Help! I've Fallen Off the Wagon!

Okay all my friends and family out there--help me get back ON the wagon! Ever since Halloween (or maybe the week before Halloween), I have been a big slacker! I think I overdosed on candy and haven't been able to come off the sugar high. I've also been a little lax on the exercising (does cleaning and chasing children count?) I've also been terrible at going to bed at night! What in the world!?

So, I fell off the wagon...no I catapulted off! I need a little help and motivation to get back on. So, if any of you have any advice on how to stick to an exercise plan, eat healthy meals and snacks, and get to bed at night--send it my way...

When do you think the best time to exercise is?
How do you stick to an exercise plan?
What are your favorite healthy dinners?
What are your favorite easy, quick, convenient snacks?
Tips on how to resist yummy treats!?
Any advice on going to bed early?
Anything else!?

I can use all the help I can get.

Now I think I need a chocolate donut...I could use one about now...

Another funny "Derekism"

Okay as you know, Derek is full of it. He has said some more funny things lately...

Today we were driving in the car and he said, "Mom, I think space (as in outer space) has to end somewhere, because if it just goes on forever then I think Heavenly Father and Jesus are still working on it."

Pretty deep thought. This is one of those questions/statements that kids ask/say that leave me speechless. I had to think about it for a bit.

Also, the other day I was out running errands with Derek. He saw a Subway Sandwich place (his favorite!) and he said, "Mom, can we please go to Subway for lunch?" I said, "No Derek, we already had lunch (which he chose not to eat too much of!) before we left." I went on to say, "I'm glad you like Subway though because it is a healthy choice, but I don't want to spend money on that right now."

A few minutes later Derek asked, "Mom, would you rather be rich or healthy?" I said, "oh that's easy...definately healthy, no question about it." Derek said, "Okay then, let's go to Subway."

Pretty sneaky.

Happy Halloween!

We had a crazy, but fun Halloween! In the morning I went to the kids school to see them in their Halloween parade. Later on, I went to Derek's preschool to see him in his preschool program called the "Hooky Spooky." It was cute. He had to do a magic trick for everyone. He did a great job.

Derek's preschool program...he is The Hulk in the middle. Too cute.

After Derek's program, we headed down to Kev's work for his work Halloween party. The kids went Trick-or-Treating there and we had pizza and cookies. It was fun.

This is a picture of the kids right before we left to Kev's work party. Tyler was a skeleton grim reaper dude (very appropriate for him because he is pretty much just skin and bones already!) Brooklyn was a scary witch (yes my little feminine sweet daughter wanted to be SCARY!), Derek was the hulk, and Benjamin was a sweet skunk.

Our sweet skunk The kids and I at Kev's work Halloween party The kids and Kev in Kev's office
They took this Polaroid of us at the work party. I didn't think people even took Polaroid photos anymore!!!? I was grateful to have one of all of us though.
After the work party, we went Trick-or-Treating around our neighborhood. Brooklyn and I went through a little haunted house that someone in the neighborhood did too. It was great! We had a lot of fun, but it was a long day!

The aftermath. Look at all the candy!

Benjamin loved being in the middle of all the candy. He is doing the "army crawl" now and I don't think I've seen him do it faster than when he was trying to get candy! He must be related to his mom!

We had a great Halloween and I hope you all had a great one as well! Now bring on Christmas! Yay!

The Scarecrow Festival

A couple of weeks ago, I took the kids to the Scarecrow Festival at Thanksgiving Point. A friend in our ward invited us to go with her. Her uncle is in charge of the whole thing, so she was able to get us in for free, get us free food, free face painting, whatever! The kids loved it! They had fun playing games, going on all the "jump house" things, and going on rides. Sadly, I forgot to bring my camera. I had to take all the pictures with my cell phone, so they aren't that great.

Tyler and Brooklyn got to shoot BB guns at targets...

It was Brooklyn's first time shooting a gun. I don't think she's holding it right...she must be related to her mom.
Tyler got to meet Sean Bradley. It was awesome. I guess he helps with the Scarecrow Festival every year. He is so amazingly tall and his hands are huge! When Tyler was little, one of his favorite movies was Space Jam, which Sean Bradley is in. It was fun for Tyler to meet him. He is a super nice guy.

The kids in the "jail"

Brooklyn got her face painted. She wanted to be scary!

Random pictures

Okay guys, here are just a few random pictures we've taken lately...

We have seen some beautiful rainbows lately. We've loved it. Here is a picture I took with my cell phone. I wish I would have had my real camera with me and I wish it would have fit the entire rainbow. It was beautiful! I also took some cute pictures of Benjamin the other day. I love naked squishy babies. He just started clapping his hands and it is so sweet...

Brooklyn was blowing bubbles on the deck the other day and Benjamin just loved it!!!

Soccer time!

Brooklyn and Derek just ended a great soccer season! It was the first time each of them had ever played and they learned so much. They both had great coaches too! It was a lot of fun to watch them play.

Derek--#4

Derek heading down the field to score a goal...Unfortunately, I didn't get too many good ones of Brooklyn, but at least you can see her in this picture. She's the one in the middle with the funky arm.
After one of Brooklyn's soccer games, our family went around the field and used some of the exercise equipment they have there. There are several different exercise things placed around the field. It is a tough workout. We had fun.

We were so happy to have great weather at most the games. It was a lot of fun. The kids will start up soccer again in the spring. They are looking forward to it!