Step 1....remove 7 shrubs.

I was hoping to be adding photos of Alexis at the opening day of softball today, but everything was cancelled due to the rain. So instead of spending the day at the park, we decided to get started preparing for our add on. There were 7 shrubs that had to be removed. Pete was able to pull a few out with the 4 wheeler. A few stubborn ones needed a little more horse power, so he used the truck. His dad came up to help out. I mainly just watched & stayed busy putting mulch around the trees in the front & back yard. We were lucky to get it all done before it started raining. We did find out that a large tree root has grown down & under the gas line. We even found a second gas line on the opposite corner of the house that we didn't know was there. We don't even know if it is hooked up or what it goes to. Guess we'll find out when they start digging. I don't know when they will actually start, but it should be in the next month I think.

Digging around a large tree root and the gas line.

South end looks pretty bare now. All the bricks on this end will need to be removed soon. I think I'll leave that job up to Pete & whoever comes to help out.

Pete & I Graduate in 2 weeks!

We'll we started the P90X fitness program the last few days of January. We will finish the 90 day program in two weeks & officially be graduates of the program. Starting out was difficult & the soreness lasted about 2 weeks. By taking pics of ourselves after 30 and 60 days, it really shows us how well we have progressed. I'm looking forward to seeing the pics after day 90. I wasn't looking to lose a bunch of weight. I have lost 10 pounds & very happy with the results. Going from a size 6-8 to a 2-4 was wonderful. Pete has lost around 20 pounds. We have more energy & feel so much better. I am sleeping better at night, which I am so happy about. We'll probably still use the DVDs after the 90 days, but probably not every night like we have been doing. Maybe every other night. Since the weather is nice we will be outside more & be more active. We have several friends that have also started the this program. We are glad to be on the road to a healthy life. I also like hearing compliments from my friends, they can tell a difference, which I'm glad is noticed. Hard work does pay off. And believe me it has been a sacrifice. Many, many nights I just wanted to crawl into bed, but worked out instead. Now we have skipped a few days here & there cause we still have a life & kids to tend to.

I must give a big THANK YOU to my loving husband! We decided to start the program together & help each other along the way. I think it would have been a lot harder if I was doing this all by myself. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! So I say.... Life is to short to feel miserable, so get healthy & feel great!

Pete shot a turkey Saturday morning. He helped his dad get one on Friday morning. This Saturday he is going to try to help my dad get one. How many turkey's do we need in this family? LOL

Nolen & Alexis were so excited to see the turkey.

Alexis is wearing her softball uniform in this photo. Her team is sponsored by the Illinois Gymnastics Club. She has been practicing for a month now. Opening ceremonies & first game is this Saturday. I haven't been able to watch her practice much since I have Nolen to run after. I can't wait to see her play since Pete said she does a great job of hitting.

Bricks will soon be coming off of the south end of our house. We will be adding 2 bedrooms on the south end of our house soon. I think I'm more excited than Alexis is about her getting her own room. I think she might miss Nolen being with her, but as she grows up, she will enjoy the space. She has already announced that she wants a pink & purple room. We'll just have to see what happens there.

Easter Eggs

Grandma came over to help the kids color eggs. Nolen didn't understand how to gently drop the eggs into the cups. He threw them in instead.

Full Speed Ahead!

Life is about to get busier around here. Alexis is starting softball soon. She wanted to play last year, but with Nolen being a handful, I decided she could at least wait another year. There are 14 games on her schedule. Pete has been working with her on her hitting skills. She is a lefty, but she it batting right. I'll have a fun time chasing Nolen around & trying to keep him off the field.

Once softball is over, Alexis will probably start swim lessons. I'll be taking plenty of trips into town this summer. I think Nolen & I might swim while Alexis is taking lessons. He just loves the swimming pool.

Our house will soon be larger. We will be adding 2 bedrooms onto the house this spring/summer. The kids will finally have separate rooms. I'll probably change their old room into an office. I really hope this project is finished before school starts in August.

Pete & I have been faithful & staying with the P90X workout program. We feel so much better & I'm happy to be able to get into my size 4 pants again.

Nolen turned 2 in December. I'm hoping to potty train him this summer. He has went a few times in his potty, but not on a regular basis. He loves the outdoors, just like his daddy. Before I know it he will probably be watering the trees, if ya know what I mean.

We are in the 4th quarter of school. So that means that summer break is around the corner. I'm so looking forward to this summer. Alexis is growing up so fast and Nolen still drives me crazy at times. I'll blink and they will be driving & talking on cell phones to their friends. Just not at the same time I hope.

I figured I'd better post something on here since it has been a month. So full speed ahead....I'm so ready for warm weather!

Alexis gets her hair wacked off!

Here is the before photo. Lovely long hair!

Put the hair in a pony tail and snip, snip, snip.

Here is the after photo. I do like it and it makes her look older.

We plan on donating the hair if it is long enough. She loves it and it will be so much easier to take care of for sure. Now I think we can actually get a comb through it.

From 1 to 6 just like that!

In honor of Alexis's 6th birthday on February 11th, a step back through time.

Care Bear party - Alexis turns 1

Dora party - Alexis turns 2

Thomas the Tank Engine party - Alexis turns 3

Backyardigans party - Alexis turns 4

My Little Pony party - Alexis turns 5

Wall-E party - Alexis turns 6

P90X Rocks!

After using the P90X workout DVDS for 1 week, I've lost 8 pounds so far. Pete has also lost about that much. I feel better, sleep better, and my back doesn't ache when I get out of bed. As for a diet, I have a salad & fruit for 1 meal a day and then have a regular meal for the other. We have cut out a lot of junk food and it really makes a difference. With Pete doing this program with me it has really helped and we support each other. He eats out every day at work and now he has been eating salads instead of those fatty sandwiches. I have had several people ask me about the P90X and I can now say its very extreme and not for the beginner. Here's a rundown of what week 1 looks like:

Day 1 Chest & Back, then Ab Ripper X
Day 2 Plyometrics (jump training)
Day 3 Shoulders & Arms, then Ab Ripper X
Day 4 Yoga X (90 minutes)
Day 5 Legs & Back, then Ab Ripper X
Day 6 Kenpo X
Day 7 Rest or X Stretch

On weeks 2-3 you repeat these same DVDs. Week 4 is a recovery week, but will still include Yoga, Kenpo X, Core Synergistics, and X Stretch. Weeks 5-7 include much of the same from the first weeks, but includes Chest, Shoulders & Triceps, and Back & Biceps.

This is a 90 day program that includes at least 1 hour each workout. After 90 days, you should be in the best shape you have ever been in. Ab Ripper X is an intense 15 minute workout for the abs. It's a killer workout and you have to do it every other night after your regular workout. They do use a chip up bar for some exercises, but show how to use an elastic band as a substitute, which I really like.

So after the kids are tucked into bed, Pete & I do our workout. I wasn't for sure about the 90 minutes of Yoga since I had never done it before, but I found out I could do more than I thought. So it's been fun & interesting. We have a long way to go, but hopefully I will look good by summer time. We took before photos of ourselves, but I'm not posting them. Might think about posting mine with the after photo in 3 months.