The WW success story

My  4 friends and I all joined Weight Watchers in Jan. to lose those unwanted pounds.  Five months later we are all doing great.  We are down a grand total of 142 pounds.  We promised ourselves a big shopping trip to Vegas for a reward when we started in Jan.  So this past tues.- thurs. off to Vegas we went.  These are some pics of the best friends ever. We laid in the sun, shopped, walked and walked and walked and walked, talked and talked and talked and talked, saw some shows, and ATE.  We loved the Bellagio buffet, taking small offerings of anything we wanted to try.  The best was lining up the 14 desserts and trying everyone of them.

Another Milestone

Jess graduated from seminary tonight.  It was a nice program and our whole family went and enjoyed the talks.  One of the things I admire most about Jess is her gift to think things out for herself and gain her own testimony.  She has worked hard this year to fit in reading the entire Book of Mormon. She has enjoyed her years in seminary and I'm sure will miss the spirit that comes from attending class every other day.  I cried for the first time, this morning as I wrote out my testimony to give to Jess.  I hope she keeps it in her scriptures and it reminds her of my testimony.  I am trying to keep my emotions under control these past weeks as Jess finishes up a bunch of things in her childhood.  It gives me comfort and great joy to know that Jess is ready to move on with her life and excited for all the changes coming.  I have also been trying to let go her whole senior year so I think as the Mom I am going to come through the next few weeks smiling...not crying.  That is our neighbor Marty Lind in the picture with Jess.  They have been friends since we moved here 13 years ago.

the tri videos

So it was finally our trialthalon!  First the bad news...Jessi got called to the set of High School Musical and couldn't come!  The good news tough little Sidney swam for her and did the run.  I ran in at the end with her which is the video ( that's why I said I wasn't tired because I had been resting during her run)  Anyways we had so much fun  We are all going to sign up for another on.  Oh we ending up taking 4th place and our time was 91 minutes.  We were 6 minutes behind the number one relay team.  Pretty good for our first tri.  I'm especially proud of Sid.  She is one tough cookie!

Scott and I spent the weekend in Michigan, at grandma Velma's funeral.  It was a very nice weekend.  We really enjoyed spending time with many of Scott's relatives from Michigan.  We especially enjoyed Aunt Sherry's Red Wing Hockey infatuation, Great Aunt Betty and Uncle Jim's stories, and the beautiful greenery of the state of Michigan.  All in all it was a verrrry restful weekend of sitting around talking about nothing.  Notice our rental car...we died laughing when they upgraded our rental to a convertible seabring...( just like Michael Scott from the office)...Oh and it wouldn't be a trip to Michigan without lottery playing and white castle burgers. 

Little League for the boys.

I love baseball season.  Scott is coaching Conner in the Rookie League for Little League.  Austin is playing in the 15-18 year-old league with coach Denning.  Sandi is coaching Nikki in girls softball.  We have about 6 games a week to go to plus numerous practices but it is all outside which I love.

I will post a schedule of all games ASAP on our family web site.  See you at the ball field.

The ABC'S of being Snowden

Active.....My kids have learned that our family is Active....I know it is my fault.  I have never been one to relax well.  My kids run around doing activity after activity.  The problem is they love it all too...or maybe I have brained washed them into thinking they love it.  Anyways after  weeks like the past two.....even I am ready to throw in the towel and move to some remote spot where dance, sports, lessons, jobs, callings,ect......don't exist. 

Bring it....I used to cater more to my kids every wish. Lying all their clothes out daily, putting all the items they would need for each activity in a little bag with snacks ect.....I've lost my desire for that part of mothering and have found my kids really need to learn to do  all that for themselves....  If you need it you better bring it has become my new motto....(this isn't perfected by the way, I make numerous trips in my car bringing countless items all over town to my children who forget to "bring it")

Care....I don't know how we do it, but something I am proud of... our family has had family prayer and scripture together almost every night for 4 years now. Some nights its just a fast 2 minute ordeal, but most nights it's enjoyable and we talk and learn from each other.  One thing Scott and I have tried to instill in our kids during these times is to Care.  Care about others, Care about where your life is going, Care about the gospel Care about school, Care about any activity you are involved in.....I am so thankful my children are driven and passionate about life.