Happy Halloween!!

What a fun day we had. Cam had a school Halloween parade that was so cute and he loved it. He loved being a ninja but said next year he wants to be Batman. We will see if he stays with that idea for next year or not!!! We had a Family Halloween Party and Camden loved trick or treating with his cousins (we missed you Tyler and Mei!!!) and mom and dad are benefiting from Cams treats ha ha!!!

The Final Days of Summer!

What a fun summer we have had! From Family reunions, Camping in our trailer, Swimming, Barbeques etc... It has definately been eventful and fun. I Remember as a little girl Summer lasted forever. Now it seems everyday is getting shorter and life is passing by so quickly. Anyone that knows me knows I love poems. I read this one just recently and thought it to be fitting for this season of my life. Poem THE END OF SUMMER The summer days are fading, as they must From endless hours to short and fleeting light The bird's once bright, immortal tune, now cries A melancholy aura to the dusk The children fiercely climb, and dream, and race Before their wild and unchained days depart And yet beneath the zeal lies a half heart For there isn't time, there's only enough space The sun seems low, a hazy orange sphere Now reminiscing sweetly of the days When endlessly before you summer lay And as in the deep, crimson dusk you stir Your soul joins with the birds in wistful brood Crying for lost summer days, for childhood Author:Shannon Georgia Schaubroeck, USA I loved my childhood-- Thanks Mom and Dad. Now I love seeing in Cam those little moments of "child play" that I miss but remember through him. I love being a mom and seeing such pure joy and love in him. Bren and I have had a fun summer and look forward to the fun days ahead. Thanks for everyone who planned and helped with these family vacations/reunions and get togethers. We love you all and want you to know we are so thankful for each of you. Love Bren and Ali

I found some great information on yahoo.com on what foods to eat to stay slim and healthy and interesting facts on these foods as well. Hope you enjoy!!!! QUINOA Per ¼ cup: 170 calories 2.5 g fat 7 g protein 3 g fiber For starters, anytime you choose a whole-grain product over one made from nutrient-stripped white flour, you wage war against belly fat. Penn State researchers found that dieters who ate whole-grains lost twice as much belly fat as those who stuck to white-flour products—even though they'd consumed the same number of calories. What's more, quinoa contains twice the belly-filling protein as regular cereal grains, fewer glucose-raising carbohydrates, and even a handful of healthy fats. So start your day off with a cup of cooked quinoa combined with a ½ cup of milk and ½ cup of blueberries—microwave for 60 seconds, and you have a delicious (and slimming) alternative to your traditional oatmeal. Bob's Red Mill Organic Quinoa won "Best Grain" in Men's Health's Best Foods Awards 2009. KEFIR Per cup: 174 calories 2 g fat 14 g protein 3 g fiber Think of kefir as drinkable yogurt, or an extra-thick, protein-packed smoothie. In either case, this delicious dairy product is a belly-blasting essential. Beyond the satiety-inducing protein, the probiotics in kefir may also speed weight loss. British scientists found that these active organisms boosted the breakdown of fat molecules in mice, preventing the rodents from gaining weight. The researchers still need to prove the finding in humans, but there's no danger in downing probiotic-packed products. We like Lifeway Lowfat Blueberry Kefir—it contains L. casei, the same probiotic used in the study. AVOCADO Per avocado: 322 calories 29 g fat (4 g saturated, 20 g monounsaturated) 13 g fiber 4 g protein Never fear this full-fat Mediterranean-diet staple: It's teeming with healthy monounsaturated fats (also found in olive oil), which have been linked to lowered LDL cholesterol levels and weight loss. In fact, a recent longitudinal study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the healthy-fat Mediterranean diet was more effective than a diet that avoided fats altogether—so go ahead and indulge! EGGS Per 1 large scrambled egg: 102 calories 7 g fat (2 g saturated) 7 g protein A British study found that people who increased the percentage of protein-based calories in their diet burned 71 more calories a day (that's 7.4 pounds a year!). Jumpstart your metabolism as soon as you wake up with a protein-rich breakfast of scrambled eggs. (Go to eatthis.com for other great no-diet weight-loss secrets.) GRAPEFRUIT Per grapefruit: 104 calories 4 g fiber 2 g protein A grapefruit a day in addition to your regular meals can speed weight loss. The fruit's acidity slows digestion, meaning it takes longer to move through your system, and you'll end up feeling fuller, and more satisfied, for longer. And the vitamin C-packed grapefruit works to lower cholesterol and decrease risk of stroke, heart disease, and some types of cancer.

My Cowboy!

I have to say this is the cutest little cowboy in the whole world! Bren and Cam went horse back riding this morning and , needless to say, had so much fun!

I am SOOOOOO in Trouble!!!!

I know, I know it has been a while since I have blogged. Life has gotten CRAZY lately but I am loving every minute of it. Here are some pics of what fun we have been having. LIFE IS GOOD!!!!

We Love 4 wheelin'!!!!!!

Fun In the Sun!!!!

We loved itty bitty ball this year.

I Love to See the Temple!

Bren and I were blessed to be able to go to the dedication of the Draper Temple. It was so beautiful, beyond what any words can describe. The spirit was so strong and so real--- I love this church, I am so grateful to have temples so close to us. I truly do love to see the Temple.

I LOVE ST GEORGE!!!!

I have to first say a big THANK YOU to those of you who made this possible for Bren and I this last weekend. I have to say I love St. George. The warm weather (60's), the beautiful blue sky, the bright yellow sun shining, the beautiful red cliffs Ahhhh I am in love! Brennen (kindof)surprised me and took me to St. George for the weekend. It was so much fun, I felt like I was 18 again and free spirited. Bren and I often joked that we felt like we were dating all over again (even though it will be 7 years this year!!!) The hotel room was nice (thanks to you know who you are!!!) the food was amazing, the company was even better!!! I hope anyone reading this will consider going to St. George if your life is as crazy as mine to just get away and be stress free for a couple of days is good for the soul. Not to mention be in beautiful weather and scenery. I'm so grateful Bren planned this, I feel so rejuvinated and energetic about life again. Thanks hunny!! I sure love you.

I was reading my friend's, Amber's,blog and she had this quote on there that she pulled from one of her friends' blogs and so on.... Anyways I loved this quote as well and wanted to capture it on my blog too. Thanks Amber!!! "As You create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your children. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey." -Marjorie Pay Hinckley I Love the part of having joy in your home, chldren and husband. I am recommited to finding joy in my life by finding it in my amazing husband and spirited,loveable little boy who both add such love to my life. That is now one of my 2009 goals-- to take time to remember to sit back once in a while and reflect on what a beautiful life and family I have. To "Be grateful for the journey."