FHE on Lake Lowell

This afternoon we got a call from Bishop Wheelock wanting to know if we wanted to join them this evening for a night out on the lake. We are always up for that. So we got everyone and everything ready so we could be to their home by 4. The kids were so excited. Lance took them to the store to buy them their own life jackets since there wasn't that many that would be readily available especially for kids as young as mine.
We went out to Lake Lowell. I was born and raised here in the Star/Eagle area and I had never ever been out to that side before. It was only about a 30 minute drive and the kids were done by about the time we arrived so it was perfect.

We packed up our dinner and all piled into the boat. We rode out and ate our dinner on the lake. It was perfect. The weather was perfect. Fun company. And all my kids were in heaven. After about 20 minute though Owen had had enough. He is not our water child. He could live without it. Baths are about as adventurous as he gets. We thought there would be a little sandy beach area for the kids to build sand castles and just play but there were only rocks. So it was everyone into the boat and we all really had a great time.
Hayden was a true sport. He wasn't quite sure what was going on. He didn't like his life jacket. He could barley move in it. He was just relaxed and he actually feel asleep for a while. He did great!

Ellie loved the water and we would dip her in several times. Owen was content to eat treats and sit in the front of the boat by either Lance or I. Keaton and Andrew were dare devils. Jumping out into the lake and giving Big Mabel a shot. Big Mabel is a huge inflatable inner tube that you sit in and hang onto. They loved it! That is all they wanted to do. Bishop was nice not to go too fast so they wouldn't crash. Although I think Andrew would have loved it.
The boys tried the knee board. Andrew tried a few times but had a hard time getting up. By the time he was done he was so cold, his lips were turning blue. So we brought him in the boat and warmed him up. Keaton was next. This kid of mine, I tell you what, no matter what he tries to do he succeeds. He is really just a talented kid to anything he puts his mind to. After his second try he was up and loving every minute of it. Once inside all the older boys were high fiving him and he felt pretty cool.
Keaton commented that every family night during the summertime should be like this. I agree son!

8 p.m. rolled around and it was getting cold and everyone had had enough so it was time to pack up and head for home. They should all sleep really, really well tonight.

the weather is nice

School is out. The weather is nice. Time to play outside. One of our favorite things to do when the days are warm and school is out. So we played. We just hung out. We did funny, stupid things. I love my children.

 

 

Let the training begin

I did it! I hired a personal trainer to get me back into shape. I am 2 weeks into it and let me tell you, it hasn't been easy. I have never had anyone tell me "No, you can't eat that!" or "Just a little bit more!" It has been tough. But I can do hard things. At least I think I can. I am on a strict diet plan, with the exception of 2 "off" meals a week. This makes it very doable. Most of the food is new food that I have never really eaten or cooked. It is different but I am learning to like new things. Who would have thought that rice cakes could actually be good. I didn't. But now I do.

I am on my own as far as working out during the week. I go to the gym 4 days a week and then every Saturday I meet up with my trainer and she works me hard! I am lifting a lot. I am lifting more than I thought I could. I am really enjoying going to the gym. I am learning how to do it effectively.  I love it! I love how I am feeling. Big changes are coming and I can't wait for all of this to be worth it.

Some of the things I have had to get used to:

- plain yogart (tastes like Sour Cream, but you add Whey and it is not bad)

- quinoa. Never ate it before. Kinda interesting. Not gonna lie, not my favorite but I am eating it and finding new ways to cook it.

- rice cakes (2 a day)

-unsweetened Almond Milk ( kinda different, kinda good)

-drinking close to 90 oz of water daily. ( I use the restroom nonstop)

-I don't feel bloated anymore(I love this part!!!)

- I am more patient. Not only with myself but with my children.

-My shorts are feeling a little lose on my hips= success! I must be doing something right.

This is going to be my life for a few months. I am excited for the new challenge and feeling better again. Here's to being healthy!!!!!!!!

 

Just her and I

Most mornings are just her and I. How can one child be so much work. I thought having all 5 of them together was a lot of work. Not compared to her.  While the boys are at school, and Hayden is sleeping the morning away we play. What do we do while we play? We wrestle. I know it is not a mom and daughter thing to do but I let her call the shots and that is what she loves to do. Sometimes she will grab my fingers and say "Let's go shopping mommy!" So we will wonder up to her playroom where all the kitchen and shopping stands are and just pretend. The world of imagination is a sweet thing. She is so much fun to watch.  I am glad I have at least one daughter to play with. I love my boys, don't get me wrong but there is nothing like a mom and daughter. Love her to pieces.

Our mornings are going to come to an end pretty soon where it will just be the two of us. Summer break is right around the corner, in a few weeks actually and new mornings await us. Until then, we only have 4 more weeks to be wild and crazy without anyone knowing.

 

More scorpions

Scorpion hunting take 1

The Snyder Grandkids

One of these days I will get around to posting about our trip to Arizona. But for now, all I have time for is bits and pieces. This was breakfast in the park with Grandma and Grandpa Snyder and all extended family. We had an Easter egg hunt for all the kids as well. Such amazing people!