Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Paige and Alex

2 & 3 yrs old

Wow, Ten years later, 12 & 13

I have a lot of random pictures I need to put up, but for now here is one of Paige and Alex. As some of you know we met Alex and her family the second day we moved to Philadelphia, they had only been there a week longer. Our families became great friends, and the best part is that we both moved to the greater Los Angeles area. Not extremely close to each other, but close enough to see each other at least once a year. This year Alex invited Paige to her birthday movie party, we didn't think we could make it, but plans changed and it worked out. I let her mom know and we surprised her! It was fun to see Paige interact with a lot of girls she didn't even know, and how no matter how long they haven't seen each other, Paige and Alex always fall right back into place. The best part was that I got to sit and talk to my friend Kym the whole time. Can you believe how grown up they both look? and that Paige is a full year younger than Alex :) It's always been that way :)

Sophie's 1!!!

Nov. 20th, today, is Sophie's first birthday!! We love having her and Paige even said she can't imagine not having her. We bought her new toys and a cupcake cookie treat. Who could resist her cute face.

Is that why...

As most of you know, or if you didn't now you do, I drink way too much Diet Dr. Pepper. I have been wanting to cut back, and reading this article 2 days after Halloween helped. It is exactly what has happened to me. I crave more sweets and carbs when I drink the soda, and then I need to wash it down with more soda. I also look like I'm in my 2nd trimester :) but have not gained weight, just a lot of belly fat :( Too much info, but it is just too true. Read the article and it all makes sense :(

The health effects of diet soda

You may come to the conclusion that diet or sugar-free soda is a better choice. However, one study discovered that drinking one or more soft drinks a day — and it didn’t matter whether it was diet or regular — led to a 30% greater chance of weight gain around the belly. Diet soda is filled with artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, sucralose, or saccharin. These artificial sweeteners pose a threat to your health. Saccharin, for instance, has been found to be carcinogenic, and studies have found that it produced bladder cancer in rats. Aspartame, commonly known as nutrasweet, is a chemical that stimulates the brain to think the food is sweet. It breaks down into acpartic acid, phenylalanine, and methanol at a temperature of 86 degrees. (Remember, your stomach is somewhere around 98 degrees.) An article put out by the University of Texas found that aspartame has been linked to obesity. The process of stimulating the brain causes more cravings for sweets and leads to carbohydrate loading.

No picture needed on this post :)

Metal Mouth

A little hard to see, but I have bottom braces on. And if you think they look blue, then you're right. I wanted to do some color bands, but not too crazy, so I went with blue. I will get the retainer for the top after Thanksgiving. I will only have to wear it at night, so I went with a white one with red hearts. They make it so much more fun for the kids now. They feel weird, but I am sure I will get used to them.

Halloween night

Wicked Witch, Dorothy, Tinman, Scarecrow, and Sophie as the lion
The yearly photo by the front door

the last few minutes trick or treating, sugar high

Halloween: round 1

We're off to see the wizard!
Nicole as Alice and Paige as the wicked witch

Seth and Kelly carving for the contest.

Seth and Kelly winning the pumpkin carving contest!!!

We had our Ward Halloween party last week and invited some friends to join us. The kids had a fun time carving pumpkins, having a costume contest, and playing games and getting candy! As you can see my family went along with my idea of the Wizard of OZ. I think it turned out really cute. Seth and Kelly even won the carving contest! Great job guys!! This was the beginning of the 2 week sugar high we are still on.