Family Pics

Most of you know that I rave every year over our photograper, Becky Kimball. She has a great eye and always captures my family perfectly. We never know where to take the pics at, so we let her decide. This year it was in a grove of trees and I wanted a more "winter" look. No snow, but we got the bare trees. Last year we were at a condemned house (those are some of my favs) and the year before was an alley in Lehi. We love you, Becky!

Here are some of my favs....

She cracks me up...

This girl is just full of personality...

Outfit of the week...is kind of 80's-ish. Don't ya think?

Girls Weekend

When my mom and dad left on their mission a little over 18 months ago, we had the discussion that when they came home we were taking a girls trip -- sisters and mom. (I think dad may have been slightly offended when he found out he wasn't invited.)

So, last month after mom and dad came home, we starting planning. Destination: Park City

Overnight Digs: Escala at The Canyons

We spent a fair amount of time at the outlet stores shopping. We did a fair amount of damage. **note to self....next year we will need more vehicles to carry shopping bags home.

Of course we had to eat (although we would rather be shopping!) Do we look alike?

I had my sweet friend, Shar, from Bags that Fit come up with a darling bracelet just for the girls. They are amazing at that store!! Shar called her jewelry specialist in a different state and had these darling charm bracelets made.....JUST FOR US! The little picture is of 2 girls and it says "sisters" underneath.

And some pampering time.....pedis for all! We even sang "happy birthday" to one of the girls there! (we did not get an encore.)

Our cute toes!

So what do you say ladies for next year??? Hawaii?

Thinking....

...that I need this for my bed for Christmas. Does anyone out there change their bedding for the holidays? Might be fun.

Just Peachy

Okay, I'm going to admit it....my kids are picky eaters. I talk about Nutrition and healthy eating ALL day long, but it is so hard sometimes to convince my kids that they do not need to eat out of a box. Gabe hears the word "healthy" and he wrinkles up his nose. Sigh. Enter.....the Peach.

We're obsessed over here. Emma LOVES them. Sliced up with some Truvia sprinkled on top...oh, yeah baby. I'll take it while it lasts.

Pack Rat...

This pile o' crap is what I found under my bed courtesy of the "Pack Rat" aka: Emma.

How long do you think she was storing this stuff and what do you think she was going to do with it??

Is it really over??

Fall is in the air. Really? Is summer gone? Yes, I think it is. What did we do...where did the time go? As I look back at my summer pictures, here is what my kids did:

Tied each other up:

Played dress-up (actually, this is what she really wears.)

Catching frogs in our window wells (scary that I don't really know any of these children in the picture?!)

Swimming.

Goodbye summer. See you next year.

Hidden Gem...

Well, come Friday last week, Jesse could tell that I was in need of a time out. Ever have those days/weeks? Yep - I had one and I needed out! So....off we went to a getaway not too far from our home. Destination: Park City, more specifically, The Canyons Ski Resort. I had no idea such a little gem was waiting there to be explored. We've made many trips to Park City, but never stayed at the Canyons. I am taking more time outs....SOON!

This trip entailed:
- School shopping at the outlet mall
- Cafe Rio
- Laying by the pool
- Sleeping in

Next trip:
- More sleeping in, perhaps a nap
- More pool and barbecuing by the pool
- Exploring the hills - perhaps a hike
- Some fun with the kids on Main - they love the Alpine Slide.

Ah....Bring on the next week. I'm ready.

Happy Anniversary!

This wedding picture still makes me giggle every time I see it. It looks like it was taken in 1977, not 1997. 13 years.....what a ride! Love you, Jess.

Bike parade...

Our Primary had a bike parade for Pioneer Day last week. The kids were so excited to decorate their bikes and ride from the church to the park.

*notice what Emma is wearing...it was like 100 degrees that day.

Calling all women...again...

Ok girls - over a year ago I posted the blog post below when a friend of mine, Kristi, and I started a fitness and nutrition company. Well, one year later we are still growing and want to continue to help thousands more women. Some have asked me what we do and how they can take part. I am having a little Girls Night Out Thursday, July 29 @ 6:30 pm at my house. Come try some of the yummy food and find out how to lose weight, keep it off, and love your new body. Visit our website to see more before and afters and register for the event. So....here is a repost:

As you can imagine it is not without a little hesitancy and a lot of anxiety that I'm putting these pictures out there for the world to see. As many of you know there has been a "life-style" change at the Allen house. The change wasn't easy at first, but the results were exactly what I wanted and I couldn't be happier. Since making this change I've lost 17.6 pounds, but more importantly I lost 12.88 % of body fat, 5 inches of my hips, 3.5 inches from my waist, and 2.75 inches from my thighs. More importantly I gained a new found respect for setting and achieving goals, gained greater self-discipline and respect, and a new appreciation for my abilities. So if a chocolate loving, candy craving, sugar devouring, sweet-aholic like me can do it so can you, and that is the real point of this blog. Together with my good friend Kristi Attaway, we've started a new company to help women maximize their potential and achieve their fitness goals. Bring a friend....You'll have a blast discovering you're true potential, and you'll be able to do it while being accountable to your friends.

Before:

12 weeks after:

Graceful Exit...

You have to watch her exit after the jump...classic Emma!

10 places I want to visit....

1. Italy -- just sounds romantic.
2. Turkey -- heard it is amazing.
3. Greece -- with Susan and Wayne, of course.
4. Boston in the fall -- one of my favorite seasons.
5. Oregon Coast -- I went when I was little, but would appreciate it more now.
6. Brazil -- Jesse served his mission there. (although he is scared to take me)
7. Tahiti -- who doesn't want to go there?
8. Washington DC -- in the spring preferrably to see the cherry blossoms.
9. Texas -- go big or go home.
10. Outer Banks -- I keep seeing stickers on people's cars for this...I feel like I am missing out. Am I?

Ten Summer Memories from Growing Up...

There are just some things that do more than just remind me of summer...they MEAN summer to me. Here is my list of "ten" that mean summer to me:

1. Summer vacations....usually camping (for DAYS) and poofy hair.


2. Gardening. We always planted a garden. Beans, Peas, Corn, Potatoes, Radishes....there is NOTHING like fresh veggies from the garden.

3. The smell of alfalfa. Can you smell it? Ah...it reminds me of home and summer....and it's even better when it's raining.

4. Birthdays. My birthday is during the summer. In July, to be exact. That means birthday parties at family reunions or at the park. (do you like the hair and jumpsuit?)

5. Summer jobs. My summer job was cleaning buses with my Dad. Now, before you go, "ew", it was the dream job for a teenager for summer. 7am - noon. Then play, play, play. The best part was doing it with my Dad. (he is still the best bus mopper I know of. AND - he let me take as many Mountain Dew breaks as I wanted.)

6. Fish. We went fishing during the summer. I can still remember looking forward to my mom frying up the trout. In butter. Mmmmmm....

7. Open windows. We had no air conditioning (say what?), so all windows were open at night. To smell the alfalfa, of course. And to hear the sprinklers in the fields.

8. Allergies. From the alfalfa.

9. Sheep. Oh, yes. I did sheep 4-H. And hated it. How could I with that cool shirt and belt?


10. Peas and Potatoes. My mom is the bomb at making peas and red potatoes from scratch. All from the garden and so delicious.

Ten for Tuesday

Okay - I miss blogging. I thought I would try something different for a while. Why not 10 for Tuesday. We just got back from Hawaii, so I am going to list my top ten favorite things about our trip to Kauai (in no particular order.)

1. Hiking - we took a hike every morning. The great thing about the island of Kauai is that every shore seems like a different island - different terrain and climate. So weird. (this is a picture of our first hike on the Nepali Coast.)

2. Swimsuits all day long.

3. Listening to the ocean. This was the view from our room.

4. The weather - 80's the entire time.
5. Mermaid's cafe - the best Ahi Tuna wraps on the island.
6. Time with just the hubby.
7. Billie Madison Pizza. Smoked Fish. Onions. Gorgonzola. Brought new meaning to bad breath.
8. Laying by the pool...reading...drinking limeades.
9. The roosters. Had to be mentioned. They are everywhere. It is the most bizarre thing ever.
10. Laid back nature of the islanders. Brought a piece home with me which lasted about 45 minutes. Must go back to get more.

Someone is now four....going on sixteen.

She insisted on a beauty salon birthday party (making Grandma Susan proud, I'm sure).

The festivities included make-up, hair, painting nails, making headbands (Emma's had 2 flowers on each side, of course....) and frosting cupcakes.

Our special friend, Kristen, who helped us. (she and I were exhausted by the time the party was over!)

Why is it that the birthday girl is always super grumpy by the end of the party?

Love you Miss Em!

I think it is a disease...

...my addiction to workout clothes, that is. Pretty sad when you have more workout clothes than regular clothes! My favorite (by far!) is Impact Fitness Wear. Megan is the most adorable owner and designs the best clothing. She has a fun fashion sense and her fabrics are always the best. I have been buying from her for over 8 years and get this - I STILL have tops that I bought 8 years ago. And still in great condition! Find them HERE. Or visit her boutique located in Holladay.

Psst.....I also have some coupons at my house if anyone wants one!

Piano Lessons!

Not from ME - that would be a disaster! My wonderful neighbor, Leslie Westerfield, has been teaching piano for years and started up lessons in our neighborhood. Gabe started a few months ago and LOVES her! If your kids are interested, she still has some slots available this summer. Costo is $60 per month. You can reach her at 801-450-3837.


On that same note, I did take piano as a kid. Did you? I never really developed that talent, but I can still play a couple of hymns on demand....Count Your Many Blessings. What can you still play?

New Spring Clothes...

Looking for some cute new Spring/Summer clothes that are original? Found me some at Bags that Fit in American Fork. Darling boutique....I could have bought more than I did (wish I would have). Visit their site HERE. Or just go see them. You won't regret it.

ps. I have bought my shirts for family pics on my way TO the session two years in a row now. That is how POSITIVE I am that they will have something I like.

Next...my fav workout clothes....

Trip Highlights...

Liberty Jail:

Adam-Ondi-Ahmen:

Carthage Jail:

Nauvoo:

Kansas City Royals Baseball Game:

Spring Break 2010....

For some reason, Gabe always wants to go to Hawaii whenever there is a break at school. You can imagine his suprise when he asked for Hawaii, and we delivered Missouri....

But there was a special reason we picked Missouri....

Love you, Mom and Dad! Thanks for letting us visit! More pics to come....

This is Classic....

A couple of weeks ago when I went to pick up Emma from preschool, her teacher put her in the car and said, "you forgot it was picture day, huh?" Oh, boy. Did I ever.

You all know that Emma has a style all her own. She puts the most bizarre combos together....even for school. Well on this particular day, I didn't argue with her and we now have this classic "personality" portrait that perfectly captures our girl. What do you think?

I love Spring....

A spring morning at the park....you can't beat it. I think this is my favorite season. It just seems like a fresh start....a new beginning. Probably the same reason why Monday is my favorite day of the week. What is your favorite season or day of the week?

Guess where I get to go next month...

Disturbing...

To earn his Artist Badge, Gabriel was required to to a sketch. He decided to do a profile sketch and use me as his subject. I waited patiently as he tried to capture every detail. Here is the end result....

It's okay - we laughed out loud, too.

No Fear...

Original...

No one will accuse her of not being original....

Pajama pants, my workout top, my flip flops, and swimming goggles.

My shirt and camisole (I am seeing a pattern here and getting concerned....), my shoes, my lifting gloves, and a sweater with leopard fur trim worn as pants with this emsemble.