Turbo Fire, The Fire Continues

I started Turbo Fire in May with the 5 day Inferno. I have continued to do some sort of Turbo exercise nearly daily ever since that time.

I now run 4 days a week and do a high intensity turbo workout after my 40 minute run outside. I try to run every other day. On my off running days, I do a turbo fire workout to make it at least a hour long, so Fire 55, 60, 45 plus a hiit, etc. I am still not bored, and I am not tired (Chalene always says, "You are not tired!).

I love the longer workouts, the HIIT workouts and the ab workout. I have to be careful with the ab workout as I have pulled my neck bad once and had a minor strain another time. So, I try to only do the ab workout 1-2 times a week.

As far as nutrition, I continue to watch what I eat, but I do eat what I want in smaller quantities. I learned things from the 5 day inferno nutrition plan that I use even now, but I could not survive without chocolate or ice cream or on so few of calories.

So, after a few months, I do see a major difference in my body. My abs and arms are tones. I see a big difference in my upper body as I was pretty weak before. I like the high impact workouts. Having done Insanity, I find Turbo Fire to be higher impact. I wear a pediameter daily, and sometimes I can get up to 7000 steps in one Turbo Tire workout. That is almost as many steps as I get running (and I run about 4 1/2 miles!).

As far as injuries, I have had a couple. I strained my neck twice, as I mentioned. Now, I have a knee injury. Since I run, too, I am not certain the knee injury is from the Turbo Fire or from running, but I happened to notice it during Turbo Fire. I now walk/run with a limp, and I am really favoring it during my Turbo Fire workouts. With that said, it is nothing like the broken foot I got while doing Insanity.

Results:
Weight: Maintained (which was the goal).

So get ready and go for it! This is the most fun I have had working out!!

Through the Years

I decided to take a look back through the years of the first day of school. With tears in my eyes, here is a look back. Our kids are sure growing up too fast.

2009 Alivia goes to Kindergarten, starting at Standing Bear, finishing at Bell.

Addison 3y, Alivia 5y, and Asher almost 2 y.

2010: Alivia goes to 1st Grade, Bell Elementary

Asher 3 1/2y, Addison 4y, Alivia 6y.

2011: Alivia in second grade and Addison now joins her at Bell Elementary starting Kindergarten.

And this year, 2012, with Alivia in the 3rd Grade, Addison in the 1st grade both at Bell and Asher starting preschool at Sacred Heart.

Time flies...so enjoy each and every moment (or at least try!).

In a row...

Missing Daddy

I am getting tired of being Mommy and Daddy. Really, I am horrible at being both parents and especially hate being the male of the house (obviously, I am clearly not one). I absolutely hate going into Lowe's, but have done so 3 times this week alone. My parents so kindly came down today to help me with the jobs that Chris would otherwise be doing (if he was not in another state, that is).

After taking the kids to school and Asher and I walked the dog, I mowed the lawn (while Asher chased me around the yard in the jeep). I also managed to break a sprinkler head (great, something I need to fix tomorrow). My parents arrived and the real fun began. My Dad helped me take apart my sink in the bathroom. Seriously, it has not worked in so long it is like we only have one sink in there. The cold side leaked, constantly. The shower leaked as well. Gotta love Moen products. We then measured to put in a wall in the basement. The area under our basement stairs is kinda finished with drywall, ceilings and a light, but one wall was left unfinished. Without getting into too much details, the wall needed to be sealed, pronto. Chris did not have time to tackle such a project, so my Dad so kindly helped it get rolling.

Trip to Lowe's found that the faucet and shower faucet were under warranty! Yeah! The parts are in the mail, free of charge. I just have to remember how to take them apart to install the part and they will be fixed. We may actually have 2 functional sinks in our bathroom, finally. Unfortunately, we only need one since I am the only one usually here and Chris is in Florida. But, I digress.

Next was to tackle this wall. It was not easy, as most home improvement projects tend to be ("Nothing is ever easy"). But, the drywall is placed and one layer of mud is soon to be ready for me to sand. Yeah, something for me to do while Asher is in preschool. (Sarcasm).

Funny, I do feel better that these things are finally getting done. I'm sure Chris will appreciate them being done as well, although he feels bad that my Dad has to help me with them. I don't think he would feel half as bad if I was just doing them alone, it is that I have to ask outsiders to help that he does not like. I am so missing the male gene, the one that is handy around the house. I am getting better, and I believe I am doing a good job of holding down the fort on my own. But, I do not like it.

There is a reason why there is a Mommy and a Daddy. This Mommy makes a pathetic Daddy. The kids refused to go to bed tonight because Daddy had his phone off and did not say good night. I had no way of fixing that. I ended up calling the hotel and calling directly to his room (so old school right). By the time I got a hold of Chris, Addison was asleep. Hopefully she got over being mad at me for not setting up the good night time with Daddy before falling to sleep.

But, tomorrow is another day. Chris returns home. I think I will take a trip, and I will not be going to Lowe's.

First Day of School 2012

Today was the official start of the school year in Papillion. The girls were awake getting dressed when I went into their rooms to wake them at 7. They both seemed eager to start the new year. Our morning went smoothly as our routine in the summer is the same as the school year (wake up, get dressed, do hair and brush teeth, THEN come downstairs and take as long as you want eating breakfast). Asher was not happy from the start, perhaps a little sad that today the girls would be gone for at least the morning.

We walked up to school to a full line up of kids. Addison quickly found her friend Kaitlyn who was arriving at the same time. We snapped a couple pictures and the girls found their way into their class line ups. Addison nor Alivia wanted or needed me to walk them in. Addison help Kaitlyn's hand as they walked into school. It was cute and I am happy they have each other. Alivia got into line with her friend Gabby behind her (who is not in her class, unfortunately.). They were off...to the first grade and the third grade!

And, then it was just me and Asher, walking away hand in hand. Asher thought it was fun to walk up to school because, "All my friends are here!" as he saw his friends Henry, Cameron and Keagon!  I may have held his hand a little tighter as we walked away. I realize this is my last year with my little boy, so I need to not take these moments for granted. I also missed Chris as I saw mostly parents, Mom's and Dad's together, sending their kids off. I guess I am thankful I have Chris, even if in spirit, and that he has a job (Thank you Mom for reminding me!).

Asher and I walked home, then took a slow, quiet walk with Pippa. Asher was chatty, talking about how we used to see our friends Evan and Stacie on our morning walks after school. We miss them (and so does Alivia who asked after school why again did her friend Sydney have to move away?).

Asher and I kept busy at home, running a couple errands, before it was already time to pick up the girls at 11:40. They briefly told me about their day. Addison liked her new teacher, but she missed her Kindergarten teacher. She liked being in class with her friend Kaitlyn, but she missed her friend, Kate. She looked forward to their little show and tell project tomorrow and having lunch at school with her friends. Alivia really did not say much. She told me that she talked with her friend Emma at recess. Is she too old to play? No, that can't be. She excitedly reported that she will be the big older buddy to a Kindergartener this year. She was really excited about that. Alivia was happy to finally be in class with her friend Emma, but she was disappointed to not be in class with Gabby. Alivia is really laid back, however, and is used to her friends not being in class. She also knows that I will host a play date to whomever she wants to have over that she does not get to see enough during school. She thought her new teacher was nice. Alivia is a girl of few words.

We celebrated the first day down by having a picnic (of McD's Happy Meals no less) at Halleck park with our friends Krissa, Kaitlyn and Will. The kids played an hour and a half or so before they were ready to go home.

One day behind us, many more to come. Here is to a great school year; we are off to an awesome start!

Last Summer Day Hurrah!

Today was our last day of summer break. Boo. I hate saying good bye, and saying good-bye to summer break is no different. I do not like seeing my kids grow up so fast, but I am lucky that I get to watch most of that growing up so far.

We celebrated the last day the same as we did the first day of summer, at a playground. The temperatures were a little different today, mid to upper 60s at 10 am when we hit the playground with our friends Gabby, Xander, Benji and Bonnie. It was a fun morning.

Back at home, we prepared for the open house tonight getting cleaned up, nails done, school supplies in bags, and the girls pretty new Hanna dresses hung up ready to go. We had dinner and a quick phone call to Daddy in Florida. We were ready to go.

We walked up to school for the 6pm open house. Addison seemed quiet. Addison is NEVER quiet. After meeting Ms. Erickson, who was Alivia's 1st grade teacher and the one Addison had me select for her, Addison said she was scared for the first grade. Addison is pretty vocal of her needs, unlike her older sister. I do believe Alivia may have been telling her some things to bring down Addison's normally happy attitude. But, for whatever reason, Addison did not tattle this time. She is excited to be in the first grade, scared that she only knows one little girl in her class, and unsure that she will be able to find her way around the new side of the school.

Alivia has a male teacher this year and has voiced some concerns about this. You would never have known this as she introduced herself to Mr. Welch and stuffed away her precious cat folders and other school supplies into her desk. Our meeting was brief, but Alivia seems okay. She knows one other girl in her class rather well and that is it. It appears there are many new names or kids Alivia has not been in class with yet. Her classroom is also at the far end of the building, so she too is in new territory at the school. Each year seems to bring more new things other than the grade and teacher.

The girls are tucked away in their beds ready for their new adventures. Now, if I could just jump on board with them without shedding any tears, we will be set. I just wish Chris was here with me, holding my hand. For now, I will hold on tight to Asher's hand.

Liebster Award

My friend, Courtney, at One Small Moments, nominated me for the Liebster Award.The Liebster award is given to up and coming bloggers who have less than 200 followers.  What is a Liebster?  The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.

 

The rules for this award:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Then answer the questions the tagger sent for them, plus create 11 questions for the people they've tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Notify the people you have tagged.
5. No tag backs 

11 Things about ME:
1. When Chris & I got married, I told him I did not want any kids. He wanted 2, so we compromised on having one. We now have 3!

2. I am a devote Catholic, but I was not born Catholic. I went through classes (RCIA) to become Catholic in 2004. 

3. Chris and I have been married twice. I loved him so much…I just had to marry him 2 times! 

4. I want to move, preferably somewhere warm. Who knows, maybe it will happen sooner than later. 

5. I am a very picky eater. My favorite foods are pizza, frozen yogurt and M&Ms. I know, weird.

6. I love to exercise and exercise every day, if possible. I love to run, do Turbo Fire, Insanity, Zumba, and go on walks with the dog. I could exercise all day. If only!

7.  I love to take pictures. I am no pro, I just like to capture today and keep it forever in print.

8.  My middle name is Allene, named after Allan Pittman who died over Laos during Vietnam War. 

9. I had 2 major accidents growing up: One in a wagon full of corn (any farm kid would understand) and another in my car that I rolled several times totaling it on a rock road on the way to tanning, of all things. I am lucky to have lived to tell about both of them. Oh, and my sister Nikki saved my life from the corn.

10.  I spent almost my entire freshman year of high school in the hospital...something I rarely if ever talk about.

11. I am a full time wife and Mommy, first and foremost, today and always.

 

 

My assigned questions:

1. Where do you find inspiration? Our family life is my inspiration. I blog about what is going on in our daily lives (I know, yawn), things I have learned as a Mom that other Moms may find helpful, etc.

2. Where is your happy place? The beach on a sunny day.

3. Describe your perfect day or moment. Quiet, fun days spent as a family.

4. What is the best book you have read in 2012?  God's Little Devotional Book for Moms. It is a good book to read one page at a time, full of inspiring stories for Moms. I like to read autobiographies, usually, but I do not have one that I have completely loves THIS year.

5. Where is one place you want to visit before you die? I would to go back to Hawaii.

6. Who inspires you? My husband and my kids inspire me to do more, better, achieve my goals. My parents got me started on the path of goal setting years ago, and they are also my inspiration.

7. Tell me ONE thing that most people do NOT know about you. People generally know everything there is about me, as I write about nearly everything in my blog. :)

8. What is your favorite treat? M&Ms and Orange Leaf Yogurt.

9. What is your Secret Shame? I have horrible body image. I wish I loved the way I looked, but I do not see that happening in my life time.

10. Best movie ever and why? Honestly, I do not really have one. I liked Pretty Woman when I was young and watched it over and over again. I like how she went from nothing to something...the Cinderella Story. Since then, I only like to see movies once and never watch them again. Too bad my kids are not like this. :)

11. Favorite quote. "Work like you don’t need money, love like you’ve never been hurt, and dance like no one’s watching."

—Unknown Author

 

My Nominees. Okay, I do not follow anyone without a TON of followers already. Most of my original blogs that I followed no longer blog. So, I have a skinny list of nominees. :)

1. Julie

2. Laura

3.  Veronica

 

Questions for my nominees:

1. Why did you start blogging and what keeps you going?

2. What is your favorite TV show?

3. What is your favorite hobby?

4.Who is your Favorite Music Artist?

5. What is your Favorite website?

6. What is your favorite meal, breakfast, lunch or dinner?

7. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

8. What is your biggest regret?

9. If you could live anywhere other than where you live now, where would it be?

10. Are you a spender or a saver?

11. Favorite song to dance, run to?

Thank you Courtney for thinking of me and thank you for anyone who reads my blog. I have a tracker and know I have some consistent anonymous readers and some that find my blog looking for something. Thank you for all of you. I would do it with or without my readers, because I blog for me and to document our family life. Happy blogging!

Mommy n Daddy Time

Last Wednesday night, the kids were invited to stay at Chris' parents house overnight. Chris' Dad was away camping, so the kids stayed with Chris' Grandma Pat (who now lives with Chris' Parents) and Chris' Mom, Grandma Kathy. Grandma Kathy picked the kids up after lunch on Wednesday, taking them shopping for school supplies for kids who could not afford them (I believe they donated a backpack of supplies), then out to eat. There was a trip to Target in there for a toy, too, at some point. We stopped to see the kids while on our dog walk around 7 that night and they were so excited to sleep in the fort they made at Grandmas.

Meanwhile, I had a quiet afternoon of nothingness. I could have cleaned, did laundry, or anything. But, I did NOTHING! Chris and I first went to lunch at our local hotspot, Panera. Back at home, Chris worked, I watched. Chris worked some more, I watch a funny movie. Chris finally stopped stopped working and a crazy storm blew through (finally, some rain! Too bad it is too late for our dead grass). We watched a movie at night, talked, and just caught up.

Chris is TERRIBLY stressed by his ongoing work issues, travels, issues, and more issues. Funny, I had not a clue what Chris did at work prior taking on this project in Florida (really, what he did was classified). I also had no idea what a Widget was or why one would want one. I'm not sure I clearly understand why anyone would want one yet. And, to replace the lone ranger Chris, it takes THREE separate positions through his company. Yes, there are 3 positions posted for what Chris is now doing ALONE! Chris did apply and had an initial interview for the lead of the project, but has not heard back. Funny, he had to apply for his own job, one he has been doing for 6 months. Crazy! I am hoping he will find out more on this trip, but that is unlikely as he is the ONLY one working with the customer (so he will not see anyone from his company there more than likely). So, this drama and story never has an ending. I still have a feeling they will offer him a job, and I know that Chris will take it if the offer is right. Why? Because this is a great opportunity for him that would not happen here. So, if all the cards line up, he will take it. We just have to be patient and wait, something neither of us are any good at. So, we are still not ruling out or in a move to Florida.

In the end, the kids had fun and Chris and I had fun. We love spending time together and just catching up. I find overnight dates to be a big key to any marriage. Now, I just have to plan the next one. :)

Back to School Prep

It seems that I am constantly behind on this blog lately. Life is moving, but I am falling behind.

This week as been a week of trying to chill as we prepare for the upcoming back to school day on Tuesday. Dreading it! Anyway, I had the kids select what they wanted to do each day. Usually, "nothing" was their reply. They wanted to play at home. Some days we hit the playgrounds close by, but most days they just rested and played at home. It was kind of nice, I have to say, when they all got along.

Chris is preparing for a short week to Florida, so he will miss the first day of school for the girls. He is disappointed but knows that I will do my best to document it for him through video and pictures.

When asked for summers favorites, this is how the kids responded,

Alivia: Going to the Lake twice (and everything at the lake), swimming at home, sleepover with Gabby and spending the night with Grandma Kathy (just last week).
Addison: Going to the Lake, swimming, spending the night with Grandma Kathy.
Asher: Going to the lake, going down the slide, Spending the night with Grandma Kathy.

We had a wonderful summer. I wish their was some way to make it all year around, but there is not. I will miss the girls as they start first grade and third grade this year. Crazy! Alivia has a male teacher this year, so is a little hesitant about that (and honestly, so am I for some reason). Alivia FINALLY has one of her friends in her class this year. Last year she had just one friend in her class, too, but there are only 2 left this year (the others moved away this summer). So here is to a new year of learning and making new friends. Addison is assigned to Alivia's previous first grade teacher, and we are very pleased.

Addison is in the class with one of her little friends that we have a lot of playdates with, but she is very upset her other friend is in a different class. I really would love to here the explanation why the classes change from year to year. I can see why if there are issues with children. However, if something is not broken, why are they fixing it? Unfortunately, I have no explanation for Addison other than she is there to learn in class, and she can still play with her BFF at recess and eat with her at lunch. And, she can make new friends. Alivia never did! She always found a person to do things with during class when groups had to be picked, but them when back to her friends at lunch and recess. Alivia lost friends from not seeing them during recess or lunch, too (in second grade she saw her friends very little during school). Again, I would really like to know the reasons behind the class changing every year. I came from a class of 10, so we did not have this in my tiny school. I guess I will have to google it.

Monday night is the open house, Tuesday is half day, and Wednesday it is just Asher and I at home. I will be weird, but Asher is looking forward to his Mommy time. 

Zappos Rocks!

I have a new love.

www.Zappos.com

I'm serious! My friend Bonnie told me about Zappos last spring, so I ordered Alivia's spring sneakers from there. I knew her size, ordered them up, and they were perfect. I loved the free shipping (and the no sales tax at time of order was nice, too).

Now it is back to school time. I hate this time of year. Seriously, I received the standard voice mail from the school tonight and I about cried. I will be fine once the kids are back, but I hate the idea of them going back. Anyway, that is a whole other post.

We were shopping for new pair of shoes for Addison on Monday for school. We went to Von Maur and low and behold, they did not have her size in the shoe Addison just had to have. There are really few stores around us that carry QUALITY youth shoes. Last year, I purchased to pairs of Sketchers Twinkle Toes light up shoes from Von Maur for back to school. They were $50 a piece. Within 3 weeks, both sets had holes in the soles from the light thing wearing threw the soles. The girls wore sandals more than half of the time, too. I was MAD! I returned the shoes to Von Maur where they refunded my money, and we bought quality Merrill shoes for a few dollars more. So, my new motto is buy ONE pair of shoes, with room to grow, that will last for until the girls outgrow them. I pay extra to get the quality.

After we struck out on Monday shopping in stores (we went to other stores and only found Sketchers, a brand I will never buy again) and decided to buy the exact pair of shoes Addison selected at Von Maur from Zappos. We selected our size, ordered them, and we were done. Simple. I did this at about 1 pm on Monday afternoon. At 2 pm Tuesday afternoon, UPS delivered Addison's new shoes to our door, only 25 hours later!! Amazing!!

I am now signed up for VIP Zappos, which is free, so I will always get free overnight shipping. What a nice feature!! The price of Addison's Stride rite shoes was exactly the same at Von Maur and at Zappos. However, I did not have to pay sales tax at the point of purchase, and the shoes were at my door step the next day (where Von Maur did not have them at all).  Best of all, I did not have to leave home to get them.

I am in love! I HATE shopping! I am the girl that sits at our computer and orders from Gymboree.com and Gap.com whenever I can over taking the kids to the store. I frequently order from Old Navy.com and we have an Old Navy right down the street from us, probably within a mile! Addison is the only one that likes to shop, and Alivia and Asher just cause problems. It is so much easier to see how much I am spending, what I buying, etc, when I shop online with my online shopping cart. Zappos is no exception. They have many of the brands that I love (Merrill, Stride Ride, Keen, etc) and typically have the size I am looking for in stock. I do not have to ask a person to go in the back and see, wait, etc. I just get it. And, Zappas has free shipping back if the shoes are not the right size or we just do not like them. Sold and sold.

Zappos is now my new go to store for shoes. I will now have to see what else they have to offer! I will take the kids to see what size they wear, then order the brand we want online. Done and done!

Addison's new shoes

Our Vacation Through Photos...

 Here they are, most of the photos from our vacation. The photo book will have to wait. :)

PHOTOS

Lake of the Ozarks Family Vacation 2012

This summer, we were finally able to all go back to the Lake of the Ozarks together for vacation. This is typically an annual vacation where we go and stay at my parents lake home. Last year, however, was an exception as we just could not fit it in with our trip to South Carolina. This year, we had one week only that we could squeeze in a trip with Chris' crazy work/travel schedule, so we squeezed it in!

We left last Thursday morning to a car packed with goodies and kids. We met up with my parents at the first rest stop after Bellevue's amazing (aka stupid) $1 toll bridge (you know, the one that is completely falling apart). Asher rode with Grandma and Grandpa and Kota (their Lab) until lunch time. He was quiet, reportedly, watching movies. We stopped at our favorite park in Warrensburg, MO, for a picnic lunch, before setting off the rest of the way to the Lake of the Ozarks and my parents' home in Sunrise Beach on the 25 mile marker of the Lake.

We arrived, unloaded the cars, and the kids were ready to jump right in! It was hot, 100 degrees (much like at home). We swam, took jet ski rides, canoe ride, and took a little boat ride...all during the first afternoon! Fun time! We love it at the lake! It is so relaxing yet so much work. :)

Each day was much of the same, swimming, going down the slide 100 times an hour (or more), swimming, jet ski rides, canoe rides, etc, etc. Each day we did throw in something different. On the first day, Asher went down the slide for the first time with Chris on his lap. He did this over and over again. By day 2, Asher thought he could go down himself with Chris catching him. Success! By the end of day 2, he would go down the slide as long as Chris was in the water some where. By the third day, Asher was going down the slide as long as we were on the dock watching. So funny. He kept saying, "Get out of my way, here I come!" Addison, well, she went up the latter 100 times at least. I sat in the water and turned into a prune waiting at least a half hour while she contemplated going down the slide. Seriously, she is an analytical thinker much like her Dad. We were not sure what was running through her head as she sat on top of the slide, but it must have made her think she was better off just jumping off the dock. So, she stuck to swimming and jumping and was perfectly happy with that. She decided that she was not even sure she would go down the slide into the 26 foot water never year. We will see about that. Alivia, who had already spent a week at the Lake with my parents in June, was really comfortable in the water. It is nice to finally get to the point where we can playfully tip her over off of the tube and hear her laugh instead of cry.

The weekends are busy at the Lake, so we kept close to home and to the water (still 100 degrees) until Monday. On Monday, we hit the Osage Beach Outlets finding a few things for all of us. Then, we of course, had to hit Grandma's Candy store. This place has the best taffy and gummy bears around! There is a junk store next door to the candy store that I swear we will never go into again. The kids want all of this junk. I am okay with souvenirs but am opposed to wasteful spending on junk. But, Asher got a jet airplane, Addison selected her millionth dog and Alivia got her millionth kitten. Once at home, Addison decided she wanted the kitten and was beside herself wanting to return the puppy she played with all day for the cat. So, Monday night, Chris and I took a date night to go back to Osage Beach and get Addison her cat to go along with her dog. Our date night was going to Panera to use their WIFI while eating dinner so Chris could catch up on work. So romantic, right?!

Oh yeah, there is no internet at the lake unless you count my Dad's smart phone. I am okay with that, but Chris could not access his work account on Dad's phone. So, Panera to the rescue! Thankfully, Chris and I usually end up at Panera for date night anyway because the kids do not like Panera, we love Panera, and Panera is typically quiet. We can not beat good food in a quiet spot. I read my spam, aka email, too, while Chris worked.

Also, forgot to mention, we got our oil changed before we left by Jensen Tire in Papillion. The guy called us after changing the oil saying they did something and had to put a temporary fix on something until they could really fix whatever they broke that would cost US $300 at least. What?! Chris talked to the guy and he said this fix should hold, never mind that they broke something. Anyway, when we were pulling out of the garage from home on day one, I noticed oil in the garage (the oil had been changed 2 weeks ago). Um, not a good thing to see as you are going 6 hours down the road! Jensen Tire, of course, said, ooops. And, our car got repaired while at the lake Tuesday for $350. Let's just say we will NEVER return to Jensen Tire. Well, we will return one more time on Monday to yell at them and maybe get a part of our money back for what they did to our van. Come on. But, I am getting off subject.

Monday, Chris and I water skied. We had not skied in 2 years, and we both got up quickly. Yeah! Chris skied on one and I on 2. Fun times. We also got the tube out. Asher, Alivia, Daddy and I all tubed. I liked it the first day. By the second day, I decided my tubing days are over. I felt my neck crack as I came falling from the sky after going over a wave. I was done. I have had neck problems since high school and do not want to limit my mobility during a few minutes of tubing fun. Asher and Alivia loved it though. Hopefully Chris will be up to going with them until they can go together. Again, Addison enjoyed laughing at them tubing from the boat. :)

During our stay, we ate at Larry's On the Lake for lunch. Great lake view with average food, maybe a 6 out of 10 (we like Paradise better). On the last night, we ate pizza at Papa Chubby's, which is found on the 26 MM of the lake (my parents are on the 25 MM, so really close!). We had pizza. This was not the best pizza, either. The kids LOVED swimming their as they have a little rocky beach. So, it is fun for kids. And, if you are really hungry, you may not notice how bad the food is. :) We don't really care about the food because we are at the lake! Who cares about anything, right?!

Favorites:
Alivia: Swimming, jet ski rides, swimming, candy store, sleeping (which our kids did little of), bubble baths playing with grandma's bath toys, the candy store, tubing and eating at Papa Chubby's.
Addison: Swimming, taking baths, playing with Kota, eating snacks, boat rides
 Asher: Going down the slide all by himself, swimming, boat rides, tubing, jet ski rides going fast with Grandpa, canoe rides finding cat fish, snacks, bubble baths, candy and sleeping in Mommy's room.
Chris: Not working most of the time, swimming, boating, jet ski rides, eating out on the lake and the quiet canoe rides.
Me: Swimming, water skiing, jet ski rides, boating, running almost every morning with Chris. One day we saw 4 deer in the morning and 8 in one day! We saw birds, deer, an owl and a turtle on our early morning runs. It was amazing, beautiful and nice to run with Chris. I never run with anyone...so that was nice. I loved the time together as a family making memories, but I could do without the lack of sleep from the kids. Lessons learned, put them to bed in separate rooms and move them to the same room once asleep. Worked wonderful!

My parents are so generous to allow us to take over their home for a week, help us with the kids, take us to new places to eat, and really show us a great time. We can not thank them enough. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!!

I don't think I took enough pictures (and this is not even close to all of them!). Album to follow...