Fun With Kids

This last week has been like every other, busy. After dance we got together with a good friend of ours and her son for a play date. It was great getting the kids together finally. Her and I see each other a lot and talk almost daily but our kids haven't got to play with each other in awhile so it was good to get them together.

On Wednesday I took the kids to the Children's Museum and they played for a few hours. I have to say I love wearing the kids out because it's a win win situation. They have a blast, usually, and then I get a good nap from Knox and some quiet time from Alyssa. The kids always have a great time there and Knox is now getting old enough to really enjoy some of the stuff. There are a few areas that Alyssa particularly enjoys playing in. Her favorite is the tree house area, restaurant, train, and the water area.

Alyssa did a great job at staying with me since I was a little slower with Knox. When we were finally getting close to be done I took them to the water area. That is always our last stop. Knox had such a blast in there. I could have probably left him in there all day and he would have loved it. I should have guessed that by the way he loves swimming and bath time.

On Friday morning I took the kids out and wore them out at the park with a good friend and her kids. We played at one park and then hit the trails and did a little nature hike. After we made it to the other side and played in the other park for awhile we went into the flower garden and had a picnic. I have come to love the area we live in there are so many wonderful parks near by and great things for kids to do.

Alyssa and her friend Annabelle had such a great time together picking flowers and running around. They are so cute together. I love watching the kids form good relationships with others.

Since Cory has lost 40lbs and is looking amazing I decided that I needed to kick it up a notch because I was on track to be gaining all of his that he lost. The way he is going I was going to end up weighing more than him and that was just not going to happen. He gave me a little incentive and I picked a weight that I wanted to be at. I don't believe in a number but more about how you feel and look but I needed somewhere to start. I chose the weight that I wanted to lose and if I lose it by October I get to go on a shopping spree for my trip to New York, so I have some nice clothes to wear there. Some have told me to wait and do the shopping there but I don't think my money will go that far especially since the stores I want to go into either aren't around here and I can't afford. My journey began at the beginning of May and I'm happy to say I'm now down ten, which always seem to be the easiest for me.

The other day a good friend and I were talking about what are goals were and we have started going to this "health group." We both said how awkward it was because of people's attitudes about weight. How some look at you and roll their eyes saying you have none to lose. While you have your own issues and wish you could just lose that last ten. We all have hang ups about our bodies and I wish people would learn to except that. Unfortunately in today's society I don't think we will change.

It's been pretty easy for me so far because I haven't had to change the way I cook, since I cook pretty healthy but I have changed up my work outs. Hopefully this will help me out and have added a lot of variety to them as well. With this nice weather I have also started doing "two a days." Those of you who are familiar with sports, football to be particular, a lot of teams have two work outs a day. Although mine aren't any where as intense, although it would be nice I'm getting it done. I will have to say one of them is usually just a very long walk or a yoga class. If any of you have any fun classes or ideas for work outs please pass along! I'm always looking for ways to change it up.

Mother's Day Weekend

I was going back and forth as to what to do this mother's day weekend. Since I hadn't been down to Longview for awhile I decided to head on down and see everyone. It was a quick trip since I had obligations at home that I needed to take care of.

When we got into town we headed over to my parents house and hung out with them for the rest of the afternoon and early evening. It was good to see everyone and the kids, mainly Alyssa, loved running around the house and eating cookies of course. After dinner we headed up to Cory's parents house where we were staying. The kids played for awhile and I attempted to get Knox to bed but I think with all the excitement he was not ready and stayed up until eleven or so.

The next day we headed back to my parents house and hung out until late afternoon. Around two we decided it was time to head back home but before going I stopped off to see a friends jewelry show she was having in town. Her jewelry is amazing and I'm so proud of her for everything she has accomplished. She even got one of her pieces featured in the show True Blood. After chatting with her for awhile I decided on the piece that was going to become mine. I purchased a beautiful bracelet.

I ran into someone else I went to school and run around with. Sometimes I think it would be nice to live a little closer or back "home." Then after being there for awhile I realize hell no. I hope those reading this from there don't take offense but I don't think you would understand unless you have lived somewhere else. I got my fix of Longview and we headed back home.

That was Mother's Day weekend in a nutshell.

Lake Chelan....Yes Please!

Cory and I celebrated our sixth anniversary last week and to celebrate we headed to Lake Chelan with some good friends of ours. It was a great weekend had by all. The weather was beautiful, wine delicious, and company perfect!

Our friends own a cabin over there on the lake and we have been trying to work out a time when we could all go over there and hang out. The timing was perfect for all of us because we all were in need of some much needed R&R..
We arrived over there late afternoon and once Cory and I got to the cabin we picked Doug and Carol up and headed out to pick up some wine for dinner. The big decision, the whole weekend, was what winery to go to first. We headed to Tsillan Cellars, where Cory and I are wine club members, and had a tasting and enjoyed a glass out on the patio and enjoyed the sun. After enjoying our first stop we headed to what probably is my next favorite winery, Karma. Again, we enjoyed another tasting along with a glass and some cheese and bread. It was getting late so we headed back and had a great dinner.

The next day we spent at the golf course hitting the driving range for awhile and than had a great lunch. We decided to head to the other side of the lake and go to Manson to hit up a few more of the wineries. I don't know what I loved more the delicious wine or the sun on my face. It is probably a toss up but both were good and I welcome them at anytime.

Once back at the cabin we hung out enjoying our time together. The next day we left and headed back to the west side of the mountains. It was a little depressing coming back after having such a great weekend and returned to reality and the rain. I'm looking forward to getting a girls trip over there and taking the kids too.

The kids had a great weekend staying at home with their Nana. I'm not sure who was more worn out when we got home but I'll just say everyone slept well that night!