I want to repeat last Thursday

Last Thursday was one of those fun days when you get to take a little time for yourself. My friend Sarah was in town from Phoenix and so we got to spend the day together. Love her and love that she took time to hang out with me. I love and miss my Phoenix girlfriends. A little shout out to you all. Thanks to some of my Boise girlfriends for taking my kids. Later that evening, I went to a coupon class for enrichment. I have always been an add shopper and lately also a coupon shopper. But, I quickly learned there is an art to becoming a savy coupon shopper. I am in the learning phase but it is fun to see how much you can save and how much you can get for pennies or free! I have listed a couple of sites I use on the side if you want more info.

Tomorrow doesn't look like too bad of a Thursday. Tax appt in the am which lets me know how much I have for projects, vaca, and savings. Crossing my fingers. I need to finish planning/preping for Zach's school Valentine's party, clean (does that ever stop), call Sprint again for my monthly phone bill discrepancy (I have made two more international friends), play puzzles with Syd as that is her latest obsession, and find a few minutes to read Goose Girl. Cris got me the book as a recomondation from his Mom. Took awhile to get into it but I am enjoying it. I will start off the morning with a 6:30 workout at the gym. I am really liking this gym thing and finally starting to see some results. A smaller muffin top! The best thing about tomorrow is there is nothing on the calendar for the evening and everyone will be home. That hasn't happened in a long while. Cheers to Thursdays!

More of my cute 3 year old

I couldn't resist adding this video clip. I love it when she will sit still long enough for me to put in pigtails. Her "babies" are her constant companions. I find them everywhere wrapped up in their blankets and am often told "shhhh" as they are sleeping. The other day she said she wanted to get one of the toys being advertised on TV for her little brother. I asked her who her little brother was and she simply said "Mason." They are best little buds and I personally think she likes being able to boss someone around and for the most part Mason doesn't seem to mind. That is unless you are messing with his Elmo Jacket. Mason is acually her second cousin but we claim him as our own too!


We took Syd to get her first big girl haircut. We had never cut the back and it was in need of a serious trim. Dad was a little nervous but was satisfied with the result. Her hair is looks much thicker and not as straggly. Of course there was some bribery involved. You would think a Barbie Jeep to sit in would be enought but no.. Some gum and help from dad made the 5 minute haircut possible.


The cutest little snowman built by Zach and Syd. Zach named them Maxy and Johnny.

Birthday Celebration

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Sydney

My baby girl turned 3 today and I can hardly stand it. I love that she is learning and progressing but sometimes I want my little baby once more. Last year at this time she was speaking only a few words and now she talks nonstop. For awhile we called a parrot because she repeated and copied everything we did. She sings non stop and this morning while she was taking care of business in the bathroom she was singing "The wheels on the Bus" opera style. She is officially potty trained and we all love it. Other than the first couple of days, it has been smooth sailing.

She has been waiting for her special day to arrive for quite awhile telling everyone who would listen that her birthday was January 24th. By all accounts I think she had a great day. When we put her to bed tonight she asked if we could have a party again tomorrow and eat more cake. I think there will definately be some more cake but no more party. Mom is too tired!

Tubing at Bogus Basin

 

 

 

 

A day off of school and Dad taking a day off of works means we need to have some fun. So we sent Syd off to play with Mason and we headed up to Bogus Basin Ski Resort for some tubing fun. They have a great hill to tube down and then and even greater rope tow that pulls you back up to the top of the hill. I was a little worried about it being to cold as it has been freezing in the valley due to an inversion which means no sunshine. As we drove up the mountain the fog got thicker and thicker and the trees and plants were covered with thick layers of frost. It was so beautiful and it looked like it should be 7:00 am instead of 3:30 pm. Then the fog started to disappear as we climbed in elevation and suddenly we were above the clouds/inversion. The sky was a beautiful shade of blue and the sun was warmer than ever. Suddenly, my several layers of clothing seemed a bit much. I wasn't sure what to expect from this tubing experience but it was a blast. After the first ride down, Zach yelled, "that was AWESOME, let's do it again." And again we went as many time as we could in the two hour window we were given. We got creative and would hold on each others feet and then they would spin you around before they pushed you down the hill. It was crazy fun and a little nauseating. The boys were of course starving (I am scared for my future grocery bill) so we headed back down the hill ate some Quizno's -- Alex's new favorite place and picked up our Syd. I think she had just as much fun as she got to go to the YMCA with Mason and play on the kid water slides.

Holiday Festivities

 

 

Highlights from the Holidays Fun Christmas Eve party with some of my mom's family. We are happy that Natalia is back in town for good! Santa came during the night and delivered a wonderful Christmas. Alex got the coveted Wii. He was worried as he kept opening Wii accessories but no Wii. Magically it appeared. Zach's wish was granted and he got his "hulihoop", pirate necklace and football. Syd played mommy to her "potty baby" aka Baby Alive all day. She changed her diaper every five minutes. Laying around in our PJ's eating great food and playing the Wii all day long. Learning how to use my new camera! Kids going home with Grandpa and Grandma Wood for a night. Happy 12th Wedding anniversary to my favorite Boyfriend. Mexican Fiesta with some of the Wood cousins at Grandma's house. (I was lame and didn't take pics) How is it that the cousins I remember being born and holding are now working towards being a doctor and lawyer. I am getting old. Taking the kids bowling for the first time. They loved it! I think it will be a new birthday tradition. Steph making the cutest cupcake birthday cake in order to redeem herself. (I had to remind her it was my birthday. I will still call her my favorite cousin.) Hanging out with family and friends. Playing lots of Wii Making New Year's Resolutions that will last all year long Taking down all the Holiday Decorations and have a clutter free house. (so it was only clutter free for a couple of hours, I try) Kids going back to school and getting into a routine. Here is to 2009!

What do these two places have in common?

Both are crowded at the first of the year! We waited 1 1/2 hrs Friday night for a session at the temple and ended up doing sealings. The gym as been rather busy all week too. I am one of those New Year's girls and have been six times this week. My plan is to no fizzle out keep going all year long (to both). I love the natural high after a good workout and I have been sleeping like rock. I think in need to work extra hard as after the temple we stopped off at Cheesecake Factory for some potstickers, acavado eggo rolls -- yumm, and Godiva Cheesecake. Love those kind of dates. Thanks to Steph and Jake for holding down homebase and playing with the kids.