Memorial Weekend

Ever since I can remember my family has been going up to Snowbird every year for Memorial weekend. We hang out, go swimming, play games, etc... I was especially excited this year because we haven't had Justin on Memorial weekend in the past and I really wanted him to experience my family's tradition. He loved it! We played Rock Band on the Wii a lot of the time. The first picture of my brother in law Dave is hilarious! Couldn't resist posting it!

My brother Dayne rockin it out!

Their faces crack me up!

Singing Eye of the Tiger

Thomas' new favorite thing to say is 'just kidding!' Adorable!

One of the most memorable moments for me was on Monday. Justin had fallen asleep with gum in his mouth. He had it all over his forehead, pajamas and hair. As I tried to get it out he kept crying. Poor kid! I put him in the tub and asked him to be as brave as he could so I could get the gum out. Christian (my nephew) comes in, shoveling skittles in his mouth. He leans over the tub and here is how the conversation went:

C: "Justin, you have to be brave! Now close your eyes and go to a happy place." All the while shoveling skittles in his mouth while half of them are falling into the tub.

J: Closing his eyes, "OK!"

C: "So what's your favorite ride at Lagoon?"

As they talked I was able to pull that gum right out. It was such a funny conversation between two kids. I had a good laugh over it! The best part was the fact that he was trying to eat skittles and talk at the same time so half of them ended up in the tub. Pretty funny!

Hey, when you're hungry, you're hungry!

Our Texas trip and Easter

A few weeks ago we flew out to Texas to hang out with Alan's family. We had such a great time! The weather was 70-80! It was very relaxing just to hang out, read and do nothing. Justin had such a blast! He loves his grandma and grandpa so much and loves hanging out at their house. I took a bunch of pictures. I am so sad I didn't get the best one! Justin really wanted to go swimming even though the pool was 60 degrees! We tried to talk him out of it but for 2 days he begged. We decided to finally let him and it was pretty funny to watch. He acted like it was so warm even though he was shivering. He was also in his underwear since we didn't have a swimsuit for him. Anyway here are the pictures I took:

Here is Alan's brother Austin tying Justin up to see if he could get out by himself.

This one is hilarious! (It only took him maybe 30sec to escape.)

At our favorite Mexican Restaurant called Rosa's. This place really is amazing!

Me and the husband

Justin got is 'first pet.' He was so excited! Can you tell how proud he is. He named him Rex. Really? Rex?

Taking Alan's dad car for a spin. I decided to see what kind of power this car really had. As I accelerated, the back tired spun out and the car started to move back and forth. Haha! Won't be doing that again! I decided to pull over and let Alan take the wheel. My Corvette days are over!

I walked in this room to find Justin going hard on the Elliptical. He asked Alan to time him to see how long he could go. He went for 11 minutes straight! Pretty impressive for a 5yr old, I must say. I guess my habits are rubbing off on this kid. ;)

I took Justin to get ready for bed one night. We thought it would be funny to put my pj's on him and have him walk out and act like nothing was wrong. I know it's not that funny but it was one of those 'ya had to be there' funny moments.

My father in law took Justin for a spin in his car. He accelerated to 60mph in seconds and it freak Justin out. He started to cry but was trying to be tough at the same time. Poor kid!

All the guys washed Austin's car together.

This is us playing the Wii. I hate video games. Wii isn't as bad but still am not a fan. Justin taught be how to play his favorite game. He was so sweet and so patient and encouraging. Pretty funny to hear a 5yr old encouraging a 31yr on a video game. Haha!

Alan with his favorite girls!

My sister in law. Isn't she beautiful? I love this girl! We had a great time together that week.

Justin was obsessed with playing nerf guns. Every day he wanted to have a gun fight with me. This one day while playing I wanted to get a picture with him (after playing for an hour!) Can ya tell by the expression on his face it wasn't a good time? I love it! So priceless!

Awe! He took one anyway!

We took Justin to an Easter egg hunt the morning we left. He's so adorable!

Justin racing Audrey

And he own.

My mother in law made this cake for the activity. I thought it was pretty creative.

Leaving Texas and headed home. He's so camera shy, I know!

Awe! I love the relationship these too have.

On Easter, we headed to my parents for dinner and a little Easter egg hunt. My nephew asked me if we were going to have an Easter egg hunt. I told him I didn't know. His reply was, "But my Mom told me that you are the boss of everything and know everything." Haha!

Thomas getting an egg. He's so adorable! I love this kid!

Little Banana. (IE: Hanna) Awe!

Thomas with my Dad

Alexis

The kids separating their candy. I love this picture of Christian.

Alan and my sister Crystalyn throwing Big T back and forth. I love that my family loves Alan so much. Some days I think they would trade me for him if they had too. Haha!

Thomas had a birthday in March. We had a little celebration for him in Easter. I just love his little curls. He turned the big 2 and as much as I love watching grow up I'm so sad he's not a baby anymore.

Our family has this tradition where we sing happy birthday in English, Spanish, French and Swedish. Spanish bc we grew up in South America. One of my brother in laws went on a French speaking mission and my other brother in law went to Sweden. Alan went to West Africa and he claims they don't sing it there so we don't add on to our already long song! It's fun to sing and the kids are getting pretty good at it!

We had such a great time and I'm still trying to 'deflate' from that day. We ate way too much! I guess that is what ya do on Easter!

Bonding in Texas

So here we are in Texas hanging out with my in laws for Justin's spring break. It's been such a great week so far. The best part of my week has been that Justin and I have been bonding like crazy! He keeps wanting to cuddle with me, play nerf guns, wrestle and read books. I'm loving every minute of it. I just adore this little guy so so much!!!
Justin is a boys boy. He loves his dad and loves to play with him so I usually back off and let the two of them play. I've noticed this week that he has been craving that kind of attention from me. I think he's starting to realize he can do those types of activities with me so he's been all over it. It's been fun but exhausting too. Haha! Call me old! Yesterday we ran around for over an hour having a nerf gun fight! He would have kept going but my old lady knees couldn't take it anymore. :)
Okay, so here is where I need your help! Do any of you have any fun activities you play with your kids that your kids love? There is only so much sword fighting, nerf gun fights, etc... you can play with a kid. I was just thinking maybe I would ask around for some tips. Are there any creative activities you do as a family? I would just love to be able to give this kid more variety in his days and give us some fun things to do together. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. And as they say in Texas 'Thanks Y'all!' ;)

New Restaurant in town!

We decided to try this new restaurant that is in Draper today for lunch. It is called Ufood Grill and it is an all natural/healthy menu. They have everything from salads, sandwiches, smoothies and grilled entrees. Their french fries are even oven baked, not fried. Nothing is fried! They make everything whole wheat too and have all the nutrition facts on their website. www.ufoodgrill.com. If you are sick of eating fast food and want a healthier alternative (besides Subway) check out this place. And the best part is, it is reasonably priced.

Fun with the In-Laws

Alan's family has been in town this week and we have had such a great time! They live in Midland, Texas and came in town Saturday for my nephew's baptism. I do love Alan's family but more so since this trip. It's been so fun having them around. His parents, brother and sister are staying with us so our house has been crazy but a good crazy. I'm used to just having Alan around and Justin every other weekend so I do love a little change.
I was glad I read my friend's blog (Josie) before they came in town. She posted this recipe that sounded amazing and it was! I made it on Sunday and everyone loved it! It was so easy and something different. Here it is:

1/4 C vegatable oil ( I used olive oil)
1/4 C soy sauce
2 T sugar
2 T cidar vinegar
1 T hot chili oil (I get it at macey's)
2 T toasted sesame seeds
(This is the mixture that goes on top of pasta)
Angel hair pasta (I used whole wheat pasta, of course. ;))
Chopped green onions
Chopped chicken (I usually do about 2 cups to one box of pasta)
Pour dressing on top and ENJOY!

Thank you again Josie for posting this recipe! It really was amazing!

Anyway, I just wanted to post how fun our week has been. We've just been hanging out, laughing, talking, etc... Good times! I'm lucky to have such great in laws. They are so laid back and I feel lucky I can be myself around them. They even laugh at my jokes! Well it could be a courtesy laugh but I will take it! :)
My father in law and brother in law had to head home today but my mother in law and sister in law wanted to stay an extra day to get some more shopping in. Tomorrow we have planned a girls shopping day. Let the fun continue....

P.S. How do you know if your mother in law loves you? When she finds the best gym in her area and gets you a guest past for a week when you go and visit her. Can you believe that?! She was so thoughtful to make sure I could still work out every day when we go visit them in a few weeks. Now that is love! ;)

Pilate's

My cute friend is a Pilate's instructor at my gym. She's been trying to get me to come to a class for awhile now and I just haven't. Well she caught me one day when I was just finishing up my workout and I thought I'd just try it. Why not! I have done Pilate's mat classes before and have tried the DVDs and am not a fan. I just don't feel like I am working very hard. I guess that is why I've put off doing a reformer class. Well I'm so glad I tried the reformer class! It was just what I wanted. I was sore for 3 days after from muscles I don't usually use just lifting with free weights. This is a great class for Mom's or Mom's to be because it totally strengthens your whole core and teaches you how to breath properly. I signed up for a 6 week course that wasn't very expensive. It's great because it's in a private room with only 5 reformers. Small and perfect. I did my third class yesterday and I am hooked on Pilate's! What a great class! If you haven't tried a reformer class and your gym offers it, you should try just one class. You will be hooked too!