PINKY

Pinky was MIA for a while yesterday. I could hear her playing games on my phone, but couldn’t see her. Finally I found her, crouched down in my laundry basket (after dumping out the dirty clothes). I found her curled up with her blankie playing games. It was super cute! Then she decided to start singing...

Snow Tubing!

Elle told me this was the best birthday she's ever had! We took a friend of hers and went snow tubing. I mostly have pictures of Pinky because as soon as we got there, Elle and her friend ran off and I hardly saw them again. I could occasionally here them screaming down the hills... I stayed with Pinky the whole time, she did great! I was a little worried but she LOVED it!

Big Day!

Elle got her ears pierced last night! She was very excited!
In this picture she was hiding her face. Somehow, hiding your face makes it not hurt so much...?


As soon as they were done, she was in shock from the small amount of pain there was.


Then after a minute, she got over it and loved them!

Happy Birthday ELEANOR!!!

Elle went to bed last night a 7 year old, but woke up an eight year old. She declared she felt ‘bigger’ walking down the stairs today for breakfast.
In lieu of a party this year (I convinced her big kids don’t have ‘parties’…) she is picking a friend and we’re taking them snow tubing tomorrow night. I love snow tubing, I’m glad she picked it!
And now a walk down memory lane…
Tub picture of Elle at 1 week old

1 month old

1 month old

10 months old, tub ahot again...

10 months, first Halloween (yes, I made that costume myself, LOL)

10 months old, yet another tub shot (they're cute what can I say!)

1 year old

1 year old Halloween

2 years old

2 years old (when Eric and I got married)

3 years old

4 years old

5 years old

6 years old

7 years old

A week ago!

The 12 hour date!

SO, Eric's parents offered to take the kids overnight on Friday night. We took full advantage of our time alone and went snowboarding! It was my first time this season but Eric goes pretty regularly. Having this hobby is hard when you kids because it takes several hours.
Here are two pics and a video of us.

We finished around 9:30pm and went out to dinner. Flying down a mountain for 4 hours makes a person hungry! The night was still young when we finally arrived home at 11pm! We pitched our new tent in the backyard and did a little winter camping! It was cold, but with the tent heater, we were toasty (for the most part). And to top off our date, at 7am we got up and went to the gym to soak in the hot tub! I was SO sore (still am) so the hot tub was great! AH, long dates rock!!

Good to Know

Maryland, according to the newest study of school rankings by state, scored the highest overall in education in the country. Yay Maryland! The next ones in line were Virginia, Massachusetts and New York. Interestingly, Washington D.C's score came in at an embarrassing 51st place. YIKES!

In other news, I've successfully completed my first week at the gym without incident and oddly enough without any soreness. Usually the first week is agony (I was bracing for this) but it never came. In a few weeks (if I’m brave enough), I’ll post my before and after pictures.

Dads visit

My dad had some training out here a few weeks ago only a couple hours away from me, so he stopped by for a visit! I took him to the range, he was a really good shot. He beat me every time!


The kids enjoyed it! They went to the pretzel store and my dad even took them to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. Which is great because I would have rather had my eyes poked out then watch that!

New Year

With the new year here, I find myself doing a few new things. Although, I hesitate to call them resolutions because nobody ever keeps those! What I am doing are simply 'little things I'm trying to do differently' :)
One being that I joined the gym again. I used to be diligent and went 5 days a week. I loved it but after 2 years I got burned out... and took a 12 month break from the gym! I've been getting restless lately and feeling frumpy and 'mom'ish. I kept threatening to join again... Finally, I think Eric got sick of me talking about it and convinced me to join so I would shut up about it.
It was like visiting an old friend when I stepped in that first morning. I occupied my old locker and showered in my old shower stall. There were a few people there I recognized. It was great. This is the little change in my life I needed!
As I was driving home in my toasty warm car (it was 20 degrees this morning!), I passed several die hards out jogging on the street, SUCKERS! I love the gym.

The other tiny change I'm making this year is to save more money! I like to spend money, in fact I crave it sometimes. Weird I know but I crave shopping like some people crave chocolate. I am funneling every spare penny I have right now into savings. SO far so good. One paycheck down... 23 more to go this year, LOL!

I have a few other things I'm working on but they aren't worth mentioning. Take care!