Sydney on a 2-Wheeler

We tried to take Sydney's training wheels off, and thought it was time for her to ride a 2-wheeler. We even took the pedals off, to help her with her balance, but we weren't having much luck. We soon discovered that the problem was Sydney's bike! It was WAY too small for her. She kept hitting her knees on the handlebars even! So we found her a bigger bike at Goodwill for only 7 bucks, and it fits her perfectly! Now that she has a bike that is her size she can ride a 2-wheeler! She picked it up really quick. She is now able to start and stop by herself and turn around while pedaling. It only took her 3 afternoons of practicing! She's still a little wobbly, but practice should take care of that. Good job Sydney! :)

Her face says it all right here! :)

Family of Photographers

Sydney has been earning money and saving her allowance, ever since Christmas! We told the girls that if they saved their money for a long time to buy something expensive then we would match what they saved. So Sydney has been saving her money for 5 months for a digital camera, like her sister's. She actually did really well, 'cuz while Livia would spend her allowance, Sydney didn't. She stuck to her plan and now it finally paid off, and she finally saved up 50 bucks!! I am pretty proud of her. So... we matched her 50 bucks and she got a pretty good little Canon camera that even has image stabilization. (which helps with kids' pictures!) :) So, what better place to test a new camera out, than the Arboretum! She took tons of pictures of trees, flowers, birds, ducks, and even a turtle. It was cute.

Spinning

Because I work at a gym, I get all the perks of using the gym, and going to all of the offered classes. I gotta say that spinning is one of my favorite group classes to go to. Not only is a good form of cardio, but you can burn anywhere from 300-800 calories depending on how hard you work and how much you weigh. I typically burn around 500 when I go to a 45 minute class!

Several people try spin classes out, and get saddle soreness, so they quit! Saddle soreness is unfortunately going to happen with EVERYONE! But it goes away, once you stick to the program and continue to go for a week or two. There are padded shorts and seat covers to help with this though. Another problem people have, is they are not fitted properly to the bike, or they push too hard at first. When you are just starting a spin class, make sure the instructor knows you are brand new, and that you are fitted properly to your bike! Second, don't try to keep up with everyone else. Just maintain and nice pace for yourself until your body adapts to your new form of exercise.

This is just my little 2-cents for everyone. But I STRONGLY recommend that EVERYONE tries a spin class for at least 2 weeks! My guess is that you will love it too! :)

Mother's Day Weekend

I had a very good mother's day weekend thanks to Mike and the girls. The weather was very good, for once, so we went on a family bike ride, walked in the Arboretum, and gardened.

I'm not sure if Sydney was trying to be all "Gangsta" like, or a Rapper! Either way, it was pretty funny!

Here's some pictures I took of Mike. Isn't he so handsome!?!

We finally looked at what was in our planter boxes outside, and I was pleasantly surprised! We have 1 whole bed full of just strawberry plants! They look good too, but they have a LOT of dead stuff underneath, but it is way too tangled to get it out, so we will just leave it and see what happens I guess.

The other box has lots of Raspberry bushes! YEAH! But, we had to cut a lot of dead stuff off, but the rest seem to be doing good!

The third box doesn't seem to have anything in it, besides maybe some flowers or something at the end. So, we are going to plant some carrots and tomatoes, or something.

We also had a Rhubarb plant growing with our strawberries! Me and the girls like rhubarb, so we were happy about that. Except Mike talked me into moving the bush to the end of the Raspberries, since they were overtaking some of the strawberries, but now the rhubarb doesnt look so good. Hopefully it will bounce back.

We also planted lots of flowers that will begin to bud in 7-21 days. Sydney helped with all of this and she is very excited to see stuff start growing! She's a good little helper!

Sydney got a little too helpful and drenched herself with water and dirt!

We also tired to help Sydney learn to ride a 2-wheeler! She did very well, but we ended up putting her training wheels back on like she requested. Maybe we'll try again in a few weeks.

For Mother's day, Mike and the girls made me breakfast, and did whatever I wanted for the day. It was very sweet. The girls made me home-made coupons (which are alwasy my favorite), alothough, I noticed that Mike didn't make me any, like he did last year! ;) He did surprise me with a blow dryer, that I desperately needed! Thanks babe!

Thanks for a fun Mother's Day Weekend!

Happy Mother's Day Mom......(Nana Diana)

Mom, I love you. I'm sorry I don't tell you enough, and that I'm horrible at calling you. I do want you to know that I'm thankful for having such a wonderful mother. Every time that I read the account in Alma of the Army of Helaman, I'm always reminded of you. You taught me how to cook, clean, be a gentleman, and how to have faith.
I will admit that it was awkward at times growing up as your son though. I never knew how to handle my friends' older brothers commenting on how "attractive" my older sister was, just to find out that they saw you in the front window while dropping me off at home. Even the times when I saw construction workers and guys at the beach hitting on you, it was still a little weird!! I'll always remember you flipping off the one guy with your ring finger, in order to show him that you were happily married and not interested!! I still laugh every time I tell that one. At any rate, I'm thankful you gave me my devilishly handsome good looks ( no offense Dad ... but it is Mother's Day).
Thanks for understanding me and being patient! You never complain about us staying at the in-laws house more than yours, or about me constantly raiding your goody stash in the guest room! Thanks for making the best dang granola in the whole world!! I still have dreams about eating sometimes. Thanks for making me eat cottage cheese pancakes! I did turn up my nose first, until you forced me to eat them, and now I search high and low to find them. I still remember where I was standing the first time I tasted them..........it was like a flavor bomb had detonated in my mouth. Thanks for dropping that bomb on me!!!! Thanks for letting me feel like the baddest kid on the block when I was 16, when you let me drive your Chevelle to school. That car was perfect for hauling the cheerleaders around in, and cruising riverside.... (not that I cruised riverside, I'm just saying that if I'd wanted to, it would have been fun me and any date that may or may not have been riding with me)!!!

To make a long story short............I love you, and I wouldn't be half the man I am today without you in my life! HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY MOM!!!

Mike

I LOVE YOU MOM!

I know everyone think that their mom is the best mom in the world, but sorry guys, I REALLY DO have the best mom in the world! You are a great mom and an awesome grandmother! Thanks for everything you've done for me and my family. You're the best!

Here are just the top 10 reasons why you're the best:

1) I am your favorite daughter & you love me the best! (right?!)
2) You let my family wreck your house when we come to visit.
3) You fix your swimming pool every year, just for us to swim in.
4) You cook and bake for me.
5) You are sentimental and NEVER throw home-made gifts away!
6) You have a giant trampoline and a fire pit!
7) You fight over your time with me. ;)
8) You are always thinking about me - ALWAYS! (right?!)
9) You raised me in the church and never gave up on me.
10) Last but not least, you are a beautiful momma!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!! I LOVE YOU!!

To the Best Mom Ever!! No Really, Ever!!

This Livia showing her SERIOUS love for you!

Cami,

Happy Mother's Day!! I just wanted to show you the evidence of how good you are at being a mother, and posting on your blog just seems so much better than putting it on a card. Just look at Livia and Sydney, and how happy they are! It's the most important work there is, and you're the best at doing it. I'm so proud of you. You are constantly taking care of the house, doing laundry, dishes (yes, I hate them), paying bills, cooking meals, and even working without complaint. Thank You!!! I have to tell you though, you're not the woman I married almost ten years ago............. you're ten times smarter, more patient, more beautiful, funnier, and stronger now!! I love you more than ever. The girls love you and idolize you! We will make this Mother's Day the best one ever, just to say thank you for being the best. No really, you are the best!! Happy Mother's Day!!

PS - We waited a couple days to find good weather to take these pictures for you last week, just for Mother's Day! I think it's the most time the girls have spent on your gift, ever. I hope you liked them.

Mike

Mike is good at several things. He is a good husband, a good daddy, a good computer geek, good at fixing cars & computers, and changing the oil, good at Guitar Hero, etc, but when it comes to housework... he SUCKS! He totally is NOT good at doing the dishes especially! Just ask his sisters or mother. I've heard stories of him growing up about it even! So... tonight, I am cleaning the kitchen after the girls are in bed, and mike comes in to "act" like he will try to help. He walks over, and sighs and then leaves. 5 minutes later, he comes up and says he forgot to transfer money on the computer, so he had to do it right then. Then he shuffles around a bit, and gets a glass of milk, drinks it, and then says that now he has to go to the bathroom. 5 minutes later, he comes out, and shuffles in the kitchen again, and then shows me how he got a (little) sunburn from earlier today, and then complains that he is cold, so goes to check the inside thermostat. FINALLY, by this time I am practically DONE with the kitchen, so I finally say, "why don't you go take a shower and get in some comfy clothes". He was out of that kitchen in 10 seconds! Boys are so funny. Thanks for trying to try to help though honey! (I think!) :)

Livia

Livia is such a good daughter and sister!

There are MANY school mornings, when she will wake up, get dressed, make her bed, and even eat breakfast all by herself, and then she will come downstairs, where Mike & I will still be asleep and wake us up. Our alarm will have already gone off, but I always let the music play for a little bit, until I finally HAVE to get up! Sydney will wake up too (only sometimes, Sydney isn't as big of a morning person like Livia.) But Livia will get Sydney breakfast too and help her with things. It's so cute to see Livia always willing to help out and be so independent.

Girls' Party

Livia & Sydney had their first "mixed" party last night! Sydney played with a little boy that she went to preschool with and Livia invited a few friends from school as well. My girls aren't used to playing with boys, so this was a fun experience for them I think. We had a BBQ, they played soccer, the Wii, Guitar Hero, and then watch "Hotel for Dogs" and ate a TON of candy and Popcorn! It was a fun-filled evening, but everyone seemed to have fun!

Mike even had to get in on the action! It was cute to watch "the boys" play Guitar Hero!