She is 2!

I can't believe it. I have a two year old. Life is great, she is so much fun and keeps us on our toes. What everyone says is true, "they grow up so fast." I try to cherish every moment with this one.

GOAL!

Not in the terms of soccer, but in reaching my goal weight. Yes! I didn't initially have the goal to lose as much as I did. As time went on and the pounds came off, my goal became higher and higher. I am not one to set a goal too high and then never reach it. I never in my life expected I would be my weight or size that I am today.
I have always been pudgy, and overweight but comfortable in my skin. A few years ago, while trying to shed some poundage I learned I was obese. I hate that word! It just sounds grose. I didn't feel obese, just overweight. Stress of life, infertility, all the hormones they pumped into me to get pregnant, and of course having a baby added on more pounds. Then of course I had to stay "healthy" (using this term very lightly) and eat enough so I would have plenty of milk for Emery, or so was my thinking. I found myself displeased with my physical body. what had I done? gained? I began this journey at 240 pounds!
This was March of 2009, time to get "me" back. My first goal was to lose 30 pounds. At 210 pounds, I could live with myself and be happy. Change of diet, making better choices. I hate the four letter word DIET though, I like to call it a change in lifestyle, or eating healthier. Give up the sweets, though a nightly indulgence of Dove Dark Chocolate was my reward for the day. I met that goal and thought to myself I can do this. I am going to lose another 20 pounds, then I will be 190 and fit into some of my older, nicer clothes. Pounds kept coming off, I kept sticking with it. I can do this. I kept setting small goals, and reaching them. As a fan of The Biggest Loser, I love seeing the excitement on the contestants faces when they reach their 100 pound mark. For my height charts say I should be between 125 - 160. I am at the top of that chart, feeling healthy but at this point I am 20 pounds away from 100.
You get the idea, sorry to bother you with the details. Anyway, my point....this week I reached my goal. One that definitely wasn't set from the start.
100 pounds lost!
I feel great! I feel like losing the weight wasn't difficult, though I know the maintenance will be. About 40 pounds ago, when I decided to go for the 100, I needed a reward....100 pound vacation sounded perfect! No vacation planned yet, but maybe a weekend getaway will be nice, or even a evening out with my patient husband. Thanks for all your support honey! Love you.

I am a loser!

I know this sounds bad, but it is good.
In fact, in my opinion I am "The Biggest Loser."
Bold statement, I know.

Yes, I am a fan of the show. More details to follow.

Shilo and Emery

The last couple weeks I think Shilo is enjoying Emery a bit more. I think Shilo still tolerates Emery, but look how nicely she is sharing her kennel. Emery loves Shilo so much, and even tried to "ride" her the other day.

Friends

Friday night was so much fun. Emery got to have her friend Maya over. They got to watch the movie "Up", (the whole 20 minutes that they lasted). So cute with their munchies and captivated by the movie.

Sleepover with the cousins

Brett and I have started a tradition to have a sleepover with the nephews each time we go out to Utah. My mother in law is always willing to open her house to this lovely, yet chaotic tradition.

I love the picture we got of the kids early the next morning, bed head and all.

Santa

Such a big girl. She loved Santa.

Compare to last year. So cute!

Back to Bethlehem

Our ward had a "Back to Bethlehem" themed Christmas party. Emery sure made a cute shepherd.

Family pictures

Just some fun pictures of the family. These were taken by my step sister Kara while trying to get the perfect family picture for our Christmas cards. I won't post that one till later.

Thanks Kara, you did a great job.

More Witch

Our little darling, and a great photographer.

One of our good friends, Joey Ocasio took this great picture of Emery at the ward Trunk or Treat.

Good witch

This was my favorite picture of the night. Some think it was bad of me to dress Emery up as a witch. She was going to be a bee, but she didn't like to wear that costume. She found the witches hat and wore it around the store. It was cute, and she is so good, not a witch at all.

Our first snow of the year.

This was Emery's first experience with snow too.

She wasn't too sure at first when I plopped her down in the middle of it. Then I sat her down,

And pushed her back so she was laying in it, she realized I was playing with her and loved it.
We got over 2 feet of snow last week. I had 3 snow days in a row. That never happens, it was so nice.

Pumpkin

I am sure many of you remember last year's adorable pumpkin picture. We decided to try again this year. You can see, she hasn't grown much.

Picking the perfect pumpkin

Emery loves to push things with wheels. She found this wagon at the pumpkin patch and enjoyed pulling it all around.

Once we got out to the car, Brett opened the trunk and when we turned around, Emery was trying to help pick up the pumpkin and put it in herself.


Daddy helped her pick it up. It was just a little big.

More pictures while in California

With my girl!

Grandma with her grandkids.