In case you were missing Karen...

She hasn't really updated her blog and she prefers to not post pictures of herself, so here she is with Caleb, in all her glory!

Our Yard Project

Seeing as how I have never taken on a yard remodeling job, I had no idea how long it takes for beautification, and how projects seem to grow. Oh... and then there's the money factor...

We had our friends and neighbors over to help us (thank you!) and they worked for 8 hours!!!! We got sprinklers put in,
lots of rototilling done,
the brick pathway was taken out since the weeds were winning anyway
(now my front yard is much bigger!),

we ran into a tree stump (there are actually 3 that need to be grinded) and roots GALORE,
and eventually we got around to putting down the sod we were given, It looked like so much more, but the little corner that it covers looks SO beautiful!!!!
We will surround the yard with a white picket fence so the little people can play out front and so I can live the American Dream (minus the dog).

I do have to say that it will be lovely. Thanks to all who helped!! Today they are going at it again. We need a retaining wall on one side of the yard and I think that is today's project.

Amendment to the challenge...

I do not think that any of the people challenged are fat. That is not why I chose them. I picked Abby, Jill, and Karen because one of them just had a baby and I know the other two are currently unhappy with their size, shape or thighs.

I know there are others of you (like all my cousins) who just had kids too. I hope you don't feel sad and neglected. You are more than welcome to exercise, eat right, and join the bandwagon to lose weight! Woo Hoo!

Kira is right, as well. C-sections will change you a TON. I know because I have had two. They cut through my ab muscles (among other things) and now there is a flap, a fabulous scar and the inability to ever have a 6, 12 or any other kind of "pack".

Okay, that's all I have to say.

I CHALLENGE YOU!

Okay people... the truth about life is this: A female's body is never the same after giving birth. If you add multiple children to the picture (meaning twins, etc., or even just having more than one kid) the fat seems to triple and stay. I am not quite sure that men really understand this. Oh well.

Seeing as how I am not pleased being in double digit pants, I am issuing a challenge to anyone out there, but specifically Jill, Abby, and Karen. The challenge is for us to lose weight and fit into our smaller clothes and be happy about life.

My cousin Elizabeth is also doing something fantastic to help tone up, etc. I am so impressed! It helps to have friends and support, etc. Frankly, I need a prize to get me motivated....so I'm working on what my reward will be. Unfortunately, a $5000 boob job isn't really feasible at this time. Maybe that will be my FINAL motivator once I've had all the little people I intend to have cut out of me.

Anyhow, Jill, Abby, and Karen, do you accept the challenge??? Do you need some specific goal, motivation or prize?? If so, email me and we will talk the specifics. Everyone else out there can join us as well in our quest to be hotties. (it's a mentality, not necessarily a size. My cousin Anna has some fabulous ideas for .... well... this is a PG blog.)

Please note, I cannot live without chocolate everyday, so let it be known that I am human and this goal isn't going to happen over night; I'm aiming for August. Happy day!

A true story... AMAZING!

Please read the post below this first. Thanks.
So, this is my handsome husband in front of our house. Notice our dead yard and the luscious lawns of our neighbors. I already mentioned that our goal is to now use sod to get the same results. We have a roto-tilling party planned for Memorial Day and then we were going to put in sprinklers.This morning the people at the end of the street were putting in sod (wow, imagine that!). I took a stroll on down to see how to do it and converse with the installers. Anyhow, this afternoon, after a family Target trip, I was informed that they had left over sod and I was more than welcome to take it. OH MY GOODNESS!! How fantastic is that???????
So, we borrowed our other neighbor's wheel barrel and Matt hauled the sod from down the street to our porch where I am watering it regularly and hoping it will last until MOnday. I am so super excited!!! What a blessing!! How cool is free sod??

My idea of yardwork...

Did you know that sod is grass that is already grown? I am so excited!! Seeing as how I am 1.) not good at yardwork 2.) the type of person who would love things to have been accomplished yesterday and 3.) kind of impatient (ties in with #2), I am delighted to learn that I can just buy grass on a roll and end the "white-trash-ghetto" look we have going on in our front yard! Whoo hee!! Doesn't that just make your day??? It makes mine. :-)

Dylan's Blessing

We just went down to So Cal to bless baby Dylan. We chose to do it there because our parents live there and it was easier for us to haul our bodies to them instead of them to us. It was a whirlwind trip and I was super busy trying to cram as many people and activities into the weekend as possible. I am now glad to be home. Above is Budd and Sheri Fox (Matt's parents)
Here is my handsome husband and cute baby Dylan. I love his little outfit.
This is Sam Fox and his fiance Amber (nice girl!)
My sister, Abigail, and her sweet daughter, Mandorallyn.
My cute Grandma!! She was dancing for me as she passed out dessert! This photo is Mr. and Mrs. Benson! (They weren't at the blessing. I had dinner with them on Friday night. Remember him from junior high? I had a fabulous visit with them!)

Budd Fox with his newest grandbaby!
My wonderful Mama!
Matt and his Dad.
Janet (our super family friend) holding a sick Levi.
Uncle Tody and Aunt Debby made the trip from Reno. Thanks guys!

It was a very nice weekend.

My Disclaimer

As pointed out by my brother, Isaac, and probably being questioned by many, yes, I do have a degree and even a Master's degree with an emphasis on English. I realize that such an accomplishment might lead many of you to assume that I use correct grammar and punctuation always. Alas, I do not... My husband is most amazed by this revelation. I always tell him that I take the weekends off from thinking, speaking and writing correctly. Therefore, you may find grammatical errors in my blogs, emails and letters. Suck it up and deal with it. :-) Also, when I post, it is like I am talking and writing to my friends and I just go at it instead of wondering if everything is "right". So, unless you want a paper on some fantastic subject (I enjoy writing papers), don't expect too much out of me. And yes, Isaac, I do want to use the sleep deprived excuse to explain away my many incorrect tendencies when writing and talking. :-)

I am human. I have errors. I don't claim perfection. If you ARE expecting perfection, then please let me know ahead of time and I will do my best to write a flawless email or letter just for you!

This message comes to you with not one ounce of me being offended... I just wanted to set the record straight! Enjoy!

A post of us elsewhere

Hello everyone! If you would like to see cute pictures of my family's feet and sweet Dylan, click on the link to "Karen's family" on my favorites. She took our family picture (the goal was the feet photo) on Sunday and it was fun! Thanks Karen.
For those of you wondering who Karen is... Karen grew up in Chino with Matt and I. We were all very good friends and still are. She is currently in the neighboring city from us. (This is a temporary summer gig, but we enjoy having her around). Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day

To my mom and Sheri and all those other fabulous mothers out there.... Happy Mother's Day!! I appreciate all you do and how you inspire and amaze me with your tolerance for life, little people and the day to day challenges. Thanks so much to my mom for raising me righteously and doing a fantastic job (in my professional opinion) and to Sheri for raising Matt so well; I just adore him and his family!! I love you guys!!!
(P.S. I wanted to post a picture of my mom and Sheri but when our computer had issues I think Matt moved them, so I have no idea where the pictures are. It's the thought, right?)

This has to be THE year...

A very common Shannon phrase is "sometime before I'm 30". Well, seeing as how I turned 29 yesterday, I am running out of time!! Much thanks to all those who thought of me on my birthday; I appreciated it! We had a nice little low key party with our dear friends Janet, Kim and baby Jeffrey. Matt cooked and did a BBQ and it was fantastic (as most of his food is). I had a relaxing day and just enjoyed it all! I have a lot to accomplish though if I want to get it all done sometime before I am 30.

2 months old (five days ago)

Our big guy weighs 11 pounds 4 ounces and is 24 1/2 inches long.

He got shots and didn't like them (who does?)

My Attempt at Gardening

Hello world! I do not have a green thumb or the ability to keep plants alive. For this reason I have never had a garden or tried to have one. Well... I have this fabulous neighbor named Sherry who is an expert at gardening. She has the desire and is willing to help me in my attempt to beautify our yard. What a nice friend!! (Thanks Sherry... She's the one in the picture with me). So yesterday we started on the small section in front of the house. We began by weeding it (we did a good job!) and we ran into a root. Not just any root, but a HUGE ole honkin' root that dove (probably) under our foundation... the joys of owning a home! This is the root. See how it runs the length of the cement patio?? We are going to hack it up and dig that sucker out! Right after we got our house we paid lots of money to have 7 trees removed from our property (yes, I miss the shade seriously). I know what you are all thinking... HOWEVER... the trees were REALLY, REALLY close to the house and have caused the drive way, sidewalk, etc to be raised and cracked and they needed to go before our house got destroyed. This root is an example of what those massive trees could do. Amazing.

My zoo pictures.

What they look like candid. Karen is constantly taking photos. It's pretty cute how obsessed she is! We love you Karen!
Ah! My favorite picture. I love my husband!!!!

More pictures by Karen.

Levi is so super cute. He is just fun to photograph.

Karen has mad skills.

So, our dear friend Karen went to the zoo with us and she took these great pictures.

My Two Cute Boys

Levi is always quick to remind me that I have 3 cute boys... Levi, Dylan and Daddy. He is so right!