Bowling

Christmas

The boys had a big basketball game Christmas Eve morning.  I didn't go so I don't have any pictures to show you.  But after the game we went to take family pictures.  The boys in my family are quite competative and Brian came home and said, "Can you photoshop a bloody lip out of family pictures?"  I guess that means it was intense!

Marshall LOVES music!  He calms down when I sing slow, mellow songs.  And he laughs and giggles when I sing silly songs.  He turns his head when he hears music and always listens so intently.  Travis put Marshall on his lap and started playing the piano (see the cute picture above).  Marshall was seriously in heaven!  I think it's so cute and I can't wait until I can teach him piano lessons.

Visit to Salt Lake

We spent a week in Salt Lake running back and forth between our familes' homes.  It was fun and really wonderful to see everyone.  Marshall was a trooper and it was much smoother than I had anticipated, so that's good!

My parents are wonderful dancers and two years ago we got everyone together and they gave us some lessons.  It was really fun (and Travis ended up marrying the date he brought).  So we decided to have a dance-a-thon again.  It started out harmless but then got a little crazy!  Just kidding.  All the dates were really quite good dancers and we had lots of fun laughing and joking.  Quinn and Derek were too young to bring dates, so they held Marshall and danced once in a while with their sisters or Mark!  hahahaha

After dancing we all went back to my mom's house and dipped homemade chocolates.  My grandparents are pros and always come to help us out.  There is nothing like fresh dipped chocolates.  I think we each got a plate of at least 40 chocolates.  Mmmmmmmm

Silent Night

Aren't those chubby legs cute!  Kinda not fair that rolls are so adorable on babies.

Big Boy

Bumbo

I remembered I had this picture of Marshall at 2-months in his Bumbo. 

He has loved sitting in it and I guess he thinks he's big enough to move on to bigger and better things!

Crazy how much he's changed in two months, but we're loving it!

Golf Fore Kids

I was up bright and early - to get ready for our 6th Annual Golf Fore Kids Charity Tournament

(I was walking through the parking lot)

Once the sun came out, it was a lovely day for golf!

120 golfers were at our course - a total of 450 golfers spread over 4 courses participated this year

 Each golfer was given a hat, water, red vines and $5 certificate

We had police officers and fire fighters at each course to collect toys from all the golfers

  They are so wonderful to volunteer to help each year - thank you!!

 We sold raffle tickets and mulligan, and the golfers always amaze us at their generocity
(Continued below...)

And we work while they golf...

 After the golfer's tee off, we take all the toys and unload then at the Casablanca Event Center

 The amount of toys this year surpassed anything we have seen before

 We stacked and stacked and the toys ran the entire length of the building

 It was impossible to get a picture of everything - and pictures just can't capture it.

Just believe me it was a lot of toys!

 We had wonderful raffle prizes that were given out (all donated by generous people)

 And we gave away 48 Pine Trees (also donated) for the winners at each course

 The wonderful students in the high school interact club came for the day to help us organize

 the toys and serve the meal that to all 450 golfers plus volunteers

 Everyone had a nice time eating, visiting and comparing scores

 But mostly it's just fun to get together and see all the toys and all the golfers who participate

 After the luncheon, we had to load up the toys... again

 The toys filled two giant trailers that were loaned to us - thank you!

 I counted 95 bikes and 35 scooters

 And doll houses, balls, games, books, etc.

 The toys go to help fill the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program and help families in the area

(These women that handle this are incredibly organized)

We were finishing while the sun was setting and I couldn't help but be thankful for generous people. 

Yes I have great organizational skills... but it wouldn't be anything if we didn't have the golfers.

Every person brought at least $50 in toys, plus we raised over $10,000 in cash donations.

 This tournament is a lot of work and I'm always burned out by the time it's over. 

But I know it helps a lot of people, and for that I am grateful.
And now I say... goodnight!

Zzzzzzz

'Tis the Season

I love Christmas!  The lights, the music, the scarves and hot chocolate.  I admire the service and love that people extend to one another.  I look forward to the shows, concerts and festivals.  I cherish the yearly traditions of the season that my family has.  I am especially excited that my brother Kyle is coming home from his mission this Wednesday!  With 6 brothers it seems like someone is always gone.  But this year we'll all be home and baby Marshall will have his first Christmas.  Oh I love this season!

Sitting

Birthday Girl

4 Months Pictures and Life Details

My ramblings at 4 Months

My little Marshall is 4 months old tomorrow!  I can't believe it was a year ago this week that I found out I was pregnant.  I actually found out on my birthday (Dec 7) - best gift I could have received.  Mark didn't believe me and made me take numerous tests.  hahaha  More information on little Marshall is coming up soon.  We have shots and a doctor's appointment this week.  I also need to take some pictures of him, he changes so fast!

But right now I'm just proud to announce that I'm finally down to my starting weight and I even managed to slide by with NO stretch marks!  I was hoping it would only take me 2 months to lose the chub, but I gained too much weight the last 2 months (on semi-bedrest when I couldn't work out and probably ate too many treats).  Mark has lost weight too, together we have lost a combined total of 70 pounds.  Not bad huh! 

I have shown great self-control.  Only one treat a day - a cookie, a soda, a mini candy bar, etc.  Plus I've walked or ran an average of 15-25 miles a week.  I have also done pilates/stretching/situps most nights for 10-30 minutes.  But it's all paid off and hopefully if I keep up with this routine I might even continue to lose a few more pounds.

So how has Mark lost his weight?  You'll love this... he just decided to eat less.  Now he just takes a large portion instead of an extra large portion.  Yes I'm serious, that's it!  No working out, not cutting back on treats.  How irritating is that!  So unfair if you ask me.  But either way we are 70 pounds lighter and feeling great!