$2 Scoops

These are my favorite people on earth.

They are my everything.

We spent a good hour just eating and playing games. 

It's getting clearer and clearer to me just how important time is. How much I have left with them. And how much I don't want to waste the time I've been given.

Tony Gets Married!

I'll just be real. Time with Jody can be a real roller coaster. I'm sure the feeling is mutual.

Ups and downs. Around and around.

But it's a ride and at least it's moving.

I was so happy dress shopping. I can't explain what it feels like to get a size 6 or 4 dress and fit into it.

I was size 16 at my heaviest.

That's 10 dress sizes.

I look back at pictures and feel ashamed. Sometimes I look in the mirror and see a fat person still.

Since my mom died, my self esteem has definitely taken a beating. But in the end my mom and dad always taught me to be proud of myself and do my best. And that's what I'm doing. 

Highlights from the wedding include:

*(She's probably taking a cigarette break)

Oh hey! Where's your girlfriend?

Ahhh yeah. She's probably taking a cigarette break.

*I knew the Pastor's wife was the one that looked younger

* bathroom bulimia breaks

*dancing to lame music

*climbing Mt.Rose in heels and seeing how far I could get.... not very

* a song comes on when we are driving home at sunset. Jody pulls over and we dance to it. Kinda romantic. Kinda give him points for it.

*Kaeli greeeeeeeeew up! 20 years old? How is that even possible?

*Tony and Justine looking so very happy!!

*Pole dancing bacherlotte parties. Woot. 

Date Night

I can't remember if I posted about a grand date I had with this fine fellow.

We headed to Teefy's basketball game and enjoyed watching him ball like a pro.

Then we headed to an ice cream shop that serves ice cream in donuts. It was pretty sugary! Woo!!

We played about 15 rounds of checkers and had fun just enjoying time alone together. He is such a sweetheart. He NEVER forgets to get my door EVER.

Man. I love this kiddo. Can't wait to hike big ol' mountains with him. It's funny because I always just wanted a boy for Jody. A boy for Jody to go camping and fishing or whatever boys do. And now I'm like... wait a second. He and I are athletic, let's go have fun!!! Especially since he is more up to doing physical things than the girls. *Ella is too, but is still pretty small.

Anyways. It was a great night and much needed because he requires a lot of patience with the amount of energy he has! And I need these moments to remember how truly special he is... especially after he threatens to stab his sister with a homemade shank made out of nail clippers.

Mt. Tallac

Mt. Tallac!!!

5:30 Awake and ready to go

7:15 Not there, can't find trailhead

7:30 Ask a nice 70 year old in a diner for directions. He gets me a map, very thorough and concludes with, "You're going by yourself? I'd love to be your personal guide and hike with you but have to work."

*Insert snapping my fingers

Truly though, such a nice man because his directions got me there!!

7:45 Hike started! Woooo!!!

So peaceful! Could feel my heart beating. Loved the sounds of nature. Saw woodpeckers, chipmunks, dragonflies... beautiful ponds! The ground was shimmering and I couldn't figure out what was going on.... it was water!!

The flowers were so bright.

My only complaint with this hike was THE ROCKS!!!
So many rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Constant rocks.

It rocked me.

*Insert Ha Ha.

I took Nina and Maria's iphone to take pictures. I still have no clue where to look for a selfie.

Made it up and down 5 1/2 hours. Could have done it in 5 but lost the path once. I was a mountain goat on that one.

I met an awesome couple from San Francisco, Nashan and Purantheepa. We walked and talked for a good 40 mins. Brilliant nature enthusiasts.

I met a crazy white chick- Tiffany- who rock climbs and thought a guy was going to violate her so she wanted to hike together to feel safe.

*Insert ...

Overall, such a great hike. I'll be honest- it was really nice not having to carry anyone!!!

Jody really showed what a great dad he is and took the kids to church, San Rafael park- tadpole catching, and for pizza.

It was a good day. Thank you Heavenly Father.

Woooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!

I had a broken headlight. 1 hour later and help from Nina and Eli.... and of course Heavenly Father!!! it was fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiixed!!!!!!

Woo. Victory dance!!!

Someone got braces

We are so spoiled.

Nina's wonderful Grandfather gave her the ultimate gift. That of a straight, beautiful smile... her teeth will be perfect and she will have total confidence every time she smiles.

Thank you dad can't even cut it.

Point: We are beyond blessed!

Hot August Nights 2018

Earlier in the week I was a little frustrated at how mealtime was going. It was a constant questioning of how much do I need to eat, getting up without asking to be excused, loud voices....

So I decided to bribe them. And it worked!!!
Oh my goodness!!! Dinner time was so splendid this week!!!

They earned a DQ before we headed out.

Eli's beautiful man bun. Alas, he cut it off.

Then I had to shave his head.

The annual Bigfoot picture.

We enjoyed taking random pictures with the new Iphone. Uncle Corey is AHHHHMAZING and gave us his old phone. It was a good thing because Christina needs it to be able to do homework in Math. Ridiculous!! They don't give out books, the kids take pictures of the pages in the book to do at home. And we wonder why we are last in the nation??

Eli and his coppers.

I loved the lowriders as usual.

After a couple hours, Jody met us up and got the kids some water. He's a bit obsessed with lime bikes. And learning how to swim.

Go Michael Phelps Go.

More Back to School

Loved all the backpacks the kiddos chose this year.

It's a tradition I think. The kids love their apple doughnuts. And of course a nice healthy breakfast!

Marvel! Dinosaurs!

Thank goodness I still have this little bean to color with, read barbie books together (in which Ella full on swoons and sighs), and play lego girls who love to sing and dance.