My Journey to a New Me!

Picture collage created with Smilebox I debated for quite some time as to whether I even post about my weight loss...but after realizing how far I've come I thought why not? Besides, I don't want to forget where I was and what it took to get me to where I am now.   I was never the one who lost weight after having babies...infact I gained very easy, even despite nursing, watching what I ate and working out. In April when Ahrian weaned himself I immediately ordered the HCG drops and was on my way to a new me. I did the 6 week program and I can tell you it was not easy!   However, I lost an amazing 33 pounds and lost more within the months following from Kettleworx, Insanity, P90x, running and road biking. I didn't quite make it to my goal of 123 pounds but I was happy regardless.   The top left picture is from last December when I wasn't able to lose anymore baby weight.  The top right is about 5 weeks into the HCG diet. The middle right and bottom left were from this month with just 4 more pounds to go (those stubborn 4-5 pounds have been the hardest, but someday I will get there)! I wouldn't normally post belly pics, but at least I saved you from seeing the ones pre HCG diet. The bottom left was one that I came across from our honeymoon.  Even though my skin may have been tighter back then I am indeed in better shape.  It sure feels good and I look forward to seeing what 2013 has in goal for me as I continue with my fitness goals.   

Hot vs Cold - October 2012

This photo collage made with Smilebox You never know what the weather is going to be like in Colorado.  We took a trip to zoo in shorts one day and the next it was freezing. Ayla had put on her snowsuit in response to her Tio Elton telling her it was too cold for her to help him outside.  Her solution was valid and he couldn't come up with another reason as to why she couldn't help him (I'm sure it was mainly so he could get things done faster). Even poor Kusko had a hard time adjusting to the temperature drop and required a blanket to stop the shivers.





September 2012

Ayla's first day of preschool! My good friend Brittany Talbott, her sister Laura and Brittany's friend Rachel decided to do joy school together.  Preschool is Tuesday and Thursday, 9-11 and we rotate teaching each week.  Ayla was super excited to go to preschool.  When arrived at Brittany's house she said "Mom, no! I want to go to school." She was a bit disappointed to realize it wasn't an actual school.

Showing off her back pack that Tia Vanina gave her.



The preschool group. Claire, Kaden, Mikey and Ayla. Ayla is the baby of the class since her birthday isn't until August, but she has really benefited from it!

While Ayla was at preschool I would ride my bike pulling Ahrian in the trailer.  I invited a friend, Mindi Bennett, to join me this particular day and I'm so thankful she came.  While on our ride someone smashed my window to get the diaper bag that I had forgotten on the floor.  Unfortunately, it had my wallet! Mindi was great staying there with me until the cops came and I was also lucky enough that Milton just happened to have the day off.  He was my knight in shining armor, calling the credit cards, picking up Ayla from preschool, cleaning up the glass all over the car and even getting the window replaced that very same day.

Our credit union was great to work with and refunded the money that was spent.  My assumption is that they were high school students who were out for trouble.  They immediately spent $50 at McDonalds and another $10 at the Red Box. I'm very grateful that was the extent of the damage done.

We met up with Justin and Celeste one Saturday evening at for dinner and then some fun at Boondocks.

Ayla and Xander waiting their turn for the go carts.

 Ayla is posing on top of our newest summer fun addition.  The boat we have used in the past was technically Elton's so we decided it was time to get one of our own.  Of course, the season is over, but we got a heck of a good deal and can't wait to try it out next summer.

On September 23rd Heidi had their baby Greyson. 

 Here's the growing family!

Ayla was very ready to hold her new cousin! She immediately asked for the boppy and that he be placed in her arms.  It's a good thing she took to him so well because in a couple of months time he will be with us Mon-Fri while Gerson and Heidi are working.

It was time to get these beautiful locks trimmed.  She was such a good sport!

Ahrian at 15 months still wasn't walking. Even if I tried to help him walk he wanted nothing to do with it.  However, as soon as Abuelo started to help him and even bought him a moonwalker he was up and walking within that very week.

Abuela and I took a nice stroll around the neighborhood to the park.

As you can see this girl is very much in love with her little cousin! Her amazing love and gentleness with babies is something very unique.

These two continue to make us laugh everyday! Ahrian is always game for whatever Ayla has in store for him.

Even despite the break in I still continued to ride my bike. I was definitely more cautious each time, but I wasn't about to give up the freedom I had just because of someone's dumb decision.  Ahrian would almost always go to sleep. 

August 2012

 August 1st our little princess turned 3!!!! We met up with Bradley Gagon, Brittany Talbott and her kids (Austin, Kaden & Joselyn) at the zoo.

 It was a very hot day so most of it was spent at the splash park.

 That evening when Papa came home he brought in her balance bike and balloons.

 He even had her balloons customized. So cute, not to mention they finally stopped floating after 3 weeks!

 The first week of August was absolutely insane.  Abuelos, Tio Pepe and Tia Lulu came to stay with us for Ayla's birthday, Gerson and Heidi's wedding (pictured above), baby Tyler's blessing and Heidi's baptism. I can't believe that I got so few pictures taken of that entire week!

 During all the craziness we somehow fit in a Mexico soccer game.

 Ayla enjoying her bithday party with Kaden and friends.  Prior to the party when I asked her what she wanted to wear she told me her "birthday cake shirt." I had no idea what she was referring to until she pulled out her cupcake shirt.  Clever little girl, why didn't I think of that?

 Blowing out her candles.

 She's always a good receiver of presents (and attention).

 After all the family events Tio Pepe and Tia Lulu stayed until the end of their visit to the US. Despite the fact they spoke little English and I Spanish we loved having them here.

 I was so happy when I noticed that Ahrian was definately left handed.  My genes finally came through!

 Paddle boats at a local park.

 We met up with Vanina for some yummy pizza.

 Ayla can always be found in the garage or helping her Tios/Papa.

 Ayla's performance at Lakeside Amusement park.

 Papa and Ayla enjoying some rides.

 We sure do love going to the lake. I believe we made it almost every weekend possible.  We started going to Boyd Lake in Longmont shortly after moving. We love the water, but the shore can be quite messy.

 This little boy is almost always eating. He finished that whole apple, plums, chips, etc.

One of my favorite things about this summer is that I had two awesome kids who now play together. Ayla pulled him around and around the backyard.

Eventually she would get tired, lay down and take rest while brother waited patiently.  We were sad to see the summer end so quickly, it was by far our busiest, but totally worth the chaos!

Road Trip to Utah

The kids and I took a trip to Utah for the last two weeks in July.  I was a bit nervous traveling without Milton, but this was a rare opportunity of seeing Kathryn and her two boys, Abram and Bennett.

As we passed through the canyons between Fairview and Hungington we saw the damage that one of the many fires had caused.  This was the same route that my dad has traveled to work for many years.

 

 I was very relieved when we got to Fairview, the trip was long and a bit difficult entertaining the kids. Abram, Bennett and Ayla rode their bikes up to Great Grandma Anderson's to see the bummer lambs and turkeys.  The lamb was very friendly, but the male turkey didn't like the kids getting so close to his territory.

 The kids had a blast playing together.  They even found the coat closet to hide in (one of my many childhood memories).

 We took walks "down the lane" and found more friendly bummer lambs.

 Dear sweet Great Grandma Anderson who just gets sweeter and sweeter! What an amazing lady!

 We took a Sunday ride to Price to Great Grandma Garff's for dinner.

 We then headed over to the care center to visit with Great Grandpa.  We loved the short time being with them, but trying to keep the kids from destroying the therapy room was quite the task. Grandpa kept calling the crazy kids "little shits."

 My parent's long time neighbor Ross Cox was so kind to let the kids ride his horse.

 The night before the horse ride while asking Ross if he would let the kids ride his horse Ayla had quite the scare.  Upon getting out of the car she began to pet the horse only for it to sneeze all over her and even my mom's car.  Even Ross was amazed at the amount of snot that came out. Despite wanting and even begging to ride a horse for a very long time that experience frightened her enough that I had to ride with her. 

 After getting comfortable she was able to ride with her brother.

 Shortly after the horse ride a huge and nasty rainstorm came through.  After it cleared up the kids went outside to play.  They found a little bird that had been knocked to the ground by the storm, was shivering and the ants were already on attack. Kathryn found a little box to put the bird in so it could die peacefully.  Poor Bennett was quite upset when she told him that it may not live.

 A couple hours later the bird had perked up quite a bit so we took it outside to see if it would fly away.  It was able to fly a short distance before falling again.  We figured it had a broken wing and would eventually die, so we put it back in the box.  Eventually, we had to move the bird to the garage because it was becoming quite vocal.

In the morning, Kathryn and the kids took the bird outside, opened the box and it flew away. We were very happy that we took it in and I think it taught the kids a very important lesson.  Aunt Kathryn told them it flew away to it's mommy.  Ayla's didn't particularly like the response and added that it went to it's Papa too. Of course, no birdie (or little girl) should be without a Papa.

 Little man and I at the 24th of July parade.

 After the parade we all met up at Great Grandma's with lots of other family.  The kids were playing in the barn, where Ayla came upon a pile wool.  She was very concerned thinking it was a dead sheep and had to investigate.

 On the very short ride back to Grandma's on the four wheeler little man fell asleep.  I think all the excitement and celebrations were really starting to catch up to him.

 That night we were able to go to the demolition derby.  A must see event!

 To wrap up our awesome trip we went to a pizza place in Mt. Pleasant to celebrate the kids birthdays, since Ayla's and Bennet's are in August and Abram's in October.

 The last couple days of our trip we headed to Orem to stay with their Abuelos.  Tio Pepe and Tia Lulu (Cristina's sister) from Durango, Mexico were visiting.  Ayla had them both wrapped around her little finger in no time!

Enjoying an evening dinner in Provo Canyon.