SLC and The Biggest Loser Update

This weekend, Joey, Blake and I went to Salt Lake for my friend Sheri's wedding. It was so fun! It was nice just taking care of one child as opposed to four. The wedding was beautiful, and it was fun seeing old friends. Joey and I ate at lots of fun places and enjoyed a restful weekend.

I weighed in this morning, not really knowing what to expect. I didn't eat horrible this weekend, but I wasn't as careful as I would have been at home. Soooo...I lost 1lb. Not great, but not awful. I will take it. I don't know if that will be enough to keep my 1st place standing. We'll see.

I would love to post some really cute pics of this weekend, but unfortunately, my camera never left the diaper bag. Why do I do that? I always wish I had taken pictures later, but never think to pull out the camera. I will try harder this weekend. I am going back to SLC for Karen's shower. This time, no kids!!!! That should be even more relaxing. But hey, I deserve it. Right?

Christmas....Again?

About twice a year, Joey goes to a job fair where companies are trying to recruit employees. To achieve this task, they put their logo and information on different (interesting) items for giveaways. So, Joey gets a bag and heads down the aisle to collect more useless items to clutter our already overflowing house. He then brings them home and has an auction. Each kid is allowed 2-3 choices. He pulls one out of the bag at a time and explains what each item can do for them. The kids get so excited. They are sure that they can't live without the pizza cutter with the target logo. What would a three year old need a pizza cutter for? Anyway, this is a very exciting event at our house.

All lined up waiting for a useless item that they can't live without!
The auctioneer stating the importance of a personal, portable sewing kit.
Who couldn't live without these flip flops 10 sizes too big for any of them.
Hayden is going to get a lot of use out of this ruler with a picture of all the presidents!
Received this beautiful lanyard, but can't take his eyes off the next item up for grabs.
Nicole will actually utilize this portable notebook and pen.
Nicole ended up with the sewing kit, or are those birth control pills?
Brendon is really enjoying this spongey potato passed off as a mini football.

Wait for it, Wait for it..................

4 1/2 lbs!!!! Yep, that is what I lost this week. I can't believe it. I was so excited to weigh in this morning. It felt a little like Christmas morning. I couldn't wait to weigh in this morning. I even got up early to get on the scale. This week, I am going back to a normal exercise schedule. I can really see a difference. My clothes are fitting better and I am getting into my smaller size clothes. Very Exciting!!!

It was a great day!

Valentine's Day has come and gone. I can honestly say that we did the "Love" thing quite well at our house. When the kids got home from school yesterday, we had a little gift for each one of them. All four were really excited about their gifts. Nicole got a frilly pen, pad of paper and some tights. Doesn't take much to make that girl happy.
Hayden received his first copy of the Book of Mormon. Name engraved and all! He was so excited, he couldn't rip it out of the bag fast enough. Now we don't have to pretend that Brendon's old one is his.
Brendon got a pair of goggles for his big snowboarding day tomorrow. Sorry the picture is fuzzy. I am still learning how to work this camera and it is quite complicated!
Blake received a jar of Bananas. I didn't have to go far to shop for this gift, I just pulled it out of the pantry and wrapped it up.

We went to Chinese food with the Tueller's. It was fun to be together.


Miss Macey looking quite festive for the holiday.
We rounded out the evening with a rousing game of "Don't Eat Pete!" The kids loved it.

Thanks Tuellers for a wonderful evening!

Now that Valentine's Day is behind us, I can lose my "sappy" behavior and return to my usual cold, stonelike self.

On to other important matters! I weigh again in 3 days. I am dying! I have been working especially hard this week. I have eaten really well and exercising twice a day. I don't know what more I can do. I am shooting for 3lbs. I know that is ambitious, but I am shooting for the stars. Wish me luck.

Happy HEART Day!!!

Five Things I Love About You- Joey:

1. Always honest (sometimes annoyingly (is that a word?))
2. Awesome Dad
3. Keeps me laughing
4. Works hard to provide for our family
5. ALWAYS wants me to be happy

Nicole:
1. Beautiful (Definitely a mother comment!)
2. Great Sister
3. She is super creative
4. She is very independent
5. She is a pleaser!

Blake:
1. Has the biggest open mouth smile!
2. Grabs at everything, including my face
3. Sleeps from 6pm-8am
4. He has beautiful blue eyes (Another mother comment)
5. Will always be my baby

Hayden:

1. Is the cuddliest child

2. Is happy 95% of the time

3. He is extremely funny

4. Is very patient when I can't understand what he is saying

5. Loves his thumb (I probably shouldn't love this, but I must admit I think it is really cute. Probably won't think it is that cute when he is in Kindergarten)

Brendon:

1. Is the best big brother

2. Always wants to do the right thing

3. Is a super over-achiever at school

4. Tries to keep me on the straight and narrow ie. Not breaking the sabbath :(

5. Loves being part of our family

Well, that is about it! If you can't tell, I am head over heels for my family. On this day especially, I can reflect upon how fortunate I am. I have a husband who adores me, and 4 very healthy, happy children. Things can't get much better. (Well, maybe if I lose 4 lbs this week.)

To my extended family and friends, Happy Valentine's Day. I love you and appreciate you!

Hugs and Kisses- Alisa

Tagged!

I stole this tag from Shannon Hyer. I thought it was great! Here goes-

5 Things I did today:
1. Taught 5 preschoolers how to make sugar cookies and decorate valentine bags.
2. Walked on the treadmill at 6:30am
3. Bought a plane ticket to Karen's shower
4. Dressed 2 kids, laid out clothes for 2 others, made 4 lunches, made 2 bottles, brushed 2 heads of hair, changed one poopy diaper and did one load of laundry. (It's only 12 noon)
5. Checked more blogs than I have time for :)

5 Things I need to do:
1. Fold 3 loads of laundry
2. Walk on the treadmill, again
3. Sew, Sew, Sew!!!
4. Go buy Valentine's for my kids
5. Go through all of the medical bills. Ugh! Definitely putting that one off.

5 Things I'll do when I strike it rich:
1. Dig out a basement or add on to this house
2. Pay all of the above mentioned medical bills!
3. Take my kids on a cruise
4. Quit teaching preschool
5. Go Shopping!

5 Places I've lived:
1. Altadena, CA
2. Rexburg, ID
3. Milwaukee, WI
4. Boise/Meridian, ID
5. That's it, I don't have a 5th location

5 Things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. Student Teaching, nine months prego
2. Graduated from college
3. Had my first baby boy
4. Living in my first house
5. Driving around town in a Jeep Cherokee that stalled at every intersection.

5 of my bad qualities/habits:
1. Spending too much time on the computer
2. Talking WAY too much on the phone!
3. I drink an unhealthy amount of Diet Coke
4. I sometimes swear more than I should. Realized this bad habit this weekend when Nicole forgot something in the car and said "Damn it!"
5. I tend to overlook the dirty bathrooms so that I don't have to clean them!

5 Things that people probably don't know about me:
1. I have about a bazillion stretch marks on my stomach. The things I have done for my children.
2. I can beat my entire family at Ms. Pacman on the PS2.
3. I have played softball in Russia and Sweden. I was pretty good in my day! (About 30 lbs lighter too.)
4. I don't ever cry, but get weepy at Little House on the Prairie. (That Pa gets me every time!)
5. One of my fingernails has a defect and splits from the top to the bottom. I have to keep it trimmed very short, or I get it caught on everything! Ouch!

I tag Karen, Jennifer, Aly and April (April, you can just email all of us with your answers since you don't have a blog! :)

The Biggest Loser Update/ Week 4

Well, all good things must come to an end. I have been bumped off of my throne and moved down to 4th place. It is very disappointing. I didn't lose anything this week! NOTHING! It is frustrating when I am eating well, but can't exercise. But, on the bright side, I am back on the exercise wagon today! I have decided I am going to try to exercise twice a day this week and see if I can have a better weigh in next Monday! I don't know if I can keep it up, but we'll see.

My Back Sucks!

It is now Thursday, and I don't feel any improvement in my back. It is so sore and I feel like I can't do anything. The house has gone to pot, the laundry is backed up and I think my husband is starting to lose patience. I am going to see a chiropractor today, and am hoping for a miracle. As for now, I have to teach preschool this morning. That should feel good. My life doesn't stop for any kind of pain. I just have one thing to say to all of you who are reading this. BEND WITH YOUR KNEES!

I'm Still #1 / Biggest Loser Update

Well, I am still in first place! I am shocked actually, because I didn't have a great week. On Thursday, I went to McCall with a bunch of girlfriends for the weekend. Therefore, I fell off the healthy eating wagon for a few days. Not only did I eat too much, but I didn't exercise at all the whole weekend. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I weighed in Monday morning. I lost 1lb. You might not think that is great, but after a weekend of chocolate fondue, french toast, chocolate muffins and all sorts of yummy treats, I was happy for any lose at all.

I was so excited to get home and get back on the treadmill. I was actually kinda missing it this weekend. But, as I was loading up the car to come home, I threw out my back. Just great! I am getting so old, my body is falling apart. I am on the mend. I have to baby my back with every step. I have to sit up completely stiff and still so as not to send shooting pain down my legs. I am hoping to be able to start exercising later this week, but as for now, I am on the disabled list. I guess I will just continue to keep eating well and hope for the best.

I am going to use this time to sew for Karen's nursery. Which by the way, is looking super fantastic. It is going to be so cute!

Jen, I am thinking of you often and hoping for a speedy recovery for Peyty Pie! Hang in there!