Technical Difficulties

I cannot figure out how to zoom our banner picture out...anyone know how to fix this problem? The whole picture shows up fine when I add it in my "settings" (and I selected "shrink to fit"), but after I click apply it looks like this. Help!

My first 5K

On Saturday, my friend Sarah and I conquered our first 5K run (3.1 miles). I had to walk about 1/10th of last mile, Sarah made it the entire time running. Way to go Sarah!!! We had a ton of fun and are already talking about training for the Disney Princess Half Marathon in February. Yes, I know we are crazy, but it really is kinda fun. I figure it should be a good way to drop the last few baby pounds...and then some more! Here is our picture of us after our run...and we're still smiling.

Bar Routine

Esther's Bar Routine. She scored a 9.1!

Bean routine

Esther's Level 3 Beam routine from Saturday's meet. She scored a 9.225!

On the way to Port Charlotte

Here is the pic of dad on the way to Esther's gym meet on Saturday. Notice the spacious, empty seat in front of him.

Four Ladies

Here is a picture of my girls and I last Sunday morning before church. Hannah had a fat, black lip from tripping and bashing her mouth into my nightstand. I'm not quite sure what's up with Esther's militaristic stance. :)

So Proud!...of me this time!

I hestitated when I first thought of posting this, but decided who cares? Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight can appreciate where I am coming from and may be inspired to do the same, so here I go:

Last week, I finally put my foot down on my weight watchers diet (which I have been doing for a while, but not counting every bite). I got a super-good deal on their website to join online. I weighed in and began tracking every bite that entered my mouth and boy did it pay off! I lost 3.2 lbs this week!!! Yeah for Mommy! Only 6 more to go to my pre-Lydia weight. (Then I get to work off Esther and Hannah's).

I figured posting my losses (and I do plan on only having losses) each week will help keep me accountable to more than just myself.

My good friend Sarah and I are doing our first 5k together on Saturday, so it's off to the gym to do some running and pump some iron in my Body Pump class. I'll post some pics of us running later!

So Proud!

Esther had her first gymnastics meet of the season on Saturday. We had to drive all the way to Port Charlotte, but it was a really nice trip. My dad went with us and squished in the back of the van with Esther and Hannah all the way there. I think he was having more fun than they were.

Esther took 3rd place overall! She is only 5 years old and was competing against 31 other kids that were probably ages 4-11. I was amazed at her results! She got all 9.0's and above. She has never won all blue ribbons before. As the person who drives her 3 times a week, sits through hours of practice, and drills her at home every spare minute, it felt like it was a reward for me as well. Hooray for Esther!

I have a million pictures that my dad took at the meet and I will try to get some up here as soon as I get them from him.

My Couponing Obsession

I counted the other day and I have over 40 boxes of cereal. I think my crazy couponing went awry. How can I resist when I am getting them for less than $1 a box sometimes! Below is my overflow cupboard of Josiah's favorite cereal, Raisin Nut Bran. He used to refer to it as "vacation cereal" because it's usually $4.29 a box and we could only afford it on special occasions. Ouch! No way were we going to pay that! But, thanks to my couponing, I am able to get it at my stock-up price of $1.60 a box. For you other couponers out there, $1.60 still seems a bit high for cereal...but my hubby's worth it, and I never have to cook him a hot breakfast. Woo hoo!

Esther's School Pictures

On Wednesday, I was so exicted to help with Esther's school pictures. They all got their pictures taken in the Kindergarten graduation gowns and caps. They were all pumped. It was adorable and a ton of fun!

Miscellaneous Pictures of Lydia

Snazzy new car seat!

Pulling an All-nighter

This picture was taken after Hannah and mommy's all-nighter we pulled. She had an ear infection last Saturday night and was up crying a ton so we didn't really get any sleep. She fell asleep while eating lunch after we got home from the clinic. I was afraid she was going to fall out of the chair, but not afraid enough to run and get the camera.

Ready to Party

Lydia is already to celebrate her big sister's 3rd birthday party!

Exercise

A friend of mine introduced me to Jillian Michael's workout dvd, and here are some pics of the girls exercizing with me. Josiah gave the girls cans to substitute for weights. He's so inventive!

Hannah's First Day of Gymnastics

After class, they all get stamps on their hands and feet. It's the highlight of the day!

Hannah insists to do the beam without help!