AFRICAN Christmas!

One week on this diet!

Ok, one week later and I am still alive! No, actually it really isn't that bad! I have lost 5 pounds...wooohoo! I can't complain! I am never hungry, and feel good. Some of my friends are shocked with the 500 calorie per day diet, that I am not hungry. BUT, yep... your body adjusts rather quickly, and I feel better eating the right foods such as protein, fruits and veggies. :) In fact I am usually so full that I have a hard time getting those veggies down. So, I will leave it at that, and continue on. My goal is 20 pounds, but we will see if that happens. In the meantime...life goes on... :)

Finally Summer is here!!!

DAY 3 - Non HCG diet.

Gosh, it has been so long since I have posted - I had to sit and think about what to do! Almost one year has gone by since...crazy! Where has the time gone? Well, I decided that this was the time to start to lose weight. I have NEVER been on a diet :p before and always ate what I wanted in the amount I wanted!!! Well, it is definitely catching up with me! As the scale is slowly going up up up...I decided now is the time! And I am so excited about it. With all of the research I have done looking into different diet programs, I decided to try the "Non HCG diet" The diet and supplements are the same as the HCG diet - just without the HCG! YEP! They did a study at BYU and took 2 similar groups of people, and divided them up. Half they gave the HCG, the other a placebo....and guess what - they lost the same amount of weight..YEAH! So, that is what I am doing. It hasn't been too bad I must say! If you don't like vegetables and fish - this diet isn't for you! But, I enjoy those foods, so I am doing good. I am only in my 3rd day. So, I do have a long way to go...but I am optimistic and I have already lost 4 pounds. Not bad.. I think. :) Wish me luck!

Emily Wins 3rd Place in Community Singing Contest!

It would be fair to say that Emily sings as much as she talks - honestly! When she is home, she sings, and sings, and sings........until her brother tells her to be quiet - then she shuts the door and continues to sing. Well for Alpine Days, she sang in a contest and won 3rd place - woohoo! She sang the song from Titanic - "My heart will go on!" The judges loved it and said, "What Talent" We are proud of her! The ones who won 1st and 2nd did a duet and a trio! Way to go singing all by yourself Ems!

Arizona - June 2009 "Sahuaro Lake"

We spent a day at "Sahuaro Lake" near Mesa, Arizona. We had the best time on a boat with our great friends Julie and her daughter, Emily. Julie packed the lunch which included: Croissant Chicken Salad Sandwiches, fruit salad, assorted drinks....you name it! The boat ride was perfect, along with the beautiful weather, delicious lunch and the best company with us! What a memorable day we had with memories to last a lifetime!

Arizona - June 2009 "Ceretta's Chocolate Factory"

We visited a Chocolate Factory in Glendale, Arizona. We had a great time seeing how they make chocolates. This guy is moving the big chocolate bars into a melter to form the chocolates into the desired mold. It was interesting to see. The kids especially enjoyed watching them make toffee, chocolates etc...... We were going Go-Karting after this....so we didn't buy many chocolates, otherwise they would have melted by the time we got them to our condo. :( Oh well.

Art's Birthday - What a great Day!

Art started out his Birthday helping out a guy in the ward move. He was only moving from one apt. to the next (next door). But, with the hard rain we had, he came back soaked. Of course he was the only one who showed up on time, and when there was about 5 things left to move, some others showed up. About time! That's my husband for ya, always giving a helping hand.

Then we had our dear friend Julie Woods from Mesa, Arizona come for a quick visit (so it seemed!) We took her to the Alpine Country Club for breakfast; there we enjoyed a nice visit. She was here at BYU for a conference with relatives. Even tho it was short, we still loved having her. She is a sister I never had! A terrific one at that!

Tonight was quite exciting. We went to Draper for a Wedding Reception. A friend of mine, Mindy from long ago (20 years ago) - her daughter was got married today (Art's Birthday) in the Draper temple. So, of course we had to go, as they live in Tennessee. Their new son in law comes from Draper, so after all this time - we got to see each other. She was about in tears as she gave me a hug. I tried my best and held it together! How Mindy and I met....we both worked together at the University Mall in cosmetics. Actually, she helped me get a job there, when I was putting Tyler's dad through BYU. We also carried our babies in the womb while working together at the mall. She carried Jessica (the only who just got married), and I was carrying Tyler at the time. In fact, we also had another co-worker who got pregnant too. Needless to say, rumors had it - there was something in the water! Well, it was a great night visiting with her for the minutes we had and hey - she is the brides mother - too many people wanted to talk with her, so she assured me, with her daughter now living here while they finish school - she will be back for lunch! What a great day!

April 22, 2009 **Our 14th Anniversary**

When I first met you fifteen years ago,I fell in love so fast, I knew right then,You were the one and only one for me;I'd never have to look for love again.
Each anniversary finds us happier;You are my light--my moon, my star, my sun.You show me what real love is all about,You fill my life with pleasure, joy and fun.
As time goes by, our love grows stronger still.You're the most amazing man I ever knew. I prize our anniversaries because each year I fall in love again with you.

Skiing for the Last Time This Season!

Emily, Maurine and Dylan skiing at Brighton today. The weather was absolutely beautiful and the skiing was great! Art took the pictures. The four of us had a great day. Gosh - Emily and Dylan are such great skiers now, and just go flying down the mountain!

Emily's 11th Birthday

Here is Emily on her Birthday, with a cake that I made for her.
Emily didn't have a party with her friends this year, but she had
a family party and got lots of clothes which is what she wanted!

Emily's 11th Birthday!

Emily blows out the candle on the homemade cake that we wanted me to make for her! She said it was the best cake! Hmmm...perhaps I might make another one! The one candle is because she didn't want to ruin my masterpiece with 11 candles!

Celebrating Dylan's 13th Birthday!

Dylans 13th Birthday ice cream dessert!

Dylan's 13th Surprise Birthday Party

Dylan's surprise Birthday party - he had no clue that he was off to space camp with all of his good friends!

Westfield Elementary Presents:

"Cinderella"

This was an amazing play for an

Elementary School production!

Everyone who saw it were so

amazed at how wonderful this

turned out. The actors and

actresses did a great job. This

was a delight to watch. We are

proud of Emily, she really did

so great with her part at the

Stepmother.

Fairy Godmother, Portia, Emily as "The Stepmother", and Joy

Thanks so much Paige for coming to see Emily as
the Stepmother in Cinderella! We sure enjoyed
having you and your mom come. Thanks Sandy
for your support!


Paige and Emily
"Friends since Birth"

"Cinderella"

Portia, Stepmother (Emily) and Joy
Starring in Cinderella