Playing around

So I was fiddling around with a new lighting set up today and used Emily as my helper. She was interested for the most part. I was pretty happy with the results, I still need to edit them but I went ahead and posted the pictures straight off the camera's back, maybe once I edit them I'll repost to show the before and after.

Poor Nathan is struggling with that cough he gets every winter. It bothers me that I can't do anything to help him get over it but nothing we've tried works. It sounds so loud but he says it isn't painful so that makes me feel a little better. I hope we figure out what the problem is soon. I'm going to take him to see a specialist soon. Other then that things are same old same old. I'm still sick of winter, ha! Just always cold! I need a trip down south soon.

Ok dad, geez.

Ok so my dad yelled at me because I haven't been blogging as much as I usually do but winters are always a little more blah. But sometimes blah can be a good thing, it's nice to catch your breath, relax a little, do some bonding with the kids and pick up the house. I'm starting to book appointments again. I have a few couples I need to do before their spring weddings. I'm excited to do some snow pictures, I talked them into the outdoors. I loved how Emily's turned out. I swear the air is cleaner and crisper and pictures turn out even better in the winter, if you don't mind the cold.
The kids spent the night at Nana's and Papa's two nights in a row! Lucky quakers. They, of course had a blast. I, of course had a break, well kinda I had Missy Emily. I've been addicted to facebook lately so if you haven't added me on then add me! You'll actually see more pictures on there right now then anywhere. Ok now to get down to business:
I've been keeping up with my workouts like a good girl, I've lost two of the five pounds I wanted to get rid of but best of all I can feel things starting to tone up. Johnna has now joined me for two evening workouts. Our goal is to get her fit and toned for her wedding! I've been working out five days a week unless I'm really sore. I was able to finally do the hardest work out I have (with a lot of panting). I'm very proud of my husband, he's been running each night. He's been taking the kids on a sled on a mile run to add some extra weight. Good job! We've also been trying to eat a little healthier. I've been doing a couple different stirfry dishes, one chicken and one with beef. Both of those have lots of veggies, pea pods, celery, carrots, and mushrooms and dang it's yummy! Well DAD I'll try to keep up on the blogs!

Nate singing on daddy's new game:Guess what I did a couple days ago, yeah all me baby:

And so it begins....

No pictures today, it's too cold to get them off the back computer, that room is freezing! I can't believe this awful weather we've been having. Yuck! I'm in need of a vacation some place warm for sure! At least Emily has found a way to stay warm, she's running in a circle right now, silly baby. I can't believe I'm only a couple months away until busy busy busy again. Ugh, last summer I didn't have time to pick my nose!! So I have have have to get my booty in shape now or it will never happen. Last week I began to work my way into working out. I've said it before and I'll say it again those firm work outs are by far the best work outs I've ever done in my life! I've got quite the collection now and it's nice to have some variety. I started last week with the half hour collection that focuses on either lower body, upper body or abs. Those eased my body into working out again without killing me. This week I start the hour long work outs which are long and painful and make me cry. I did two of those along with a couple of the half hour ones so I didn't over do it. I did good except Thursday I was sore everywhere and needed to let my muscles heal for the day. I'll take another break this weekend and start again Monday.

I don't have luck with diets and have read enough reports about them not working. Once you go off you just gain the weight right back and then some. So I'm just going to "trim" things out of my life. I'll start with removing anything from a fast food restaurant which won't be very difficult because the only fast food restaurant I've even ate at in quite awhile was DQ and thats usually the chicken basket or salad and even then I've only ate there a handful of times. Then I'll cut out pop which I usually drink when we go out to eat or with pizza. After that I'm going to avoid sugary goodies except a treat once a week to rev up the metabolism (and for my own sanity) and then maybe one every other week. Whew! Dang getting in shape!

I'd like to get rid of about five pounds and then really tone up everything from my chin down. Which is another reason why I love my firm workouts. They're an awesome combo of light weight training to build muscle and rev up metabolism and cardio to get that good ol heart pounding and burn calories. The newest in firm workouts features a "wave" type step that rocks when you're on it so you constantly have to work to keep it steady which really engages the core and helps burn even more calories. Now that everyone knows my plan I better stick with it. I'll mention how I'm doing in future posts. Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday Honey!

Happy Birthday Jimmy!! I'm sorry you had to be away for work today and I'll miss you but I hope you get to have some fun on your Birthday. I can't wait until you get home. Emily says Happy Birthday too:

This and that...

Now that the kids are back in school the house has become a lot quieter which I like and don't like. I do miss having them around during the day but I don't mind having a little more peace either. I'm in the process of having my camera cleaned and ready for this upcoming season so I'm not taking pictures right now although I do have a few more picture orders to get together. I plan on spending this off time getting back into working out. I did my first cardio workout of the year yesterday and can really feel it in my lower butt ( I have three butts, regular butt, upper butt and lower butt and i'd like to get rid of two of those butts) and my legs today. I'll probably rest those muscles and work out again tomorrow my goal is to be working out twice a day, once in the morning with cardio and weight lifting and a 2nd time later either walking or bike riding or working on a target area ie abs, butt, arms etc. I'd like to do that five times a week hopefully by April. I think that is a reasonable goal, we shall see if I can meet it.

Emily has been picking up a lot of cute bits of personality lately. She now sings little songs and she is always dancing, I've seen babies bounce and get to music with their lower bodies which she does but I've never seen any other baby move their arms the way she does, it's so cute! She loves her baby doll and walks around with her giving her kisses. She preforms tricks on her bouncing zebra... she stands on it and tries to bounce while standing, she puts her legs up on the handles and balances on her hind end. I think she's going to be a stunt woman..ha! Emily spent most of the day in her toy box, she's found it an excellent hang out and likes to toss out all her toys and sit in the box. She now taps her finger to her lower lip while saying hmm... I think she's thinking. She's always asking me "whats that" when she hears noises and she'll ask in a whisper like she doesn't want to disturb whatever is making the noise. If she wants something she'll point to it and say "thank you" or if she gives you something she'll say thank you. If she thinks something is funny she'll wrinkle her nose up. I love watching the new things she does or says every day. I love this stage.. so much fun!! It is a little sad having her act more like a toddler and less like a baby. I'm posting a few pictures I took of her the other day:

Emily in her toy box:
No mom, I'm not making a mess...:innocent:

New Years Eve, Emily found this bottle of sparkling juice and was carrying it around:

Happy New Year to all!

Well once again I took longer then I wanted to posting this blog. But it's being posted now so thats all that counts. We really enjoyed Christmas, it was nice to spend time with our family and friends. Kaylee was so suprised when she saw her room finished, I have video but I need Jimmy's help to figure out how to post it now that he switched some things up on the computer. Nana and Papa came over and we got to eat Nana's yummy cooking. Then we just relaxed and played with toys. Kaylee didn't leave her room much that day, ha. Nathan was way into match box car race tracks this year and now has three to keep him busy. Emily got a baby doll that she loves to kiss and carry around. Jimmy has told me several times that the ipod touch he got is the best Christmas present, yay! Boys and their toys.

The kids had a busy Christmas break, a couple of Kaylee's friends came over and she loved having her own room for her sleepovers. Kaylee went to a friends house one night and Nate stayed a night with Gram's. Poor Emily didn't have any sleepovers, maybe in a few years. Nathan had a little boy from down the road over to play and we had a few of our friends over. New Years Eve Dan and Liz and Kyla came by to watch the ball drop, play games and eat some snacks. It's nice having people our age live so close. Now we just need a little boy Nathan's age to move in next door who has a younger sister Emily's age, that would just ice the cake.

Jimmy and I went out to celebrate his up coming birthday. He got a case to protect his new baby (ipod) and a steak for his tummy. He will be leaving on his actual birthday to go to Vegas for work. So today is our last day of vacation and I'm trying to get back in the grove of editing pictures. I'm glad that we got the camera out to be cleaned, it will be nice to have it ready to go for this upcoming summer. I'm trying to keep with my promise of booking two weddings a month but have cheated twice and booked three... I have a hard time saying no. Hopefully I won't be kicking myself later. I posted a few pictures below with more to come on the family link and of course they are already on facebook so I'm sure everyone has seen them.
Emily feeding me snacks:
Excited: Mmm...