Cooking and Such...

So, if you know me very well you know I do not cook very often! I'm just so busy! What a great excuse, huh... Well, about 2 weeks ago I started a new diet, and it has really helped me cook every night for my family. I have tried several new recipes that the family has really liked. And, it's been great sitting at the table eating as a family. And, I have lost 17 pounds which is good too...
I am certainly enjoying cooking - which is a first! Go Me!!

Family Update

So, we have had a pretty busy October! I'm very glad it's over. Here is a few of the things we've been up to - it's a pretty long post:

Myles is sure growing! He will be two in December - I can't believe it. He is still the comedian in our family and sometimes we just sit and watch him do his thing. He is also a little mischievous and likes to get into trouble! The first thing he does in the morning is grab my phone off my night stand, crawl under my bed and hide! He loves to play games on my phone, but I don't always let him. So he thinks he's being clever by hiding - which works most of the time. Now we know when we can't find him, look under the bed!

He also has a hard time eating - he likes to play with his food. I left the kitchen for 1 minute and this is what I found when I came back. He had dumped his cereal on his head - milk and all! This morning, he had a plate of eggs, a granola bar, and some milk. Dusty kept moving his granola bar and milk and he would get mad. He would quickly place them back to where they were supposed to be. Hmmm.... Looks like he has some of his mothers OCD tendencies!

Myles was a monkey for Halloween - which if you've read my post a few down, you'd understand why :). He sure looked adorable in his costume.

Bree lost her first tooth the other day. The only problem, we couldn't find it. She lost it while I was at work and our babysitter Jordyn noticed her tooth was gone - meaning, Bree didn't realize when it fell out. So, we left the tooth fairy a very nice note explaining what happened, and she left Bree $1. Thank Goodness!!

She is loving school so much which I am very thankful for! I also love spending time with her and Myles while Jack's at school. A few weeks ago, the three of us went to lunch at Zupas - and they did great. They love that place - and so do I!!

Bree was a fairy witch for Halloween - not sure what that is, but we found the costume at Old Navy and she loved it. She took every opportunity possible to wear it...

Jack had his last flag football game on the 21st of October - and I think he really enjoyed it. He is still struggling at school, but I keep hoping things will get better for him. He is really a great boy and I just love him! He has been home from school the past two days sick - poor guy. He is also really good with Myles. I am always finding Myles laying on Jack or sitting next to him - I just love it!

Jack was a storm trooper for Halloween - I believe that's from Star Wars the Clone Wars. He's a little obsessed with Star Wars. But, he looked awesome non the less!

I've been keeping busy with marching band. September & October are really my busy months, and this year is no exception. We have one week left, and we have won all the competitions so far. My guard has also taking the best guard trophy at all the shows. I am so proud of all their accomplishments!

Dusty is still loving work and I am grateful everyday that he has a great job that he loves. He has also been a very patient husband through these past two months. He keeps busy taking care of our yard - Saturday he and Jack picked the apples from our tree. We only got 3 box fulls this year (last year we had more like 7), but that's ok because it will be easier to make applesauce with and not be so overwhelming!! We carved pumpkins the other night, and that's really Dusty's thing. He is great helping the kids while I sat and watched.

This month we celebrated my mom's birthday, as well as my dad's. We went to lunch for my mom's birthday and then had her over that night. We watched Beauty and the Beast and had a pumpkin cake roll after.

For my dad's birthday, we met at the cemetery with balloons that had messages on them. We all wrote a little message for dad/grandpa and set them off. It was a fun thing to do - something we'll do every year on his birthday. It was pretty emotional for my mom and I, but I'm so glad we did it. I miss him every day and still can't believe he's gone.

That about wraps up our last few weeks in October! Pretty crazy. Hope you all are doing well.

Flag Football

Jack started playing flag football last month - and he loves it, which surprised us a little. He's never shown any interest in football until now! But he is doing a great job and learning a lot. He even scored a touchdown at his last game. Way to go Jack!!

My Little Monkey!

Myles is a little mischievous! He loves to climb onto EVERYTHING! Below are just a few of his climbing adventures - the sink is my favorite. Last week, he had climbed onto the island and was drinking my diet coke. Well, when I saw the monkey costume at Old Navy I couldn't refuse - he will be my little monkey for Halloween!!

One Year Ago

It's been one year (yesterday) from the bus crash that took the life of my friend Heather. It was a pretty emotional day for me - which I'm surprised about. Dusty took me and the kids to Delta to see Heather's grave. I'm so glad we went. We took flowers and were able to spend some time there. I still miss her everyday but I am so thankful for the chance I had to know her and have her as a friend.

I also had a show Saturday night with my guard. They did great and took 1st place. The below picture is my staff and I - we are pretty stylin' I'd say...

I Hate October

So, I really do love fall - but that's about the only thing I like about October. Over the past few years, it has turned into a month of sad memories for me. As my dad's birthday is approaching, things just get stirred up and I just feel, well sad!
Last year on the 10th was the bus accident - I'm sure that will be a day I will never forget. And, on the 22nd, my dad would have turned 69. Each day that passes, I wish I could have him back to talk to him and ask his advice. I just miss him so much.

On the other hand, I have a lot of things to be thankful for in the month of October. My brother-in-law and nephew both have a birthday in October, my mother-in-laws birthday is on the 9th, my grandpa's is on the 6th (my dad's dad) - and I'm very thankful that he is still here with us. And, my mom's birthday is excatly one week before Dad's. So hopefully all the celebrations can help with the saddness...

Here are three of my favorite pictures of my dad - I just love the one of him when he was little.

Jack

Yesterday was a good day for Jack. He came home from school and only missed one on his math test! He also sat down and did his homework without complaining, read out loud to me, and scored a touchdown at his flag football game!

Way to go Jack. I am a very proud mother!!