Our Sweet Boo Boo

Ever since Brooklynn heard about kids donating hair for wigs to help kids with cancer she wanted to do it.  She set the goal of cutting her hair on the 100th day of 2nd grade (not sure why she chose that day, but it stuck).  So when the day come there was no apprehension.  Of course I had no qualms since brushing through her mop became a daily challenge filled with tears, yelling, and an attitude fit for a teenager.

In the end she cut about 11 inches and her perma-smile was the cutest thing ever!  She was so proud of herself and looked great afterward!  

The donation

 Could she get any cuter?

We mailed the hair and even received a nice certificate, which may be her proudest accomplishment yet.  This girl is going to do great things!

Rodeo Queen

I guess we can officially now call it an annual tradition checking out the National Western Stock Show and Rodeo.  The girls were excited to go yet again and see the animals and experience the rodeo.  It was funny how vividly they remembered each of the past rodeos and were really looking forward to the lady barrel racers.

During the rodeo Chandler leaned over and said to me, "I will never let my husband be in the rodeo.  It's too dangerous."  Glad she's already eliminating possible suitors......

 She finally got to pet a horse this time!

They had a lil' kids rodeo for Bubba to participate in, and she was pretty excited she was the only one able to do it.  That doesn't happen too often!  With her hat on and number pinned she was ready to go!

 Opening ceremonies on the stick ponies

 Even a ribbon for a fantastic finish!

 And then this happened at the rodeo.  This cowgirl is spent!

Resolution Time

It's that time of year where the gyms are packed (I remember waiting in line one day in January a few years back just for a treadmill), and we're all wanting to better ourselves.  Although I'm not much of a fan of the resolutions (I usually don't keep them along with the rest of the world...just look at the gym on a March day), I decided to make a few this year to better myself!  I thought I'd share, because then I'd be holding myself a little more accountable, right?

1.  More Plants less Meat!

This one I'd been debating over for a few years now.  Of course it always seemed more like a threat, and I think it freaked out Steve and the kids a little.  The decision came after I realized I was centering our meals around the "meat", and just adding a quick veggie to the side.  I was in a mundane routine of rotating meats and throwing in a veggie to make it healthy.  I wanted to add some variety to our meals and in the form of veggies!  So far so good (with a few cheats here and there), and we're still eating fish for all its wonderful healthy qualities, so Steve is content.



2.  Mix it up and Get Strong

For years I have been routinely going to the gym, running 3 miles, lifting some measly weights, and going home.  I haven't been sore.  I haven't been strained.  I haven't been pushing myself.  So I've started a fit Crossfit class that has been kicking my ass!  It's somewhat of a mix of crossfit but less strength-focused and more cardio-focused.  I absolutely love it!  After my first class I couldn't walk for almost a week but since then it's been bearable.  My goal is not necessarily to lose weight (which is a nice pressure-reliever) but to get stronger and push myself physically.  I was always in competitive sports and I miss that aspect of working out.  This class pushes me to my limits and I get to socialize too!

And there they are!  As moms we focus so much of our time into our kids and families that it's easy to lose the identity of who we are and make our goals outside of the mom/wife role.  Time to get it done and work on me!

Enjoying Thompson Time

The girls are always ecstatic when the Thompsons are here, and we were lucky enough to get a few extra days with just Carrie and Callen this time.  The cousin fun started at the WOW museum to kick off our Christmas Break.

 And we had to attempt the homemade gingerbread house.  Making the gingerbread was no easy feat.  I think we may stick to the boxed ones next time.

 After Christmas we ventured out to Hammond's Candy Factory for a tour.  Turns out it was a popular outing for lots of families, but at least most of the candy was on sale to satisfy our sweet tooth,

 As good as it gets with an active 2 year-old in a candy shop

 One day Carrie and Josh took the girls out for donuts, jumping, and lunch.  They absolutely loved it, and Steve and I got some gym time in.

 Jumping at Big Time (with an extra kiddo they picked up)

 Poor Callen is going to have a rough time when he's older with all these pictures of him dressed up with the girlies.  They love their human doll.

Christmas Time!

The day the girls look forward to every year was finally here, and it came and went just as fast as ever.  Our 3 days of gifts, food, and fun was one of our best yet!  The madness began Christmas Eve at the Wesling home with a nice meal, followed by loads of gifts!

This is a girl ready to get down to business!

 The girls with their matching aprons - ready to cook but no kitchen.....yet.

 Callen just as giddy as can be - is it a poopa in his pants or a candy cane he just ate?

 The girls with their mug they made for Magra

 Papa even got his own too!

Christmas morning was low-key with just us 5, but the girls were excited to see what Santa left, especially in their stockings.  It's always such a delight to watch their excitement as they open gifts, but this year they really enjoyed watching each other open gifts.  It's amazing to me that they don't just tear into them like wild beasts!

The girls looking for the hidden pickle.  Who will get the extra present?

 They decided they'd all open the pickle gift - such sweethearts!

We finished up gifts and had a nice breakfast before rushing into the bathtub and heading over to Grandma Betsy's and John's for dinner.  The girls found out they will ALL have a sleepover and see Mary Poppins in January.  Whoa!

Cousins!

Our last celebration commenced the day after with dad, Andy, and Kenz at our house.  The girls whipped up a fancy Easy-Bake cake for us all to enjoy!

 Papa reading clues for the treasure hunt to find their last gift!  A kitchen!  Finally!

 We finished the evening with dessert - a rock-hard pink cake that was enjoyed mostly by Kenz!

Although it's almost a little relieving when the madness ends, it's also a little depressing, because they look forward to Christmas more and more each year!  Christmas with kiddos never gets less exciting, only more rewarding!

Our Little Singer

Our little Boo has always loved to sing, from her infamous "This Girl is on Fire" to just sitting in the back of the car making up lyrics as she goes.  So when the opportunity arose to join Eagleview's choir I knew she'd jump at the chance to sing in front of an audience.  Unfortunately, this wasn't the case.  She insisted she still wanted to become a famous singer, but I assured her she's going to have to get some instruction from a trained musician, because Steve and I would never cut it.

She reluctantly went to her first choir practice after school, even though she wasn't sure who would be joining her and if she'd have any friends there.  When I picked her up she was overjoyed with the experience and couldn't wait to go back in a few days.  We would find her practicing her songs for the upcoming concert and even teaching them to her sisters.

After two months of practice the big night arrived.  She knew all the lyrics and even was fairly animated on stage (although she was overshadowed by the girl in front of her).  Her music career has now officially begun, and we can't wait to see where this road takes her.

Brooklynn and the "show stopper" in front

 Cute as a button!

More December Festivities

Each time there's snow in our forecast we anxiously await to see if we'll actually have a snow day.  When I was growing up we had at least a few snow days each year, but our girls have never experienced the joy of a lazy snow day.  So when we woke up to heaps of unexpected snow I couldn't believe we actually were granted a snow day.  Steve was in San Jose for a work trip, so we were a little worried he wouldn't be able to get back, but luckily he got on an earlier flight to be welcomed by the most snow we've had in awhile.  Of course since there was no warning, I wasn't equipped to bake, so we just had to get outside and enjoy it!

 An impromptu sledding adventure with our neighbors

After we dug out of the snow we drove down to see, yet another Santa at Bass Pro Shops.  Steve started his work break, so we made a day of it and grabbed lunch.  What did they ask for?  Yes, a kitchen again!

Sunday we took the girls to a CSU women's basketball game at DU (since it's a shorter drive than to Ft. Collins).  Over the years we've been to many men's events, but I thought it was important for them to see these student-athletes and get excited about women's sports.  Growing up we were regulars at the CU women's games, and I had their posters blasted around my room.  I was determined to play for Ceal Berry someday!

After the game we convinced the girls to high-five the team, since they were decked out in CSU gear.  The team just adored the girls, even stopping and going back to acknowledge them.  I hope this was a little spark for them to start a love of watching women's sports and maybe spark a dream for them too!

 Who invited the DU fan, seriously?  We're obviously a Ram family here!