Adios Amigos!

For the next two and a half weeks I get to go with some of my favorite people...

*Don't mind the 2 1/2 yr old pic*
to some of my favorite places...

to do some of my favorite things.

I don't think I could be any more blessed!

A Major Epiphany

It's amazing how many cookies you can make if you don't eat half the dough first!
Who knew?!

Wednesday

was our FIFTH anniversary! I cannot believe we've been married that long! It seems like just yesterday we were kissing over the alter, but at the same time, it feels like we've been together forever! I'm so greatful for my sweet hubby who I love so dearly, and who I couldn't imagine my life without. He is so absolutly PERFECT for me. I think I tell him on a daily basis that we MUST have been MADE for each other.

To celebrate, Brett surprised me with an amazing steak dinner at Arrowhead Grill and tickets to see Wicked!! This is one of my ALL-TIME favorite Broadway plays (I've now seen it 3 times!), and I was SOOOO excited I screamed. Thanks to my sweetie who loves me so much and makes me so happy. I love you!!

Five years ago...




Wendesay...

I'm Feeling Great

I did it! I made it through eight weeks of eating healthy and exercising daily, all for the possibility of a little extra cash.

A few things I have learned from "Feel Great in Eight"...

I am NOT a vegetable person. I would rather eat almost anything. For the past eight weeks, my dinner has commonly consisted of all three daily servings of vegetables becuase I had not eaten ANY throughout the day.

The only thing worse for you in this world than a slice of cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory (700-1300 cals.) is one of their entrees (990-2300 cals.). Dang it!!

Eating 25 grams of fiber a day does a VERY good job of keeping you "regular."

It only takes a week of denial to finally admit you are completely and utterly addicted to mexcian food. And then it only takes a few hours of searching to learn there is absolutely NO healthy mexican food. :(

Papa John's has a whole wheat crust that is actually quite delicious!

Nothing is more depressing than turning down free desserts.

I am a total fruit junkie! Currently in my house I have fresh peaches, cantalope, raspberries, kiwi, honeydew, pineapple, apples, and bananas. I also have blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries in the freezer. YUM!!!!!

After 5 weeks of almost NO fat in my diet, a greasy Philly cheesteak DOES NOT sit very well. It tasted delicious, by my stomach had some serious objections. :(

It's amazing how others are inspired to make healthy changes in their life. My motivation has helped many friends, family, and co-workers make resolutions to start leading a healthier lifestyle. Great job everyone!

In-n-Out can actually be healthy! If you order your In-n-Out burger "protien style" (wrapped in lettuce instead of a bun) and with katsup and mustard instead of the spread, it drops your meal from 390 calories to only 160!

It's fun to see that you are losing weight each week...until one day you suddenly realize that all that weight you've lost has only come from your boobs! I guess I need to pull out my training bras again!

I'm going to die of water intoxication. When we started this, I already knew that I drink alot of water each day, but I wondered if I actually got the necessary 64 oz. a day. After the first day I added up my water intake, to find that I had dranken almost 200 oz. A few more days with similar results, and I decided that I must be part camel! I've since researched "death by water" and I'm actually surprised I haven't died yet!

Eight weeks is A LOT longer than it sounds!!

I'm so greatful for the opportunity I've had to participate in this. I've learned so much about nutrition and what my body ACTUALLY needs. Thanks to my cute friend Hilary for putting it all together. After eight weeks, I'm definitely "feeling great!"

* For those who are unaware, for the past eight weeks I have been participating in a competition with several friends called Feel Great in Eight. It is a program that helps you establish a healthy lifestyle by promoting mental, spiritual, and phsical health through healthy eating, daily exercise, daily prayer and scripture study, etc. The results: a better you! (and a cash prize for the winner!!!)*

Called To Serve

Thursday was a GREAT day! ON THE SAME DAY, my brother Garrett came home from his mission, and my brother Spencer received his mission call! Spencer's call arrived in the mail about 15 minutes before we left to pick Garrett up from the airport.


Garrett arrived home after faithfully serving the people of Manhattan, Harlem, and the Bronx for two years in the New York, New York North Spanish-speaking mission.


We are SOOOOO excited to have him back home!

His first requests after getting home: In-n-Out and a trip to Roosevelt Lake.


Garrett and Spencer share a little GAY brotherly love. I think they're happy to see each other!

The girls of the fam. Me, my sister, and my mom.

That night we had about 75 people over to my parents home to welcome home Garrett and to watch Spencer open his mission call.

Spencer will be serving...

...in the Puebla, Mexico mission reporting November 11th and speaking Spanish!
We are SOOOOO excited for him!

I'm so grateful for my two wonderful brothers who love the Lord and are great examples to me!

Places to Go, People to See

The last month has just flown by. Whether in or out of town, it seems like we've had an extraordinarily large amount of fun things to do. Here's a little of what we've been up to.

Celebrating the end of the boy's 3rd year with a party and BBQ

Thanks to the Henderson's for having us all over!


Visiting the driving range with the Chamberlains


This was quite an experience. In a nutshell, we made complete fools of ourselves!


Girl's Night Out at Corner Bakery Cafe with Kalie, Mandy, and Abby

And Saturday lunch at Paradise Bakery with Kalie, Jill, and Hilary



A visit to Lake Powell with Brett's brother Burke and his family




Thanks for letting us tag along with your cute fam!


And the annual Blaser trip to Carlsbad

Can I just say...I LOVE SUMMER!!!!!!!