The Great One comes to Corpus!

My aunt Jan - who is my moms youngest sister came to visit us in Corpus! It was such an awesome trip and she is just the best!!! Lucy last year gave her the name "The Great One" - which is perfect for her. We packed a lot of fun in but the trip went by way too fast. We are already anxious for her next trip here. 

She arrived on Thursday and we made a quick stop at home before heading the the Hooks baseball game. A very random cold front came in - but that didn't seem to bother these dip and dot eating kids!

Hank and I made a stop at the fire station while the girls...

Got their nails done!

 Night 2 at the Hooks game - we were over reacting - it wasn't that cold. 

Janny and her new crush - only if he turns out a left handed pitcher

Lola and Jan - Jan got stuck with about 8 babies in her lap that night. 

Dressed up for the Kentucky Derby!

Headed to the beach

Bikini girls!

 The girls absolutely loved the beach, water, sand, waves, fish (which they claimed to be touching) I know where we will be all summer! This is the first year we don't have a little baby - so game is on!!

 Lola running to Janny!

 Lucy and Janny out in the waves!

 Running to build a sand castle

 Hank just can't keep his clothes on - see how miserable his face is with his clothes on

A stop at the candy store on the way home!

Jan was nice enough to let Adam and I go out and she watched the kids. Too bad Adam looks MISERABLE on this date. For whatever reason he thinks it is so funny to do this in pictures - well who looks like the dummy now??

Janny - the great one - we had a blast and we love you so much!!!!! Hurry back to Corpus!

Ella turns 3, Kilian turns 1 - our trip to STL

 It was such a great visit to STL! We got to see my sister and her family as well as one of my favorite franchise owners Miss Laura Teal. Adam could not make this part of the trip but with Megan, Jennie and my parents I had some great help. Plus Jennie's kids and Harper provide so much entertainment that my kids just had a blast! Since it was really cold when we were in STL Jennie took us to the Magic House. If you ever go to St. Louis this is a must stop. The kids could have played in this place for weeks. There is something for every personality type, interest and gender. So much to do!

Papa Newt teaching the kids how to fish - his specialty!

 Kilian already showing signs of being like his dad - working on cars!

 Lucy bathing a dog in the vet clinic

 Gannon shopping for milk!

 All the kids loving the construction zone - Hank was in boy heaven!

 His very favorite thing on the earth is TRACTORS - he loves seeing them, saying the word, searching for them - all things tractors!!!

 Lucy telling some wild story - one of my very favorite qualities about her. 

 Lola working on painting - she is so fashionable doing so I might add

 Jennie even joining in and giving Dr. Ella and Dr. Lucy the notes for the day

 This picture is so fun!!! My mom who is always up for anything has a hair raising experience!

Boy time with Gannon!

 The kids all sat down for a nice dinner with my mom and dad - here is my dad helping them all say prayers - so special!

 We stayed really close to the arch and every night and every morning the kids would ask if they could touch it. Before my parents arrived I told them no bc it was cold and a bit of a walk and I would be doing it all alone. When my mom drove back to the hotel with us the girls said "Grammie can we stop at the Arch" without hesitation she said "sure let's jump out and touch it" - she is way cooler than me. Here my mom and the girls are - Hank and I touched it too just picture less.

 Headed into Grant's Farm for Ella & Kilians bday

 Gannon & My mom - I love this picture!

 Cowgirl Lola!

 Best Buddies!

 Kilian and Hank - hanging in the back alley! 

 Hank feeding the goats!

 Grammie & Hank! They were having a blast!

 Lucy loved feeding the goats. She was very particular on who she would feed. She kept trying to wake up the sleeping goats. Some of them were ruthless they started eating her fringe cowgirl skirt - she thought it was hilarious!

Happy 95th Birthday to my Tattooed Gram!

We had the great honor to take a trip to celebrate my Gram turning 95! What a great milestone. The kids were rock stars on our 9 day trip, sleeping in hotels, meeting a ton of new people and getting very little sleep. It is a blessing to have such an amazing family to share these amazing life events with. 

Lucy and Lola all jazzed up at the airport!

 Another great event that took place was my sweet niece Harper got baptized. Not only is that amazing but she got to be baptized in the same church my Dad got baptized and where my parents got married. I can't get over her cuteness - she seriously smiles more than any person I know - so full of life!!

Here is our entire family outside the beautiful St. Peter's Church in Kansas City

 My parents and sisters. A rare picture these days...so blessed by them - I could just say a snapshot of my best friends, of course missing my greatest friend - my hubs Adam!

 My cousin Amy and her daughter Molly - 2 total favorites of ours!

 Papa Newt & Grammie with the grandkids - Kilian missed this picture as he was napping. 

 OK so this is where the real fun comes in! My adorable grandmother, whom we call Gram. We all went to Kansas City to honor her on her 95th birthday. Her children hosted a beautiful Sunday afternoon lunch at her country club and everything was just perfect! We were all enjoying a fabulous lunch when my cousin Amy (seen above) got up and with the most nervous shake in her voice said "I have something to tell everyone. Gram told me never to tell anyone and I have held this secret for 3 years. She has been so afraid her children would be upset with her"  - my mind starts racing...is Gram dating? Does she have another child...what could it be? Then Amy says "3 years ago Kyle (her son) and I took Gram to get a tattoo" - the room roared laughing. Gram was giggling like a little school girl. Here is a picture of her at the tattoo parlor. 

 Here she is at her birthday party showing off her tattoo. Something so funny was she had to get a release from her doctor because of her age -so she went to the tattoo parlor with a dr.'s note saying she was "cleared to get a tattoo". Isn't she simply stunning!!!! I still crack up picturing her sitting there getting a tattoo!

On our trip we stayed in hotels for 9 nights. That is a huge challenge with 3 small children and sleeping schedules. I am proud to say we made the most of it and traveling with little ones is getting much easier. Room service makes everything more fun!!!

Out to dinner with Molly, Amy, Gram, Fave, Harper and my crew!

 Lucy, Lola & Hank had a blast playing at Grams house with all of her stuff! As you can tell from the tattoo and all the shamrocks behind Lucy while she is holding the Irish flag - my Gram is Irish!

 After hard days of playing the kids would crash out - and enjoyed sleeping with mom and dad!

Something I always want to remember is Lucy has 2 imaginary friends - she has had them for about a year and a half. They are 2 sons one is named Robert and he is 49 and her other one is Jeff who is 1 year old. While in Kansas City she told me that they lived in KC...she took me into one of Gram's rooms in her house and explained it was where Robert and Jeff stay. She said "unfortunately, they aren't here to meet you but I know they will think you are lovely" - I just want to bottle that imagination up!!! 

Earn That Body

I have been working since November 1 to Earn the Body that I really want. My friend Sara introduced me to Kim Strassmann who is the owner of Earn that Body. It is a virtual workout program. You can live anywhere in the world and Kim is your personal trainer every single day. 

Sara was doing one of Kim's 30 day challenges and was telling me about her and her program. I researched her website and loved what I saw. Sara & I committed together to join Kim and complete the Earn That Body workout program. I remember so perfectly sitting at my house talking to Sara and another friend about the program. We were convinced we were going to die. No processed foods, only clean eating, working out 5-6 times a week, logging all of our food - we were scared to death it would be too much. Well what a change my life is now from that day in October. I am a clean eating, workout machine and can't get enough. 

First, let me start by talking about Miss Kim Strassmann the owner and personal trainer of Earn That Body. I need to note I have never met her in person but I would list her at my top influence in my life. You know how in life you surround yourself with people that inspire you - well Kim is my inspiration for health and fitness. She has a goal to help people live healthy and reach their goal and she works tirelessly to do just that. She is the ultimate trainer. Her program is more than I dreamed and she works her tail off to transform bodies all over the country. For the cost of the program compared to how involved she is, well there is no comparison. She works way harder than what the program costs. She keeps me accountable, never let me go hungry (which initially I thought I would starve), she is consistent, she pushes me and she is on top of my every move. If I have a questions (which I frequently do) I would email her and within 5 minutes typically get a response. She has taught me so much about my body, food to fuel it and how to push myself to be my best. She is such a resource. Words do not describe my thankfulness for her, she has changed my life. The way I look at working out, food and most importantly I now give my husband and kids healthy food options on a consistent basis and have been able to share my journey now with countless friends. 

Earn that Body (www.earnthatbody.com) is a program and as you complete an 8 week level you advance to Keep that Body and Shred that body (4 weeks). With each program the workouts get more intense and you gain so much more endurance and strength. I am lifting, running, doing workout videos and no 2 days or 2 weeks are the same. She gives me personalized workout calendars that are specific to me. She reviews my food intake the day after I eat and reviews the workout then, she gives me my calorie allotment each week after my Monday morning weigh in and encourages me the entire time. It has been amazing. So much so that we are working on partnering Tippi Toes up with her so our franchise owners, teachers, and families across the country can benefit from her teachings. 

Many people have asked: Why I am doing this? My answer - because I want to be my best, my strongest, my healthiest! Simple as that! Will I continue to stick with this? You are darn right! Now that I have seen how far I have come I want to keep moving that way. 

My reason for sharing this is because I believe so much in this program and in Kim Strassmann. I know of many friends that want something like this but maybe haven't known about it. I wanted to share because it has impacted me so much. Also by sharing it keeps me accountable, which is a huge key to success!!

Here are my Top 10 Reasons I love ETB!

10) I can do pull ups! 

9) I have learned to be quick in the kitchen with healthy filling meals that EVERYONE likes

8) I get to eat all day long - this one I love!!!!

7) I have learned so much about the food I used to eat and why I will never eat it again

6) I can do 10X more push ups than I ever dreamed and I use 20 lbs on my bicep curls!

5) I EAT CLEAN, I have not eaten fast food since October (or pizza or burgers at restaurants)

4) I beat my husband in a 5K!!!

3) My mom, sister, and about 7 of my friends have joined the program with me

2) Sara Bading - could not have done this without her! Not only has she pushed me in my workouts but she has become one of my closest friends. 

1) I am showing my children that I am strong, healthy and instilling these values in them for LIFE!!!

Easter 2013

I love Easter! Celebrating Jesus, spring time and family! We had a great Easter! We were at home and went to church, spent time together and had our neighbors over for an afternoon cookout!

Lucy finding the first basket!

 Lola - "just what I always wanted egg gum"

 This little man had junk in his mouth the ENTIRE day! We let it slide bc its Easter!

The Easter bunny brought the kids some new shoes (Lucy wearing her cupcake high tops)

 Clothes

 We also played outside. I just love this sweet picture of Lucy!!

 Hank hunting eggs

 Sisters!

 Sweet Lola