

I am 3 weeks into our health challenge and so far I've lost 6.6 lbs. I am counting calories and exercising 6 days a week. It's hard but it has been worth it. I notice a difference in my clothes and my wedding ring finally fits again. I stopped wearing it while pregnant with Addie and Allie and I've never been able to get it back on my ring finger. I tried this morning to see and it fits comfortably.

Since I generally exercise in the morning, I've had to become creative on how to watch Addie while I run. Her pack n play is my new best friend. I pile toys and books in with her and she's happy as can be and so am I.

Cambree got some fun mail from Barb, she made an indoor snowman! She thought it was amazing, and he is hanging up on our fridge. We sure do love you Barb!

Grandparents really are the best. I love having my parents over and my girls love it as well. My mom always brings something for them to do together. This time she brought cinnamon rolls and then some books to read to the girls while the cinnamon rolls cooked.

And lastly, my beauty Cambree. We registered her for preschool this fall and we had to fill out a questionnaire about herself.

Here are a few:
My favorite color: Orange
Food: Cereal
Treat: Ice-cream and candy canes
Book: Eight Silly Monkeys Jumping on the Bed
TV show: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
I don't like: Bad Guppies
When I grow up I want to: Catch bugs and fish
Something that is special about me: I love shiny things.

That's our girl!

We're ready for February!

Practice, practice, practice

As long as I can remember I've been interested in photography. In High School I took photography classes and enjoyed developing film in the dark room. My major in college for the short time I attended was in Photography. I haven't done too much other than take a million pictures over the years. Since Christmas I've been playing around with Lightroom and Photoshop trying to learn both programs. I know it will take me a lot more time learning how to use both programs and also just figuring out my own process of editing and style.

Here's a few pictures that I've recently taken. It's easy to over do a picture while editing, thankfully I have an honest husband who will give me his opinion of what may be too much editing. I know it will just take time and lots of practice. Thankfully I have cute subjects to practice with.

I finally feel like I am a little closer to achieving some of my dreams that always have felt out of reach.

Swim Day!

We finally left our house after staying home for 5 days in a row. It was a mixture of teething, colds and weather which made us stay home. By Friday morning we were more than ready to get out.

I got a couple picture of Cambree before the pool. The first one is when I told her I wanted a picture, this is her smile...

And this is her real smile when I captured her in her tent, I'm sure you can tell the difference.

Addie refused to get her picture taken, so maybe next time because she looks adorable in her swimsuit!

A little updating...

For Christmas I decided to update Cambree's room. I have never decorated it before now and I felt like it was time. We still have a few things to do but I am loving how it looks with a few new updates.

Here's her room before,

And after,

We also got a new computer desk since my parents were generous and gave us one of their computers for Christmas. We found the desk on KSL and I am loving both. I also love having a dedicated office space since before this I was using my couch to do everything on my computer.

Don't you love updates? I know I do, it feels and looks refreshing!

Health Challenge

In the end of 2013 I completed a six week health challenge. I decided to set my goals easy so that I could stick with the plan, thankfully I did and my group won! One of my friends, Yvonne and I were on the same team and since we won, we spent last Saturday shopping and going out to eat. I haven't spent that many hours away from my house in a long time and it was delightful!

I signed up for the challenge again, which started 2 days ago on Monday. Benton also signed up which will make it easier since we are both counting calories. I know this time around is going to be a bit tougher this time but I'm excited to see some results. As part of the challenge we have to incorporate a new healthy habit as well as get rid of a bad habit. One of my goals this time around is to read to my girls for 15 minutes a day. I know reading is really important for kids but sometimes I just don't get around to it or I don't feel like. So I set it as a goal and it has been a nice sitting and reading to them. They LOVE to read and I think I made the right decision.

We do weigh in's every monday, so I will let you all know how it's going! Wish me luck!!!

Milk Lover

This little girl is OBSESSED with drinking milk. I'm pretty dang sure she would forgo any type of food to have her milk. She will bring us random cups to tell us she wants her milk. She will also stand at the fridge and whine until we get it for her. I've been trying to not give her a drink during mealtimes knowing that she won't eat any or much food if her milk is sitting with her.

It's hard to resist this cute smile and crazy hair though!

So tired

Cambree said to Benton this afternoon, "I'm tired, I need to take a nap." And she did for almost 2 hours, I wish she did that more often!

Sledding

We feel so lucky to have the house and yard that we do. I am loving our little hill in the backyard. My sister wanted to come try it out, so we all went sledding one afternoon.

However, Addie still is not a fan of being outside in the cold. She hardly cracks a smile, so serious.

Cambree on the other hand, LOVES it. She is my mini-model, I cannot get over how photogenic she is. I really love taking her picture.

This is little Emma who is 2. Her and Cambree tried sledding on their belly's instead of using a sled, Cambree called it "being a turtle".

Spencer went down and up, down and up, over and over again. He was a good sport when he crashed as well.

We sure do love living close to our family and spending time together during the holidays!

Christmas!

Thankfully both girls slept in till 8am. When Cambree woke up I asked her if she knew what today was, her reply "what?". I guess she had forgotten. I really don't think she knows it's one day, rather a time of year. I guess as she gets older she will understand more.

Cambree got what she had been asking for, a T-Rex. She was pretty excited and she has been taking it everywhere with her, in the car, eating, watching tv, and even when she goes to bed it sleeps with her. Overall I think it was a success. I was spoiled and got some photo editing software and I've spent hours learning how to use Lightroom5 as well as editing photos. So you may see some improvements with my photos, which I am really excited for!

 

 

 

 

Later on in the afternoon we went over to Papa David's and Grandma Marie's for dinner. As usual Marie did not disappoint, she is one of the best cooks I know. They spoiled Cambree and got her a pink Convertible. Cambree has driven it but has been a little apprehensive. She presses the gas for 2 seconds and lets go. Whenever she runs into the snow she looks terrified like she broke it or something. After she drove it around she said "That was the best thing ever!" I know what we will be doing once it gets warm!

 

 

Merry Christmas friends!

Christmas Eve

We have been busy going from one place to another. Every Christmas Eve we celebrate by going to Nanny Linda's and Papa Tony's for breakfast. I love all the commotion, kids running around, and the food.

Later on we went to my cousins for dinner with my family. We were suppose to wear "ugly sweaters" but I didn't get enough time or notice to find one, so my family looked normal.

 

I love the holidays and having more reason to see our families. I just love them all to pieces!