7th Inning Stretch

We're at the Angels vs. Red Sox game. Angels are up 10-3!
Three thoughts:
1- Why don't the players wear tight pants anymore? It's a shame really.
2- John is paranoid/terrified of stadium stairs, especially higher levels. Anytime a foul ball makes its way up here he says out loud, "careful, careful." It's quite funny.
3- I would love to play the organ at the baseball game.
Go Halos!

I Am Weak

I love nacho cheese. 

I know, I know it's not exactly healthy but I can't help but love it.

They say you should not go shopping while hungry. 

That statement cannot be more true than when at Costco where they only sell polygamist size quantities. 

You see where this is going don't you?

 

Yes, I succumbed in a moment of weakness and bought a treat for myself. 

A number 10 can treat. 

What was I thinking?

Like I said I love nacho cheese but no one, I repeat no one needs this much nacho cheese.

At first I tried to justify the purchase and calories by adding it to broccoli...

But now I just want it gone and responsible part of me (that was not present and the time of purchase) doesn't want to just throw it away. So watch your mail boxes for an invite to a nacho party.

So much for all that exercise, right?

Summer Phone Photos

 

 Uncle Collin's Graduation!

On our way home from our first of five hundred family reunions. Dad worked in San Fransisco while we played in the bay area.

Many Disneyland trips!

Cars Land is so awesome!!

 

Beach Days twice a week!

Fun with Family in Utah!

4th of July with the Grandma & Grandpa & the Materns!

Beach camping and pulling a Brittany Spears.

John's band had a gig with a kiddie mosh pit

Museum trips and picnics in the flower garden

Exhausted from all the fun!

I Know Why People Don"t Exercise

...because it's too expensive.
Seriously. It takes a pretty penny to get in shape. I've rarely used it as an excuse because my plethora of other excuses have always sufficed but not this time. I thought I was going about this in a fiscally responsible way.

• Ocean swimming is free.

• Borrowing the Insanity DVDs from a friend is a free.

• Doing Yoga & Pilates with Chelise is free.

• Running is free.

However...

• The swimsuit to swim in said ocean-$$

• Luckily I'm borrowing a wet suit from a friend until I can find my own-$$$

• My trusty pajama bottoms who have supported me in days of exercise past, don't stand up, or rather stay up with all the jumping and moving of Insanity or running. I went to the sporting good store and Target to check out exercise bottoms. Oh. My. Gosh. Those comfy stay put bottoms that have the hide-a-key pockets and breathable fabrics are ridiculously expensive. $40-$60 on sale! oy. Target, while cheaper, still gave me a bit of sticker shock but ultimately delivered. Hallelujah for clearance racks!

• It's hard to exercise/run in everyday wear shoes, hence...

 

New Shoes-$$ (on sale but still $$ nonetheless)

On a side note, it's amazing what a difference good fitting shoes can make

 

 My daughter is much less demanding than me (in this area and this area only!)

She is a minimalist and only requires a diaper to do push-ups and glute exercises.

  

 

 Here's to Fitness!

She Enjoys Being A Girl

 

 Pig tails! Is there anything cuter?

Brynn can hang with the boys. She wrestles, climbs, and roars. She wants to do everything her brother does. However she equally loves clothes, dresses, and jewelry, she often twirls once she puts them on while admiring herself in the mirror. 

  

It only took 539 days (I counted) to get her nails painted! (A goal I've had since she was born). It had to happen on her terms and today it finally did!

Girls are fun.

I'll Keep Getting Stronger

Exercise and I used to be friends, really good friends. When I got married I was able to maintain my relationship with my friend exercise. Even when I was pregnant with Cohen exercise and I hung out a few times a week, swimming, yoga, and gym visits. Then I got put on bed rest and had a baby and a job and a time intensive church calling and a husband who was often gone. Unfortunately I let my relationship with exercise fall by the way side, we had become acquaintances. Sadly while pregnant with Brynn and especially after she was born we had even more of a falling out. I had lost exercises contact info and I think exercise de-friended me.

In the past few months I've tried to extend an olive branch one yoga and Jillian Michaels video at a time, unfortunately my children get really clingy when I exercise causing there to be more misses than hits.

A friend of mine, Jasmine is really good friends with exercise and has invited me to hang out with the two of them for beach swims at the butt crack of dawn 6 a.m. In a moment of craziness I agreed.

The night before our get together was very humbling and humiliating, trying to squeeze into the suit I just bought. After minutes of pulling, jumping from one leg to the other, laying on the bed while pulling, the suit was on, barely. Then because I couldn't breath I had to start the process all over again to get it off.  Wrong size. sigh. After laughing and crying and receiving a comforting pep talk from John I resolved that while this was going to be very hard I could to do it. I can't expect different results while doing the same thing.

I went this morning and I kid you not, it was awful. I could hardly breath. My once beautiful fast freestyle stroke was hardly recognizable in fact impossible.  I felt vulnerable and guilty for holding up Jasmine. After accepting my new reality, swallowing what little pride I had left I had to switch to backstroke just so I could breathe (on the bright side that allowed me to look and the beautiful blue sky specked with puffy clouds).  I don't think my heart rate slowed down til after I was home and in the shower. Despite being awful it was fulfilling and promising.

It will be rocky re-establishing my relationship with exercise, but I am confident we can work through it. Thank you Jasmine for the invite, this is the good kind of peer pressure.

Here is my new theme song. We've already listened to it 5 time this morning.

The Tube

 

Growing up I thought families who didn't have or watch TV were weird. I felt sorry for the kids who's parents gave them "healthy" snacks, and then, I became THAT parent and I'm OK with it.

But I am weak.

For the first time in 6.5 years we have a few TV channels thanks to the digital antenna from my sister, just in time to reignite my Olympic flame with Michael.

Here's to getting nothing done for the next 14 days and temporarily being the "cool mom", well at least not the weird mom.

Back to Life, Back to Reality

...or at least that's the hope.

 Life is hopefully about to slow down in time to speed up for summer events and vacations. In our spare time we've enjoyed...

 

Family date night

 

at the tasty Tropical Shave Ice Truck 

(goodness, they are handsome)

Giovanni's Pizza with Grandpa Jex and the Cooke family. I hope they are always content playing the demo screen on the arcades.

 Park days! Everyday Cohen says, "Mom, maybe we should go to the park today"

He would live there if I let him.

Channeling his inner Jackson Pollock

National Donut Day

Free donuts? I'm in.

  
We took a quick field trip to Krispy Kreme on Friday to see how the donuts are made

 

 and try one or two

  

They couldn't be bothered for a photo. There were donuts and chocolate milk to attend to.

Good Morning 30!

Birthday pancake breakfast with homemade strawberry syrup and whip cream

My poor little neglected blog. (My desktop is back from surgery and I have a camera again) There is hope for this thing after all.

So, it's my birthday, not just any birthday, my 30th birthday! I'm a big believer in birthdays being special days and that one should have an extraordinary day with fun and surprises! So far, today has lived up to my slightly ridiculous expectations, thanks to a wonderful husband and son and the day is only going to get better!

I've been thinking about this milestone, 30, and consequently leaving my 20's. I have loved my 20's! It has been an eventful 10 years:

I graduated from college.
I met, dated, & married John.
I've had a lot of professional success and satisfaction.
I've birthed two amazing children.
Been challenged and blessed beyond belief
Have become myself. I talk about this often, but I love looking back and the LeeElle from 2002 and the 2012 LeeElle and seeing the growth, maturity, and improvement. I can only imagine how fulfilling this can be with each decade.

I doubt any other decade will be as life changing as my 20's and while there is a twinge of sadness to be leaving behind such a wonderful time period in my life, I'm positive it's only going to get better.

Because I'm trying to do this with my kids I thought I would do a variation for me

Right now my life is busy (has it ever not been? Answer-no) with family, work, church, life! John has been gone a lot but this new job has been better on his/our schedule. Cohen and Brynn keep me on my toes and most days there's nothing I'd rather do than be with them, though it should be noted that I enjoy the reprieve that work brings. I'm interpreting at USC and find it to be extremely stimulating and challenging (Kierkegaard anyone?). I'm primary president and constantly finding myself involved in many many things. Still not good at doing everything, I've let go of having the clean organized house every second of the day. I've been trying to simplify my life this year and while many would say that I am far from my goal, I know I am pairing down, have said no (something that is hard for me) and limited myself in many areas. I have great friends. I'm blessed to be in such a good place.

What is your favorite fruit? Raspberries 
What is your favorite tv show? Modern Family & 30 Rock
What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Anything I don't have to make
What is your favorite outfit? I really love my black boots and by brown braided sandals, so anything I can wear with those, or anything that makes me feel pretty.
What is your favorite game? board game- Balderdash or any interactive group game
What is your favorite snack? fruit, nacho cheese, something sweet
What is your favorite song? really loving Alouette by The Delta Rhythm Boys
What is your favorite book? I just finished the Hunger Game series, that was good. I've been a little out of the reading loop. A somewhat recent read-The Help
What is your favorite cereal? Pumpkin Spice or Vanilla Almond Granola
What is your favorite drink? Lucerne Chocolate milk & Dr. Pepper
What is your favorite holiday? Christmas, Halloween, & 4th of July
What do you like to take to bed with you at night? my blankie
What do you want to be when you grow up? Happy & relaxed